Zermatt vs Montruex (Should we go to Montruex)

We have planned to spend 1.5 days in Zermatt and then move to Montruex for one night in order to take the Goldenpass Line to Interlaken. However, we felt that 1.5 days in Zermatt may not be enough as we arrived Zermatt in the evening 6.10pm and only have the next full day to visit Cornergret mountain and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Is it better to stay one more night in Zermatt and skip Montruex? We could go to Interlaken from Zermatt.

Hi chngth!

1 day in Zermatt should be sufficient to visit both Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn, time wise. The main risk is the weather, and a longer stay in Zermatt increases your chances of clear skies. Whether you want to spend extra time there and skip the Golden Pass ride via Montreux, is really up to you. There is a scenic alternative from Zermatt to Interlaken: the regional Lötschberg train via Goppenstein, instead of the quicker tunnel connection. If you enter "Goppenstein" in the timetable you'll get to see details. It only takes a few hours, and this option would allow you to both extend your stay in Zermatt and enjoy a scenic transfer to Interlaken.

Thank you, Annika,

Appreciate your comments and good suggestion. The other option is for us to skip Montreux and move the 1 night to Gribdelwald. We have 2nights in Grindelwald. Tital 3 nights with 2 full days will give us more time to enjor Interlaken and Grindelwald. Do you think this is better option. That is

1. 2 nights Zermatt, 1 night Montreux, 2 nights Grindelwald

2. 3 nights Zermatt, 2 nights Grindlwald

3.2 nights Zermatt, 3 nights Grindlwald.

Which option is best?

Thank you, once again

Chng

Hello Chng!

To be honest, all options are fine. Most important thing is what you're comfortable with. If the Golden Pass ride is very important to you, option 1 is best. If, on the other hand, you prefer to limit traveling times, options 2 and 3 are better.

If I were to choose from 2 or 3, I'd personally have a slight preference for option 3, with 3 nights in Grindelwald. That's because Grindelwald is a good base for exploring a somewhat larger area; Zermatt is a bit more isolated.

Hi Dear Annika,

Really appreciate your suggestions and comments. We will discuss internally as our age is around 65. May be Option3 is better for all of us as we need not move so frequently. For your info. We have 6 persons (3 couples), our trip will be in early september:

Trip plan:

1 night Zurich (City and Lake), 1 night St Moritz( Visit Corvatsch Mountain), 2 nights in Zermatt (Visit Gonergrat, Matherhorn Glacier Paradise), 3 nights Grindelwald (Visit Jungfraujoch and Interlaken) ,2 nights in Luzern (Visit Pilatus or Titlis) , Back to Singapore-- Total 9 nights

Any comments or suggestion to modify our plan? Appreciate your view.

Thanks

Chng TH

Hello Chng,

This itinerary allows you to see a lot of the country in a short time. If that's your main focus, you've managed to create a good plan. It still involves quite some traveling though, but if you've checked traveling times and are fine with the transfers you've selected, that's no problem. I'd indeed skip the Montreux detour if I were you. You may want to study the pages below, as they provide tips for day trips and accommodation:

• Zurich
• St. Moritz, Engadine
• Zermatt
• Grindelwald, Bernese Oberland
• Lake Lucerne

Since you'll be traveling quite intensively, I suggest you look into an 8 day Swiss Travel Pass, allowing free traveling on all regular train, bus and boat routes and discounts on mountain trips. Retailers are listed in the Price section. As you're from Singapore, you can order through RailEurope Singapore. If you order quickly, you may still profit from this promotion that expires after today.

Thanks Annika,

We will get the 8-Day SWISS PASS for the trip in Singapore.

By the way, where are the places that we can see many Stars in the dark Sky?

Regards

Chng

Hi Chng,

I guess any darker place will do, which means small towns. The Swiss are pretty good in avoiding unnecessary street lights, so it will be relatively dark. Hotels in uninhabited mountain areas would be even better, please see here.

<<"I guess any darker place will do, which means small towns. The Swiss arepretty good in avoiding unnecessary street lights, so it will berelatively dark. Hotels in uninhabited mountain areas would be evenbetter, please see here.">>

Maybe even any location on top of a mountain, on a clear night....?

What do you think?

My own thought is that once you are away from the main cities, that the night skies are

good for viewing, as long as the weather is clear. Switzerland is no stranger to cloudy skies......Higher is better, of course.

Slowpoke

TKS Slowpoke

Hopefully we could have clear nights when we are in Zermatt or Grindelwald.

Thanks for the advise.

Chng TH