Zermatt, Mürren, Lucerne in December – stay in city or mountain?
A family of four, traveling to Zurich from November 29 to December 12, is planning their itinerary for visiting Zermatt, Murren, and Lucerne, while also considering a trip to Austria. They're unsure whether to visit Zermatt or Lucerne first due to potential weather issues and are seeking advice on whether to stay in city locations or mountain villages.
- Consider staying in cities like Lucerne or Interlaken to have more activity options since early December can be unpredictable.
- Children aged 6 to 15 can travel free with the Swiss Family Card when you choose the Swiss Travel Pass.
- Research the Swiss timetable to gauge journey times and decide on your travel routes easily.
AI-generated summary-
Hi All, I’m a family of four (children 8yo and 5yo) will be travelling to Zurich for the first time at the end of November. We will be arrive on 29 Nov and depart on 12 Dec 2024. Our plan is to visit Zermatt, Murren, Lucerne, and 2-3days in Austria.
My question is, whether we go directly to Zermatt or Lucerne first since I read the mountain cable car is not open yet at the end of Nov or early Dec. How about murren, is a good time to visit in early December?
anw, since our trip is on late nov to early Dec (29nov – 12dec), is it better to stay in the city? Any recommendation beside Lucerne, Besel, and Bern? Should we avoid mountain village (actually really want to visit it), or choose one between Zermatt and Murren/Wangen (stay in Interlaken).
Thanks before!
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Hi Marsha Claresta,
For arrival in late November and early December, I recommend staying near the cities so you will have plenty of activity options as the weather can be unpredictable this time of the year. Also, this would be a good period to visit the various Christmas markets (https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/christmas/markets/).
You can find useful tips on how to plan your winter vacation in Switzerland here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/seasons/winter/
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Anna!
is Zermatt still good to go? and for jungfraujoch region, its better to stay in Interlaken isnt it, or grindewald still ok?
My plan will be like this:
Day 1-4 Lucerne (day trip to besel)
Day 4-7 Zermatt
Day 7-10 Interlaken (day trip to Bern, Murren, Wangen)
Day 10-14 plan to visit Innsbruck/Salzburg
any advise?
thanks before 🙂
Hi Marsha,
I did a trip report of our stay In Zermatt last year. We left Zermatt on 27 Nov. it’s really difficult to predict the weather and it’s best you use the weather app or website to check the daily reports. As we were there for 18N, there were clear days and cloudy days, snowy days and some rainy days.
Here’s my trip report that’s separated into several parts which you can read from the Forum under trip reports. I am sure you will also be able to read about the experiences of others to get an idea.
https://www.myswissalps.com/community/thread/trip-report-zermatt-nov-2023-zurich-christmas-market/
Wow very nice info! Just read it, and yeah the weather can be very predictable but still beatiful 🙂
since we will be arrived on Nov 29, 12pm is it better to go to Lucerne first or directly to Zermatt, and Lucerne at the end? How about Jungfrauch, any idea better to stay in Interlaken or Grindewald for early Dec around Dec 5.
and we’re travelling with kids, so no need to be rush, just enjoying the view, strolling around the village.
and still confused about the travel pass, children up to 16 is free, isn’t? Should I buy STP or Half Fare, get an advice with my itinerary Half Fare would be better.
Hi Marsha,
In regard to which pass to buy, it’s best to carry out some maths to be sure – based on your daily activities. We have a handy guide to assist you with this. Please take a look at the below link:
As for your children, should you opt with the Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Swiss Half Fare Card, you can apply for the complimentary Swiss Family Card. This would entitle children from ages 6 to 15 to travel free whilst with you. All explained here:
So this would apply for your 8 year old, your 5 year old would travel for free anyways (all under 6 years do).
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thank you Yolanda 🙂
about the itinerary, any suggestion wheter I stay in interlaken or lauterbrunnen?
29 Nov – 12 Dec:
Day 1-4 Lucerne (day trip to besel)
Day 4-7 Zermatt
Day 7-10 Interlaken (day trip to Bern, Murren, Wangen)
Day 10-14 plan to visit Innsbruck/Salzburg
Hi Marsha,
Both Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen have their appeal in their own right. It really depends on your own additional interests, facilities, shops, restaurants – all could help in your decision. Lauterbrunnen is less populated if you prefer a quieter setting? Interlaken has more shops and restaurants, also if the weather turns, there would be more rainy-day options in Interlaken.
Perhaps take a read of our guides and that will help with a decision.
- Interlaken: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/
- Lauterbrunnen: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lauterbrunnen/
Also use the Swiss timetable so you can research and gauge journey times. That way you can see what is doable for you.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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