First time to Switzerland - 6 days September 2017

What a wonderful website! Many thanks for all the prompt and helpful advice and input.

My wife and I are flying from Boston to ZRH with the following itinerary:

Day1- Land at 1PM, take train to Basel.

Day2- All day in Basel

Day3- Train from Basel to Lucerne

Day4- All day Lucerne

Day5- All day Lucerne

Day6- Train from Lucerne to ZRH, 2PM flight home.

-We are seeking suggestions on what to do in Basel during our full day there.

-In Lucerne, we thought we'd pay for a tour of the old city area after we get there mid afternoon. On days 4 & 5, we want to go to Mt. Pilatus, take a hike in the nearby area (moderate hiking of up to three hours duration) and take a cruise on the lake. Does anyone have a suggested hike in the Lucerne area that is scenic and fits our plan?

-We will probably get the 8 day flex pass to allow for unlimited train trips, Mt. Pilatus, the boat ride and any museums we might see. Does the Swiss Travel Pass flex also give free rides on the local bus or trams in Lucerne?

Any thoughts on our itinerary and feedback on our questions are very welcome and much appreciated.

Hi Jefrec27,

Is there a particular reason you've chosen Basel for 2 nights? If you let us know your interests we may be able to better help you. Have you seen our information page on Basel for things to see and do?
If just spent one day in Basel and enjoyed the historical town center - very pretty.

Considering the amount of sights and hiking available in the Luzern (local German spelling) area you may want to add nights there instead of Basel. You may also wish to stay in Zurich for a night after your flight (rather than straight off to Basel) and perhaps skip Basel all together? This depends on what you wanted to see and do in Basel of course. Zurich offers boat rides and some great museums as well for you.

I'm not too familiar with specific hikes in the Luzern area but can point you to the activities page for you to read up on the Rigi, Titlis and Pilatus areas which would offer a good start for scenic hiking and offers some spectacular cogwheel trains and gondolas.
Other members may have specific hiking route recommendations.

Regards,

Lucas

Hi Lucas and thanks for the quick reply. We thought we would recover from any jet lag and take it easy on the first afternoon in Basel, followed by exploring the town fully on day two, and then leave early the next morning for Lucerne. After reading your questions, we may instead stay the first night in Zurich, take the train the next day to Basel and explore the town the remainder of that day.

I will look into the links you provided for hiking options in Luzern.

Does anyone know if the Swiss Travel Pass flex also covers local buses in places like Luzern?

Thanks again!

Hi Jefrec27,

You don't need the 8-day Swiss Travel Pass Flex for a 6-day stay. The 8-day Swiss Travel Pass is a cheaper option and offers the exact same benefits. Both passes cover local buses in nearly all towns, including Lucerne. You'll find a map of what's covered here: myswissalps.com/ swisstravelpass/ validity.

The last link in Lucas's post also offers some hiking tips in the Lucerne area. I would not recommend hiking up or down Mount Pilatus. It's very steep and pretty strenuous. There are some wonderful scenic trails on Mount Rigi, and the trains up there are free with your pass.

Perfect! Thanks again Arno and Lucas!

Hi jefrec27-

Some ideas for hikes near Luzern -

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-swiss-path-and-southern-lake-lucerne

Info on Hammetschwand -

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/itinerary-advice-15-day-swiss-train-pass-20-sep

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-hammetschwand-lift

Slowpoke

What wonderful resources you provide Slowpoke, thank you. So much to consider and choose from which is a nice problem to have!

<"What wonderful resources you provide Slowpoke, thank you.">>

Thanks. Glad to help.

Here is a picture or two showing why you don't want to hike up or down Pilatus unless you're experienced, have strong and fit knees, and good equipment.

<<"So much to consider and choose from which is a nice problem to have!">>

I can't help with that problem. You'll just have to stay longer. ;-)

Slowpoke

<<"After reading your questions, we may instead stay the first night in

Zurich, take the train the next day to Basel and explore the town the

remainder of that day.">>

Do you have specific interests in Basel?

www.myswissalps.com/ba sel

www.myswitzerland.com/ en-us/tinguely-fountain-basel.html

www.fondationbeyeler.c h/en/Home

There are other good museums, too

In general, barring some interesting specifics like the Beyeler and the Tinguely sculpture, Basel does not offer the touristic experience of Luzern, or even Zürich in my personal opinion.

www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne

www.myswissalps.com/zu rich

However, if you have identified specific targets go for it.

Luzern is only a short train ride from Zürich Flughafen. As little as one hour and 2 minutes every hour at xx47 direct, or 1 hour and 7 minutes every hour at xx18, with a change in Zürich.

Many people go directly from the airport to a base in Luzern. If they wish to explore Zürich, it is one of several choices for easy day trips from Luzern.

Slowpoke