5 days trip to Switzerland

Dear All,

I am planning a 5 day trip to Switzerland in 1st week of July 09. I am flying into Zurich and leaving from Geneva with the following itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Zurich at 9 AM. Sightseeing in Zurich till 5 PM. I am not planning to spend much time in Zurich. Not sure what places should must visit. I am least interested in museums etc. Please advice.

I will be leaving for Lucern at 5 PM by train. As summer days are long, I will get some time to walk by Lucern. Overnight stay in Lucern.

Day 2: A day trip to Engelberg / Titlis. I am not sure whether I will have some more time to spend after I am back to Lucern from Titlis.

Day 3: Leave for Interlaken and visit Jungfrauch.

Day 4: Early morning, leave for Chur by train. Glacier express from Chur to Zermatt. Overnight stay in Zermatt.

Day 5: Leave for Lausanne by train and spent some time in the older part of the city. Accordingly I can leave for Geneva airport as I am fling back at 8:25 PM.

Let me know your suggestions in this. Also, please suggest few places within Lucern, Interlakenl Lausanne and Geneva which are worth a visit.

I loved Interlaken--although it was about the only Swiss city we had time to see. The place was beautiful, the glacier breathtaking, the food excellent. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Mind, I don't think you can go too wrong with Switzerland...

Hey,
try to give you some advice about hot-spots in Zurich and of Switzerland.

From the main railwaystation just follow the "Bahnhofstrasse" with all the shops and the busy people. If you go on the left side of the street, you can either go ahead until "Paradeplatz" (which is famous for the banks) or turn left to the old part of the city. I really love the small alleys until you get to the "Lindenplatz" where you have a good view over Zurich. From there you can just stroll around and find your way back to the Limmat river or the lake.

Most of the Swiss cities are all similar to each other. But for only 5 days with your itinerary you can see a lot and the most typical (and touristic) places of Switzerland.

If you would have more time to spent, you could also try these places:
- Uetliberg (Zurichs Hill with a spectacular view)
- Rigi or Pilatus (Lucernes Hills with spectacular view)
- capital Bern (river, old town)
- canton of Valais (Mountains and Vines)
- city of Fribourg (bilingual city)
- region of "la gruyere" (Swiss cheese)

Wish you a nice trip to Switzerland....
(Don't forget to try some Swiss chocolate)

Thank you all for giving such valuable suggestions. Based on your advise, I have re planned my itinerary as follows:

Day 1: Arrival in Zurich @8.40 AM

-- Some sightseeing and visit Bahnhofstrasse

-- 4:00 PM: Leave for Lucern and spent the rest of evening in Lucern.

Day 2: Visit Mt. Titlis. Please suggest where can I visit after coming back from Titlis.

Day 3: Leave for Interlaken via Golden pass at 0755. Check in hotel at Lauterbrunnen. Go to jungfraujoch and get back to Interlaken. In the evening, Cruise dinner at lake Brienz.

Day 4: This day is reserved for Murren, Wengen, Grindelwald. In the evening take the Golden pass to Montreux (17:05). Check in a hotel @Montreux.

Day 5: Sightseeing - Montreuz & Geneva. Catch flight back home @8:25 PM.

Please let me know if this plan seems ok. I am not sure what places should I visit in Zurich and Lucern. Also,please suggest some budget hotels at Lucern, Lauterbrunnen and Montreux.

Thanks,

SunnyRG

[ Edit: Edited on 04-Jul-2009, at 17:03 by SunnyRG ]