5 days in Lucerne/Interlaken

globetrotter2528

4 posts
new member

Apr 7, 2013 - 10:56 PM

Hello experts,

My greetings to all. I am planning to visit Switzerland at the end of May and would like to shape up my itinerary.
I will be staying 2 days in Lucerne and 3 days in Interlaken. Can you please advise me on places to see/visit.?

From my limited knowledge I have come across Lake Lucerne (including the boat ride), Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus and Jungfrau excursion as must to do. Can you please suggest as to which places and when to visit?

Thanks. :-)

Annika

4992 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 8, 2013 - 1:24 PM

Welcome globetrotter2528! Well, you pretty much summed up the highlights I'd recommend :-). Some further tips: the traffic musuem and glacier garden in Lucerne, boat trips over the lakes Lucerne, Thun and Brienz and a large amount of stunning viewing points in the Jungfrau region (consider First, Männlichen, Schynige Platte, Brienzer Rothorn, and so on. Most of them will have their seasonal start by end May/beginning of June). This list may provide some more ideas, including bad weather alternatives.

Depending on your final itinerary, a rail pass will help you save money. Here are some guidelines to start off with.

In case you're still looking for hotels: centrally located ones, near the railway stations, are listed here for Lucerne and here for Interlaken.

Be sure to check this:
Learn about Interlaken

globetrotter2528

4 posts
new member

Apr 9, 2013 - 11:24 AM

Thanks so much for your reply. I will look into the links you provided in detail. :-)

I am planning to buy the Swiss Half Fare Card as it will cover at least 50% of all rides including Jungfrau as well. I will be going to Paris from Interlaken and was planning to take the TGV train for that. The train which I am looking at is at 6.32am leaving from Interlaken West station (train 1060) to Bern and then from Bern To Paris. The transfer time at Bern is only 6 minutes. Is it advisable to take such a connection? Is the 6 minute time sufficient at Bern to make a transfer. How long does it take?

6:32AM
Interlaken West

7:23AM
Bern

0hr51min

http://www.raileurope. com/img/logo-icons/TIC.png Train 1060

TRANSFER: 6 min

7:29AM
Bern

12:11PM
Paris Gare Lyon

4hr42min

http://www.raileurope. com/img/logo-icons/TGL.png TGV Lyria 9284

Thanks.
- Riddhish.

Annika

4992 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 10, 2013 - 2:30 PM

Hi riddish. The train to Paris leaves from the other side of the platform on which you arrive, so 6 minutes shouldn't be a problem. If you don't feel comfortable, you can also choose to leave Interlaken as early as 06:05 am, providing you with 40 minutes to change trains at Basel. But again, that shouldn't be necessary.

globetrotter2528

4 posts
new member

May 10, 2013 - 8:26 PM

Thanks do much Arno. That was quite helpful. :-)

- Globetrotter2528

globetrotter2528

4 posts
new member

May 10, 2013 - 8:29 PM

I am planning to buy the Swiss Half fare card. For the Jungfrau tour do I need to pay half or the complete fare.
Also where do I buy the Jungfrau tour tickets from ? Does it require an advance booking (in case it gets too full), or can I buy the tickets after reaching Switzerland and buying my Half fare card from there?

Thanks.

- Globetrotter2528

Arno

11272 posts
expert &
moderator

May 11, 2013 - 12:11 PM

Hi,

You''ll get a 50% discount on the Jungfrau. Pre-booking is not necessary. You can get the tickets at any local rail station. You can download the map from the Swiss Half Fare Card page. It shows the covered network in detail.

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