Itinerary suggestion 8 days early October

Hi,

We are a couple visiting Switzeralnd in the month of October for 8 days. We arrive in Geneva (Morning Flight) and Depart from Zurich (Evening Flight). Can you advise an ideal itinerary that covers most of the major attractions (Rigi, Pilatus ,Stanserhorn ,Mt Titlis,Jungfraujoch,Schilthorn,Rhine Fall) and also what should be an ideal location where we can base our stay so as to avoid constant transfers with luggage.

Hi Maulik -

Welcome to the forum.

<<"We are a couple visiting Switzeralnd in the month of October for 8 days.We arrive in Geneva (Morning Flight) and Depart from Zurich (Evening Flight)">>

The weather and available hotels and transport facilities in Switzerland's most scenic regions tend to change a lot as October progresses. Toward the end of the month, things begin to shut down for maintenance before the winter ski season, and higher trails may be blocked by snow.

So, when you come in October makes a difference. When might that be?

You might be looking at two bases for the wide range of sites you wish to see.

Slowpoke

Hi Slowpoke,

Thank you for the revert and my apologies for not being specific on my dates. We arrive in Geneva at 9 in the morning on the 30th of September and depart from Zurich at 7.30 in the evening on the 7th of October. [8 days 7 nights]

Would appreciate if you could name the 2 bases (specific towns) for the visit. We would be making extensive use of the public transport system to get around the country.

Maulik.

<<"Can you advise an ideal itinerary that covers most of the major attractions (Rigi, Pilatus ,Stanserhorn ,Mt Titlis,Jungfraujoch,Schilthorn,Rhine Fall) and also what should be an ideal location where we can base our stay so as to avoid constant transfers with luggage.">>

You are early enough in October that snowy weather is unlikely to be a major problem. Can happen; unlikely.

The logical bases for your goals are Lucerne (forgive me if I slip and spell it Luzern.....that is the spelling in German, which is the language of the region) and the Jungfrau region to the south of Interlaken. Towns such as Wengen, Grindelwald and Mürren come to mind. Interlaken by itself is better as a transfer point; the real scenery is south of there.

Look at a map:

map.classic.search.ch/

Info on the areas:

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim

www.myswissalps.com/be rneseoberland

www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne

The Rhine Falls are an outlier, from a geographic perspective. Consider seeing them on your last day before you fly out . That will be easy to organize, especially if you come from Luzern or stay near the Zurich airport. (The airport is as little as one hour from Luzern.).

This link will help on that:

www.myswissalps.com/rh inefalls

Timetable:

www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

I'd also have a very mild preference for the Berner Obeland/Jungfrau Region first, from a weather perspective. However, weather in that region is very changeable, and if you want to go up to Jungfraujoch, leave flexibility and keep an eye on the weather forecasts. If it is cloudy up top. the cost of the view of the inside of a cloud is a bit high.

Hello Maulik!

Since you indicate you'll be using public transportation intensively, it makes sense to look into rail passes. An 8 day Swiss Travel Pass would most probably be the most convenient option for your stay. You can compare it to other passes as explained here.

Thanks Slowpoke!

Can you suggest an equitable split between the number of days to spend in Wengen and Luzern [ No Slips here :-) ]

I have more or less made up my mind for Wengen, however I see that the hotel tariffs for Wengen are more in the higher side! Any suggestions for a budget traveler?

Similarly is there an area within Luzern that is more advisable to stay in

Since we arrive in Geneva at AM, we would like to see a few sights in Geneva before making our way to Interlaken by the Golden Pass line, any suggestions of attractions and options to store luggage till we make our journey to Interlaken

Thanks Annika. You couldn't have put it more better....8 day Swiss Pass is a MUST!

Would you suggest scenic train route(s) that you suggest as a must do?

<<"and options to store luggage ">>

Here are some options for shipping it. Offhand, that may not work for you,

www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/services/bagg age.html

Here is info about Geneva Main Station's luggage service:

www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/am-bahnhof/railway-stations/bahnhof-finden.posid.1008.html

There are lockers also. Require Swiss coins, last time I was there.

www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/am-bahnhof/railway-stations/bahnhof-finden.posid.1008.html

Details on lockers are missing. The station is being rebuilt....almst finnished....they may be movng the lockers around.

<<" have more or less made up my mind for Wengen, however I see that thehotel tariffs for Wengen are more in the higher side! Any suggestionsfor a budget traveler?Similarly is there an area within Luzern that is more advisable to stay in">>

Arno and Annika have compiled extensive information about hotels. You are right...there are some expensive ones! Also, less expensive

This site has resources; Arno and Annika keep track of housing options.

www.myswissalps.com/ac commodation

The map and time table that I linked to above can help guide your rail journeys. Around Wengen, and the Jugfrau region in general, everything is scenic! ;-) (if you have good weather.)

Slowpoke

Thanks Slowpoke! Your prompt revert's are really appreciated...

And what would you suggest on the number of nights to split between Interlaken and Luzern

Also, an advisable location/area in Luzern to base our stay there

Glad ts helpful.

Please check the link in earlier post about accomodation for Luzern.

The map I provided a link to can also show hotel locations for you to consider if you use the menus and the correct zoom.

Affordable apartments in Wengen can be found in my August 19 post in this thread. Apart from that you can have a look at Hotel Bernerhof, which is also close to the rail station and affordable.

For Luzern there are suggestions on the Luzern page.

Hi Maulik!

We visited Geneva in early July this year. We stored our luggage in the lockers at the Geneve Cornavin Station. The locker room is unmanned adjacent to the sbb office and near the migros. There is a booth which accepts credit card as well but we did not risk. We paid in coins for the first locker and notes for the second and got the change back. As far as I remember, we paid 10 chf for the bigger locker for 6 hours. The service is superb. And we saw the UN, ICRC, lake and Jetdau during the day and left for Lausanne by the evening train. I am trying to attach a photo for your idea, Hope this helps.

Hi mistybabu,

 Appreciate your input on this....and was very kind of you to include the picture as well. We arrive in Geneva early in the morning and intend to make most of the day before leaving for Interlaken...We are also considering taking the Golden Pass Line to Interlaken as an option...

Wow Maulik

Your plan is exactly like mine including the dates (we might actually bump into each other), I will tell you what I have decided after months of preparation:

5 days in Murren (Hotel Bellevue, excellent hotel offering some exclusive discount if you visit the Trip Advisor page). This would cover Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Mannlichen hike, Trummelbach falls, First to Baschee hike

3 days in Luzern (I will stay at Seeburg Hotel + Honegg Hotel) Check out the hotelscombined website. This would cover Rigi, Lake Cruise and tour of luzern city)

All the best!

<<"intend to make most of the day before leaving for Interlaken...We are also considering taking the Golden Pass Line to Interlaken as an option...">>

www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

The route through Bern is something like an hour shorter than the Golden Pass. Might be useful after a long day. Although the section of the Golden Pass immediately above Montreux in the vineyards might still be inn sunlight, the route is less attractive when it is dark.

I'd check the sunset time for Montreux and for Zweisimmen ( "via" point for thee Golden Pass) or Spiez as part of the decision process.

Slowpoke

Hi Slowpoke,

What type of Clothing would you suggest for the trip to Switzerland (1st week of October). Considering an excursion to Mt. Titlis, Jungfraujoch etc. We would be mostly based in the Interlaken area.

Regards,

Maulik.

In general, a rainjacket/windbreaker, a few layers, including a fleece, and a rain hat.

You probably won't need the fleece until you are outdoors up in the mountains, but it might be useful at night at lower levels.

& How about the footwear?

Hi msra7hm2,What a co-incidence! Hopefully our paths shall cross :-)Do you have Geneva in your itinerary as well? If yes, what are the attractions that you intend to visit?Regards,Maullik