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Looking for some planning help. We are arriving in Basel on April 1st and then leave for Paris on April 4th. We are a family of 5, Mom, Dad and 3 kids (15, 15 and 9(. Here’s what we are planning for. I need help on 2 things – accommodation and travel pass details.
Day 1: Arrive in Basel at 11:10am. Stay night at http://www.campingjungfrau.sw iss/en/reservation/def ault.asp. We have booked here for 3 days but will change it to 1 day.
Day 2: Jungfraujoch; Night stay not determined. Question given that the next day is Glacier express trip, where can we position ourselves?
Day 3: Glacier Express; Night stay not determined. Ideally we want to come back to Lucerne or Zurich so we can do the city tours next day. What would be the best hostel we could stay similar to day 1.
Day 4: Lucerne – Zurich; Catching the train from Zurich to Paris 5:34PM.
We would like to squeeze in Mt.Pilatus somewhere but the schedule is so booked already we will most likely skip it.
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Hi dadofThree, and welcome to MySwissAlps,
- Day 2: you could stay in Interlaken and take the train to Brig and board the Glacier Express there and end the trip in Lucerne. It is not ideal unless you don’t mind spending at least 8 hours in a train. You can read more about it on the web page here.
- Day 3: more information about accommodation in Switzerland can be found here.
- Day 4: there is a train from Lucerne to Paris (via Basel). There’s one leaving at5:05 pm. It might give you the option to visit Mt. Pilatus before you leave. The main starting point is the rail station of Lucerne. You could store your luggage in the lockers that are available at Luzern train station. If you would like to find out if it fits your schedule, please use the Swiss time table to plan your trip.
Hi Dad,
With that short a stay, at the tail end of winter when a lot of things are closing down, you need to think seriously about what is practical. Why? Read here http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/gondolarail-access-to-mountains-in-aprilmay-2018
So here’s some gratuitous advice.
If you are keen on the Glacier Express then I would go direct from Basel to Zermatt and spend 2 nights there then do the Glacier Express to Chur and on to Lucerne. A long day on trains.
Day 4 Pilatus in the morning weather permitting (or otherwise enjoy the gorgeous city) and then off to Zurich for your Paris connection.
If the Glacier Express is not a priority then share your time between Jungfrau Region and Lucerne.
There is only so much you can achieve in 4 days.
Thank you all. Couldn’t reply earlier because things have changed.
Day 1 – Landing in Basel – Travel to Paris
Day 2 – Paris
Day 3 – Paris
Day 4 – Paris – Zermatt – Stay in Zermatt Youth Hostel
Day 5 – Glacier Express – Stay in Jungfrau
Day 6 – Jungfraujoch – Stay in Interlaken Youth Hostel
Day 7 – Lucerne City visit – Night stay in Basel
Day 8 – Fly out of Basel.
Can you guys let me know the feasibility of this plan?
Can you elaborate on “Day 5 – Glacier Express – Stay in Jungfrau”? The Glacier Express doesn’t actually go near the Jungfrau Region.
Hi dadofThree,
It seems feasible to me except be careful on Day 5. As Rockoyster mentions the Glacier express route doesn’t take you close to Jungfrau / Interlaken. You could take t just to Andermatt and then transfer to a train to Interlaken. If you take the full route to Chur you will need another few hours to get to Interlaken and the Jungfrau region. Use the Swiss railways timetable to plan out your trips.
Where are you planning to overnight on day 5? I would stay in the same town on day 5 and 6. Nicer options (read more scenic) than Interlaken are Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald (all closer to the Jungfraujoch and the mountains). Use the town links above to help you find accommodation options as well.
Day 5 – Glacier Express – Zermatt – Andermatt – then go to campjungfraujoch by evening or stay at the youth hostel in Lauterbrunnen. If we go up to Chur the train arrives at 2:15pm. We can reach Lauterbrunnen by 6:30pm.
Day 6 – still debating if we should do Jungfrau or take the day light and do Lucerne city
Day 7 – JungFraujoch and then go to basel for night stay.
“If we go up to Chur the train arrives at 2:15pm. We can reach Lauterbrunnen by 6:30pm.”
You must have angelic kids if they can tolerate a 10 hour train ride. 😎
or a tyrannic dad 🙂
For Jungfraujoch I would base your decision on weather – whichever day looks more promising for weather at the top – day 6 or 7.
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