8 day Switzerland itinerary in August
Maureen is planning an 8-day trip to Switzerland from July 30 to August 6. She is looking for advice on her itinerary, which involves multiple train journeys and six different hotel stays, and whether it's feasible or too rushed. She's particularly concerned about managing their luggage during the trip and getting the most out of their hiking experience.
- Consider reducing the number of hotel changes to 2 or 3 by choosing key towns as bases for day trips.
- If you are worried about time, consider skipping the Rhine Falls as other attractions are more uniquely Swiss.
- Make use of the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains and buses, which can save you time and money.
- Use the timetable to gauge travel times between destinations and plan accordingly to avoid a hectic schedule.
AI-generated summary-
I would like some help with planning an 8 day trip around Switzerland (30th July to 6th August) for 2 relatively fit (but not expert female hikers). The following is an idea of what we were thinking but I think there will be too much time spent getting trains to our various destinations and we will waste a lot of time and end up rushing to see things. Any advise and adjustments to the following would really be appreciated:
Day 1: Arrive in Zurich 30th July. Book into hotel and then get train to Rhine Falls. Explore Zurich city that evening and next morning.
Day 2: Leave Zurich and get train to Urnasch. Get Postbus to the Schwagalp and then cable car. Travel from Urnasch to Glarus. Stay 1 night in Glarus.
Day 3: From Glarus go to Geopark Sardona and do the “Expedition Tschinglen (gondola ride, 1.5hr hike). Travel to Chur and stay for 1 night.
Day 4: From Chur go to Trin and visit Ruinaulta. Go back to Chur to get next train to Luzern.
Day 5. From Luzern go to Mount Titlis (Luzern to Engelberg is approx. 40mins and then get cable car from Engelberg. Also will do Mount Rigi. I think by paddle steamer or train then cogwheel train in Zitznau. Stay 1 night in Luzern.
Day 6: Get train from Luzern to Interlaken. Trip to the Jungfrau Europes highest railway station, 360 degree experience, Ice Palace, Elevator to Sphinx Observatory. Stay 1 night in Interlaken
Day 7: Get train to Zermatt. View/walk up Matterhorn. Get late train to Geneva. Stay 1 night.
Day 8: Walk around Geneva for a few hours and then get flight home at 17.20.
We will have 1 big suitcase between us and a small backpack each. As there are a lot of train journeys involved in the above will we be able to leave our luggage in lockers in the various train stations if necessary.
Is the above itinerary unrealistic? Can you please offer suggestions/alternatives we should do.
Thanks in advance
Maureen
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Hi Maureen
I suspect everything on your itinerary is doable but I count 6 different hotels in an 8 day stay. That means you must get transport for yourself and luggage, check in hotel, unpack,repack, check out and catch transport back to train station 6 times. In my experience logistically this usually takes most of a morning.
An alternative is to pick perhaps 2 towns as bases and do day trips and return each evening. There is a natural desire to see “everything” during your visit but sometimes less is more. Your itinerary is likely doable but I suspect you may find it somewhat hectic.
Mark
Hi Maureen –
Welcome to My Swiss Alps!
Thanks for letting us know your dates.
If you are concerned about time, skip the Rheinfalls.
I will receive comments about how I should not make that recommendation, so I will revise it.
Unless you have never seen a big, powerful waterfall, skip it.
Switzerland has many things that are more “Swiss” than that waterfall, especially at the time of year when the water flow is at its minimum.
It is pleasing to see your interest in the Ostschweiz. Any particular reasons that you want to visit some of my favorite places that are never asked about on this forum? 😉
Have you considered the Taminaschlucht?
http://www.altes-bad-pfaefers.ch/taminaschl ucht.html
Slowpoke
Mark: Good point about the hotels. Should have thought of that. Thanks.
Slowpoke: I get your point about skipping the Rheinfalls as yes we have seen powerfall waterfalls before (including amazing ones in Iceland). But can we really travel to Switzerland and not go there as it’s one of the most known places you hear about..will think about that….There is no particular reason for heading towards Ostschweiz. I just did a lot of googling and wrote down what looked cool and interesting. I will look up the Taminaschlucht, thanks for suggesting.
Based on Marks suggestion of making 2 or maybe 3 bases (instead of the 6 I had) where do you think we should stay?
Hello Maureen,
Nice to hear you’re coming to explore Switzerland.
I agree with Marks input, that maybe you’re planning to move a bit too often, bearing in mind that you also want to do some hiking in each area. Use the timetable below to find out how much traveling each day would include and if you’re fine with the timing:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable, make sure you read how it works, it’s a fabulous toolA quick correction about the Rhinefalls, they have MORE water in summer than in winter, as snow is melting in higher altitudes due to the higher temperatures. Might seem illogical, but it’s true.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/rh inefalls, they would for sure be a gentle start into your stayUse below links to look at possible bases should you want to reduce the number, and the second one to search for hikes in each area:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/re gions
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ce ntraltownsalps
– http://www.myswissalps.com/hi kingBest,
Steph
Hi Maureen
Before picking your base stations, you should prioritize the towns and activities you wish to do the most. Some may not be practical.
Slowpoke will be your best choice to help decide the best and most pleasant places to have a base.
I agree with Slowpoke in skipping Rhine falls and instead hiking down Lauterbrunnen valley and enjoying the many waterfalls along the trail
Mark
<<“A quick correction about the Rhinefalls, they have MORE water in summer
than in winter, as snow is melting in higher altitudes due to the higher
temperatures. Might seem illogical, but it’s true.”>>
Thanks. Certainly true vs. Winter, but I always thought the greatest flow was in the Spring, maybe early Summer, from the snow melt. I guess that snow melt continues longer into the year these days. Especially recently.
Slowpoke
<<“But can we really travel to Switzerland and not go there as it’s one of
the most known places you hear about..will think about that…”>>
Hi Maureen.
Advertising and marketing can do a lot….and the falls leave a very strong impression. Especially if you come from a desert country.
However, the reason is exactly the point that you make:
If you want to see really Swiss things, pick ones that are hard to see elsewhere. A simple example- the Jungfrau, and the famous Eiger. A ride on a lake boat on Lake Lucerne. The Emmental.
Toward the end of your list you skim the famous names. They are famous for good reason…and will be full of tourists when you travel. Still, the Jungfrau area and Luzern area (including some of the towns around the lake) are reasonable bases, and are central enough to give some sort of train access to more distant regions, such as the Ostschweiz.
There are a lot of nice hikes of varying difficulty in those areas. How serious are you about getting some hikes in? That can guide some suggestions from us.
These links and this map will show you just how many special trails there are, and also the extent of the Wanderweg network:
http://www.schweizmobil.ch/en /wanderland/hiking-in-switzerland.html
http://www.alpenwild.com/stat icpage/trail-signs-in-the-swiss-alps/
I prefer this detaikled map (SwissTopo) because the hiking trails are color coded to match the signage convention,and, it is a topographic map (essentially the same in that regard as the Switzerland Mobility map).
With that map, I’ve picked an area near Brunnen on Lake Lucerne. The lake boat in the attached photo was photographed from Brunnen. A couple of other relevant images for that area are attached, as well. Seelisberg is shown just at the very bottom of the map link.
This link displays the Emmental:
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/langnau-in-may/page/3 (scroll back to page 1)
This link describes hiking around Lake Lucerne, with links to “The Swiss Path.”
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-swiss-path-and-southern-lake-lucerne
http://www.schweizmobil.ch/en /hiking-in-switzerland/routes/reg ional-routes/route-099.html
What else guides your choices, besides hiking?
This link will show you at least 8 days worth (or more) of things to do near the Jungfrau:
http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion
And, I’ve attached a couple of images from the Ostschweiz.
The Weinstube is in St. Gall.
The Bündner Herrschaft is a wine growing region. The Romans brought grapes to that valley.
Slowpoke
Attachments:
Wow. Lots of links to read through. That’s great. Thanks for all the information. With regards the hiking….ahhh not that serious really…haha….as long as we get some long walks/hikes in somewhere I’ll be happy.
Sure we will just simply have to return again some other time and do the bits we don’t have time to do this time around (we are only in Ireland so not that far away…)
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