Swiss countryside trip in November

We are a family of three (2 adults and a 7 year old child) travelling to Switzerland in first half of November.It is a trip for 9 days 8 nights.

We are planning a nice quite holiday with more countryside stay rather than commercial places.Want to have a relaxed holiday with some beautiful views and simple walks around the place.

I need your advice on;

1) Places to visit in Switzerland in November and number of nights we should spend in Switzerland.

2) Which area in Switzerland should we stay in.
3) Which rail pass is most suitable for our visit.
4) Beautiful Homestay options.

5) We are coming from Paris and going back to Paris, so is this to and fro trip included in the Swiss rail pass or do we have to book separate tickets for the same.

Welcome to MySwissAlps, smilingHeena!

There are quite some options that match your wishes, and it all depends on your personal preferences. I suggest you read our guide on how to plan your trip to start off with: http://www.myswissalps .com/plantrip/doityour self/composeitinerary.

Since you're traveling in November, you should consider some important factors. November is kind of in between tourist seasons, so not all cable cars and mountain trains will be running. If you like to get up in the mountains, you may want to pick a tourist region with some viewing points that are open all year round. It's good to have several options to get (high) up in the mountains, since fog may be covering the valleys in November. You don't have to worry about tourist crowds that time of the year, and you'll still get to enjoy the beautiful and quiet mountain scenery. I'd also pick a resort that's located quite centrally, allowing you to travel to other parts of the country easily. That's because weather will play an important factor in your plans, and if it's bad in one region, you'll want to have alternatives. In all, you may want to look into the Lucerne area (http://www.myswissalps .com/lakelucerne) or the Jungrau region (http://www.myswissalps .com/jungfrauregion). Did you check our section on regions and towns (http://www.myswissalps .com/wheretogo)? It will help you to explore the options and find out what appeals to you.

I'm biased, but I'd spend as many nights in Switzerland as possible. Even though it's off-season, you won't get bored with some hiking down in the valleys, visits to mountain tops and scenic rail journeys (http://www.myswissalps .com/activities/scenic trips). If you pick a central resort and plan to do quite some traveling, an 8 day Swiss Travel Pass (http://www.myswissalps .com/swisstravelpass) is probably your best option. But it's hard to tell now, because it depends of the details of your final itinerary . Please see here for how to pick the right pass http://www.myswissalps .com/train/ticketspass es/practical/chooserai lpass: Swiss rail passes will cover the Swiss leg of your trip Paris-Switzerland and back, so you'll need additional tickets from the Swiss border to Paris: http://www.myswissalps .com/traintickets/fran ce. Direct trains are available between Paris and Basel, Zurich and Geneva. If you focus on one of the regions mentioned above, it's easiest to travel to Basel or Zurich. If you're very fond of scenic rail journeys and don't mind a detour, you can also get to Geneva and then take the Golden Pass route (http://www.myswissalps .com/goldenpass) to the north to reach your destination.

Please take a look at our accommodation page to find hotels or holiday homes that suit your needs: http://www.myswissalps .com/accommodation.

I hope this helps you to start planning!

<<"I'm biased, but I'd spend as many nights in Switzerland as possible.Even though it's off-season, you won't get bored with some hiking downin the valleys, visits to mountain tops and scenic rail journeys (www.myswissalps.com/activities/scenictrips). ">>

That works for me.

Lots of good stuff in the countryside in the harvest season.

Slowpoke

Thanks a lot Annika for the suggestions, I shall definitely go through the links provided by you.

Hi Annika,

We are finalizing our stay options and I need your help here.

Should we stay for all 6 days 5 nights in Lucern or should we stay 3 nights at Lucern and 2 nights in Zermatt region to enjoy the stay between the mountains and snow.Is the breakup suggested?

Hi smilingHeena,

Some would say Zermatt is a bit dull in November since it's low season. It will be pretty quiet and you need to check whether the cable cars are running. As far as I know Sunnegga will be closed for example. Nevertheless, if the weather cooperates it can be wonderful up there.

There will be plenty to do in and around Lucerne for 6 days, but it's totally different from Zermatt. So, it's up to you what you like best. The links will help I think.

Hi,

I also had a confusion whether Grindlewald is good or Lucern is good for 5 nights stay in November.

Thanks in advance for your helpful advice.

Grindelwald is a mountain resort. The "issues" of low season are a bit similar to Zermatt, but it's less isolated so easier to go somewhere else for a day trip. Please see here. Both Grindelwald and Lucerne are good for a 5 day stay. It depends on what you prefer.

Hi, thanks a lot for all the inputs.

I have been reading a lot about the various rail passes available. I'm too confused as to which one would suit my requirement.

We plan to stay three nights in Lucerne and two nights at Grindelwald. Is this break up suggested?

Plan to visit mount Titlis, mount Rigi, Rhine falls and of course Jungfrau.

Is the half fare pass suitable or should we buy the swiss rail pass?

Thanks,

Heena

Hi Heena,

These towns are a good choice for the attractions on your list.

As for the pass: I am not sure what you mean by "the Swiss rail pass". I assume the Swiss Travel Pass, right? If so, that would be the most convenient option, as you don't need to buy tickets for each trip. You can simply board trains and boats, and even the Mount Rigi trip is covered for free. Other mountain trips are discounted, so you do need tickets there. Furthermore, your local retailer in India now offers extra days on this pass, so you get 10 days if you buy an 8-day pass. That fits nicely with your 9-day trip. Please see www.raileurope.co.in/ pass/swiss-travel-pass-82.

The Swiss Half Fare Card is an alternative if you don't mind buying tickets every day. Whether it results in less travel costs can be calculated as explained here.