MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Grindelwald, Lucerne, St Moritz, Zermatt, Chamonix
-
Thank you for the initial help you provided in order for me to get to this point in my itinerary. I would appreciate advise and comments on the following itinerary.
We arrive Zurich on April 29, 2020. Head to Grindelwald via train til May 1. Weather permitting we plan to visit Jungfraujoch and maybe squeeze in Schilthorn, if we’re lucky. Then to Luzern until May 5, (Rigi, Titlis, Pilates, Stanserhorn and hopefully go to Fortress Furigen), May 5 to 7, St Moritz, then to Zermatt on May 7 to 9 via Glacier Express. Then to Chamonix for two nights, Geneva 2 nights, finally from Geneva to Zurich via GoldenPass scenic route.
I was looking at Leman Express and couldn’t determine if we could go from Chamonix to Geneva via Leman Express rather than the Mt Blanc express with transfer to Geneva. Is there a shorter scenic route from Geneva to Zurich rather than the 7+ hours on GoldenPass?
Is this a reasonable itinerary? Are you able to suggest additional sites of interest? Do we have time to “smell the roses” and do all of the above?
We are purchasing the 15 day travel pass and read that we have to make reservations on Glacier Express. Do we need reservations for GoldenPass scenic train?
Your input is very much appreciated..
-
Hello Lmyuen88,
”I was looking at Leman Express and couldn’t determine if we could go from Chamonix to Geneva via Leman Express rather than the Mt Blanc express with transfer to Geneva.”
You can do that provided the French railways aren’t on strike. They seem to make a habit of it. From Zermatt you can turn left at Martigny and take the Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix then the Leman Express to Geneva.
”Is there a shorter scenic route from Geneva to Zurich rather than the 7+ hours on GoldenPass?”
Yes. The SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi) Will give you the most direct route but default. In the unlikely event you don’t have a device capable of running the app then you can use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B). If you are not familiar with using the SBB timetable it is worth first reading the instructions at http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.
”Is this a reasonable itinerary? Are you able to suggest additional sites of interest? Do we have time to “smell the roses” and do all of the above?”
If you are comfortable with the number of moves and travel times then it is reasonable. There won’t be many roses to smell by early May. 😉
Hi Lmyuen88,
In addition to Rockoyster’s answer, I also think your itinerary is doable.
Yes, you need seat reservation for Glacier Express, you can do that at http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/tickets.
Although seat reservations are not compulsory on the Golden Pass we recommend it on the Zweisimmen to Montreux leg: http://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass/tickets.
I hope you will have good weather. You can read about the weather in Switzerland at http://www.myswissalps.com/weather and http://www.myswissalps.com/weather/forecast.
I also recommend these pages, if you need information on the places you are planning to visit:
- Jungfrau region: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauregion/activities
- Grindelwald: http://www.myswissalps.com/grindelwald
- How to get to the Jungfraujoch: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch/gettingthere
- How to get to Schilthorn: http://www.myswissalps.com/schilthorn/gettingthere
- Lucerne: http://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne
- Lake Lucerne area: http://www.myswissalps.com/lakelucerne/activities
- How to get to Pilatus: http://www.myswissalps.com/pilatus/gettingthere
- How to get to Titlis: http://www.myswissalps.com/titlis/gettingthere
- How to get to Rigi: http://www.myswissalps.com/rigi/gettingthere
- How to get to Stanserhorn: http://www.myswissalps.com/stanserhorn/gettingthere
- St. Moritz: http://www.myswissalps.com/stmoritz
- Zermatt: http://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt
- Glacier Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress
- Geneva: http://www.myswissalps.com/geneva and city walk in Geneva: http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/geneva
- Zurich: http://www.myswissalps.com/zurich and city walk in Zurich at http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/zurich
Thank you Rockoyster for the info. Was thinking of GoldenPass part of the way to Zurich and will look on the website you listed.
Ildiko, thank you for all those websites you listed. I went to the Jungfraujoch website and it gives me option to get tickets to mountains we are hoping to visit. Our itinerary allows us sufficient days to do most of what is on our wishlist. So if I get ticket for Jungfraujoch for April 30, but that morning the weather is cloudy and not conducive for sightseeing, do we lose the price of the ticket? Or do we have option of using ticket the next day or how long are we allowed to use ticket. How can I determine if the ticket is flexible or do we have to get a flexible pass?
I’m sure I will be back with more questions before our trip.
Thank you
Do not buy Jungfraujoch (or any other mountain top) tickets in advance. In April the trains will not be full. Wait until you know the weather is going to be favourable and then buy the tickets.
Rather than doing the full Golden Pass route you could go to Bern via Montreux and Zweisimmen (which is the actual MOB Golden Pass) and from Bern to Zurich. That will be quicker then continuing through Interlaken Ost and Luzern to Zurich. You will most likely have already done that part of the Golden Pass route anyway on your way from Grindelwald to Luzern?
You can make reservations for the Golden Pass Line (http://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass) including seat selection at bit.ly/2kaq6Rf. Click the “e” for English language top right of the page. (where it says “Sprachwahl: d i f e”). Then change the class of travel, date of travel and start/end points to suit. Reservations are not compulsory but are recommended on the Zweisimmen to Montreux leg (which is where the Panoramic and Belle Époque trains operate) during peak tourist season.
Thank you Rockoyster for the information. I’m assuming that buying tickets the day of, applies to April 29 thru May 10, which is when we will be hoping to visit 6 to 7 mountain tops. I also assume that Mt Blanc I not applicable being located in France.
Silly question, does Swiss travel pass cover Mt Blanc? Does Swiss travel pass cover train from Zermatt to Chamonix? What about Leman express?
do you know anything about Fargarver chocolate factory in Geneva? Couldn’t find much info about them compared to Cailller Chocolate factory. Think it takes close to two hours from Geneva to Cailler factory and, at end of trip to Switzerland, want more time sightseeing rather than on train. Between the two factories, which one do you recommend? We have day and a half to see highlights of Geneva, Red Cross, UN Building, World Health, flower clock, jet d’eau. Think that can be done if we go to Cailler factory?
😊
Yes, buy mountain top transport tickets only when you are happy with the weather situation.
The Swiss Travel Pass will get you from Zermatt to Chamonix but not beyond. See http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity.
The Léman Express is not covered.
I am not familiar with the Fargarver chocolate factory. It doesn’t come up on google. Do you have the right name? I wouldn’t bother going all the way to Broc Fabrique to visit Cailler. Just spend the train fare buying some Cailler choccies at just about any decent shop. Or look for Sprüngli. They have shops in Zurich Airport amongst other places. 😎
Hi Lmyuen88,
Here is the link to the Favarger Chocolate Factory in Geneva: http://www.favarger.com/en/online-shop/
Guided tour to the factory is possible only by appointment. You can find more details here: http://www.geneve.com/en/attractions/favarger-chocolate-factory-guided-tour/If you are really keen on visiting a chocolate factory during your trip, here are a few alternatives to Cailler and Favarger.
- Aeschbach Chocoworld (15 mins by train from Lucerne): aeschbach-chocolatier.ch/en/chocoworld/
- Funky Chocolate Club in Interlaken: funkychocolateclub.com/ – this one offers a 1-hour workshop which you can register online
Hope that helps!
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Rockoyster and Anna. If we don’t go to chocolate store in Lucerne then when we go to airport will look for Sprungli. Another question: is there a set charge for reservations on the train? We are planning to get first class tickets for 15 days. Most of our train trips will be close to 3 hours or more, and feel that the train will provide relaxation for us. We are both closer to 80 than 70 and feel that first class would provide quiet and recharging time. We’re thinking that this may be our “last hurrah”.😊
Hi Lmyuen88,
There is no need to reserve seats if you are travelling on the regular trains. But you need to book seats in advance on the panoramic trains. Good call on the getting a 1st class Swiss Travel Pass. I’m sure you’ll find the first class carriage very comfortable.
You can more information about seat reservations on the trains here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/reservations
More info about the Swiss Travel Pass including a list of online resellers here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Anna, Is there first class on regular trains? Currently, we are only scheduled for Glacier (St Moritz to Zermatt), and most probable a leg or two on GoldenPass on way to Zurich from Geneva. Is Mt Blanc express a scenic train ride?
😊
Hi Lmyuen88,
Yes, the regular trains do have first and second class carriages. These are clearly indicated on the trains. You can find more info here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/2nd1stclass
The Mont Blanc Express is a regular train but very unique and the route is definitely scenic, in my opinion.
Regards,
Anna
To Anna and Rockoyster:
Thank you so very much for all the information you provided. You have help me immensely in putting our itinerary together. I believe I have all the info needed to narrow down to which train station, how to get there and times. I’m sure you will hear from me again before and after our visit to Switzerland. Again, many thanks 😊
- The thread ‘Grindelwald, Lucerne, St Moritz, Zermatt, Chamonix’ is closed to new replies.
