2 weeks Zurich-Zermatt -Bern-Luzern in Nov/Dec
A traveler is planning a 2-week trip to Europe from November 29 to December 13, focusing on Switzerland. They are unsure how to create an itinerary that suits winter travel while experiencing Christmas markets, scenic views, and exploring various cities. They seek advice on public transport options, city choices, and the Swiss Travel Pass.
- Stay at Leoneck Hotel Zurich for easy access to Christmas markets and the train station.
- Use the Swiss Travel Pass for discounts on train rides and attractions, like Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch.
- Consider visiting Murren for beautiful winter views and explore alternate activities like snowshoeing or sledging if you're not skiing.
- If heading to Iseltwald in winter, take a bus from Interlaken Ost as boat services are unavailable.
AI-generated summary-
Hello everyone !
We’re heading over to Europe for 2 weeks 29 Nov – 13 Dec.
We realized that it’s off season and I don’t know how many time I have already change my itinerary (still not satisfied). Please help to give some opinions/ suggestions built from the itinerary below :
29 Nov
We’ll be landing in Zurich at noon, stay in Leonech hotel Zurich and plan to experience Christmas market (we hope there is Christmas market near the hotel so we don’t have to buy public transport on day 1)
30 Nov
Lindt outlet in Kilchberg ( is boat trip in lake Zurich to Kilchberg open in winter ?)
Arrive at ZurichHB around 3 pm to take train to Munich
30 Nov – 6 Dec – (Munich)
6 Dec – 8 Dec (Zurich 2 night)
Arrive in Zurich at noon ( Is it advisable to stay in Zurich or other city cheaper than Zurich ?)
Visit Rhine falls and Stein am Rhein on Dec 7
8 Dec – 10 Dec (Zermatt 2 night)
Stay in Zermatt hotel
Head up to Mattherhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat ( 9 Dec)
Zermatt – Visp – Spiez – Bern via RE Lotschberger, explore Bern and visit Christmas market in Bern – stay in Bern (10 Dec).
10 Dec – 12 Dec (Bern 2 night)
what is the best city to visit in the winter for non skier : Grindelwald / Lauterbrunnen / Wengen / Murren ? (still confused what to do in winter if we want to skip Jungfraujoch ) (11 dec)
Jungfrau pass or bernese oberland pass is not avail in winter ?
Lake Thun
Then from Bern to Lucerne via Trubschachen in the Emmen valley.
12 Dec (Luzern )
Luzern city exploration, Mt Pilatus
13 Dec head to Zurich airport
Another questions : based on itinerary above, is it advisable to buy 8 days STP Flex ?.
Thank you…
-
29 Nov
We’ll be landing in Zurich at noon, stay in Leonech hotel Zurich and plan to experience Christmas market (we hope there is Christmas market near the hotel so we don’t have to buy public transport on day 1)
Leoneck hotel is very central, only 4 minutes walk from Zurich HB – and the main station’s famously palatial concourse is so big it is used for the Chirstmas market (that’s the one I visited last time I was in Zurich in December). Another market takes place in the old town (Niederdorf), about 10 minutes walk from the Leoneck. Having said that you might already have had to buy a transport ticket to get from the airport.
30 Nov
Lindt outlet in Kilchberg ( is boat trip in lake Zurich to Kilchberg open in winter ?)
30 November is a Wednesday so there will only be one boat Zurich Burkliplatz – Kilchberg ZH (See) at 12.30 from Zurich:
http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_pdf_fields/2022/3731.pdf
Arrive at ZurichHB around 3 pm to take train to Munich
Not possible if you use the boat as per above
Zermatt – Visp – Spiez – Bern via RE Lotschberger, explore Bern and visit Christmas market in Bern – stay in Bern (10 Dec).
Your route (if you want the old mountain line used by the RE Lotschberger is Zermatt – Visp – BRIG – Bern
10 Dec – 12 Dec (Bern 2 night)
what is the best city to visit in the winter for non skier : Grindelwald / Lauterbrunnen / Wengen / Murren ?
I like Murren – best views of the main mountains (none are ‘cities’ – just small villages)
(still confused what to do in winter if we want to skip Jungfraujoch ) (11 dec)
Just enjoy the views from Murren, or go to a completely different region of Switzerland.
Hi Maria Ang,
you can find a list of Christmas markets in Switzerland here: http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/christmasmarkets.
There are many hotels and apartments in Zurich, I am sure you can find something you like: http://www.myswissalps.com/zurich/hotels and http://www.myswissalps.com/zurich/rentals.
For recommended hotels in Bern and Zermatt please visit:
You can read about the route of RegioExpress Lötschberger here: http://www.myswissalps.com/lotschberger/gettingthere.
There are many other things you can try in winter even if you do not ski. I recommend snowshoeing and you can also try sledging: http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/winter/nonski and http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/winter. And make sure to eat a good cheese fondue (http://www.myswissalps.com/aboutswitzerland/culturehistory/food) after a snowy day 🙂
You can use the Jungfrau Hiking and Sledging Pass, this is the only regional pass that is valid in the area during winter: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauhikingsledgingpass. Or you can buy the Swiss Travel Pass (or Swiss Travel Pass Flex if you prefer that one): http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpassflex and http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass.
I hope this helps, let us know if you have further questions,
Ildiko
We were in Zermatt and Zurich in late November and had a great time. There’s plenty to see walking around Zermatt and although some stores and restaurants were closed , many were open. With very few people there before the season begins we had great meals at many restaurants that wouldn’t have been available once the crowds arrive. We stopped in the church and there was a children’s choir practicing for Christmas, we took the train up to the Gornergrat and took the “bubbles” up to the Matterhorn Alpine area. It was nice to be there before the crowds arrived.
In Zurich we went to 2 Christmas markets, the one at the train station is simply huge. We also went to one outside which had lots of merchandise. We liked both of these better than the one we had been at in Paris the week before we went to Zermatt.
have fun, it’s a great time to be in Switzerland.
Thanks a lot 1960man, IIdiko and cam223 for your replies..
@1960man :
Glad to hear that my hotel in Zurich is near Christmas market.
Will ride the old mountain line used by the RE Lotschberger as your recommendation. (How long is the ride ? )
@Ildiko :
Having analyze the articles in this website, is it true that by using STP , I can head to Schilthorn with 50% disc ?..
On the way to Schilthon, using the route from Stechelberg –Mürren – Birg – Schilthorn, can I stop by Murren /Birg for quick observation?
Based on Jungfrau official website , it will cost CHF 95 from Grindelwald terminal to Jungfraujoch by Eiger Express (Return). So the final price to Jungfraujoch will be CHF 71.25 if using STP ? Does this price including Ice palace ?).
Another question : how to visit Iseltwald since there is no boat trip on lake Brienz in winter ?
@cam223 :
Hope that the weather in Zermatt will be great, so we can enjoy Zermatt too.
Have a great day everyone…
Hi Maria Ang,
Yes, with the Swiss Travel Pass, you can purchase the tickets to Schilthorn with 50% discounts. You can find further discount offers here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity. Be sure to download the validity map for quick reference. You can reach Schilthorn via Stechelberg or Mürren, as explained here: http://www.myswissalps.com/schilthorn/gettingthere, and your tickets usually allows you to stop at any station or destination in between.
With the Swiss Travel Pass, the trip to Jungfraujoch up to Grindelwald is free. From Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch you get 25% discount. You can find the price details here: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch/tickets. The ticket price includes all attractions including admission into the Ice Palace.
If you’re planning to visit Iseltwald in autumn and winter (when boat services are not available), the best option is to take the bus from Interlaken Ost. You can check the schedules on the SBB timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Enjoy your trip.
regards,
Anna
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