6 days in Switzerland itinerary suggestions

Hi Ashwinir18 –

Welcome to my Swiss Alps.

That looks like a good itinerary, as it stands. One thing might be changed. If you wish to go up to Schilthorn, you will save a lot of time by staying in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen.

This map will help make that clear:

map.search.ch/?pos=640176,161632&z=16

Zoom in to see the transport tracks and stops.

This will help with timing and schedules:

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

There is a cableway connection from Grindelwald up to Männlichen and down to Wengen, which could be a nice way to get to Wengen from Grindelwald. It starts on the 19th. You are in the area at the tail end of low season, but several weeks before the Summer season begins. Not all restaurants or hotels will be open yet.

Another way to get more flexibility is to skip the Rhine Falls. Nice falls, good flow in the Spring, but Switzerland is not the only place in the world that has waterfalls.

Regarding weather… all high Alpine areas depend on good visibility for maximum enjoyment. In May, there is a significant chance of cloudy weather on high. Don’t bother to go up to Jungfraujoch, at considerable expense, if all you will see is the inside of clouds. The inside of clouds is boring, in my opinion.

Don’t buy a ticket for the Jungfrau untill the night before. In May, it will not be crowded.

Check with tourist offices, train station staff, etc.

Here is a link for weather –

http://www.myswissalps.com/ab outswitzerland/nature

Also –

http://www.meteoswiss.admin.c h/home.html?tab=overview

If you have to be at the airport by 1:25 PM, you can do it, but you’d need a very early start. You could leave your luggage at the airport. If you are on Swiss International, you can check luggage at trains stations… not sure the advance time needed.

Hi Ashwinir18-

I leave the questions about rail passes to Arno or Annika.

They are experts; I am not.

The links on this page can help you.

I note that you say “we.” Are there children in your party? There are some low cost or free passes available for them if you have a pass. Details escape me.

<<“I was a little bit late on checking accommodation in Lucerne and most of the room rates are too high. Is there any town near Lucerne which we can look at for reduced room rates?”>>

The rates at all major tourist attraction cities are always too high.

I rarely stay in Luzern anymore since the Hotel Schiff closed. Their rooms were rather worn out, but clean and not expensive not expensive.

Now, if I do stay in Luzern, I stay at the Hotel des Alpes.

I used to also stay in Dallenwil, Sarnen, Sachseln…all at least worth a check.

These links may help:

http://www.myswissalps.com/ho tels/budget

http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne/hotels

Before the days of the internet, and even today, I look at a map that shows rail routes into Luzern, and then look up various towns to check.

In the old days . the “looking up” was done in a printed booklet from the Swiss Hotel Asociation. Now, you can use the internet.

I’d tend to look toward the north, along the line from Luzern to Olten. The ones araii=ound the lake can be nice, but some have difficult transport if you want to get into Luzern fast, and being on the lake raises prices. The train service on the eastern shore is quite good, so I’d at least check Brunnen and Flüelen.

map.search.ch/Luzern?poi=zug&pos=670200,213 624&z=32

I recall that some forum member found a good deal in Merlischachen. The town is on a slope, so check the map for distance from the station.

Slowpoke