[Removed user]

11 November 2019 at 20:37:35 #824440

My children gifted me the trip of a lifetime to visit a former exchange student during the first two weeks of June 2020! We arrive in Zurich late night June 3 and plan to use it as a base for day trips for several days before spending the last two in France then flying home. So far, we hope to do the following. Please tell me, Does this look doable?

6/2 – fly overnight Austin, TX to London

6/3 – 15 hr layover in London, 19:00 flight to Zurich

6/4 – Zürich area, chocolate factory

6/5 – Zürich to Lauterbrunnen area, possibly Trummelbach Falls, back to Zürich

6/6 – Zürich to Lucerne, to Interlaken, to Kandersteg area for Mountain Coaster, back to Zürich

6/7 – Zürich to Konstanz and Mt. Santis, back to Zürich

Can this be done logically?

…

My daughter then truly wants to visit The Neuschwanstein Castle because of her love for Beauty and the Beast. So, she suggests taking a boat from Konstanz to Lindau, then a train to Fussen and taxi to Schwangau. She’d spend the night, see the castle, then travel to Colmar, FR. However, I’m concerned it is too much travel time, especially for me and my spine issues (spondy at L4-L5). Am I right to be concerned about the amount of travel? Should I just stay in Konstanz or go back to Zürich then meet her and her husband in Colmar?

…

I truly need and appreciate input on the feasibility of our plans. I’m 55 with back issues, so I don’t want to plan too many physical activities (I can watch my children) but find travel and scenery and local culture to be the light of my soul! Thank you in advance!!

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[Removed user]

12 November 2019 at 0:08:56 #924987

The Swiss portion sounds OK.

Using Zurich as a single base is a good plan as, being the largest city and the economic capital of Switzerland, the fastest and most direct trains all converge on Zurich so you can reach you proposed day trip destinations easily.

However, Konstanz – Lindau – Neuschwanstein – Colmar is long and could be tedious

[Removed user]

12 November 2019 at 0:11:32 #924988

Thank you. I suspected as much, but now I have to convince my daughter.

[Removed user]

12 November 2019 at 7:11:07 #924989

Hello Lalelman64,

Nice to hear you’ve been treated to such a gift!!! 🙂

As already stated, Zurich has very good train connections and services to the whole country and also for abroad, with it’s main station being the main hub of public transport in Switzerland.

To help figure out the detailed travelling times I recommend you get familiar with the timetable provided below, a fantastic tool for planning any trip:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

Find more helpful links for your planned trip below and feel free to contact us anytime for further support:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ai rports/zurich
– http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich
– http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne
– http://www.myswissalps.com/in terlaken
– http://www.myswissalps.com/la uterbrunnen
– http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/germany
– http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/france

Best,
Steph

[Snowman]

13 November 2019 at 7:27:18 #924990

Hello Lalaman64,

What a great project you have! I was myself exchange student to Pennsylvania, and I paid an emotional visit to my American family a few years ago.

Although I am Swiss, I never heard of the Mountain Coaster you mention. Because of your spine problem, check out what your doctor has to say about that.

I am not sure there is a boat service from Konstance to Lindau in March. The train trip from Zurich to Füssen takes about 5 hours, and from Füssen to Colmar between 6 and 7 hours, so if you spend the night in Neuschwanstein your daughter’s plan is feasible, and she will get a good insight of European railway travelling.

Enjoy the trip!