Ferry Cancelled > Change of plan > Any advice for Switzerland? (1 Viewer)

[WESTY66]

The advantage of Camping Jungfrau, when you have a Jungfrau Pass, is that it's a 15 min walk to the station; you just don't think about it. On another trip we stayed further south along the Lauterbrunnen valley, at Camping Rutti, like Breithorn, cheaper and prettier, but the bus along the valley is not included in the Jungfrau Pass and at twice a day more than made up the difference in the cost to Camping Jungfrau. Though Breithorn is closer to Lauterbrunnen station than Rutti, it's still a ~50min walk each way, which on top of the day's hiking, means a bus.

Dave

Yes that’s very true, but we do enjoy the walk down the backtrack into lauterbrunnen, but it IS a closer walk to the schilthornbahn

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I always stay at camping Breithorn, cheaper than Jungfrau

I know…..

 

[CamperManLez]

With the weather looking good we decided to go over the Simplon pass which was, hands down, the most epic drive we've ever done. At 2000 meters above sea level there was plenty of snow! The roads however were perfectly clear.
View attachment 882976View attachment 882977View attachment 882978

Currently parked up at an Aire just above Sion looking over the alps pondering our next move, a nice remote spot, highly recommended if just only for the views!
View attachment 882982

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=31897

Looks like you have better weather than back here in the UK. Great pics and a journey I might try next year. Had enough of the everlasting winters in the uk

 

[Ridgeway]

23° here today

 

[BriannYe]

The campsites at Interlaken are on bus routes. You get a guest card from the campsite which gives free bus travel in Interlaken. Bus 104 every half an hour from Jungfrau 5 campsite to station west then change to 103 to to Interlaken Ost (104 will eventually get to Ost but goes all around Interlaken first).

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[BriannYe]

Been absolutely gorgeous weather since Wednesday and will be fine again tomorrow.

 

[Don Campbell]

Make sure you do a big shop before getting to Switzerland. It is much more expensive than France and Italy.

 

[Don Campbell]

Nobody seems to have said the vignette is ChF40 for a year and there is a purchase post at every main border.

 

[BriannYe]

Nobody seems to have said the vignette is ChF40 for a year and there is a purchase post at every main border.

Or you can order an e vignette online.

 

[Next Stop]

We bought ours online but, I inadvertently had our satnav set to avoid tolls which sent us on some incredible roads through quaint mountain villages, all be a little scary at times.

Once we arrived safely at our destination we both agreed that it was one of my better mistakes

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[Captain Birdseye]

We did it in 17 days. Tunnel out Friday evening. One stop on the way down on an airer. Straight to a site near Interlaken for two weeks. Tiny pitches, and metered leccy, but spent little time there. Tourists used to get a travel pass meaning you could pick up the bus into Interlaken, then local boats and trains. I can't remember if free or discounted but a great deal. Did many of the mountain railways that run like clockwork and everything joins up.

Jungfrau was the highlight. We were there mid summer and emerged from the train (in a tunnel) to beautiful snow.

You need a window sticker to use the Swiss roads.

We stopped at Disney on the way back up but that added two days.

Far bit of easy driving from memory.

Camping Jungfrau at Lauterbrunnen is a fantastic camp site in a great position.
You can buy a travel pass at reception and have some free days and some half price days of travel on trains, busses. Lake steamers and mountain railways.
Just one warning. There is so much to see and do in the immediate area, that two weeks barely covers it, however a short taster visit will get you hooked.

 

[Gringo2]

Thanks for the info, I've noticed that there is a campsite at Interlaken opposite the train station, so that might be a good base for a few days.
We have a 10 year old and a 14 year old, I'm sure they'd love it too.
One last question, do you have to pay extra for anything like the ice palace once you get to the top? It's a pricey trip but does look like a once in a lifetime experience.

We went up Jungfrau in February and it was amazing. There is an express cable car for the middle section now which is fantastic. Had a very clear day so made the trip. Mind it was -8 on side of the viewing platform. All the Swiss public transport staff are great. Don’t look at prices till you get home

 

[Siming13]

Hi All,
We had planned a trip to Spain and Portugal leaving today but due to a storm coming in the ferry was cancelled, so rather than mope about it we've decided to change plans.
Now, We've always fancied going to Switzerland so we drew up a rough plan to see if it was doable. The plan (very rough plan as we've had no time to research) is to hot foot it from Roscoff to Lyon then cross over into Italy, spend a few days there then go through the Gotthard Road Tunnel into Switzerland, spend 4-5 days there and then meander back to Roscoff.

A few questions spring to mind:

Does this sound doable? (bear in mind, we are not yet retired, only have 2 weeks and fully understand that it will be a whistle stop tour.)
What's the weather like this time of year?
We'd love to go on a mountain lift or train to see snow, but don't fancy driving in it.
Is it safe to drive there this time of year? (please excuse my ignorance on the weather/road conditions)

Any tips or suggestions of things to see would be much appreciated.

Cheers in advance.

Martin

As everyone has said doable & spectacular sights but take a lot of cash ! If you need a burger , Burger king in Lucerne by railway station is better than any in UK & reasonable price for Swiss . Everyone has said whatyku need for driving etc, good time of year to go early spring camp lauterbrunnen is lovely.
Last time we went, left the Moho & home bought a 10 day rail pass & air b&b around. Saved a fortune ! Oh & if going through Luxembourg fill up there, so cheap.
Enjoy

 

[Old Gibber]

We went to Canping Jungfrau in June and caught the cable car and train to Murren then up to Piz Gloria world highest revolving restaurant.
Plenty of snow then.
Lovely part of Switzerland and so easy to get around on public transport

Camping Jungfrau brings back memories! I first camped there 50 years ago!

 

[welliesman]

Plenty of things to do here over the next few weeks although it will be busy on the slopes as it‘s the end of the ski season and Easter of course.

I would always advise people to check out Grindelwald as from there you can take the train up to Kleine Scheidegg, then if you want take the small train to the top of the “Young lady“ (Jungfraujoch), even take a walk across to Männlichen which is about 90mins but will be snow covered. Train also goes down to Wengen on the other side. Plenty of nice places to eat and drink there and some beginner stuff for the kids on the snow if they want to try.

Near us we have Glacier 3000 where there‘s loads of stuff to do up top, even a nice toboggan ride (on rails) that‘ll scare the pants off you We‘ve done a husky ride up there many years ago and it was a great experience.

If you‘re feeling flush a coffee in Gstaad is nice, watching the rich and famous fly in and out at the little airport there and peaking in the shops

For Gotthard just avoid any buys times as you can loose hours there stuck in traffic, our record was a 5hr wait one Easter weekend and Simplon is always a good alternative route, and free.

Is simplon open at the moment we've a planned journey over there next week.
Cheers

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[welliesman]

With the weather looking good we decided to go over the Simplon pass which was, hands down, the most epic drive we've ever done. At 2000 meters above sea level there was plenty of snow! The roads however were perfectly clear.
View attachment 882976View attachment 882977View attachment 882978

Currently parked up at an Aire just above Sion looking over the alps pondering our next move, a nice remote spot, highly recommended if just only for the views!
View attachment 882982

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=31897

Hi.how far did you end up going from the simplon pass,we're heading over next week to lake maggiore..a section of the road says its closed till 30th April...is this roadworks or snow...can't seem to find owt out.cheers.

 

[Folkranger]

Check out the various tunnel waiting times before committing, waits can be 2-3 hrs at busy times esp Gotthard.

we did the Gotthard tunnel in July (never again) after hours waiting in mainly standing traffic the satnav suggested we turn off and use the pass. We exited right and up to the roundabout only to find the pass was closed and we were ushered back down to ther opposing carriageway. 10 miles back up the other side and then join the queue again. Italian lakes were nice. Switzerland was expensive and full. But that was July.

 

[WESTY66]

Thanks a lot you lot, I was planning to go somewhere new this sept even thought of France (again) but oh no, thanks to this thread we’re going back to lauterbrunnen for a few days then down the simplon pass into Italy then back into Germany

 

[Richard J]

If you are a tourist staying in towns and cities in Switzerland, including campsites you can often get a free pass from the campsite/hotel for local public transport. It seems to be a thing..

 

[Next Stop]

Hi.how far did you end up going from the simplon pass,we're heading over next week to lake maggiore..a section of the road says its closed till 30th April...is this roadworks or snow...can't seem to find owt out.cheers.

We went straight over from Cannobio to Sion, it was the most stunning drive I've ever done.
Snow everywhere but the roads were spotlessly clear.
The out the link below for upto date info on the conditions of the pass
https://alpen-paesse.ch/en/alpenpaesse/simplonpass/

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[Next Stop]

As everyone has said doable & spectacular sights but take a lot of cash ! If you need a burger , Burger king in Lucerne by railway station is better than any in UK & reasonable price for Swiss . Everyone has said whatyku need for driving etc, good time of year to go early spring camp lauterbrunnen is lovely.
Last time we went, left the Moho & home bought a 10 day rail pass & air b&b around. Saved a fortune ! Oh & if going through Luxembourg fill up there, so cheap.
Enjoy

Currently in Lauterbrunnen, tis stunning here, although to be fair everywhere looks stunning!
It does seem expensive if you want to do things here but don't let that put you off (meant for people reading this who haven't been). We are here for the scenery and driving which costs no more than in other countries.

Cuttently having lunch (home cooked) whilst watching paragliders fly through the air in front of a snow covered mountain. Then later going for a hike, it's an awesome place!

 

[Next Stop]

Oh yea, and campsites are expensive but, we stayed on a mountain top yesterday for 10euros,and parking up in Gruyere tomorrow again, for 10 euros.

 

[WESTY66]

Oh yea, and campsites are expensive but, we stayed on a mountain top yesterday for 10euros,and parking up in Gruyere tomorrow again, for 10 euros.

Which one did you end up in? The Paragliders are always up there, they were coming down in the field at the back of the campsite last year, oh and the helicopter going up every now and then

 

[welliesman]

We went straight over from Cannobio to Sion, it was the most stunning drive I've ever done.
Snow everywhere but the roads were spotlessly clear.
The out the link below for upto date info on the conditions of the pass
https://alpen-paesse.ch/en/alpenpaesse/simplonpass/

Thank you pal

 

[ukfetchfan]

Oh yea, and campsites are expensive but, we stayed on a mountain top yesterday for 10euros,and parking up in Gruyere tomorrow again, for 10 euros.

Definitely try the Gruyere meringues and local cream. Both can be bought in any local shop and are usually served with raspberries. Delish!

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[HarryML7]

Oh yea, and campsites are expensive but, we stayed on a mountain top yesterday for 10euros,and parking up in Gruyere tomorrow again, for 10 euros.

Any chance of posting the details of where you are parking up - esp the 10 Euro spots!

 

[Evans Above]

Keep an eye on the weather here its the official site: https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/#tab=forecast-map

 

[Evans Above]

Definitely try the Gruyere meringues and local cream. Both can be bought in any local shop and are usually served with raspberries. Delish!

Oh Yes, we always make a point of stopping at the Gruyere Motorway services to indulge and enjoy the view - Coffee there is a nice as well as the cream is served in a special way.

If you have time pop up to Gruyere village (its a car free place so Park & Walk) to visit The Chateau, The "HR Giger" (Creator of Alien in the films) experience and of course the Creamery to buy some Cheese.

 

[WESTY66]

Gruyère?? France or Swiss?

 

[WESTY66]

Thanks a lot you lot, I was planning to go somewhere new this sept even thought of France (again) but oh no, thanks to this thread we’re going back to lauterbrunnen for a few days then down the simplon pass into Italy then back into Germany

I MUST RESIST
I MUST RESIST
I MUST RESIST

I am still grafting for a living I really must go somewhere different, maybe the fairy tale route then onto Dresden

Then back via Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber obviously

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