MySwissAlps.com includes Roger Sexton
Forum replies
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Also we will be returning from Lugano to Zurich. What would be the fastest/ least expensive way to do that?Thanks so much for any advice!
Will this be the same day as you travel on the Gotthard Panoramic Express? (I suspect not.)There are fast trains through the Gotthard BASE tunnel towards Zurich at 02 and 30 minutes past each hour. The journey takes just under two hours. On certain departures you will need to change at Arth-Goldau.
Will you be investing in a Swiss Half Fare Card?
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hello again Artim.
No need to ‘buy tickets’ for the ‘Golden Pass Panoramic’. Your Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) will give you free travel on the the ‘Golden Pass Panoramic’ from Zweisimmen to Montreux. Just show your STPs to the ticket inspector. However, as the train is likely to be very busy, I would recommend seat reservations at 10 CHF per person.
Kind regards
RogerHello Artim
Further to Anna’s reply, you can be sure that when you get to Zweisimmen, there will be a LOT of people wanting to make the cross-platform connection to the train for Montreux. The five minute cross=platform connections at Zweisimmen are ‘SAFE’. I have made this connection on many occasions.
Kind regards
Roger
in reply to: Adverse weather plan in Luzern
Hello again Paul
Are you INVESTING (I use that word deliberately) in a Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/)?
Luzern is bang in the centre of the world’s best public transport system. If you own an STP you can get to almost anywhere in Switzerland on a day excursion. The only significant exception is the Bernina line to Tirano, which would take about fourteen hours to get there and back….
Though Switzerland is a small country in area, the existence of the mountains does mean that the weather can be very different from one area to another. In particular, the weather north of the main Alpine chain can be very different from that south of the main chain.
About four years ago the weather in Ticino canton was poor, so I headed back north on the Treno Gottardo, which takes the old (1882) line. Coming out of the old Gotthard tunnel at Goschenen the weather was much better. Ninety minute later I was on my way up Mount Rigi on the cog-wheel train from Arth-Goldau; (remember the Rigi lines are free with the STP).
We all know that bad weather usually ‘clears from the west’. If the weather in Luzern is bad, but the forecast indicates that good weather will later in the day be spreading from the west, the IR15 train is waiting for you. Every hour, on the hour, the IR15 leaves Luzern bound for Geneva (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/geneva/), via the historic towns/cites of Bern, Fribourg, Romont, Lausanne and Nyon.
To get to the Rhine Falls (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rhine-falls/) you go to Schaffhausen via Zurich. After you are finished with the Falls, go on to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein. Return from Stein am Rhein via Winterthur and Zurich.
If you take the Voralpen Express (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/voralpen-express/) to St Gallen, later take the tram-train which goes from St Gallen to Appenzell. Return to Luzern via Gossau and Zurich.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hello Gramcookie
The short answer to your question is you could combine Stoos with Stanserhorn, but I would suggest that is not a good idea, There is enough hiking in the Stoos area to keep you busy for several hours.
For the record you could get from Stoos to Stans (at the foot of the Stanserhorn) by taking the funicular down; then bus to Schwyz station, then train via Arth-Goldau and Lucerne. (Luzern in German.) This journey will take about two hours!
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/stoos/
Combine Stanserhorn with Klewenalp?
Stanserhorn is arguably not an all day trip: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/stanserhorn/. You could combine Stanserhorn with the Beckenried-Klewenalp cable car, which (like Stanserhorn) is free with the Swiss Travel Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/.
There is a bus which runs twice an hour from Stans to Beckenried and only takes about twenty minutes.
To get back to Luzern the quickest route is via Stans. But the hourly boats are of course more scenic, and take 75 minutes for the voyage, They arrive in Luzern at 47 minutes past each hour, in good time for the fast IR70 train back to Zurich at 09 minutes past each hour.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hello Lyn_T
Welcome back to MySwissAlps.
This reply has bee redrafted and shortened now that I have seen Arno’s reply. I have rewritten it so it supplements what he has said.
The Easiest Route by Train Nice to Lugano
Looking at my rail map pf Europe, and my European Rail Timetable, the easiest and most direct route from Nice to Lugano is-
To take a local French train to the boarder station of Ventimiglia. These take just under an hour.
Then take the Italian Intercity train service which runs five times a day from Ventimiglia to Milan via Genova. These take just under four hours. As with all Italian long distance trains, seat reservation is required.
From Milan (Milano Centrale) catch the RE80 ‘Tilo’ Train which runs hourly (at 43 minutes past the hour) from Milan to Locarno via Como (city), CHIASSO and Lugano. This is a local ‘regional’ train service organised jointly by Ticino Canton and Lombardia province.
(If you took a long distance EC (Eurorcity) train from Milan to Lugano you would need seat reservations.)
Ticketing
See Arno’s reply.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hello Brad
Give yourself more time in the Lake Brienz area
Referring to your original itinerary in your thread, you are (on day three) travelling from Zermatt to Wengen. That journey will involve changing at Visp, Spiez, Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen. In your reply two it seems that you are now planning to go to Wengen first, and then head back to Interlaken!
You will give yourselves roughly two more hours in the beautiful Lake Brienz area if you travel as follows:
Travel from Zermatt to Interlaken OST.
Park your luggage in a locker(s) at Interlaken Ost.
Explore Lake Brienz using boat, train and perhaps bus. Your Swiss Travel Passes are (of course) valid on all three modes of transport.
Retrieve your luggage from the locker(s).
Carry on to Wengen via Lauterbrunnen.
Check in at Wengen.Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
in reply to: Planning a day trip on the Bernina railway line
Hello again Karen
Thank you for your kind words in your reply five.
The Tirano to Lugano Problem if you cannot get on the Bernina Express Bus
(First note that the 811 bus route referrred to in my thread is of no help to you. It goes nowhere near Tirano.)
Arno’s advice to go through Italy via Monza is undoubtedly the solution to your problem. Italian trains leave Tirano at eight minutes past each hour. They are regional trains bound for Milan(o) Centrale. Sit on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel for views over Lake Como, arguably the most beautiful of all the Alpine lakes.
If, for example, you caught the 14 08 train from Tirano, you would reach Monza at 16 26. You then would get the 16 53 ‘Tilo’ train (which has started from Milano) bound for Locarno via Como(city) Chiasso and Lugano. You reach Lugano at 17 58. (If you left Tirano at 1508 you would reach Lugano at around 19 00 (7 pm).Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
Hello again
If you buy a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, then (except for very few trains which have compulsory seat reservation) you do not need separate tickets for individual trains.
For how the Swiss Travel Pass Flex works: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass-flex/
Then, from the menu which now appears. Click on ‘How does the Swiss Travel Pass Flex Work?’
Kind regards
Roger
in reply to: Jungfrau region, Zermatt, Glacier Express in June
Hello again
Get out a good map of Switzerland
I suggest you travel as follows.
On June 10th travel from Interlaken to CHUR, and stay the night there. You go via Bern and Zurich. Sit on the left hand side in the direction of travel between Zurich and Chur.
On June 11th catch 08 17 Bernina Express (reservations required) from Chur to Tirano, arrive 12 49. Catch an ordinary regional train back from Tirano to St Moritz. Stay the night in St Moritz.
If you find that the Bernina Express is fully booked, catch an IR38 train from Chur to St Moritz. Sit on the right in the direction of travel. The famous curved Landwasser viaduct comes about ten minutes after the stop at Tiefencastel. Park your luggage in a locker at St Moritz station and take a trip on the Bernina line using the ordinary regional trains. You may want to break your journey at the small intermediate station of Alp Grum. The views from there are fantastic!https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/
On June 12th take the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/
Kind regards
RogerHello again Artim.
Thank you for this revised itinerary, The only change I would make is to ‘swap’ the 23rd and 24th. Go to Lauterbrunnen and Murren on Saturday 23rd, and to Montreux and Chillon on 24th.
20, 21 and 22 May are all fairly long trips. Give yourselves a bit of a rest on 23rd by making the short trip to Murren.
On Pentecost Sunday 24th go to Montreux. The Golden Pass Express trains are always VERY BUSY, so reservation is ESSENTIAL.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/
Reservation is not necessary for the return journey via Lausanne.
On Whit Monday you have another short trip. If you are using a lake boat, turn up well before the scheduled departure time. If (as is conceivable) you are ‘crowded off’, remember that there are trains between Interlaken and Brienz, and BUSES as well as boats from Iseltwald to Interlaken.
Tuesday is another short trip, Wednesday is long, Thursday is (very) short. Friday is longish. You clearly have got the right balance!
Very best wishes
Roger.
in reply to: Planning a day trip on the Bernina railway line
Hello pvonk, alimac and Komal.
Thank you for your kind responses to my suggestion!
Hello Everyone
Komal’s solution is brilliant!
BUT it will only work if your holiday/vacation base is in Ticino canton (Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzona area). And it will only work in the anti-clockwise direction. You will leave Lugano at 10 00 and be back there at 20 58. (just before 9 pm).If you adopt my suggestion of basing yourself in Chur, the 171 bus route Chur-Thusis-Belinzona is a ‘must do’.
I would not recommend it, but you could leave Chur on the 06 58 route 171 and get to Lugano (changing to a train at Bellinzona) at 09 28. That would be in time for the 10 00 Bernina Express bus! You would get back to Chur at 18 31 (just after 6 30 pm).
Note that both the Bernina Express bus and the Bernina Express train require seat reservations.Kind regards
Roger
in reply to: Jungfrau region, Zermatt, Glacier Express in June
Hello Omar
I have been regularly visiting Switzerland (from Britain) for 55 years. Ever since its introduction (under another name) in 1972, I have always invested in a (First Class). Swiss Travel Pass. It gives you the freedom of the world’s best public transport system. The only lines excluded are those which simply go up mountains. On those, the STP usually gets you a discounted fare. (See also Anna’s reply.)
Have a good map of Switzerland in front of you.
On day three take the scenic route from Zurich to Interlaken. That involves going via the city English-speakers call Lucerne, but known locally by its German name, Luzern.
Regarding which town you should use as a base for exploring the Jungfrau region, Interlaken (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/) is a better centre for exploration than Grindelwald.
On Day six go from Interlaken to Spiez. From Spiez, take the RE1 train which goes to Brig VIA KANDERSTEG.. This route is slow but very scenic. Sit on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel. From Brig you catch the narrow gauge train to Zermatt (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/).
On day seven, you may indeed have problems with getting a reservation on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz. Two alternative suggestions.
There is a Glacier Express which leaves Brig at 14 14 and gets to St Moritz at 20 53. It may be easier to get reservations on that train.The other alternative is to use ordinary trains to go from Zermatt to St Moritz (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/st-moritz/). In the morning go from Zermatt to Andermatt, changing at VISP. Take a break at Andermatt. Get some fresh air and have lunch. In the afternoon travel on to St Moritz, changing at Disentis and Reichenau-Tamins. On the IR38 train from Reichenau to St Moritz, the famous curved Landwasser viaduct comes about ten minutes after the train has left Tiefencastel. Sit on the right hand side of the train.
On day eight I would not go back to Zermatt. Instead take the train to Tirano and back. This train goes along the Bernina line, which many (myself included) rate as the most scenic railway line in the Alps. Spend a second night in the St Moritz area.
On day nine take the RE4 train from St Moritz to Landquart via Klosters. At Lanquart you change to an inter-city train to Zurich. Sit on the right hand side of this train for great views over the Walensee lake, and then over Lake Zurich.
On day ten, after the Rhnie Falls (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rhine-falls/) go on to the small splendidly preserved medieval town of Stein am Rhein.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger.Hello again Artim
The plan set out in your attachment is exactly what I would recommend!
Break of journey at Ospizio Bernina or Alp Grum?
The regional trains on the Bernina Line are only approximately hourly. (On most Swiss regional lines the service is exactly hourly.)
On the outward journey you could break your journey at either Ospizio or Alp Grum. There is not time for both.
I personally have (twice) broken my journey at Alp Grum but never at Ospizio. The views at Alp Grum are very spectacular! The views from Ospizio are (I believe) relatively not so good.
Catch the 10 48 RE9 train from St Moritz and get off at Alp Grum at 11 42. Continue from Alp Grum on the R19 train leaving at 12 53 and reaching Tirano at 14 23. (You will have only 37 minutes in Tirano.)
The Return Journey
This is fine. I have done the journey Bernina Line-Pontresina-Sagliains-Klosters-Landquart on several occasions, most recently on 23 December just gone!
The connecting time of two minutes at Sagliains is ‘safe’. Sagliains station exists purely for the purpose of allowing people to change between the R19 and RE4 trains. You cannot buy tickets to Sagliains, and there is no pedestrian entrance/exit.
(I know of only one other station which exists purely for the purpose of allowing people to change trains. Manulla Junction in the Republic of Ireland!)
The total journey time for this trip is less than twelve hours. I would not regard that time as ‘too long’.
Very best wishes
Roger
Hello again Geokan.
Firstly, I would refer you back to what I said in my reply one to your thread of 18 September 2025.
I would now recommend that the two adults invest in FOUR-day Swiss Travel Passes (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) for the period 28 June to 1st July.. Buy these on line a few weeks before you travel.For the younger child get on line a Swiss Family Card. This is simply an administrative process. The SFC costs nothing, and it entitles the child to travel FREE (even on high mountain lines) provided he is with the parents.
For the older child, if he/she has reached the age of sixteen by the date of travel, he/she will need a YOUTH Swiss Travel Pass; this is 30% cheaper than the full adult price.
If the older child is still under sixteen at the date of travel then he/she can be included in the Swiss Family Card, and will (like the younger child) be able to travel free.
Using Swiss Public Transport will be an education for all four of you as to how things should be organised. And the huge diversity in the forms of transport is also fascinating.
All Swiss lines and routes run frequently, and are timed to interconnect. This ‘integrated’ transport system covers not only buses and trains, but also the boats on Lakes Lucerne and Zurich.
Focus your travels on interesting public transport routes which are free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
STP validity map: https://www.myswissalps.com/details/swiss-travel-pass-validity/
Around Lucerne the free travel extends to the cog-wheel railways up Mount Rigi, which has a lot of easy hikes. It also covers the cable cars from Beckenried to Klewenalp and Emmetten to Stockhutte. And the very steep funicular up to Stoos. (Pilatus is NOT free with the STP.)
Around Zurich the railway line up the local mountain, the Uetliberg, is free with the STP. The cable car from Adliswil to Felsenegg is also free.
To see a less well-known area of Switzerland go from Zurich to the city of St Gallen in the north-east of the country. Perhaps later take the tram-train from St Gallen to the delightful village of Appenzell.(Of the mountains I have mentioned which are free with the STP, the highest above sea level is Rigi, about 1,800 metres above sea level. Pilatus, not free with the STP, is about 2,100 metres above sea level.)
Best wishes
Roger
in reply to: Bernina train route day trip doable from Ebikon?
Hello again Artim
This is the third time in less than a month that someone has (in effect) asked ‘can we do the Bernina Line as a day excursion from Lucerne?’
The answer is YES BUT……..It will be an extremely long day.
If you left Lucerne at 06 35 and changed at Thalwil, Chur, Samedan and Pontresina, you would reach Tirano at 13 00. Returning leaving at 13 41, you would be back in Lucerne at 20 25.
If you left at 07 35 you would get to Tirano at 14 23. You would return leaving at 15 00 and be back in Lucerne at 21 25.
(Note that if you stayed in EBIKON, you would leave at 06 31 or 07 31, and there would be an additional change at ROTKREUZ.)
Possible Shorter trips.
First note that on the 2026 timetable cutting short at Campocologno is no longer possible.
Places where you could turn short are Brusio, Le Prese, Poschiavo, Alp Grum.
Cover the Bernina Line at the Beginning of your trip.
I see that from your other thread that you are arriving in Switzerland from Salzburg. Get off the RJX train at SARGANS and stay in the Sargans/Bad Ragaz/Landquart/CHUR area for two nights. Do the Bernina line as a day trip from this area.
Kind regards
Roger
Thank very much Subrata for this latest reply. The good news is that at Zurich ‘The process at Passport control was hassle-free’.
And in the case of your wife and yourself it took ‘a little longer’ because the requisite entries had not been made at Milan Malpensa.
(New readers of this thread should study Subrata’s previous reply number 3.)
Very best wishes
RogerHello Again
First note that your itinerary on this trip takes you nowhere near the route of the Bernina Express. So on this occasion, forget that route. Going south from Lucerne towards Italy you should take the OLD Gotthard railway via Airolo. (Get out a map of Switzerland.)
Public Transport Passes
I would still strongly recommend that you INVEST in Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) and a Swiss Family Card for the child (given complimentary with the STP). It gives you the freedom of the world’s best public transport system. It covers all modes of public transport trains, buses, streetcars (called ‘trams’ in Europe) and boats. In the Lucerne area it will (unusually) take you free up SOME of the mountains – Rigi, Stanserhorn and Klewenalp (https://www.myswissalps.com/details/swiss-travel-pass-validity/)
Travelling around on STPs will be an educational experience for all of you – but especially for the 11-year-old.
For your travels in Italy and France, plus your final journey Strasbourg-Basel-Zurich Airport, INVEST in Eurail Global Passes. But note that Eurail passes are (with rare exceptions not relevant to you) only valid on Trains. Note also my point at the end of this reply about compulsory seat reservations
Lucerne to Bern
Lots of day excursions are possible from Lucerne (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/) using your priceless STPs. For Bern take the RE7 train which leaves at 57 minutes past each hour. This is quite a slow train which takes a delightful route through the Emmental area with lots of splendid farm buildings and covered wooden bridges.
In Bern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/) most of the interesting places are an easy walk from the station. For the (real live) bears take the number 12 trolleybus bound for Paul Klee Zentrum and get off at Bärenpark. Return from Bern to Lucerne on the fast IR15 train which leaves Bern every hour on the hour and takes 61 minutes.
Lucerne to Bellagio (I am assuming you are travelling on a day between April 18 and October 18.)
Do not use the expensive, compulsory reservation, first class only Gotthard Panorama Express.
Reservations are not needed for the journey described below.
Take the 09 12 boat bound for Flüelen, arriving there at 11 55. Take the 200 metre level áwalk from landing stage to train station.
Catch the 12 15 Treno Gottardo bound for Locarno via Airolo; you get off at Bellinzona at 14 00. Catch the 14 16 S10 train bound for Como. You get off at Lugano at 14 35.
There is a bus service run by an Italian bus company which runs Lugano to Bellagio. Swiss tickets such at the STP and the Half Fare Card are not valid on this service.
(Bellagio does not have a train station. To get from Bellagio to Milan I would suggest a boat to Como(city) and then an Italian local train to Milan.)
Long Distance (Especially High Speed Trains) in Italy and France
First I need to stress that this forum does not give detailed advice on travel which is entirely within countries neighbouring Switzerland. I will however make a few fairly general points.
One of the joys of travelling in Switzerland, and in its German-speaking neighbours Austria and Germany, is that there are very few trains on which there is compulsory seat reservation. You have the FLEXIBILITY to travel on any train….
That is in marked contrast to the situation in Italy and France. There long-distance train travel has been made like Air Travel. You have to reserve seats on specific trains. And trains OFTEN get fully booked.
Looking at your itinerary you will need reservations Milan to Rome (whether you go by train or fly!), Rome to Milan, Milan to Paris and Paris to Strasbourg. You will NOT need reservations (Hooray!) Strasbourg to Basel, Basel to Zurich Airport.
Kind regards
Roger
Hello Again
Thank you for your very kind words.
Have a good map of Switzerland in front of you.
Monitor the Weather Forecasts
Keep checking the Swiss forecasts (https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/practical/weather/forecast/).
I have looked at the forecasts for next week. Only Monday looks to be a complete washout weather wise. Sunday looks bad north of the main Alpine chain, but OK in the southern cantons of Ticino and Valais. That kind of situation is not uncommon.
If on Sunday morning you see that the forecast is reasonably good for Ticino canton) (that is the Lugano/Locarno area).catch the 08 18 IC21 train to Lugano; gets there about 10 00. Later go on to Locarno.
Finally return northwards on the Treno Gottardo which leaves Locarno at 33 minutes past each hour. These trains take the old slow route via Airolo. The run takes just over three hours. The trains at 13 33 and 15 33 serve Lucerne. Those at 14 33 and 16 33 go to Zurich, so a change is needed at Arth-Goldau.
Jolly boating weather?
Definitely yes, unless the weather is very stormy.
On all three relevant lakes I would upgrade to first class. The upper decks of ships are always first class only. You do get better views of everything which is going on! Ask the booking office at the landing stage to sell you the upgrades. You can do this until just before departure!
The 10 12 boat from Lucerne does a round trip from Lucerne to Fluelen and back. Gets back to Lucerne at 15 47.
On Lake Brienz (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-brienz/) round trips from Interlaken Ost depart at 10 10, 12 10, 13 10 and 15 10. The round trip takes nearly three hours.
On Lake Thun (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-thun/) the boats are based at Thun. Boats leave Thun at 09 40 and 11 40; they return from Interlaken West at 12 10 and 14 10.
Lake boats usually have restaurants.
Mount Rigi in Snow?
Yes, I have done that – and in late December! And I was only the second person to the summit that morning. (There was one other set of footprints!)
More seriously, I would take short walks on Rigi in the snow, but always stay within sight of the buildings close to the train station.
Mt Rigi: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/
Alternatives from Interlaken.
The obvious suggestion is to visit the ‘Federal City’ of Bern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/); almost all the historic sites are close to the station. The Bundeshaus,, built on a promontory above the river Aare, is spectacular. For the (real live) bears take the number 12 trolleybus heading for Paul Klee Zentrum and get off at Bärenpark.
On the way to Bern I suggest you take the number 21 bus along the north sure of Lake Thun to Thun town (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/thun/). From there take a local S4/S44 suburban train which takes a more rural route (via Belp) than the main line.
If the weather is better south of the main Alpine chain, go to Zermatt, changing at Spiez and Visp. At Zermatt, perhaps go up the Gornergrat for great views of the Matterhorn. (50% discount for Swiss Travel Pass holders.)
Zermatt: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/
Alternatives from Montreux.
Zermatt or Saas Fee (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/saas-fee/)are also possible from Montreux. The only change is at Visp. The number 511 bus goes every 30 minutes Visp to Saas Fee
Lausanne (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lausanne/) is a beautiful city built on hills above Lake Geneva. The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on the boats across to Ėvian in France, and these workaday ferries do have a reasonable service all year round. For these ferries take the Mėtro down to Ouchy. (STP is of valid on this unusual line.)
Upgrade on trains to first class?
I do not think this will be necessary. I do not think there will be a lot of people travelling next week. The Easter holidays are over and winter sports have largely (not completely) finished.
I take your point about luggage accommodation in the ‘Belle Époque’ carriages. They are nice to LOOK AT, but they are not 21st century comfort! In particular, no air conditioning!
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/classes/
The Freedom to Change your Mind.
As I indicated in one of my replies to your previous thread, I sometimes change my mind as to where I am going while I am on board a train, bus or boat. This is sometimes triggered by a change in the weather, especially if it is from bad to good.
I can recall TWO occasions when heading northwards through one of the long Alpine tunnels the train has come out into unexpectedly fine weather! On both occasions I immediately decided on a trip up a mountain.
Best wishes for your trip.
Roger
Hello again Artim
Adopt the revised plan set out in your reply five
Certain Fundamental Points
You will need to INVEST in 15-Day Swiss Travel Passes, first day May 22. You will need the’ every-day’ version. A ‘Flex’ will not suffice.
(Is any member of your ‘family’ under 16? Or under 25?)
The STP gives you the freedom of the world’s best public transport system. Unlimited travel on buses, streetcars/trams and lake boats ….
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
Oh! (I nearly forgot) and trains. Lines which simply go up mountains are (usually) not included. On those mountain lines (eg Gornergrat and Jungfraujoch) you (usually) get a discount.
Note that May 24 is Pentecost Sunday, and May 25 is a public holiday in Switzerland. There will be a lot of people travelling in the period 22-25 May.
You will need to learn how to use the Swiss electronic timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/ and https://www.sbb.ch. Note that this timetable incorporates all modes of public transport.
To understand the detailed comments I am about to make you will need a good detailed map of Switzerland in front of you.
Day One Friday May 22
As you have always planned, catch the 07 48 RJX train from Salzburg bound for Zurich. This train will be very busy. Seat reservations will be essential. You will need Austrian Tickets to get you to BUCHS SG. From there your STPs are valid.
You get off the RJX at SARGANS at 12 23. From there it is a short ride to Chur. Trains run SIX times an hour! so there is no need to run for the train due to leave at 12 26…. You should be in Chur by about 13 30 at the latest.
Leave your luggage at the hotel, and have a train ride to Arosa and back. The round trip takes a bit under three hours.
Alternatively take the hair-raising number 42 bus route to Tschiertschen. The round trip takes only an hour.
Day Two Saturday May 23
Catch the 07 58 IR 38 to St Moritz. Get seats on the right hand side in the direction of travel. Arrive St Moritz at 09 55.
Catch the 1048 RE9 train to Tirano. Be on the platform at St Moritz by 10 30 to ensure that you get seats together in one of the old carriages which have windows which can be opened by pulling downwards.
Return from Tirano changing trains at Pontresina, Saglians, and Landquart.
Day Three Sunday May 24
If you leave Chur at 08 08 and change at Zurich, Bern, Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen, you will reach Wengen at 12 41.
Sit on the right hand side of the train Chur to Zurich. On the left hand side Bern to Interlaken Ost.
If the weather is OK, you could fit in Männlichen (or Kleine Scheidegg) that afternoon.
General Note Regarding your stay in Wengen.
Your STPs are insurance against bad weather. If on a particular day the weather is poor, take a day trip to Switzerland’s ‘Federal City’, Bern.
https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/
On the outward journey travel by train to Interlaken Ost. Walk out of the station and find bus stop letter A. Catch the number 21 bus bound for Thun. They leave at 08 and 38 minutes past each hour. The bus goes along the NORTH shore of lake Thun. It takes exactly an hour.Thun is a very attractive historic town. (A small version of Lucerne.) From Thun there are fast trains to Bern which take 20 minutes. But for a more scenic ride, take the local S4 or S44 trains which leave at 08 and 38 minutes past the hour and (going via BELP) take 40 minutes.
At Bern, almost all the historic sites are within an easy walk of the station. For the bears, take a number 12 trolleybus bound for Paul Klee Zentrum and get off at Bärenpark.
(As things stand you have the two very long travelling days, days eight and nine, one after another. I suggest you do some re-ordering of your days to avoid this.)
Day Four Holiday Monday May 25
Note that the route to Mürren via Grütschalp will be closed for engineering work. To get to Mürren you will have to go via Stechelberg. The frequency of the number 141 bus from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg is, during the engineering work, increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes.
While you are in Mürren, you will certainly want to take the trip up the Schilthorn. 50% discount with your STPs. (This trip is much, much cheaper than Jungfraujoch.)
Day Five Tuesday May 26.
To avoid the crowds and to get your moneysworth, go up Jungfraujoch as early as possible.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/jungfraujoch/
Day Six Wednesday May 27Just bear in mind that the boat service on Lake Brienz is not that frequent. There are some two-hour gaps in the service. Carefully plan your trip around the boat timetable. Note that there are frequent buses from Iseltwald to Interlaken. Frequent trains along the north shore of the lake.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-brienz/
Day Seven Thursday 28
Männlichen is worth a visit, even if the hiking trails are not open. Very cheap when compared to Jungfraujoch.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/mannlichen/
Day Eight Friday May 29.
Now this is the one day on which you are trying to cram in FAR too much. Forget the boat trip on the lake, and forget Geneva. Go to Chillon, and (if time) have a look at Lausanne. (Spectacular location ABOVE the lake.)
The Golden Pass route to Montreux is very slow. If you leave Wengen at 08 12 you get to Interlaken Ost at 08 54. From the there the ‘Golden Pass Express’ leaves at 09 07 and reaches Montreux at 12 25. The GPE trains are VERY BUSY, so reservation is ESSENTIAL.
From Montreux take the trolleybus to Chillon castle.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/chillon-castle/
I suspect that you will not be ready to leave Montreux until about 16 00. Trains to Lausanne are SIX times an hour and take between 21 and 34 minutes.
If you left Lausanne at 17 17, and changed at Bern, Spiez, Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen, you reach Wengen at 20 11. If you left at 17 40, a change at Spiez is not required and you get to Wengen at 20 41.
On leaving Lausanne, make sure you are on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel. There are, for about seven minutes, spectacular views as the train climbs out of Lausanne.
Day Nine Saturday May 30
I would URGE you to move this trip to earlier in your stay. The trains to Zermatt are always busy, but are particularly busy on Saturdays. And remember, this is another VERY long day….
Day 10 Sunday May 31
Catch the 0812 from Wengen, changing (as always) at Lauterbrunnen. You get to Interlaken Ost at 08 54.
Catch the 09 04 train to Luzern (the German name for Lucerne), arriving there at 1055. On leaving Interlaken sit on the right hand side of the train, and do not change your seats when the train changes direction at Meiringen.
Park your luggage in a locker at Lucerne station, and catch a boat to Vitznau. The boats run every hour at 12 minutes past each hour and take 57 minutes.
At Vitznau the boat connects with the train up Mount Rigi which is … FREE with your STPs.
Trains down from Rigi summit are every hour on the hour. And, of course, they connect with the boats at Vitznau. Last convenient train is at 18 00.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/
Day Eleven Monday June 1
Important Word of Warning.
The new European Entry and Exit system (EES) may cause delays at Zurich Airport. Aim to be at the airport at least three hours before take-off. The 10 09 train from Luzern to Zurich goes through to the Airport, and arrives there at 11 21. The 10 35 departure (unusually) requires a change at Zurich Hauptbahnhof; you get to the airport at 11 51
Kind regards
Roger
