Hello Guys,
Before starting, I would like to thank myswissalps team and members because of whom our trip was possible as this was our (me and my wife) FIRST International Trip from India. After looking at myswissalps.com, I made a mind that Switzerland is for sure a safe country to visit alone (or without a group). With the help of this forum, I planned trip on my own and believe me, it was executed properly.
I am sorry that I am very LATE to post my trip report here but somehow, I have got time now to post it. We were obviously very excited to visit Switzerland. You can find our initial itinerary at this link: www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/itinerary-for-8-nights-in-switzerland-in-aprilmay All the answers given by team and members were really helpful.
Our Trip was from 26th April to 04th May 2018 (We had taken 8 days STP which was obviously best option for travel in Switzerland)
Day 1 - We took a flight from India at 06 am morning and was supposed to reach Zurich by afternoon. We were having layover of 1 Hr at Istanbul and unfortunately, we missed our connecting flight from Istanbul to Zurich. That was very sad experience for us as it was our first international trip (and that too alone). We had to wait for 6 hours to catch next flight. However, the good part was that I learnt to avoid to book connecting flight having layover of less than 2 hr.
Anyways, we landed in Zurich at 07:30 pm (we missed half of the day). On Airport, we searched for Salt Store and bought a prepay sim card of CHF 10 which gave us credit of CHF 20 (CHF 2 for a day for unlimited internet). This was best and cheapest deal. We used the card in one device and we used hotspot to use internet in another device. The network of Salt sim card was good throughout our Journey. I personally recommend to buy Salt Card. I sincerely thank @rockoyster to recommend this. It saved good money for us. (Reference: www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/around-switzerland-via-stp-flex-and-sbb-mobile-app) The bad part was that there were only one executive at Salt Store (Airport) to attend customers because of which we had to wait for almost 1 and half hour for our turn.
We had booked Airbnb (to minimize our cost) in Interlaken for first 4 nights. Because of all delay during day, we reached at our Airbnb at 11:30 pm.
Day 2 (Jungfraujoch)
We checked the weather of Jungfraujoch and it looked bit cloudy. However, we still made a mind to go to Jungfrau to maintain our itinerary. It was the most amazing train journey from Interlaken OST to Jungfrau. Since we had taken STP, we had to take ticket for the travel leg of Wengen to Jungfrau. We decided to take a ticket in Lauterbrunnen from Wengen – Jungfrau – Grindelwald (we got 25% discount because of Swiss Travel Pass).
It was an amazing train journey to Jungfrau. Switzerland is blessed by Nature. We were amazed by the Infrastructure Switzerland has. We explored almost everything on Jungfrau and spent approx. 4 hours there. Then we took a train to Grindelwald and from there to our stay at Interlaken. We wanted to explore Grindelwald but during that time, many things were closed due to maintenance. We took lot of photos and videos and enjoyed a lot there.
We then wanted to explore Interlaken West. It was also amazing town to roam around. We went to restaurant and had food. Frankly speaking, Interlaken West is better than Interlaken OST for stay.
Day 3 (Schilthorn)
We took a train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and then took cable car to Grütschalp. Then immediately we got the train to Murren BLM. From there, we walked towards Murren Cable car station. It was an amazing walk in Murren. Murren is beautiful village having view of Lauterbrunnen Valley and Jungfrau from there. We then took cable car towards Schilthorn. Schilthorn was also an amazing mountain. Jungfrau was cloudy on that day hence we did not have clear view of it from Schilthorn. However, view from Shilthorn towards opposite direction was too good. Piz Gloria was amazing revolving restaurant.
We then went to Birg and experience Thrill Walk there. The restaurant was also good. We got down to Stechelberg via Murren and Gimmelwald. We took a bus to Lauterbrunnen and then to Interlaken OST. We still had time with us so decided to go to Thun to see Schadaupark to relax. It was good park. View of Thunersee was amazing from this Park.
Day 4 (Montreux – Broc)
We had already planned to taken Golden Pass Route to go Montreux. We took early train from Interlaken OST. We got a chance to travel in Golden Pass Panoramic train. I was surprised to see that entire coach was empty (only two of us were there in that coach). The journey to Montreux was amazing especially when the train was descending to Montreux (the last lag). We took a bus to Chillon Castle and explored it. It was good preserved monument. In afternoon, we then went to Broc to visit Chocolate factory. This was one of the best part of our trip (as per my wife 😊) Then we got back to Interlaken (via Bern).
For next 3 nights, we booked Airbnb in Lucerne.
Day 5 (Lucern - Bern)
We had to move to Lucerne for our next 3 nights stay. There was a rain at last night because of which the weather was cool and breezing in the morning. Journey from Interlaken OST to Lucerne was also amazing (Golden Pass Route) especially near Brinzersee. We could see lot of waterfalls from train in this route. We reached Lucerne and settled our language and within an hour left for Bern.
As soon as we reached Bern, we fell in love with the city. City was mixture of Modernization and Old town. There were many places to visit in Bern. Parliament House, The Bridge over River, Rose Garden (did not like much), Einsteinhaus, Clock tower etc. We especially liked Old Town. We have never seen such amazing town before. We spent some time at Bundesplatz Bern to relax. Bern was one of the best highlight of our trip. We spent entire day here.
Day 6 (Engelberg – Titlis)
This was one of the best day of our trip. Weather was much cooler because of rain of last night. We got down to Engelberg by train and then took bus to Engelberg (Talstation Titlis). We experienced rotating cable car towards Mount Titlis. Titlis is one of the best Mountain in Switzerland. Additionally, we experienced Snow Fall on that particular day and it was like heaven (we had never experienced snow fall before in India so for us, experiencing snowfall is best part of our life). We enjoyed a lot in snow park, took Ice Flyer (what an experience!), Cliff Walk (amazing infrastructure piece). Snow was continuously falling till the time we were on Mount Titlis. We enjoyed some snow rides near Trubsee Gondola lift station which were free. [I was so much disappointed to know that I missed to see Trubsee Lake.) We went to see Chapel Bridge when we went back to Lucerne. It was nice structure to see. What a day it was!
Day 7 (Lucerne – Bern)
Our initial plan was to go to Rigi but my wife’s opinion was different as she still wanted to explore few unexplored places of Bern (it happens 😊). So, we decided to take a boat ride in Lucerne Lake (Round trip of 1 and half hour). It was relaxing ride. Views of lake from boat in all directions were marvellous. We then took a train to Bern and visited Einstein Museum (not bad) and other places. We roamed around Bern and enjoyed our walk there.
Day 8 – (Rheinfall and Zurich)
We had booked Holiday Inn Express Zurich Airport (in Rumlang) for last night so as to get free ride to Airport on next day morning (our STP was getting expired on Day 8 hence we did not want to spent money on next day). We came to Hotel in Rumlang from Lucerne early morning and settled our luggage and immediately went to Rheinfall (direct train from Rumlang). Rheinfall was so big and amazing. We spent some time there. We then took train to Zurich to explore it. Zurich is also nice city to explore having modernization with rich historic places. We got back to our hotel by night.
Day 9 - We had morning flight so we decided to stay at hotel till that time. We took Flight to India with splendid memories. We did not want to leave the country as there were so much to explore but unfortunately because of lack of time, we could do little.
Switzerland is one of the best countries in the world for sure. It has thousands of hands of nature on it. However, most importantly, Country has created a best infrastructure to maintain it and it allows people to explore it to the fullest. I really like the way Switzerland is maintaining its Heaven.
Thank you reading such a long report. I hope you enjoyed reading it.
