We recently returned from a 9 days/ 8 nights trip from Switzerland. The first impression and expression is definitely 'WOW'!!! God has been very kind to them and given them abundant greenery and scenic places. It is absolutely gorgeous, some people even claim it to be heaven on earth.
We landed in Zurich around evening and immediately took the train to Montreux. The good thing was that the train station was right across from the airport, so all we had to do was cross the street. Once we got to the station the next big task was to buy our Swiss Saver train pass for 8 days. Now there are many types of train passes in Switzerland. You can read more about them here. We decided on the Swiss saver pass because we were planning to visit multiple places and cities using the train. One can use the saver pass when two or more people are traveling together. You can specify the number of days you will be traveling and the pass is valid for unlimited train rides within this days. The pass is also used for getting discounts on various entry tickets, buses, boat rides etc. We found it to be extremely useful and even used it partially for our ticket to Rome.
We were a little bit anxious because we had to change trains twice to reach Montreux. The problem was that we had some luggage and we had 3 minutes and around 5 minutes to change trains. We were told that it would be a smooth transition, which it was but we had to be super quick, be prepared with all our luggage and literally run to the next train and hop on to whatever compartment was in front of us. We definitely made it but it was a bit nerve-racking the first day.
Another good thing about this train pass was that you did not need to reserve seats you can literally hop on hop off any train except some special scenic route trains. Comfort wise there is not much difference in the first and second class seats but we decided to go with the first class seats because these coaches were less crowded and quieter. Price wise it's not a big difference and I would highly recommend 1st class. Sometimes on long routes you need that peace of mind.
Our hotel in Montreux was right on the lake and we had a balcony opening on the lake. Since it was night it did not make much of a difference, but the next morning we woke up to this beautiful view. Isn't it a perfect way to start the day? It was simply beautiful!
Overall our trip was fabulous. I loved every bit of Switzerland.
A few things I noticed while traveling around:
1. It is extremely expensive. When I say extremely I really mean it. Coming from the U.S. I am use to paying $2.90 for a tall (small) cup of Starbucks latte. In Switzerland the same Starbucks cup is 5+Swiss francs. So we are talking about almost $6 for a small cup of coffee. That is 2 times more expensive. In general everything is 2.5-3 times what it would cost in the U.S.
2. You need only 4-5 days unless you are a big nature person or heavily into hiking/skiing/doing outdoor things.
3. It's best to visit different cities, towns and villages. You won't need more than 2 days in any big town or a few hours in small villages.
4. Since every place is drop dead gorgeous, every small little village can also be a tourist attraction. So pick your places wisely.
5. Don't worry no matter where you visit you will see plenty of beautiful scenery, greenery, mountains and cows. The true experience lies in smaller towns/villages and countryside. Big towns like Zurich and Geneva don't give you the same feel.
6. Water is not free. You need to buy water everywhere. In restaurants a small bottle cost anywhere between 4-5 francs. This is flat water not sparkling water. Though Switzerland is so high on hygiene that there tap water is very clean and safe to drink. But in most restaurants if you ask fir tap water they would refuse it. a good option is to buy bottles of water from the coop (grocery store). We got large bottles of Evian water for 1.20 Swiss francs.
7. Unlike the U.S. People in Switzerland are conservative about paper. So simple things like paper napkins which we love to waste in the U.S. Is pretty rationed here.
8. People mostly speak in French but almost everyone understands English and can help you out in English.
9. Lots of points for cleanliness and hygiene
We landed in Zurich around evening and immediately took the train to Montreux. The good thing was that the train station was right across from the airport, so all we had to do was cross the street. Once we got to the station the next big task was to buy our Swiss Saver train pass for 8 days. Now there are many types of train passes in Switzerland. You can read more about them here. We decided on the Swiss saver pass because we were planning to visit multiple places and cities using the train. One can use the saver pass when two or more people are traveling together. You can specify the number of days you will be traveling and the pass is valid for unlimited train rides within this days. The pass is also used for getting discounts on various entry tickets, buses, boat rides etc. We found it to be extremely useful and even used it partially for our ticket to Rome.
We were a little bit anxious because we had to change trains twice to reach Montreux. The problem was that we had some luggage and we had 3 minutes and around 5 minutes to change trains. We were told that it would be a smooth transition, which it was but we had to be super quick, be prepared with all our luggage and literally run to the next train and hop on to whatever compartment was in front of us. We definitely made it but it was a bit nerve-racking the first day.
Another good thing about this train pass was that you did not need to reserve seats you can literally hop on hop off any train except some special scenic route trains. Comfort wise there is not much difference in the first and second class seats but we decided to go with the first class seats because these coaches were less crowded and quieter. Price wise it's not a big difference and I would highly recommend 1st class. Sometimes on long routes you need that peace of mind.
Our hotel in Montreux was right on the lake and we had a balcony opening on the lake. Since it was night it did not make much of a difference, but the next morning we woke up to this beautiful view. Isn't it a perfect way to start the day? It was simply beautiful!
Overall our trip was fabulous. I loved every bit of Switzerland.
A few things I noticed while traveling around:
1. It is extremely expensive. When I say extremely I really mean it. Coming from the U.S. I am use to paying $2.90 for a tall (small) cup of Starbucks latte. In Switzerland the same Starbucks cup is 5+Swiss francs. So we are talking about almost $6 for a small cup of coffee. That is 2 times more expensive. In general everything is 2.5-3 times what it would cost in the U.S.
2. You need only 4-5 days unless you are a big nature person or heavily into hiking/skiing/doing outdoor things.
3. It's best to visit different cities, towns and villages. You won't need more than 2 days in any big town or a few hours in small villages.
4. Since every place is drop dead gorgeous, every small little village can also be a tourist attraction. So pick your places wisely.
5. Don't worry no matter where you visit you will see plenty of beautiful scenery, greenery, mountains and cows. The true experience lies in smaller towns/villages and countryside. Big towns like Zurich and Geneva don't give you the same feel.
6. Water is not free. You need to buy water everywhere. In restaurants a small bottle cost anywhere between 4-5 francs. This is flat water not sparkling water. Though Switzerland is so high on hygiene that there tap water is very clean and safe to drink. But in most restaurants if you ask fir tap water they would refuse it. a good option is to buy bottles of water from the coop (grocery store). We got large bottles of Evian water for 1.20 Swiss francs.
7. Unlike the U.S. People in Switzerland are conservative about paper. So simple things like paper napkins which we love to waste in the U.S. Is pretty rationed here.
8. People mostly speak in French but almost everyone understands English and can help you out in English.
9. Lots of points for cleanliness and hygiene
