MySwissAlps.com includes Anna
Forum replies
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Hi Flowto,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
If you don’t like big crowds and you are flexible with dates, I’d recommend travelling to Switzerland in September. August is considered peak summer season and coincides with the school holidays here so it will be busy in most places. You can find useful information on the best time to visit here: https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/practical/best-time-to-visit/
If you are interested in scenic trains and don’t mind long journeys, I’d definitely recommend taking the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express. However you need to plan ahead and book seats in advance. You can find information about the scenic trains here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/scenic-trains/
You can view sample itineraries here: https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/itineraries/examples/
Hope this gets you started.
Regards,
AnnaHi all,
In general, you need tickets to ride the gondolas and cable cars. In situations where a ticket machine or counter is not available, it’s usually acceptable to ride the gondolas and cable cars and purchase the ticket later when you reach the base or top station.
Regards,
AnnaHi G Witts,
Yes, left baggage service and luggage lockers are available at Zurich Airport. You can store your baggage at the staffed left baggage counter up to 6 months. For luggage lockers, it is limited to 96 hours (up to 4 days). If you are continuing your trip with a cruise from Basel, I recommend forwarding your luggage to Basel SBB station as suggested by Roger. You can find info on the SBB luggage transfer service here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/luggage/
Lauterbrunnen station also has luggage lockers and left-baggage counter.
Schilthorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/schilthorn) is accessible year round. The gondola and cable cars to Männlichen (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/mannlichen/#dates) operate until 25 October 2026.
Regards,
AnnaHi 26vacay,
One option would be to use the SBB luggage transfer service (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/luggage/) from Wengen station to Basel SBB. For delivery to your destination in Germany, Deustche Bahn partners with Hermes Luggage (www.bahn.de/angebot/zusatzticket/hermes-gepaeckversand) so you may want to check out their website.
Alternatively, you can use a private courier service such as AlpTransfer (http://alptransfer.com/luggage-transfer).
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Can we hike along the Lavaux wine route?
Hi Jimmer,
Yes, you definitely can. There are various trails and options. My favourite is to take the wine train from Vevey to Cully (about 8-11 mins ride), then follow the path towards St Saphorin. You’ll be walking through vineyard terraces and the walk is mostly downhill. Along the way you’ll pass Rivaz where the Vinorama is located.
You can find other hiking options here: https://www.myswissalps.com/blog/hike-lutry-epesses/
Regards,
AnnaHi Bill,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
If you are travelling with a car, we usually recommend just getting a Swiss Half Fare Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/) so you can save on mountain excursions. If you are planning to explore the Jungfrau region for more than 2 days, getting a Jungfrau Travel Pass might be more cost effective. But I suggest your do the math first using our spreadsheet here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/compare/
I recommend purchasing your tickets to Jungfraujoch a day in advance or on the day itself after checking the weather forecast. You can find details here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/jungfraujoch/
If you are interested in capturing the sunrise from Gornergrat (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gornergrat/), you may be interested in the Sunrise Trips to Riffelsee available every summer between July and September. Departure is very early between 4.30 – 6AM, depending on dates.Hope this helps.
Regards,
AnnaHi AlohaAll,
Welcome to MySwissAlps and thank you for sharing your itinerary.
Regarding the EES, it is not possible to register in advance. Basically this is a digital border control system for non EU travellers to replace manual passport stamping. You will need to go through a self-service kiosk to register your details and biometrics (fingerprints and face). Depending on the number of arrivals, it could be quick or might take a while.
Google Maps work well in Switzerland. For hiking, I would recommend specific apps. Please see list here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/hiking/maps/
Based on your plans, I would consider maybe investing in a Swiss Half Fare Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/) that is valid for 1 month. With this card, you can purchase point-to-point tickets at half the standard price. It is also valid on mountain transportation including cable cars, gondolas, funiculars and mountain railways.
For more tips on how to choose the best rail pass, please check out our quick guide here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/compare/
Hope this helps.
Regards,
AnnaHi Laurae,
Thanks for the tip! I hope you enjoyed your visit.
Admission to the Maison Cailler is free with the Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) and also to the La Maison du Gruyeres (the cheese dairy in Gruyeres). Most visitors combine the two excursions together as a day trip from Montreux or Lausanne.
Maison Cailler: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/maison-cailler/
La Maison du Gruyeres: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/la-maison-du-gruyere/Regards,
AnnaHi Jose,
Pack a rain jacket and sweater for layering up. It does get cold and windy up there even in summertime. Bring along a pair of sunglasses too. You can find information about how to plan for your Titlis excursion here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/titlis/
If you are prone to altitude sickness, you might want to skip the summit and exit at Trübsee (mid-station). There’s a lake and several easy hiking trails as well fun activities at the mid station.
Further tips on what to pack for your Switzerland trip is available here: https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/practical/clothing/
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: 2-day Bernina railway itinerary from Tirano
Hi mashed potato,
From Tirano you could take the morning Bernina Express train to Chur. It’s about 4 hours journey so you might want to spend one night in Chur itself or any town along the route (Bergun or Filisur maybe). You can read about the Bernina Express route in detail here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/
The next day take a local or regular to St Moritz (2 h) for a quick sightseeing, then from St Moritz it’s 2-hour train ride back to Tirano. For some easy hikes I recommend stopping in Pontresina (just 10 mins from St Moritz).
St Moritz: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/st-moritz/
Hope this gives you some options.
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Just returned from an incredible trip to Switzerland
Hi Kirsten,
Thank you for sharing your trip report. Annika will be happy to know that you’ve had an incredible trip.
We appreciate your positive feedback!
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Need help with comparing Swiss rail passes
Hi Alisha,
The half fare prices in your excel sheet are incorrect. Please note that the prices on the SBB timetable are half-price by default.
Based on your plans, I would consider either a Swiss Travel Pass or Berner Oberland Pass + Swiss Half Fare Card. For either option, you will receive the Swiss Family Card which allows your children to travel along for free even on mountain excursions that are discounted. Please note that the Swiss Family Card is only valid for children aged 6 to 15 years old.
Swiss Travel Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
Berner Oberland Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/details/berner-oberland-pass-validity/
Swiss Half Fare Card: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/Have you checked our guide to choose the best rail pass? It comes with a spreadsheet that you can download.
How to choose the best rail pass guide: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/compare/
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Day trip to Herzogenbuchsee from Zurich
Hi SwissMaples,
I just did a quick on the Swiss timetable (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/timetable/) and saw that the IR 35 direct train service from Zurich HB to Bern stops at Herzogenbuchsee. The journey takes only 1 hour. So definitely doable as a day trip with additional sightseeing in Bern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/). You could also get down at the next stop Burgdorf which is a small, lovely town with a medieval castle on top of a hill. Good for hiking!
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Is it worth taking the Chocolate Train excursion?
Hi SwissMaples,
You can find details about the Chocolate Train here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/chocolate-train/
It’s designed for tourists so very convenient if that’s what you’re looking for. Otherwise I would plan the trip myself and travel at my leisure. If you have a rail pass like the Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/), you can take any train including the GoldenPass to Gruyeres and Broc. Admission to the cheese dairy in Gruyeres (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/la-maison-du-gruyere/) and the chocolate factory (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/maison-cailler/) in Broc is free with the STP.
Regards,
AnnaHi Shiv,
Yes, Interlaken can be rather pricey. I think staying in Bern makes sense then.
Bern: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/There are regular train services from Bern to the Jungfrau region so this is still a good alternative. Best to invest in a rail pass like the Swiss Travel Pass of the Berner Oberland Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/details/berner-oberland-pass-validity/).
Regards,
AnnaHi LK,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
You can find information about the Centovalli trains here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/centovalli-railway/
Regular trains run between Brig and Domodossola and all use the Simplon Tunnel. It’s a quick 30 mins journey.
Regards,
AnnaHi Shiv,
I have responded to your latest post with a similar question n your earlier thread: https://www.myswissalps.com/community/thread/advice-for-the-first-timers/
Regards,
AnnaHi Paula,
Yes, the 1st class Saver Day Pass is valid all day on all Swiss public transport including boats and scenic trains like the Gotthard Panorama Express (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gotthard-panorama-express/). So you can travel on any connections, even hop on and off as you wish.
Anna
in reply to: How to buy Jungfrau Travel Passes for a group?
Hi Laura,
I don’t think it’s possible to reserve seats on the local train from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen. What you can do is probably try to avoid travelling during peak hours. Or show up early at the train station and board the train ahead of everyone else. Another alternative is to upgrade to 1st class. Not a guarantee though that you’ll get seats. Hope this helps!
Regards,
AnnaHi Riverrockstar,
As Roger has suggested in his post, you can leave use the left luggage facility at the Leukerbad Bus Terminal. Alternatively, it is possible to arrange a luggage transfer using the SBB Luggage Transport service but you would need to book this in advance. Further details here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/luggage/
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
