3 days in Zurich – what to do?

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    1 March 2018 at 5:00:53 #814554

    Hi All,

    I will be in Zurich on 23rd March 2018, coming by train from Salzburg ETA 13.20. My next destination will be Luzern, catching early morning train on 26th March 2018.

    I will have half day on 23rd and 2 full days to explore Zurich & surrounding areas. My initial itinerary is:-

    23rd pm – walk around Zurich / lake cruise

    24th am – join free walking tour in the morning

    25th pm – Rhine Fall and Schaffhausen by train

    This is my first visit to Switzerland and I am not sure how long to explore Zurich. Should I go to Rhine Fall and Schaffhausen on 24th afternoon? Then what should I do on 25th, is it worth visiting Vaduz?

    Appreciate advice on the above itinerary.

    Thanks.

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    1 March 2018 at 11:14:37 #877438

    Hi MRSid and welcome to MySwissAlps!

    Is your main purpose of your visit to see Zurich? Are you interested in visiting any of the Swiss Alps? There are day trips you could do to the mountains around Lucerne if you wish to: Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Rigi or Mt. Titlis.

    If mountains aren’t interesting to you, then yes the Rhein Falls and/or Stein am Rhein are a nice day trip out from Zurich. I’m not sure Schaffhausen is all that interesting but it could be for you. Read about my day trip to Stein am Rhein here.

    I would perhaps spend the 23rd on a lake cruise in Zurich as you will get a good walking tour introduction tour the next day (if you don’t go to the mountains). I’m not sure Vaduz is too interesting in itself – unless you want to just visit Liechtenstein. 🙂

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    1 March 2018 at 14:02:24 #877439

    Hi,

    Thank you Lucas.

    I will be in Zurich from 23rd-25th March. Thereafter:-

    26th March – am train from Zurich to Luzern (and Mount Titlis)

    27th March – am train from Luzern to Jungfraujoch and overnight in Lauterbrunne

    28th March – train from Lauterbrunne to Brig to catch Glacier Express to Zermatt

    29th March – afternoon train from Zermatt to Montreux

    30th March – afternoon train from Montreux to Geneva

    31st March – afternoon train from Geneva to Paris

    I hope the above is doable as I have made all the necessary reservations.

    Thank you.

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    1 March 2018 at 15:37:18 #877440

    Ah yes, I missed the rest of your trip. 🙂

    Yes, that is all workable. March 27 will be a long day for you – hopefully the weather works out in your favour. I wouldn’t book tickets/reservations for Jungfraujoch until you know the weather looks good that day (no earlier than 1 day before) so that you don’t go up and see nothing but clouds!

    Use the Swiss railways timetable to plan out all your train trips. If you haven’t looked into a Swiss Rail Pass have a look here.

    rockoyster
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    1 March 2018 at 19:43:54 #877441

    On 27th if you want to catch the actual Glacier Express (GEX In the timetable) you will need a reservation even though it is a quite short leg of that route. Regular trains are more frequent and perfectly OK.

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    2 March 2018 at 2:36:09 #877442

    My mistake… I did not provide the rest of the itinerary in my first post.

    On the 27th, I take note of the comment, I plan to break the journey at Lauterbrunne. If weather is good, will leave luggage at the train station and buy ticket to Jungfraujoch. Otherwise, will leave luggage at the hotel in Lauterbrunne and probably spend the day in Interlaken. I have not purchased the Swiss Pass but based on my calculation, I am better off with Half Fare Pass.

    I have read about your day trip to Stein am Rhein. I guess I will do Rhine Fall & Stein am Rhein on the 25th March. And forego Schaffhausen and Vaduz.

    Is the ZVV 9 O’Clock Day Pass valid to travel to Stein am Rhein?

    rockoyster
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    2 March 2018 at 2:38:51 #877443

    Sorry, meant 28th for GEX. Go Lauterbrunnen to Brig via Kandersteg. You will then travel on the Regio-Express Lötschberger train over the traditional, more than 100 year old mountain route, giving you a wonderful view along the impressive peaks and down into the Rhone Valley.

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    2 March 2018 at 2:45:51 #877444

    Thanks for the advise Rockoyster.

    I have made the seat reservation (CHF13). Then, I could only make reservation, ticket was not open for sale yet. I would buy ticket when I reach Switzerland.

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    2 March 2018 at 2:50:38 #877445

    I take note of your suggestion to travel on the Regio-Express Lötschberger train. Will check the train schedule.

    Thanks.

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    2 March 2018 at 7:00:27 #877446

    The 9 o’clock pass for all zones (2nd class 26chf) can get you to Schloss Laufen am Rhein. There is another stop at the RheinFall (Neuhausen Rheinfall) that pass the isn’t valid for.

    1 way tickets can be as low as 9chf so it will depend on how much travel you do that day to make the day pass worth it.

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    3 March 2018 at 6:19:22 #877447

    Noted.

    Thanks.

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