10 days Chur, Interlaken, Luzern - does this work?

Firstly - may I say a huge thanks to all the moderators for their input to this website. It is so helpful and useful and much appreciated.

Day 1 - Fly from UK to Zurich train to Chur, overnight.

Day 2 - Bernina Express, Chur overnight

Day 3 - Glacier Express Chur to Brig then on to Interlaken - 3 nts in Interlaken with trip (weather permitting) to Jungfrauhoch, possible boat trip and look around Interlaken

Day 6 - Interlaken to Lucerne - 3 nts stay with a mountain trip Mount Pilatus perhaps, walks around the town and Lake.

Day 9 - William Tell Express to Bellinzona overnight

Day 10- Lunch and back to Zurich Airport to go back to UK

Deliberately haven't planned certain trips on definite days taking into account the weather - will just take it as it comes. Looking forward to enjoying Swiss Hospitality, food and of course weather permitting the beautiful scenery.

When?

Slowpoke

Sorry - August.

Hi Hudspith, thanks for joining MySwissAlps!

Yes, your plan will certainly work. The first and last couple of days do involve a lot of train traveling, but I think you're aware of that. The timetable allows you to check traveling times and as long as you're fine with them, it's no problem at all. Allocating a couple of days to both Interlaken and Lucerne is a good idea. It will allow you to plan your day trips according to current weather circumstances, rather than planning ahead specific dates.

Mind that the panoramic train routes need to be booked in advance. You'd best start doing so now, as August is a busy tourist month:

• Bernina Express reservations
• Glacier Express reservations

The Wilhelm Tell Express has to be booked at the spot. You can do so at the Lucerne railway station.

As for rail passes: it looks like you'll be using public transportation intensively, making quite some long and expensive train trips. A 15 day Swiss Travel Pass is a very convenient and flexible solution, and definitely worth considering even though you won't fully use the 15 travel days it grants. The 8 day variant is less convenient, as both your first and your last days involve long, expensive transfers that would have to be fully paid for. Just an example: the price difference between a 15 and 8 day 2nd class Swiss Travel Pass is only CHF 77, whereas a return trip Lucerne-Belllinzona (you'd theoretically have to buy additionally in case you have an 8 day pass valid for day 1-8) costs CHF 104. It's easiest to order your pass online in advance. Print at home passes can be obtained through retailers listed here. Note that even print at home pass orders take a few days to process, so it's better to order in time and not to wait too long.

Hello Annika - Thank you for your warm welcome.

Unfortunately we have already bought our 8 day Swiss Travel Pass for 1st class travel and the print at home option was very efficient with everything sorted within 48 hours. We will look at other possible options for the day of arrival and departure - we may be able to buy a Supersaver type ticket for the Bellinzona to Zurich airport journey as that timing can be fixed or look at a Half Fare Card/Transfer Ticket.

We have already booked all the seat reservations for the panoramic journeys. Something which may be of interest to your UK travellers is that we were able to book the Wilhelm Tell Express through Swiss Travel Centre UK office by phone and they posted out the reservations to us - they were very helpful and friendly.

Hi Hudspith,

With an 8 day Swiss Travel Pass it's indeed wise to look for cheaper alternatives for your first and/or last travel day(s). These calculation guidelines may be of help.

Good to hear you've arranged for your train bookings well in time. Yes, I now remember you mentioned your positive STC UK experiences in booking the Wilhelm Tell Express in your previous topic. Looks like you're pretty much ready to enjoy trip to Switzerland!

Thank you Annika - it is a special trip for our 40th wedding anniversary and cannot think of a better way to celebrate.

Hi Hudspith,

Great that you get to make this trip as a wedding anniversary celebration! I hope you'll enjoy every minute of it.