Lucerne and Wengen activity suggestions, best rail pass, route advice
A traveler named Alpenbound is flying from the US to Zurich in September for 8 nights. They need advice on booking their flight from Amsterdam to Zurich, suggestions for activities and dining in Lucerne and Wengen, and train navigation to Stresa, Italy, including recommendations for the Swiss Travel Pass for their trip.
- Book your Amsterdam to Zurich flight in advance to secure the best options.
- In Lucerne and Wengen, focus on scenic hikes like the Eiger Trail and Bussalp for gorgeous views and enjoyable experiences.
- Consider using the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats, making your journey smoother.
- Check train schedules as there may be service disruptions on your route, especially during construction.
- Explore alternative scenic routes, like the Centovalli rail, if direct trains are limited.
AI-generated summary-
Hello – travelling from US on American Airlines to AMS then to ZRH in September for 8 nights. Flight to AMS is booked and we have Global Entry.
Question 1: is it necessary to book the AMS-ZRH leg in advance? and once in ZRH is the train station near the terminal?
Question 2: We’ll be in Lucerne for 3 nights and Wengen for 5 nights. TIps on activities, restaurants, (lodging is already booked) would be greatly appreciated. Love walking/hiking, food, nature/scenery, history, music (no Junfrau).
Question 3: Next, on to Stresa, Italy via Domodossola from Wengen on the train that takes advantage of the Spiez-Domo nonstop. Any tips on navigating that route? and overall which Swiss travel pass do you suggest for our 9 days? Thank you for any and all thoughts!
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Hi Alpenbound,
Q1: Zurich Airport has its own train station, located on the lower levels. You can find further information here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/plane/airports/. Regarding your connecting flight from AMS to ZRH, from personal experience, I would book it as soon as your dates and plans are fixed.
Q2: You can find sightseeing suggestions in Lucerne and Wengen in the following links:
Lucerne: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/
Wengen: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/Q3: According to the SBB website, between 31 Aug and 12 Sept 2025, the rail line between Domodossola and Milan will be closed due to construction and upgrading works. If you are travelling during this period, I would recommend travelling via Bellinzona. You can check train schedules on the Swiss timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
Wengen is great for walking/hiking on very scenic trails. It would be helpful to know the type of hiking you are interested in. There are many wide, easy, scenic walks that take 1.5-2 hrs. They may be more crowded but still worthwhile. There are several moderate hikes that take 2-4 hrs that are even more scenic with mountain paths instead of wide, flat trails. And there are some longer , more difficult hikes that are rated strenuous. Which ones appeal to you? How fit are you?
Mark
Wow! Anna – nice catch! I see that on the SBB site. The timetable doesn’t show any interruption – is it just slow to catch up? We will actually be travelling on the 18th. Are the construction time estimates pretty accurate?
Mark – thanks for your reply. Yes, pretty fit, 70 but walk 5 miles and work out most everyday. Looking for easy to medium, 1-3 hours I’d say. Last time we were in Wengen we were on a walk and the “hills were alive with the sound of music” then we hit a rain shower. We scurried to a chalet where they were making cafe vertigs and playing accordians. It was magical! We’re all about scenery, getting exercise, and a discovering a new destination to explore. Or maybe walking to a new town for lunch and riding back. Open to all – just excited…
Hello Alpenbound
I am only dealing with your proposed journey from Spiez to Stresa.
Closure of Domodosola-Stresa-Milan line for periods in 2024/25/26/27/28
I have in front of me page 57 of the February issue of the magazine Schweizer Eisenbahn-Revue. It is depressing reading. The Domodossola-Milan line was closed for two months in 2024 for work on reconstructing tunnels to allow four-metre high container trains to pass through.
It will be closed for the same reason for 60 days in 2025, and similar closures are expected in 2026/27/28!
Luckily for you, the line will be open on Thursday 18th September. But check again nearer the date of travel.
I should however warn you that even when the line is open there will probably be only a limited service and you will probably need to change at Domodossola. Again check nearer the date.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hi Alpenbound! What walks/hikes/activities did you last time you were in Wengen? That way we can make recommendations for some new experiences. 😊
Roger – good info. Thank you! I will look before I leap. And if I get to Domodossola and there isn’t a decent connection, i’ll get a taxi. I don’t suppose I can rent a car in Domodossla?
EASW – it was a long, long, long time ago. 40 years!!! So, not only have things changed, I’m sure if I was on the same trail, I probably wouldn’t remember any specifics. Any and all opportunities would be appreciated. Thank you
Hello again Alpenbound.
I have no expertise on car rental. Domodossola has a population of 18,000, so maybe its possible to rent-a-car, maybe not.
Note that when the railway line through Stresa is closed there are replacement buses, but I have seen critical comments about the quality of those buses. In particular it is (apparently) quite a ‘muhsam’ (=laborious) walk from the station at Domodossola to the point where the relacement buses depart from.
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Alpenbound,
During the construction work, there are replacement buses from Domodossola. Instead of taking the replacement buses, you can also take the scenic Centovalli railway train (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/centovalli-railway/) from Domodossola to Locarno, then continue on the local train S20 to Stresa. To avoid travel disruption, the best option would be to avoid travelling via Domodossola altogether and travel from Wengen to Locarno via Lucerne.
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Roger – I will monitor this situation with scrutiny and care
Thank you Anna – at least I have options. thanks so much for the sound advice. I don’t know what I’d do without your website…
Hi Alpenbound
i can suggest several easy to moderate hikes that I have done and found to be very enjoyable and especially scenic.
1. First to Bussalp is one of my favorites. It takes about 3 hrs. From First you hike to Bachalpsee then to Hireleni then Feld and down to Bussalp where there is a nice alpine restaurant with outdoor seating. The hourly bus service will take you back to Grindelwald. The trail will be crowded until you reach Bachalpsee and for the rest of the hike you will likely see only a couple of hikers Not be sure to go via Hireleini and not Faulhorn which is less scenic and adds an extra hour.
2. The loop trail at Schynige Platte. The Panaramag leg at the beginning of the loop starts just above and to the left of the restaurant. This hike takes about 2.5 hrs and in my opinion has the best views in the whole area. You will see the lakes and Interlaken on your left and the mountains and Lauterbrunnen valley on your right.
3. The Mountain View trail which branches off the Panaramag main trail just after leaving Grutschalp on your right. There is an initial climb up the mountain then it levels off and has gorgeous Mountain View’s the rest of the way to Murren. This trail take about 2-2.5 hrs. Be sure not to miss the trail head off to the right just after leaving Grutschalp . Murren is a great place for a late lunch and you can continue down to Gimmelwald and the gondola down to Steckelburg where you can continue to walk down Lauterbrunnen valley floor to Lauterbrunnen or catch a bus back to Lauterbrunnen at any of the many bus stops on the right side of Lauterbrunnen valley.
4. The Eiger trail. This runs from Eigergletcher to Alpiglen and passes right by the base of the Eiger. It is mostly down hill and will take about 2.5 hrs. There is a nice restaurant at Alpiglen and the train stops nearby. Very nice views of Grindelwald valley and mountains.
5. First to Grosse Scheidegg. This takes about 1.5 hrs and could be combined with Kleine Scheidegg to Mannlichen or KS to Wengenalp. Both of which take about 1.5 hrs.
I hope this helps Mark PS I’ve included a few sample photos of these hikes
The order of the photos is Schynige Platte loop, Bussalp hike, Eiger trail, Mountain View trail, and Bussalp trail.
Hello again Anna – I should have said that the reason we are heading to Stresa is because our next stop is near Genoa and then Tuscany so staying on the west side of things is advantageous to our trajectory. Thanks, Craig
Awesome Mark! thanks for taking the time to compile this very useful and exciting information. You are a gem!
PS is there a map available somewhere that has these routes? I love a visual reference.
Hi Craig,
Useful information regarding hiking maps can be found in the link below:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
thank you Yolanda – this is exactly what I needed! Your suggested link is extremely comprehensive and useful.
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