September Lucerne travel plans – itinerary advice

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    6 July 2018 at 3:33:22 #817115

    Hi

    My husband and I will be traveling to Switzerland from Sept 8th to 12th and I am looking for help in making an itinerary. We are reaching Zurich and plan to travel to Lucerne.

    We are planning to stay in Lucerne and travel to Matterhorn, Chateau De Chillon, the Jungfrau region and Lugano. These are my top choices but if its too much then I can take out some places. Is it possible to visit more than one place in a day, we are planning on getting the four day rail pass as I believe its the best way to travel.

    How should I plan my itinerary so the travel time is less and we can see more sites.

    I did check the different prices on rail passes but its quite confusing as there are so many choices.

    I am looking for an economical place to stay in Lucerne and would love some tips on that as well.

    Thanks in advance

    Alka

  • Effortlessly learn from the questions and answers in the forum. Receive a daily e-mail with new discussions.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    6 July 2018 at 12:29:02 #890372

    Hi Alka,

    For suggestions on hotels in Lucerne, see our recommendations here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/lucerne/hotels – a few budget options are noted there.

    You can use the Swiss railways timetable to plan out your trips. For example, you’ll see Lucerne to Zermatt is about 3.5 hours (the timetable always gives you the most direct options). https://www.myswissalp s.com/timetable

    Zermatt and Lugano would both be full day trips. Chateau de Chillon in Montreux (http://www.myswissalps.com/chilloncastle) as well (especially if you take the Golden Pass route there – more scenic but 5 hours. https://www.myswissalp s.com/goldenpass

    I would guess the 4 day Swiss Travel Pass is a great option for you. It is certainly the easiest option.
    If you don’t want to compare the various pass options with your trip plans go with the Swiss Travel Pass. https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpass

    If you want to do the math and compare passes, look here for help: https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/ticketspas ses/practical/choosera ilpass

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    7 July 2018 at 17:42:53 #890373

    Hi

    Thanks for your detailed reply, We would definitely want to visit Jungfraujoch region. We were hoping that we might be able to visit more than one place in a day but it seems unlikely. We can take out Chateau de Chillon from the itinerary if necessary.

    The budget hotels don’t have private bathrooms, I might look into bed and breakfast places too for our stay in Lucerne.

    I checked the train schedules and pricing too and will stick with swiss travel pass

    Thanks

    alka

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    8 July 2018 at 7:55:56 #890374

    Hi Alka,

    Yes, from Lucerne you won’t have time to visit more than 1 of the towns/destinations that you list per day.

    Switzerland is small, but not that small. 🙂

    Most of the hotels have private bathrooms I think. Were you looking at any in particular?

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    8 July 2018 at 19:21:18 #890375

    Hi Lucas

    I appreciate your help and agree that Switzerland is indeed pretty big, do you suggest we could stay in another city which might be closer to different sites or is it pretty much the same.

    I am looking for a Bed and Breakfast option too but it should be in walking distance from the train station for easy access.

    I am looking at train schedule and did make an itinerary but can’t find how to travel to Jungfrau region ( I tried Lucerne – Interlaken and then got stuck). I also need help finding timings for Gondola rides to Mount Titlis and how much total time will each leg of the journey takes for example from Lucerne to Matterhorn, Zermatt ( Is there walk and how much distance we will be walking) etc.

    Once again Thank you so much

    Alka

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 July 2018 at 1:28:29 #890376

    >> I am looking at train schedule and did make an itinerary but can’t find how to travel to Jungfrau region ( I tried Lucerne – Interlaken and then got stuck).

    Where are you planning to go to in the Jungfrau Region? Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Wengen, Grindelwald, Kleine Scheidegg, Jungfraujoch?

    In your timetable search, put the following:

    • From Luzern
    • To (whichever of the above locations is your final destination for the day)

    The search result will give you possible connections, including transfers. Regardless of where you are going in the Jungfrau Region, you will need to change trains at Interlaken Ost.

    http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion

    >> I also need help finding timings for Gondola rides to Mount Titlis

    Timetable search:

    • From Luzern
    • To Kleintitlis

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

    >> and how much total time will each leg of the journey takes for example from Lucerne to Matterhorn, Zermatt ( Is there walk and how much distance we will be walking) etc.

    The Matterhorn is above Zermatt, but you can’t ascend it, only view it from a distance from various viewpoints. The Gornergrat provides the classic view.

    Timetable search:

    • From Luzern
    • To Gornergrat

    The station for the Gornergrat train is just across the road from the main railway station in Zermatt.

    http://www.myswissalps.com/go rnergrat

    Alpenrose

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 July 2018 at 2:24:33 #890377

    Hi Alpenrose

    Thanks so much for your reply, I tried searching from Lucerne to Jungfraujoch but it doesn’t give me the option to chose that destination.

    Still trying other searches, I am sure Swiss travel pass will be the best choice for us, just need to find out how much extra we have to pay for gondola rides and panoramic trains, cogwheel trains etc.

    Thanks again

    alka

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 July 2018 at 3:21:06 #890378

    >> I tried searching from Lucerne to Jungfraujoch but it doesn’t give me the option to chose that destination.

    Please use the Swiss Timetable:

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

    (Use the one on the right with the red SBB logo.)

    Use the local spelling for Lucerne (Luzern) if you aren’t getting a result for Lucerne.

    Alpenrose

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 July 2018 at 5:53:52 #890379

    The timetable that Alpenrose notes will get you all needed schedules and prices to towns or mountains.

    Do note that the first price it shows you is the Swiss Half Fare Card price – so double it to get the regular fare before applying any discounts you get with the Swiss Travel Pass. https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpass/ validity

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 July 2018 at 17:09:45 #890380

    Hi

    Thanks Alpenrose and Lucas for your help. I keep hitting roadblocks, I just checked the train schedule on the website suggested by you two and it says this is for Summer timetable, for travel from May to August. My trip is in September so I don’t know if it will still work.

    alka

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 July 2018 at 18:17:42 #890381

    The note at the top of the timetable about the “Summer Timetable” is just an information note. It refers to maintenance work going on this summer and if you click it you can read more about it. But it doesn’t pertain to you.

    You can still search for your travels dates and it will show you the schedule.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    9 July 2018 at 18:56:30 #890382

    Thanks so much

  • The thread ‘September Lucerne travel plans – itinerary advice’ is closed to new replies.

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 10730 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.