Best 16-night Swiss train route November/December

Hi

I am planning a trip to Switzerland between 25 Nov to 11 Dec. Could you advice if this is the most efficient route - Land in Zurich - train to Lucerne (4 nights) - Golden Pass to Interlaken (3 nights) - (day trip to Top of Europe, Grindlewald) - train to Lausanne (3 nights) (day trip to Montreux, glacier 3000, boat trip to Geneva) train to- Zermatt (2 nights), train to Chur (2 nights) - Zurich (2 nights.

I’m thinking of taking the Bernina Express from Chur to Tiarano. Can i travel from Tirano to Zurich on the same day? Would it be very rushed? Or should I do a one night stopover at Lugano instead?

Should I buy a Swiss Pass or Half pass or what is your advice on the best pass to get?

Hi Vivteosk,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

I think your planned route is sensible. As for the trip from Chur to Tirano, then Tirano to Zurich in one day, this may be a little rushed and ambitious to do close to the winter season. The Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano does not operate in winter. So your option would be to return with the Bernina Express or travel back by regular trains.

Based on your plans, a Swiss Half Fare Card might give you the best value. However a Swiss Travel Pass provides more convenience and flexibility. You would have to do the math if you want to be sure. You'll find some useful tips about choosing the best railpass here: www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass

Hope this gets you started.

Regards,

Anna

Hi Anna

Thanks very much for your advice. Does that mean I can travel back to Chur via Bernina Express on the same day? I checked the SBB website for the timetable and it says “Direction St Moritz” in 4 hours. So do I assume it will travel to Chur along the route to St Mortiz?

Could you also advise - Between Grindlewald and Interlaken, which is a better base in winter?

Appreciate your advice.

Thanks.

Regards

Vivien

Hi Vivien,

Yes, you'll manage to take the Bernina Express to Tirano and then return by Bernina Express (or normal regional trains) to Chur/Zurich the same day. The route is explained here: https://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/gettingthere. The Bernina Express train that's available during your travel dates doesn't stop in St. Moritz, but it does in Pontresina which is close to St. Moritz. You can study the Bernina Express timetable through the link on the page I mentioned, and/or consult the general Swiss timetable. How to work with this timetable is explained in detail at https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.

You can add variation on your way back by traveling to Chur/Zurich via Zernez (in the Lower Engadine: https://www.myswissalps.com/lowerengadine), Saglians and Landquart.

Although you can travel back and forth in one day, it would be nice to spend one or more nights in the Upper Engadine (https://www.myswissalps.com/upperengadine). In fact it's one of the best destinations for a winter holiday, although late November/early December isn't fully winter yet. Please see www.myswissalps.com/wheretogo/winter.

I think you've put together a very nice itinerary. The 15-day Swiss Travel Pass seems to be an ideal choice for your plans. Just hop and off trains wherever and whenever you like. All information can be found at https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass. You'll hardly need any reservations, except for the Bernina Express if you want to travel in panoramic trains: https://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/tickets. If one or two days of your stay aren't covered by this pass, you can get regular tickets (https://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerland) or Saver Day Passes (https://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass), depending on your plans.

Information, activity suggestions and accommodation tips for the towns on your list can be found here:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne
• https://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken
• https://www.myswissalps.com/grindelwald
• https://www.myswissalps.com/lausanne
• https://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt
• https://www.myswissalps.com/zurich

Grindelwald is at higher altitude than Interlaken, so there's more chance of snow in the village. But you shouldn't count on it, as your travel dates aren't in the best snow months yet (https://www.myswissalps.com/besttimetovisit/winter). Interlaken on the other hand is located more centrally.

I read previously somewhere anything after October some area get closed for getting ready for winter tourists !

What are those closed area will affect the trip mentioned in this post given it’s November?

what if I plan to visit in mid October? Am I able to hike and take gondola ride to the top still ?

Is the gondola to summit experience a must ? If it’s not I would prefer colder but drier days and less crowds , what months you would suggest for my trip ?

thanks

Fiona

Hi Fiona,

In many of the mountain destinations, the cable car and gondola operate in the summer season until mid October. This is followed by a short maintenance period before the winter season starts in December. During this maintenance period, cable cars and gondolas will not be operating but you can still access hiking trails at ground and mid level as public transportation will be running as usual. Popular mountain destinations such as Titlis, Jungfraujoch, Gornergrat and Glacier 3000 are open all year round and are great options for trip in October and November.

To give you a better idea on when is the best time to plan your trip, be sure to check out this page: www.myswissalps.com/besttimetovisit

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Anna

Hi Arno

Thanks so much for your comprehensive advice. Can I clarify one more thing - does the Swiss Pass cover Eiger Express as well or do I have to buy the ticket separately?

Hi Vivteosk,

Here is how the Swiss Travel Pass covers your Jungfraujoch trip:

• Train from Grindelwald or Wengen to Jungfraujoch: 25% off
• Train to Grindelwald or Wengen: free
• Cable car from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher (Eiger Express): 25% off
• More about the validity area of the Swiss Travel Pass: www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity

So you should buy a discounted ticket if you are traveling to Jungfraujoch. You can buy it here: www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch/tickets

Ildiko