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With so many places and things to do in Switzerland, looking for the best possible day trips from Zurich for the 5 days we’re there. Am planning to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass and based on the research I’ve been conducting, I’m thinking the following itinerary:
- Explore Zurich and Lake Zurich
- Zurich – Bern – Interlaken
- Zurich – Winterhur – Rhine Falls
- Zurich – Jungfraujoch/Bernese Oberland
- Zurich – Zermatt
Would definitely like to see or visit the Matterhorn, but would like thoughts on the above? Is this too aggressive based on my time there? Should I visit a few different cities? Lucern? Basel? Mt. Pilatus, Ticino or Lugano?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi RobinS,
Welcome to MySwissAlps!
I think your list of things to see is a good one for a first time visit (I assume). I would only remove Interlaken from the list as there’s not much to see there. You can have a stroll there on the Jungfraujoch day.
Other than that I recommend to check the travel times to see if you’re comfortable with the longer days: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable.
Yes, there is much more to see but you can’t fit that all in 5 days, or even in 30 🙂 See here to get an idea about the options: http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities.
Swiss Travel Pass details (how to use, what’s included, where to buy) are here: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass
Thank you for the info and thoughts on Interlaken, and yes, for most, it will be their 1st time in Switzerland. Also should have added that we’ll be there in late May. After some additional research, I think I need to replace one of the itineraries on my list to replace with either Mt. Titlis or Mt. Pilatus. After everything I’m reading, it seems as though either of these would be a great visit and wondering if late May this season presents a weather challenge.
You’re welcome! Late May isn’t more risky weather wise. It will depend on the day. For details about those mountains and the weather, please see here:
I could use some assistance with respect to cost of purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass. I saw a promotion for the pass if I also purchased Jungfraujoch promotion. http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prom otions
Are the trains described in the Jungfraujoch promotion not included in the Swiss Travel Pass? I’m trying to understand what the Swiss Travel Pass includes and why there is an additional charge for Jungfraujoch promotion. Are there additional items/fees I’m not seeing in the description that would have to be paid if I went to Jungfraujoch on my own?
Thank you.
Hello RobinS,
The promotion you mention is indeed rather confusing.
It offers
– a free seat reservation on the train to the Jungfraujoch (which btw is not mandatory) PLUS
– a Swiss Coupon Pass (check other thread for details)if you buy
– the Swiss Travel Pass AND
– the ticket to the Jungfraujoch (where the Swiss Travel Pass only gives you a 25% discount)
The later two you need to buy anyway!So actually, the promotion does not offer you a cheaper price, but rather more service (reservation & coupon pass) for the same price.
Hope I’m making myself clear.
Also check:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfraujoch/tickets
– http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validityBest,
StephYes, this is much clearer! Thank you so much Steph!
I was speaking with someone today who highly recommended taking a trip to Lake Como. I’m having a hard time figuring out the easiest way to get there by train from Zurich. Could someone assist with recommendations for this and also have an opinion on whether it’s worth the time it will take to get there?
Thank you!
Hello Robin,
The SBB Timetable which Arno linked to in his first reply will offer you the fastest route (via the 57km Gotthard Base Tunnel). Just look for Zurich to Como SanGiovanni. The Swiss Travel Pass will get you to the border at Chiasso. You need a ticket for the Italian train from there. See http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/italy.
My advice – just go to Lugano and take a boat ride on Lake Lugano. If you are just going for a round trip then Lugano has all the Italian flavour you need. And because you are still in Switzerland everything is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
If you want to go one way via the fast route you can consider returning by the old Gotthard Pass route which forms part of the Gotthard Panorama Express. Just look up Lugano to Zurich via Göschenen.
As an “outside the square” suggestion for a round trip from Zurich have a look at http://www.rhb.ch/en/tickets-travelcards/promotions /gotthard-bernina-circular-tour.
Awesome suggestions. I’ll look into that. I was in Lugano long long ago and wanted to go back, so I think your suggestion justifies showing the rest of the travelers I’ll be with!
Thank you!
This forum is so helpful. We’re planning on traveling on our own with the Swiss Travel Pass. However, I’m wondering if either of the following trips would be better on a guided tour? Also, we’ll be there in late May, so assuming the weather could be a factor for either of these trips. Please advise on your thoughts.
Zurich – Interlaken/Jungfraujoch/Bernese Oberland
Zurich – Engelberg – Mt Titlis or Lucern/Mt Pilatus
Thank you.
Hi Robin,
The amazing Swiss transport system makes it a breeze getting around under your own guidance. A problem with guided tours is that you need to book ahead. The beauty of the Swiss Travel Pass is that you can be completely flexible and can change your plans at a moments notice.
The trips you describe are very straightforward and undertaken by independent tourists all the time. Research the routes and ask if something is not clear in your mind.
I was last there in late May/early June and the weather was fabulous.
Thank you. I’m glad to hear that because I would like flexibility from day to day. However, I do have a question about seat reservations.
One day I plan to travel from Zurich to Lugano/Lake Lugano and looks like it would require the Bernina Express which requires seat reservations.
Another day Zurich to the Jungfraujoch/Bernese Oberland, and may take advantage of the offer for a free seat reservation when I purchase the Swiss Travel Pass and a ticket to Jungfraujoch.
And looking to verify if I need seat reservations to go to Engelberg from Zurich.
If all 3 above require seat reservations (or 2), then I assume the flexibility to change my itinerary to another day? I could seem to find what the cancellation policy is, if there is one, when you make seat reservations. There will be 4 of us, so it could be costly or cause some inflexibility in the itinerary.
Thank you in advance for advice on this.
Zurich to Lugano does not require the Bernina Express. It is a long, though very scenic way round. Reservations are indeed required. It departs Chur for Tirano around 8:30. You then get a bus from Tirano to Lugano. See also http://www.rhb.ch/en/tickets-travelcards/promotions /gotthard-bernina-circular-tour as mentioned earlier.
You don’t need reservations for Zurich to Jungfraujoch. It is best not to buy tickets ahead of time in case the weather is not favourable.
You definitely don’t need reservations for Zurich to Engelberg or any other regular train route in Switzerland for that matter. Just hop on and show your Swiss Travel Pass.
Thank you.
I see the two options for Lugano. One being the Gotthard Panorama and the other being Bernina Express. From one of the sites I researched, it said that I’d need to upgrade to 1st class and reserve a seat on Gotthard
http://www.happyrail.com/en/g otthard-panorama-express.
But another says it’s recommended. http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress/ tickets
Could someone confirm which one is correct. I would like to keep my options open, but if both require seat reservations, then I just need to choose the better route as a first time visitor.
And does anyone know what the cancellation policy is, if any, when you have seat reservations and you need to change your itinerary.
Thank you
The Gotthard Panorama Express train leg is 1st Class only and requires a reservation. You can do the whole route on regular trains without reservations as I explained at http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/permalink/kk qEraDW9mqS6v8AAFcRTQ.
Hello RobinS,
A advantage of taking a guided tour is that you don’t only visit the destination, but also receive quite some input about the destination and Switzerland generally by the guides.
However, you are on a fixed schedule with a tour operator and not flexible in timing, that’s the clear disadvantage.
Best,
Steph
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