Traveling w/children: Grindelwald First or Mount Pilatus – best views?
A couple is planning a 6-day trip to Switzerland with their two kids, ages 11 and 16 months. They're seeking advice on whether to choose Grindelwald First or Mount Pilatus for mountain views, and need tips for family-friendly activities. They want to ensure their plans are suitable for the kids and maximize their experience in various locations.
- For stunning mountain views with kids, choose Mount Pilatus, as it can be more accessible with a mountain train.
- Use the Swiss Travel Pass for convenient travel on boats, trains, and cable cars, making transport easier.
- Check the weather before heading to the mountains for clear views, and consult a doctor about altitude concerns with young children.
- Consider activities like cruising on Lake Thun, which is available year-round, or starting boat trips on Lake Brienz from mid-April.
- Make sure to apply for the Swiss Family Card so children can travel free with parents on most transport.
AI-generated summary-
Hi
We two parents and two kids of age 11 and 16 months travelling to swizerland, a bit confused
1. which one would be best choice for mountain view, Grindelwald first or Mount Pilatus ?
2. I think Mount Pilatus is less heigh than Grindelwald first..we are taking our smallest kid also, anyone has experience of taking kids to Grindelwald first or Mount Pilatus?
Thank you for answering…
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Hi Sman, and welcome to MySwissAlps,
Both places are stunning view points, so you should decide based on your other constraints (which other places will you visit, anything else to do in Grindelwald or Lucerne?)
Pilatus (2106 m above sea level) (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/) is about 80 m below the elevation of Grindelwald First, a small difference. (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/grindelwald-first/) You would reach First by gondola-cablecar, and Pilatus either by cable car or mountain train. The latter could be more comfortable with your toddlers. If you do the trip during the skiing season, you may have to stand in line before boarding the First gondola, whereas skiers do not go to Pilatus (most of them at least).
Now I am not sure to what extent your kids would enjoy the experience of high mountain sight seeing. If you have a chance to mention the elevation difference to their doctor, by all means do.
When I went to such areas with my kids at the age of yours, we would stick to sleigh riding and making snowmen.
Enjoy your trip anyway!
Snowman
PS: First, the Grindelwald mountain, has nothing to do with “1st”. Pronounced “feersht”, it means more or less “ridge“.
Thank you for answering.
Actually, we are visiting Switzerland in this April for 6 days.
1st day we land at Zurich airport and goes directly to interlaken. Probably that day we will reach interlaken by 16:00.
Not enough time for do things with small kids. probably we will roam around city.
Any special train with good panaromic view from Zurich to interlaken? any suggestions?
Next dat whole day and night, we will be at interlaken planning for Grindelwald first ( not doing any activities), Harder kulm and either cruise on lakes thun or brienz.
Lake thun or brienz which one is better for cruise?
is it possible to do all same day?
Another day we go to luzeren. 2 days we will be in luzeren, thinking for visiting Mount Pilatus, local monuments, crusing on luzeren lake. so if we could not manage everything at interlaken then we leave Grindelwald first (because we are not planning any activities at Grindelwald first just viewing alps) so we can go Mount Pilatus at luzeren, that’s why I was confused which one will be best choice. somewhere I got information that in April there will not be train to go mount Pilatus, we have to take Gondola to go top. yes, height is definitely subject of concern while visiting with 16 months old kid so willing to know other parents experiences.
2 days at Zurich, visiting FIFA museum, cruise on Zurich lake, old city visit and roaming around city. I think 1 day is enough in Zurich for these.
Anything can you suggest for one day based on Zurich or we can go other places to visit any panoramic train or any city?
anyone can suggest better plan here?
any suggestions for swiss travel pass, we are thinking to buy Swiss Half Fare card with swiss Family card so kids can travel free of charge.
Do kids need to pay if they do above mentioned activities like cruise, Gondola, cable car, etc along swiss family travel pass?
so many things coming on mind…😀
Thank you…
Thank you for answering.
Actually, we are visiting Switzerland in this April for 6 days.
1st day we land at Zurich airport and goes directly to interlaken. Probably that day we will reach interlaken by 16:00.
Not enough time for do things with small kids. probably we will roam around city.
Any special train with good panaromic view from Zurich to interlaken? any suggestions?
Next dat whole day and night, we will be at interlaken planning for Grindelwald first ( not doing any activities), Harder kulm and either cruise on lakes thun or brienz.
Lake thun or brienz which one is better for cruise?
is it possible to do all same day?
Another day we go to luzeren. 2 days we will be in luzeren, thinking for visiting Mount Pilatus, local monuments, crusing on luzeren lake. so if we could not manage everything at interlaken then we leave Grindelwald first (because we are not planning any activities at Grindelwald first just viewing alps) so we can go Mount Pilatus at luzeren, that’s why I was confused which one will be best choice. somewhere I got information that in April there will not be train to go mount Pilatus, we have to take Gondola to go top. yes, height is definitely subject of concern while visiting with 16 months old kid so willing to know other parents experiences.
2 days at Zurich, visiting FIFA museum, cruise on Zurich lake, old city visit and roaming around city. I think 1 day is enough in Zurich for these.
Anything can you suggest for one day based on Zurich or we can go other places to visit any panoramic train or any city?
anyone can suggest better plan here?
any suggestions for swiss travel pass, we are thinking to buy Swiss Half Fare card with swiss Family card so kids can travel free of charge.
Do kids need to pay if they do above mentioned activities like cruise, Gondola, cable car, etc along swiss family travel pass?
so many things coming on mind…😀
Thank you…
Hi Sman,
Thanks for sharing your plans.
In addition to Snowman’s helpful reply. I agree, work with your other plans and see if Pilatus or Grindelwald First would fit best. Of course for any mountain trip, do check the weather forecast a day or two before, so you know there will be good weather/visibility before heading up. Be a shame to arrive at the top and not be able to enjoy the views.
I’d also use the Swiss timetable to research journeys and travel times. This will help you can get an idea of commute times for you and your family. Here’s the link:
With any mountain trip, anyone can experience altitude sickness. We all react differently, this goes for babies and children too. If there is concern, have a chat with your doctor.
Pilatus can be reached all year round, aside a few days in late April. If you scroll to “Operation dates, schedules and timetable” in the link provided earlier, you’ll see all the necessary information.
Not sure when in April you are visiting but boat trips on Lake Brienz commence from April 13th, Lake Thun you can visit all year round.
- Lake Brienz: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-brienz/
- Lake Thun: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-thun/
If you are traveling with either the Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) or the Swiss Half Fare Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/), you would be entitled to apply for the complimentary Swiss Family Card (scroll to “Discounts for children: the Swiss Family Card” https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/discount/).
The Swiss Family Card allows children aged 6 – 15 years old to travel for free whilst with their parents. (All under 6, travel for free when with their parents and do not require this).
It could be the Swiss Travel Pass is the easiest option for you. Very practical, convenient, covering all transportation (boat, bus and train). Just hop on and enjoy. Many museums are included too. Some mountain transport are included as well, if not, it’s discounted. Take a read of our Swiss Travel Pass guide (link above) so you compare with your plans.
Yes, there is also the Swiss Half Fare Card (link above). If you want to be extra sure of which pass would suit best your trip, use our handy guide that’ll help you decide: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/compare/
Activity suggestions whilst in Zurich. Rhine Falls (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rhine-falls/) is popular. More ideas can be found here including scenic ride suggestions from Zurich:
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thanks Yolanda, for good information.
while clicking the link I found many options for cruise on lake Zurich but while trying to book ticket it did not give option for swiss travel pass and swiss half fare card.
or if I have swiss travel pass I can directly hop in.
what about half fare card?
Thank you…
Hi sman,
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, there is no need to purchase tickets to travel on the boats on the River Limmat and Lake Zurich. Your child also gets to travel along for free with the Swiss Family Card.
Regards,
Anna
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