[Anonymous]

9 April 2023 at 17:22:10 #829528

We are a family of three (me, my wife, and 25 yo son) in August. Will be flying from US East coast, mostly into Zurich.

Some of the things or places we want to see/do:

Interlaken, Lucerne, Jungfraujoch, Thun, Saanen, Zermatt, Gstaad, Monreux, Zermatt, St Moritx, Mt Titlis

Glacier Express

Golden Pass

Lindor chocolate factory

Anything else recommended

Not sure exactly how to plan and where to stay and how long in each place. Looking to get some ideas and tips. We will be buying 8 days Swiss Pass.

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[User]

Reply 1 of 7 • 9 April 2023 at 22:16:28 #953151

Hello amarmistry,

Thank you for sharing your plans and that’s great you have already decided to buy the Swiss Travel Pass. More information on the pass can be found here:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass

I am unsure if you are aware of the promotion that is taking place from April 15 till May 14 for the Swiss Travel Pass? More details here.

I think you have listed some great choices and at a glance I would group them as follows, in no order of preference. As for deciding how long to stay or where to stay, this really depends on your daily plans/interests in each location.

1. Bernese Oberland to cover Interlaken, Jungfraujoch, Thun, Saanen, Gstaad. I have also included a link on the Golden Pass which covers many of the destinations you have listed. More details can be found here:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/berneseoberland
• https://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass

Many opt to stay in Interlaken as a base to explore the Jungfrau region.

2. Zurich and Lucerne are fairly close to each other. Both are good bases for various activities. Lucerne is the better base to visit Mt.Titlis. You can read more here:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/zurich/activities
• https://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/activities
• https://www.myswissalps.com/titlis

3. The Glacier Express, an amazing scenic train journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz or vice versa. Depending on your interests, you could stay in either location?

• https://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress
• https://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt/activities
• https://www.myswissalps.com/stmoritz/activities

I hope this all helps. Perhaps have a chat with your wife and son and see if they have any specific ideas in mind for activities? You may also find this link useful, here you can read a few sample itineraries, that we have compiled:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/doityourself/sampleitineraries

Feel free to reach out with any further questions.

Kind regards,

Yolanda

[User]

Reply 2 of 7 • 13 April 2023 at 0:57:50 #953152

Yolanda,

Thank you for your response. I am trying to have no more than two bases during my stay to prevent unpacking, packing, check-in, check-outs and hauling the luggage in between. So, based upon my itinerary where do you recommend I should book my stays?

Feedback from everyone is also welcome.

Regards,

Amar

[User]

Reply 3 of 7 • 13 April 2023 at 10:04:40 #953153

Hello Amar,

I understand. Given your plans and a request of two bases, perhaps Thun or Spiez: both provide access to Interlaken and the Jungfrau region. Here, you would also be better placed for trips to Saanen, Montreux and Zermatt.

Lucerne will work as a base for Titlis and Zurich, (the Lindt factory) and even a part of the Glacier Express route as a day trip.

Just a thought, as you are basing yourself in 2 spots, you may have to forgo a little of your wish list. Have a read of the section “Don’t have time to do the full route?” under the Glacier Express link:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress

Kind regards,

Yolanda

[User]

Reply 4 of 7 • 14 April 2023 at 0:06:18 #953154

Tank you Yolanda.

So we are going to be there exactly 8full and one half days – as opposed to 7 days we originally planned.

27-July/02:45 pm arrival – 05-Aug/08:10 pm departure.

We would like to be in Zurich at least one (if not two nights) before we board the plane. That way we do not need to rush on the travel day.

Having said that, may be stay one night in Zurich upon arrival (day trips to be planned yet, may be Lindt or any other place recommended?).

Travel to Interlaken on 28th and stay three/four nights – depending upon the various places to see). I am thinking (and you mentioned) the places like Bernese Oberland to cover Interlaken, Jungfraujoch, Thun, Saanen, Gstaad.

Question:

Will/Should I be taking Golden Pass as much as I can or just for the best part of the routes only?

I believe trips to Lauterbrunnen/Jungfraujoch, Thun, Grindlewald, etc would be daytrips from Interlaken. I assume daily travel by rain isn’t too bad at all.

Not sure of where we should stay AFTER Interlaken so we can enjoy Glacier express. Is it absolute must to travel entire Golden Pass route? If so I need to plan my stay accordingly.

We would like to be in Zurich at least one (if not two nights) before we board the plane. That way we do not need to rush on the travel day.

Sincere regards

Amar

[Anna]

Reply 5 of 7 • 14 April 2023 at 10:29:11 #953155

Hi Amar,

Based on your interests, you might want to consider the following itinerary:

On day 1, from Zurich head straight to Interlaken. This could be your base for 3-4 days. From Interlaken you can make day trips to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen and do boat trips on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Also, it’s ideal for exploring the beautiful Bernese Oberland. You can find more excursion ideas here: http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/activities

Day 5 – Take the Golden Pass train from Interlaken to Montreux. Spend a few hours exploring this lakeside town: http://www.myswissalps.com/montreux/activities. Then continue with the train to Brig. This could be your 2nd base for 1 or 2 nights. Brig is a good base for a day trip to Zermatt and to Bettmerhorn or Eggishorn to view the Aletsch Glacier. More sightseeing options in Brig here: http://www.myswissalps.com/brig/activities

Day 7 – Take the Glacier Express from Brig to Chur. In Chur continue to Zurich with the regular train. Zurich could be you 3rd and final base. Sightseeing options in Zurich: http://www.myswissalps.com/zurich/activities

Would this work for you? It is also possible to plan this trip in reverse. Hopefully this gives you some planning ideas.

regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 6 of 7 • 23 April 2023 at 15:43:37 #953156

Yolanda/Anna,

Once again, sincere thank you for your input so far. Slight change of plans. We have extended our trip to add two more days. We are going to arrive in Zurich on 24-Jul 2:45 pm and will head straight to Interlaken. Will stay there mostly for min 4 nights. Last two nights (01-Aug, 02-Aug) we are thinking of spending in Zurich.

Having said that, need to figure out the four nights (28-Jul, 29-Jul, 30-Jul, and 31-Jul) in between. Should we stay at Montreaux or Visp/Brigg better options?

Regards,

Amar

[User]

Reply 7 of 7 • 23 April 2023 at 17:01:22 #953157

Hi Amar,

Both Montreux and Visp/Brig are quite different: one located on the lake and the latter, base inland.

I see that both were on your on your wish list anyway, so now that you have extended your trip. Perhaps when you arrive in Montreux, should you take the GoldenPass you can now take advantage and spend 2 nights here to explore the area? Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon) is worth a visit or have another look at the activities link and see if anything is of interest? https://www.myswissalps.com/montreux/activities

After 2 nights in Montreux, you could then take the train to stay in Brig for 2 nights? Here, you could visit Zermatt and a few more of the neighbouring sights? https://www.myswissalps.com/brig/activities

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Yolanda