[Removed user]

15 May 2018 at 4:33:39 #815976

Hi,

We are visiting Switzerland after completing our France leg comprising of Paris and Loire valley arriving at Interlaken. Thereafter we have 2 nights in Wengen, 3 in Zermatt and 1 in Lucerne (in that order) before we fly out from Zurich. We have preferred hotels in Wengen and Lucerne but are open to make changes to the Zermatt leg.

Our focus is to take it easy, soak in nature, spend time outdoors without (too much) crowds around and do some hikes. We are not particular about ticking every box. We would like to get a mix of experiences – cog wheel, panoramic rail, cable car, boat ride etc. We intend getting the Swiss pass

Below are the key questions –

1. Keeping the bookings as-is, we are looking to do Schilthorn from Wengen, do a couple of hiking trips from Zermatt. For the journey from Wengen to Zermatt, is there a scenic option we should consider?

2. For the journey from Zermatt to Lucerne, we are considering the Glacier express – Gotthard panorama express via Andermatt and Fluelen (last leg on the boat). (I notice we will need to take a regular train on the Glacier express route.) Is this workable? Will all legs of these be covered from the Swiss pass?

3. What other scenic trips or day trips should we do?

4. Should we make changes and stay somewhere other than Zermatt? What do we get to cover in that case? We didn’t include Montreux/Vevey as we are getting some French exposure in the pre-Switzerland part of our vacation and the good hotels all seem to be taken up. Any other options

Thanks in advance!

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[rockoyster]

15 May 2018 at 7:04:15 #885220

Hello Jothinks and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

1. From Wengen to Zermatt go via Kandersteg. You will then travel between Spiez and Brig on the Regio-Express Lötschberger train over the traditional, more than 100 year old mountain route, giving you a wonderful view along the impressive peaks and down into the Rhone Valley. The 1-hour faster route via Visp takes you through the fairly lengthy Lötschberg Base Tunnel with rather limited views.

2. That will work and is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. You can take the actual Glacier Express or regular trains to Andermatt and regular trains to Flüelen. The boat part of the Gotthard Panorama Express is just a regular steamer so you can catch any departure that suits.

3. I’d say you are going to be quite busy enough already for someone seeking to take it easy.

4. I would do 3 nights Wengen and 2 nights Zermatt.

You don’t say when you are travelling.