16 day itinerary with seniors in Switzerland

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    Ajittipnis
    Participant
    87 posts
    31 May 2019 at 5:36:10 #913320

    Hi Malvika

    We indeed had 15 days consecutive STP 1st class and we enjoyed all scenic trains. Booking of which was done on the opening day of reservation (I think 2/3 months in advance.)

    The travelling was not tiring even while train change at 2/3 places also. As I had planned the Itinerary with minute details like dep/arr time, platform number on arr as well as that of connecting train. So everything worked out like clockwork. You need perfect planning for the trip.

    We all 5 people are senior citizen n one member was 75 yrs but we were never tired.

    Off course handling the baggage was tedious but we managed.

    Our baggage was heavy due to dinnerware but My advice is to travel with 1 bag of the medium size per person so that every one can wheel it

    .every station has a ramp n some station have elevators too

    Ajittipnis
    Participant
    87 posts
    31 May 2019 at 5:40:41 #913321

    Hi

    Are you veg or fully non veg ? I mean beef n pork too ?

    We had Airbnb at 3 places n hotels at 3 places

    If you plan to cook dinners, carry ready to cook masala from suhana

    Ajittipnis
    Participant
    87 posts
    31 May 2019 at 7:08:37 #913322

    Winterware not dinnerware.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    31 May 2019 at 7:34:56 #913323

    Thanks a lot.

    I am little relieved about the baggage now.
    We are going in July which is summer so will be good

    We will cook our dinners and have planned for ready meals from here. Thanks will pick up Suhana.

    I have not yet done detailed itenary but will do over this weekend.

    Please give some tips to plan the itenary.

    My rough itenary is shared above but yet to do detailed one.

    How many mountains should we do.

    We have added one night in Zermatt and reduced 1 night from Lucerne so that we can do Glacier express.

    We will not be able to do Bernina express but will do the golden and glacier.

    Thanks for all your help.

    Regards
    Malvika

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    31 May 2019 at 7:36:27 #913324

    Hi Ajittipnis –

    <<“The travelling was not tiring even while train change at 2/3 places also. As I had planned the Itinerary with minute details like dep/arr time, platform number on arr as well as that of connecting train. So everything worked out like clockwork.”>>

    Your description matches my experiences over many years of train travel in Switzerland. I find it helpful to make a note of exactly the kind of information you describe. Here are a couple of added thoughts.

    There is also a good mobile App to help while traveling:

    http://www.sbb.ch/en/timetabl e/mobile-apps/sbb-mobile.html

    If i am planning to explore a place for a while, I sometimes note ( or

    check the mobile app for) the departure times for a few trains in the

    near future.

    The timetable gives you arrival and departure track/platform numbers.

    http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

    That link in My Swiss Alps is useful because there are a few tips and tricks to help use the timetable and the trains( or other transport modes) effectively. Definitely worth a careful read. After you have a good grasp of the subtleties, you can go directly to the SBB website if you choose:

    http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.htm l

    Lots of information there. Many routes elected on the timetable will show a map of the start or finish if you scroll down once you have laid out a journey.

    And, there are station maps for most of the larger stations to help you understand the distance between platforms:

    http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/railway-stations.html

    Enter a station name on that page to get information about stations, such a lockers, a map, etc.

    The work ahead of time avoids confusion when changing trains. However, there is excellent signage in the stations, lots of information about train arrivals and departures, and many stations are really quite small with only 2 or 3 tracks.

    The 5 main very large stations have their own listings on this page:

    http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services.html

    The only station which I allow a bit of extra time for, when changing trains, is Zürich main station. The signs are clear, but there are several levels of trains. o, you may find your self going up or down escalators or elevators. You can access the platforms on the main track level at the railheads ( the usual mode for a terminus station) but also by a pedestrian tunnel beneath the platforms #3-18 on the ground level that connects the platforms at mid-track. Thus, you do not have to walk all the way to the railheads if you change between those platforms. That can save some time if you are at the wrong end of a very long train when it stops at the terminal.

    Slowpoke

    Ajittipnis
    Participant
    87 posts
    31 May 2019 at 8:03:49 #913325

    Thanks slowpoke for endorsing my experience.

    Malvija you need to install SBB APP on your mobile, and also the Google map, these 2 apps will be the essences of your successful tour.

    Also plan to rent the Travellers wifi from Zurich Airport which will make you self dependent to travel.

    You have less time so plan your itinerary asap in detail.

    Peterli
    Participant
    1206 posts
    31 May 2019 at 8:13:57 #913326

    Hi Slowpoke,

    With reference to Zürich HB, you say << The signs are clear, but there are several levels of trains. >> I guess that shows how far behind I am on developments there. Where are these other levels, and which trains operate on these levels ? When I was a student, and then in my earlier traveling years, when I did move around by train instead of by car, I was not aware of any levels except the the main one where all the trains stopped at the rail-head. But knowing the Swiss expertise in tunneling, I am not surprised to hear that there are other levels below the one I am (was) familiar with.

    Peterli

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    31 May 2019 at 8:42:37 #913327

    Bonjour Peterli-

    As the Michelin man says –

    Worth the journey!

    http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/railway-stations/shopville-zuerich-main-station.html

    There are longstanding lower levels for the trains to the Sihltal and Uetliberg…tracks 21, 22….

    Now there are 30’s and also 40’s at other subterranean levels.

    Scroll down for maps.. Download the A4 *.PDF.

    http://www.sbb.ch/content/dam /infrastruktur/trafima ge/bahnhofplaene/plan-zuerich-hb-a4.pdf.sbbdownload.pdf

    The recent expansions of Shopville have left me confused… I have to look at the signs constantly. And, they took away my favorite easy to find sausage stand ( Horber’s). Now I have to go all the way to Bellevue ( Vorderer Sternen) for a good sausage.

    Slowpoke

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    1 June 2019 at 5:19:54 #913328

    Thanks all.

    I read about the travellers WiFi at Zurich station. What is it and where can I find it

    How is the network.

    We have finally booked Glacier express from chur to Zermatt, but could get the reservation available in the afternoon train. Hope this would be a good experience.

    We have also booked meals, any idea how the meals are and what is usually served in vegetarian meals.

    We did not pay the extra for insurance.

    Kindly help.

    Malvika

    Ajittipnis
    Participant
    87 posts
    1 June 2019 at 5:32:16 #913329

    hi

    you should pre book it on below link and collect it from your arrival airport and return it at your departure airport. Roughly it will cost you Rs.10000 for unlimited data and the network is very good.

    The food in Glacier express is good you will get Daal n Rice , papad n one sabzi, but it depends what you have pre booked. Chicken curry rice is also available. In short Indian food is available.

    You can also have wine or beer on board, it’s great experience to have wine on board with awesome scenery around. You will enjoy Glacier express.

    http://www.travelerswifi.com

    http://www.myswissalps.com/si mcard

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    1 June 2019 at 6:02:24 #913330

    Thanks,

    I have booked vegetarian meal.

    So what do u recommend wifi or lyca/salt SIM card?

    Would the afternoon train be scenic?

    Are we allowed to carry our own meals and wine as I read somewhere that it’s allowed, however, just wanted to be sure.

    Thanks

    Malvika

    Ajittipnis
    Participant
    87 posts
    1 June 2019 at 7:07:30 #913331

    Hi

    I preferred wi fi router as you can connect many devices to it and whatsapp calling was available. Unless you want to make local calls you can opt for sim card. But for data ( social media n surging ) router is good.

    You can carry your own meals n Drinks, no issue at all.

    The journey will be very scenic.

    You can send me mails to <removed because of the forum rules>.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    10 June 2019 at 7:18:39 #913332

    Thanks everyone for your response.

    Have another question, what amount should be ok/enough for travel insurance for 21 days.

    Thanks

    Malvika

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