Weekend in Zurich – Lucerne day trip, mountain excursions?
JLB is planning a very short trip to Switzerland from February 14th to 16th, focusing on visiting quaint towns, mountains, and enjoying outdoor activities without museums. They seek advice on their itinerary, which includes Rhine Falls, Lucerne, and possibly Mount Rigi and Grindelwald First.
- For Friday, visit Rhine Falls and consider exploring Zurich's old town and taking a boat ride on Lake Zurich.
- Purchase a Saver Day Pass as early as possible, but be aware that they may sell out quickly, especially during the peak skiing season.
- On Saturday, get an early start for a day trip to Interlaken and the surrounding villages using public transport.
- For Sunday, use an all-day ALL-ZONES Zurich Verkehrsverbund ticket to explore Zurich before your departure.
AI-generated summary-
I am planning a VERY SHORT trip to Switzerland this week. I will be arriving in Zurich at 10:45am on Friday, February 14th and depart at 1:30pm on Sunday, February 16th. I would like to see quaint towns/villages, mountains, a boat ride and do some outdoor activities. I’m not into museums. Here’s what I have come up with so far and would love your input on whether it is feasible and other suggestions if you have them.
Friday (2/14): The only thing I know that I want to do near Zurich is to visit Rhine Falls. What else would you suggest? Any nearby villages that I should see or anything specific in Zurich that I should do. Or should I try to also make it to Lucerne & one of the mountains today.
Saturday (2/15): Is it possible to visit, Lucerne, Mt. Rigi (or would you suggest another mountain), and Grindelwald First today if we don’t spend a lot of time in either location?
I’m not sure whether to get a hotel in Zurich for both nights, just the first night and stay in Interlaken/Grindelwald the second night or not stay in Zurich at all and take an early train back to Zurich on the 16th since my flight isn’t until 1:30. I will only be traveling with a back pack.
Thank you for your assistance.
JLB
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Hello JLB
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
But, oh dear! You have left it desperately late for getting advice. (And for buying Saver Day Passes.)
Also, mid-February is the PEAK for the skiing season. I suspect getting accommodation for one or two nights in the Berner Oberland is going to be very difficult. I would suggest stay two nights in Zurich or nearby Winterthur. (Study a map.)
Try and buy on line Saver Day Passes (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/) for the Friday and Saturday. But be warned, there is a real risk that, at least on the Saturday, these cheap all Switzerland passes will have sold out.
On the Friday head for Lucerne (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/), (direct trains from Zurich airport). If you get to Lucerne (called Luzern in German) by 14 00, get the next boat to Vitznau and go up Mount Rigi (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/). Get the 16 16 train down to Arth-Goldau, and another train back to Zurich. (It will get dark between about 17 30 and 18 00.)
On Saturday the best public transport system in the world is going to be extremely busy. Get up early and, assuming you have been able to get a Saver Day Pass, head for Interlaken Ost via Bern. Your SDP will take you to the villages of Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald, but NOT ABOVE THOSE VILLAGES. If you are back at Interlaken Ost by 16 00 return to Zurich via Lucerne. If you miss the 16 04 to Lucerne, return to the Zurich area by way of Bern.
On the Sunday morning get up early in the knowledge that the best public transport system in the world gives a good service even on Sunday mornings. Buy an all-day ALL-ZONES Zurich Verkehrsverbund ticket. This ticket gives you the freedom of all public transport in Zurich CANTON, plus two towns, Rapperswil and Pfaffikon SZ just outside the canton.
To visit Rhine Falls (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rhine-falls/) you get a train to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall. This is on the south (Zurich Canton) bank of the river. The north bank is in Schaffhausen Canton. ZVV tickets are not valid on the north bank. You will have to return from Schloss Laufen.
May I stress that I have not had any time to think this through completely, nor do any costings.
Kind regards
Roger
Dear JLB,
Zurich is a good base for a short trip. You can find accommodation options in Zurich here: https://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/hotels/zurich/
Since you only have 2 days and are keen to visit the Rhine Falls, I suggest you allocate Day 1 for that for a half a day. The rest of the day you can explore Zurich old town and maybe take a boat trip on Lake Zurich (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-zurich/) and visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate.
On Day 2, follow Roger’s recommendation if you are planning to go to Interlaken (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/). With a tight schedule, consider taking the train for a scenic introduction to the Jungfrau region: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/one-day-jungfrau-region/
Regards,
Anna
Thank you, Roger for your quick response. I may have to reconsider the timing….
Thank you, Anna! The links are helpful. I may have to postpone the trip, but will keep the information for the future.
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