Zurich-Grindelwald-Zurich: scenic train and visiting Gstaad in 1 day?
A traveler with kids is heading to Zurich for 2 days, then spending 4 days in Grindelwald, and returning to Zurich for 2 nights. They are looking for advice on scenic train routes, particularly for a day trip to Gstaad from Grindelwald, and wondering if they should take a scenic train while going to or leaving Grindelwald.
- Purchase a Swiss Travel Pass for convenient travel and discounts on various trains.
- Travel from Zurich to Lucerne, then take the Luzern-Interlaken Express to Grindelwald for a more scenic route.
- A day trip from Grindelwald to Gstaad is possible, but plan ahead for necessary train changes, especially if using the GoldenPass Panorama or Belle Epoque trains.
AI-generated summary-
HI, Me and my kids are staying in Zurich 2 days and then will come to Grindelwald to stay for 4 days and then will go to Zurich for 2 nights, we have only booked the hotels in these 3 places and commute through train is yet to be booked, can you suggest what scenic train we can take in this itinerary, we can also take a train while staying in Grindelwald to gstaad get down stay for few hours and come back to Grindelwald making it a day trip. Is it possible or should we take a scenic train while come to Grindelwald or leaving for Zurich?
In this trip we would like to go to Gstaad for a day trip.
-
Firstly, I am assuming you buy a Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) valid for eight days. (If any child is between 6 and 16, also get a Swiss Family Card.)
Travel from Zurich to Lucerne. The trains are twice an hour and double deck! Sit upstairs, on the left hand side in the direction of travel.
Leave your luggage in the lockers next to platforms 15 and 16 and go for a boat ride on the lake. I suggest go to Vitznau. The boats depart from a pier close to the station, usually at 12 minutes past the hour. (You have about a half hour break at Vitznau,)
On returning from the boat ride, catch the hourly Luzern-Interlaken express (departs at 06 minutes past the hour.) Sit on the right in the direction of travel. Do NOT change seat when the train changes direction of travel at Meiringen.
At Interlaken take the local train to Grindelwald. Remember to travel in the rear part of the train. In Grindelwald, be careful to get off at the station nearest your hotel.
This trip will take about six-and-a-half hours. If you left Zurich at 10 10 you would get to Grindelwald at 16 40.
Reservations are not required on any of these journeys.
If the weather in Lucerne is not suitable for a boat trip, take the kids to the transport museum (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/museum-of-transport/). See the ‘thread’, which I initiated, entitled ‘Lucerne Museum of Transport with Swiss Travel Pass’. See in particular the reply I have now got from a member of the MySwissAlps team.
Hi shilpa,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
For the journey from Zurich to Grindelwald, I recommend travelling via Lucerne as suggested by Roger. From Lucerne, take the Lucerne-Interlaken Express to Interlaken Ost then continue with the regional train to Grindelwald (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/grindelwald/). It’s a slightly longer journey than if you were to travel via Bern but certainly more scenic.
A day trip from Grindelwald to Gstaad is certainly possible. You would need to plan in advance as this will include a few train changes especially if you are keen to travel on the GoldenPass Panorama or Belle Epoque trains via Zweisimmen. You can use the SBB how to reach Gstaad here: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/gstaad/
regards,
Anna
- The thread ‘Zurich-Grindelwald-Zurich: scenic train and visiting Gstaad in 1 day?’ is closed to new replies.
