Need help in planning a weekend getaway

rohitsud04

16 posts
new member

Apr 10, 2012 - 8:50 AM

Hi Friends

I am planning to be in Zurich in last week of April and want to visit the following places in April last week or 1st week of May. Can someone please help me plan it (wrt what places that I an fit in this schedule, how to travel (train / cablecar etc), and budget hostels if any where I can put up enroute). My aim is to go on a weekend trip (leaving Zurich Friday night) and be back in Zurich Sunday night. I am a budget traveller so please suggest accordingly

The places I want to see are:
- Interlaken
- Lucerne
- Jungfrau and EigerWall

I read somewhere about going up on 1 route and coming down from Jungfrau on another route.
Also, if someone can help me with the best possible pass for me, as it is going to be only a 2 day visit (or 3 if I start Friday night)

Thanks for your help.
Rohit

Olga

501 posts
top member

Apr 11, 2012 - 12:03 PM

Hello Rohit,

As your time in Switzerland is limited, I would suggest as follows:

- Friday: Zürich - Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne. For hand picked and hotels information please have a look here.
- Saturday: Explore Lucerne and surroundings. Consider Mount Titlis, Mount Pilatus or Rigi. Travel to Interlaken, check Swiss Timetable.
- Sunday: Travel from Interlaken to Kleine Scheidegg, from there to Jungfraujoch. At Kleine Scheidegg you will see the Eiger North Face, if you travel to Jungfraujoch the train will take you through the Eiger. Check Swiss Timetable again for times and prices.
- Going up to Kleine Scheidegg (from where the Jungfraujoch train departs and arrives) and back offers two possibilities indeed. You can travel to Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen and back via Grindelwald or the other way around. The timetable I mentioned can get you more information. If you decide to travel via Grindelwald, you will have a beautiful view at the Eiger North face as well.
- Sunday evening: travel back to Zürich.

If all of this fits in your time schedule - I don't know what time you arrive or leave Switzerland - this might be a good idea.
If you want to do some calculations: please view the Rail Pass page and the possibility of calculating here.

I hope this helps, have a nice trip!

MySwissAlps.com recommends to read this:
Learn how to plan your trip Travel CO2 neutral!

rohitsud04

16 posts
new member

Apr 11, 2012 - 12:08 PM

Hi Olga
Thanks for the info. No I will be in Zurich for 2 weekends. So probably I might do Lucerne and Mount titlis on 1 and come back to Zurich, and Interlaken-Kleine Scheidegg-Jungfraujoch on the next weekend.

Would this change the plan you suggested?

Thanks
Rohit

Olga

501 posts
top member

Apr 11, 2012 - 12:40 PM

Hello Rohit,

I'm sorry if I misread your question. In that case my suggestions will keep about the same though, if you want to visit the places you mentioned, only differently spread. You will just have more time to see what you want to see. If you want more tips, please look at the day trips in the Bernese Oberland. If I'm missing something again, please let me know.

rohitsud04

16 posts
new member

Apr 11, 2012 - 12:47 PM

Hi Olga
No, its ok :-)
Thanks for the info. I am sure it will help me in planning the trips better.
Will message you when i am finalised with the trip details :-)

Thanks
Rohit

rohitsud04

16 posts
new member

Apr 16, 2012 - 6:07 PM

Hi Olga
I was checking the Swiss Flexi saver pass.
At 188 CHF for 3 days, it seems to cover my requirements (1 day Lucerne+2 days Interlaken / Jungfrau +shilthorn).
My query is, will it cover this entire trip if covered in 3 days or there is some surcharge on this too? If yes, approx how much?

Thanks
Rohit

Annika

7349 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 17, 2012 - 5:50 AM

Hello Rohit. Would you mind posting the same question only once in our forum, and only in related topics? I removed your identical post in two other topics. Thank you!
As for your question: regular trains, buses and boats will be for free on your free travel days. Mountain transportation is discounted in most cases by 50% (Schilthorn), and by 25% for the Jungfraujoch. Prices can be found using the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch websites. Please refer to the Swiss Flexi Pass page for specifics, including a downloadable overview of the area of validity.

Last modified on Dec 28, 2014 - 4:34 PM by Arno

rohitsud04

16 posts
new member

Apr 24, 2012 - 6:50 PM

Hi

I am thinking of going to Lucerne and surrounding areas this weekend. However the weather for Sunday is not expected to be good.

Are Lucern lake, transport museum, Rigi and one out of Pilatus/ Titlus possible in a day ?

I plan to leave Zurich on the 7oclock train and be back in evening by 8.

Thanks for the information in advance.

Rohit

Annika

7349 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 25, 2012 - 9:43 AM

Hi Rohit. I think that would be a bit too much for one day. A boat trip over the lake and either Pilatus or Rigi can be combined very well. You will also manage to stroll along the town centre of Lucerne. Getting to the Titlis as well would require quite a long extra trip to Engelberg first. If weather isn't that good, the transport museum, the town centre and maybe a boat trip over the lake would be a good combination. Did you use the timetable to find out about traveling times and see what's doable?

Last modified on Nov 1, 2018 - 4:17 PM by Arno

rohitsud04

16 posts
new member

Apr 25, 2012 - 11:30 AM

Hi Annika

I also saw thats impossible, let alone difficult when i tried to match the time tables.
So I am thinking now of Titlis and Rigi on 1 day, and some other time coming back for Lucerne town and Interlaken + thun.
The reason is, i am expecting 4 clear days in the next 4 weeks.. and that leaves me 2 days for Jungfrau + Shilthorn, 1 for Rigi + Titlis, and 1 for Lucern and Interlaken (and Thun and Spienz)

Does this sound more doable? It would give me about 2 hours in both the hill tops which should be enough (hopefully).

Can you please give an alternate suggestion that if I want to cover Lucerne City, Rigi, Titlis, Jungfrau, Shilthorn, Interlaken and surrounding areas in 4 days.. how would you plan it?
I will then also plan the half fare card / flexi saver card to take accordingly as well (no. of days to buy).

Thanks
Rohit

rohitsud04

16 posts
new member

Apr 28, 2012 - 7:07 PM

Hi Annika
I have 1 query regarding Bernina express.

I have a swiss flexi pass day left, which I want to use for this trip. Is it possible to start from Zurich and complete the Bernina express journey and return back to Zurich in a looong day, or just not possible?

Thanks
Rohit

Annika

7349 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 29, 2012 - 9:23 AM

Hello Rohit. Looking at locations, you should combine Interlaken/Jungfrau/Schilthorn and Lucerne/Rigi/Titlis as much as possible. I wouldn't visit two mountain tops on one day if I were you. Just take your time at one of them, enjoy the views and combine this with a boat trip or a city visit. As for a round trip Zurich-Bernina Express: that's a lot (too much, in my opinion) for one day. Please consult the timetable to see whether it's possible and acceptable to you.

Last modified on Nov 1, 2018 - 4:17 PM by Arno

Need help in planning a weekend getaway

SWISS TRAVEL MUST KNOWS

NEED SOME TIPS ON WHERE TO SLEEP?