Bernina Express, Interlaken, Lucerne in May 2024

I am now planning our trip to Switzerland May 15-31 2024. Flying into Milan and then taking train to Varrena and spending 5 nights there. Those reservations made.

No reservations yet for Switzerland

Bernia Express from Tirano to St. Mortitz spending 1 night then taking regular trains to Grindewilde for 3 nights. Next, to Inerlaken to explore and take the Lake Birenz boat to Geipach. Spend a night at the hotel there.. Then take train from Birenz to Lucerne for one night or 2??? Next, we take the Gotthard Panoramic Express boat and train to Lugano for 2 nights then back to Milan.

Does that itinerary sound reasonable for our first trip to Switzerland? We are in our mid 70’s. We will not be doing much hiking but can walk up and down streets and plan to take cable cars or funiculars. . Also, would it be worth taking the Wengenalpbahn train to Lauterbrunnen for a day trip while in Grindewilde? Any suggestions are appreciated on anything to enhance our trip. We will be getting the Swiss Travel Pass but I’m not sure which one is best.

Thanks,

Miggles

Hi Miggles,

Welcome to the forum, thanks for joining MySwissAlps.

Your itinerary is doable. My personal suggestion - stay in Interlaken for 4 nights or Grindelwald 4 nights. These 2 destinations are located within the same region and are easily accessible by regular train service. Doing day trips to Wengen and Lake Brienz from either Interlaken or Grindelwald is possible. You can find planning tips and options in the following links:

• Interlaken: www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/activities
• Grindelwald: www.myswissalps.com/grindelwald/activities
• Hotels in Interlaken: www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/hotels
• Hotels in Grindelwald: www.myswissalps.com/grindelwald/hotels

Spending 2 nights in Lucerne in my opinion would give you more time to explore this beautiful city and the surrounding areas. You can sightseeing suggestions here: www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/activities. Hotel options are available here: www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/hotels

If you are planning to travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne to Lugano, be sure to book your seats in advance. You can find further details here: www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/tickets

Based on your travel plans, you might want to consider getting a Swiss Travel Pass, which provides free travelling on public transport such as trains, trams, bus and boats. The Swiss Travel Pass also provides discounted travelling on mountain transportation such as cogwheel trains, cable cars, funiculars and gondolas. Purchase options are available here: www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price

Hope this gets you started.

Regards,

Anna

Thank you, Anna, for all the links.

My husband really wants to stay at the Grand Hotel Geisbach. We will check out of our Airbnb in Grindewilde and store our luggage at the train station in Interlaken while we explore the town. Will they let us take our luggage on the boat and then the funicular up to the hotel?

We may go ahead and stay 4 nights in Grindewilde. That will give us time to visit Lautbrunnen.

is it worth taking the Gotthard Express? There is not as much written up about it compared to the other scenic train. My husband is worried about navigating ice or snow. That is why I crossed out Zermatt and added this train ride.

. Has anyone heard when the eTIAS will go into affect in 2024?

Miggles

Hi Miggles,

Yes, you can certainly leave your luggage at the Interlaken train station while you explore the town. There are left luggage and luggage lockers at the station. And if you are travelling on the boats, you can take your luggage along, no problem. And if you are staying at the Giessbach Hotel, Ithink you can arrange for a pick-up assitance from the boat landing stage. The funicular also has space to transport luggage.

You can find more information about the Gotthard Panorama Express here: www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress. This is a scenic trip combining boat and train from Central Switzerland to Ticino. It's definitely worth taking if you have the time.

Regarding the ETIAS, you can find a summary and links to the latest information here: https://www.myswissalps.com/visa

Regards,

Anna