[Blue]

9 May 2024 at 17:13:36 #1522479

My wife and I will be staying from Sept 3 to Sept 10. We will be using all public transportation. Please let me know your opinions and if we’re doing too much for one day, or your alternative ideas.

9/3, day one

• From Zurich airport to Thun hotel; will arrive around 6pm
• Walk around Old Town

9/4, day two:

• Go to Lauterbrunnen
• Staubbach Falls Viewpoint, then hike to the Falls; 0.4 miles.
• Trummelbach Falls. Hike up and take the elevator down. Or elevator both ways if time constraints.
• Walk Lauterbrunnen valley
• Take the cable train and go to Murren
• Visit Schilthorn

9/5, day three:

• Go to Interlaken then head to Harder Kulm (they say there’s a long line for the to and return train?)
• Grindelwald First Cliff outlook. Either hike down to Grindelwald or rent a scooter.
• Brienzer Rothorn locomotive train. Is there enough time for this?
• If not, then do the Sigriswil Panoramic Bridge. Ride bus from Interlaken; when done, ride directly back to Thun.

9/6, day four:

• Check out of Thun and arrive at Lucerne hotel
• Spend day in Lucerne
• Chapel bridge
• Walk the Kapellbrücke (short)
• Walk around Old Town
• Lucerne boat cruise

9/7, day five

• Visit Mt. Rigi, via the Classic Round Trip

9/8, day six

• ???? Out of ideas for this day
• Do the Stoos Ridge Hike? Views look amazing, but trail looks a bit unsafe?

9/9, day seven

• Visit Zurich
• Wander around Old Town, Lindenhof, Bahnhofstrasse
• Lindt Home of Chocolate museum
• Visit the churches

9/10, day eight

• Zurich airport and go home

And I’m very confused about the travel passes. With all our activities it seems the Swiss Travel Pass is best? I’m trying to figure out the SBB site and the Excel spreadsheet. If the trains are listed on the site, it means they’re auto covered under the STP? How do I figure out if all the various cable trains to the mountains are covered?

Lastly, we’re going to be frugal on the food due to budget reasons; my wife is suggesting lots of instant noodles. We would still like some recommendations for lunch/dinner if it’s really worth it. Cafes too since we love our coffee.

[Anna]

10 May 2024 at 19:09:46 #1525252

Hi Blue,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

Thanks for sharing your itinerary. On Day 3, I would probably combine a boat trip on Lake Brienz (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-brienz/) with excursion to Brienzer Rothorn and Harder Kulm (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/harder-kulm/). Best to visit Brienzer Rothorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/brienzer-rothorn/) in the morning as it is quite a popular excursion.

Based on your plans, I recommend getting the Swiss Travel Pass as it is valid throughout Switzerland. The railpass provides free unlimited travelling on public transport including trains, trams, boat and buses. You’ll also get up to 50% discounts on mountain transportation (e.g cable cars, gondolas, funiculars, cogwheel trains). You can find further details here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/

The only tickets you need to purchase are the excursion tickets (discounted with Swiss Travel Pass) to Schilthorn, Brienzer Rothorn and Grindelwald First. And also the charilift to Klingenstock if you are doing the Stoos Ridge Hike.

Regards,

Anna

 

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[Alpenrose555]

11 May 2024 at 9:16:11 #1525702

Hi Blue,

Some additional comments in addition to Anna’s advice:

4 Sep – I would recommend you start the day by going up to the Schilthorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/schilthorn/ ), as it’s not uncommon for clouds to roll in and obscure the views as the day progresses.

6 Sep – Kapellbrücke is the German word for Chapel Bridge – they are one and the same thing.

8 Sep – Here’s an idea for 8 September – a Postbus trip through the Central Alps: the Grimsel–Nufenen–Gotthard–Susten Pass route – Four-pass route from Meiringen (free with the Swiss Travel Pass).

It’s an all-day round trip starting and finishing in Meiringen. The bus stop is just outside Meiringen railway station.

Reservations are recommended, as seats on the bus are limited. You can make a reservation up until 4 pm of the day before, but doing it a few days beforehand might be better, once you can tell the weather will be pleasant for such a trip.

General info

https://www.travelswitzerland.com/en/experiences/scenic-routes/central-alps-passes-postbus-route/

Reservations

https://www.postauto.ch/en/leisure-offers/excursion-tips/2023/mountain-pass-routes-in-the-central-alps

Trip report

This is a trip report I wrote after doing this trip in 2016:

https://www.myswissalps.com/community/thread/postbus-through-four-passes-of-the-central-alps/

Budget options for food

Please see this page:

https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/practical/budget/

Scroll down to 3. Save on food and drinks

I hope this provides further helpful info!

Alpenrose

[Yolanda]

12 May 2024 at 8:31:12 #1527825

Hi Blue,

For a quick glance of the  Swiss Travel Pass coverage.  Download the map in the link provided by Anna.

Where you see the dotted lines, is when you would need to buy a discounted ticket.  All the solid and dashed lines, you are covered and there is no need to purchase a ticket.  Just hop on and off and enjoy the journey 🙂

A note on the Stoos ridge hike, I am not sure how experienced you are with hiking.  If you are a beginner, you may find this trail a little daunting as parts of the trail is exposed and quite steep so I would say previous hiking experience would be advisable but yes, the views are amazing from here.

As an alternative, there is a shorter panorama loop trail to enjoy some lovely views of Lake Lucerne. Take the chair lift to Fronalpstock and it starts there.

More hiking tips here:  https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/hiking/

Kind regards,

Yolanda