Advice on planning a spring vacation in Switzerland?

Question

I am going to Switzerland for a week in April. I was planning to visit Geneva, Interlaken, Lucerne, Zurich and Berne. Is the itinerary too tight? Should I forgo any places or are there any other must visits? How long does it take by train from Zurich to Geneva? Please advice. Thanks!

Answer 1

Zurich to Geneva is about 3 hours by train, but that's because it's almost a straight line from west to east. Geneva to Interlaken ost is 3 hours, and Interlaken ost to Zurich is 2 hours. i think your plan is very do-able, though i would hope you're not planning overnight stays in all of the places. honestly, you can see the most important things in Bern in an afternoon; so a possible idea is to leave Interlaken Ost in the morning, stop by and visit Bern on the way (for a few hours), then continue on another train to Zurich in the late afternoon. i would visit Luzern while staying in a hotel in Zurich, since they are so close. if you're in the Geneva area, i'd recommend spending a day in Lausanne. Chateau de Chillon in Montreux is an important site, but i wouldn't spend too much time in Montreux after seeing the castle (so you may be able to work it in as a stopover while going from Geneva to Interlaken). Thun is a nice city 30min from Interlaken... for me, i would say it's a must-see because it's one of my favorite Swiss cities (but opinions will differ). finally, i would spend at least 3 days in the Interlaken area, but go a little further, and stay overnight in Wengen or Murren instead; if you're going to Switzerland, you really ought to try living in the Alps for the experience, and not simply be in a city close by and on the outside (like Interlaken).

Answer 2

It is fine. If possible, start in Geneva. Then take an IC (InterCity) train to Bern. Visit Bern and the take the Train (half an hour) to Interlaken. Visit Interlaken and then take a train via Olten to Lucerne. Visit Lucerne and then (finally) take an IR (InterRegio) to Zürich (about 45 minutes).
For full train timetables, visit the official federal railways site:
http://www.rail.ch

Hope this has helped, and enjoy Switzerland!

S.O.

Answer 3

I think that's too much travel to do in a week. You will feel like
you're spending most of your vacation on a train. But if you
start in Zurich, then you can do day trips to Lucerne and Interlaken with no problem. I would skip Berne, it's mostly
a governmental center, instead I would go to Zermatt, which
is where the Matterhorn is. It's a beautiful village, and NO CARS.
If you want to go to a warm, sunny, tropical part of Switzerland,
try Lugano. Have fun, it's beautiful!!!!

Answer 4

That is pushing it... I went to 5 european countries in 10 days and i was beat by the time i got back... however, since those places are all in the same country it won't take you so long to travel, you could probably do it... I went to Lucerne, it is SOOOO beautiful.... I think it was the prettiest place of all that we went to... there's mountains all around, a lake, make sure you go see the Lion of Lucerne, and a good place to eat there is the Einhorn restaurant (not sure if i spelled that right, but it means unicorn in ... whatever its in), its italianish stuff, and they have the BEST spaghetti we ever ate there.... my parent's always say they'd go back just for that.

Answer 5

I actually think that Interlaken is way overrated and you could leave it out. Use the time to have an extra day in Zurich or Luzern.

Answer 6

IMHO, I would skip Bern. Pilatus and Lake Lucerne will take almost a full day alone in Lucerne. Enjoy.

Answer 7

I like me all Switzerland..
Greetings from Canada

Answer 8

The Swiss riveria is a must :)

Montreux is amazing in spring.