4-Day Swiss Itinerary

by Carmen
(Dubai)

Hi there,
We are planning a visit from 26/06 to 30/06 this year. We are 3 including my 14 year old daughter.

Originally we wanted our tour to look like this. But I am not sure if this is a good trip. We are planning to go for the Swiss Saver Pass with the family card.

Please suggest a better itinerary if this is not a good one for first timers.

25/06/13: Departure DxB - ZHR by Swiss
Time: 1.45 hrs - Arrival 7.00 hrs (26/06/13)

26/06/2013: Day 1
Route: Zurich Airport - Bern-Interlaken

27/06/13: Day 2
Route: Interlaken OST - Lauterbunnen - Mount Jungfrauch - Grindelwald -Interlaken OST

28/06/2013: Day 3
Route: Interlaken - Zermatt - Saint Moritz

28/06/2013: Day 4
Route: Saint Moritz to Geneva

29/06/13: Day 5
Route: Geneva to Paris - Gare De Lyon/ Charles De Gaulle- 3 hours and 17 minutes.

Carmen

Answer to

4-Day Swiss Itinerary

Hello Carmen,

I assume you arrive at 7am? If so, you would have time to do a little sightseeing in Bern or Thun. As well, the cruise between Thun and Interlaken West (boat launches directly across the train stations, and all tickets are valid) is particularly scenic.

Day 2: If weather permitting, visiting the Jungfrau is a good plan. But do have a separate plan in place in case the weather does not cooperate (to expensive to go all the way up to the top and then not seeing anything). For example, visit Brienz and Ballenberg or Beatus Caves

Day 3: This will be a very long day, and you will have to leave Interlaken Ost latest at 7am to catch the last Glacier Express, leaving Zermatt at 9.59am, arriving at St. Moritz at 6.10pm. You could board the Glacier Express in Visp to save a bit on time, but I suppose you want to see the Matterhorn close up.
A reservation is compulsory on the Glacier Express, even for your child.

Day 4: Looks good. It will take more than 6 hours on trains to reach Geneva. Suggestion: To avoid taking the same route twice between the Engadin Valley and Chur, take a train from St. Moritz via Samedan, Sagliains, Klosters - through the Valley of Prättigau - Landquart and Zürich to Geneva (no reservations needed). The time you spend on trains will be the same but you will have two more changes of trains - in Samedan and Sagliains. In return though you see more of our country :).

Wishing you a wonderful time!
Fida

Comments for 4-Day Swiss Itinerary

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Swiss visit
by: Carmen

Thank you very much for the reply. Hoping to enjoy every minute of the visit to your country.

You are welcome Carmen :)
Have a wonderful trip!
Fida

Swiss visit
by: Carmen

Hi Fida

Just to let u know that I itinerary has changed a bit. So we are arriving in Geneva at 2.30 pm on the 29 June from there we proceed to Montreux. Overnight in Montreux (what can we do at this time in Geneva to Montreux?)

30th we travel from Montreux to Zermatt on to Interlaken on Golden Pass. Overnight in Interlaken.

1st July thinking of Jungfraujoch if whether permits. Overnight Interlaken.

2nd July we are not sure what to do (we are thinking of staying overnight in Bern.)

3rd July our flight back to London at 3.30pm from Zurich.

We bought our Swiss pass 4 days if we use from 3 pm on the 29th of June, can we use it on 3rd July to travel to Zurich Airport. Please advice, thanks for your help in advance.

Regards
Carmen

5 Days in Switzerland
by: Fida

Hello Carmen,

You can do a bit of sightseeing in Geneva (tourist office just down the road from the train station where you can get a city plan: Rue du Mont-Blanc 18)

Or you could continue directly to Montreux and visit Castle Chillon, stroll along the lake promenade, then take the train (platform 8) up to "Glion-sur-Montreux" for great views and dinner.

30th June: If you travel from Montreux to Zermatt via Martigny (direct route) and then from Zermatt to Interlaken you don't touch the Golden Pass Line anywhere. The Golden Pass Line travels from Montreux to Interlaken via Zweisimmen, which takes approximately half a day. You might want to reconsider that day.

1st July: Consider travelling from Interlaken to Zermatt if the weather doesn't allow you going up to the Jungfraujoch - then return to Bern from there for sightseeing the next day.

2nd July: You could take the cruise on Lake Thun from Interlaken West to Thun for a bit of sightseeing. Then continue by train to Bern for more sightseeing. Return to Interlaken (about an hour by train) for another night.

3rd July: Travel from Interlaken via Brünig-Hasliberg to Luzern and on to Zürich. Fabulous scenery.

Did you buy a Swiss Saver Pass or a Flexi Saver Pass?

If you have a Swiss Pass for 4 days and activate it the first day between Geneva and Montreux you wouldn't be able to use it on your fifth day of travel. Rather, activate it the second day - it's cheaper to pay full price from Geneva to Montreux than from Interlaken to Zürich Airport.

If you bought a Flexi Pass for 4 days, you can activate it the first day, then don't use it on the day you are going up to the Jungfraujoch (see "Tickets", for ex. buy a Good Morning/Good Afternoon ticket or you receive 25% off the full price ticket with your Flexi pass). This way you are able to use the Flexi Pass for the last leg of your journey to the airport as well.

Hope that helps,
Fida

Swiss journey
by: Carmen

Thank you ver much,
Kind regards
Carmen

You are very welcome Carmen. I wish you a wonderful time in Switzerland,
Fida

Visit to Switzerland
by: carmen

Fida hope you are well. Thanks for all your recommendations.
Had a fantastic time in Switzerland. 5 days too short. Congratulations to the Swiss people and the Govt for making the country so perfect. Planning my next visit. How do I post pictures.
Kind regards
Carmen

Hello Carmen,

So good to hear you liked it! I hope the weather did cooperate. We are having a lousy summer. But otherwise I am fine - thanks for asking :-)

I'd love to hear more and see pictures about your trip. You can post your images and experience here.

And of course, posting pictures on my FB fan page is always welcome too.

Thanks very much!

Best,
Fida