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Hello there
My partner and I are planning to visit Switzerland in early Sep 2018. We will arrive into Zurich by TGV Lyria and will budget 4 nights. We are torn between the many scenic highland venues here and was wondering if the following itinerary is good enough with the hope that we may not regret it post-trip :). We do not think we will go up to the apex of the popular mountain regions but maybe mid way or so and then return to the valley.
For day 1, we will arrive in Zurich afternoon. stay one night in Zurich. Then head out to one of the mountain base and stay there for one night with the aim to hike up or take train up to the resort platform. Then come down back to our hotel at the base.
As we are going by train to Salzburg Austria after the 4th night from Zurich HB, would it be convenient (dragging our luggage and carry ons) to stay at Zurich city, using it as a base, and venture out to the lake nearby, Interlaken, Bern, Lausanne, Basel, these being within distance from Zurich.
Is this memorable enough and yet being able to see some good popular places in Switzerland and not break the bank?
Many thanks!
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Hi John2urbansy and welcome to MySwissAlps!
No, I wouldn’t use Zurich as a base – not if you want to visit the mountains. I would look at Lucerne or perhaps Lauterbrunnen or Wengen (in the Jungfrau region) as offer easy access to nearby mountains and lakes (Lake Lucerne or Lake Thun / Lake Brienz for example).
Perhaps 2 nights in Lucerne and 2 nights in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen or all 4 nights in one spot. Taking a train to Zurich to continue on to Salzburg is relatively painless (unless you have an early departure).
Be sure to use the Swiss railways timetable to plan out any and all trips.
Take a look at the rail pass options here – a Swiss Travel Pass may be the best option for 4 days in various regions – to know for sure which pass will be best for your itinerary (once you know it) is to read our page on how to choose the best rail pass.
Hi Lucas
Many thanks for your good reply and advise. Seems like it’s daunting to plan itinerary in Switzerland off-cities sightseeing due to the distances and mountains.valleys. Just these questions to help us plan please:
We plan to spend 6 days/5 nights in Switzerland. Based on your initial advise, this is our proposed itinerary for your advise if it’s ok? We planned to use Zurich as a base for convenience and travel out to nearby venues.
Day 1: 5 Sep
Arrived Zurich late morning.
Tour Zurich city part 1
Day 2: 6 Sep
Zurich to Jungfraujoch (planning to take the Top of the World guided tour)
Day 3: 7 Sep
Rhine Falls – Zurich city tour part 2
Day 4: 8 Sep
Lucerne – Lake Thun or Lake Brienz
Day 5: 9 Sep
Bern
Day 6: 10 Sep
Check out: Train to Salzburg, Austria
Other questions:
Hiking:
We are not into hiking up to the mountain tops if it’s too cold (we are from warm country :)) though we don’t mind hiking easy trails that are within a day’s trip. Any place to recommend that may fit into the above itinerary?
Travel Pass:
Given the above travel plans, which is cost effective and better : Swiss Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass 4-continuous day?
Many many thanks!
John
Hi John,
I’d lean to Lucerne as your base (about an hour from Zurich). It is usually considered a more interesting city than Zurich, especially for most tourists. It will also help cut down travel time for everything but the Rheinfalls.
Use the timetable (from my first reply) to find travel times to/from towns and mountains to be sure it is ok for you (Zurich to Jungfraujoch is 4 hours each way for example).
For hiking, there are some good options for you on Mt. Rigi near Lucerne (if you base yourself in Lucerne you’ll have time to do Rigi. I’d not worry too much about seeing the Rheinfalls to be honest – more impressive sites in Switzerland. 🙂
Hi Lucas, thanks a million!
Okay, will reset our itinerary. Will then skip Rhine Falls.
Given the above travel plans, which is cost effective and better : Swiss Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass 3 or 4-continuous day or Swiss Travel Pass Flex?
What it means “only on travel days” for Swiss Travel Pass Flex?
John
Hi John,
The only way to know what pass is most cost effective is to plan out all your days on public transport and find prices and do the math to compare. We have a page here to help you (even a spreadsheet which is always fun): https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/ticketspas ses/practical/choosera ilpass
Schedules and prices can be found the Swiss railways timetable (the first price you see is the 1/2 fare price so double it for the regular price).
If you don’t want to do the math, an 8 day Swiss Travel Pass might be a good bet or perhaps the Swiss Half Fare Card. A 4 day Swiss Travel Pass Flex could work (to use on the 4 most travel intensive days) and then buy point to point tickets on the rest.
“Travel days” on the Swiss Travel Pass Flex means the 3, 4, 8 or 15 days you decide to use the pass on (It is valid for 30 days starting on the 1st travel date you pick).
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