Switzerland in September

[SentToTheSynByn]

I'm planning a trip to Switzerland next September and hoping for information / advise.

The plan is to fly to Geneva then train to Chur. Glacier express to Zermatt and stay there for a few days. Then train to Lausanne, stay for a night or two. Train to Paris, again 2 nights. Then Eurostar to London.

Does this sound like a good route? Anywhere else I should consider? I've heard Switzerland is expensive. Any money saving advise?

I'm hoping for stunning scenery, cheese, wine, marmots and clean air.

Hi, I am from CH and live between Geneva and Lausanne. Autumn here is beautiful. Look into the Swiss Travel pass, could be beneficial for you

www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests/swiss-travel-pass.html

Yes, have considered the travel pass. Is the weather generally good at that time of year?

Yes very expensive. Some of the trains are rather rattly too. Look out for Coop, Migros and Denner supermarkets especially at stations. If you use buses or mountain lifts bear in mind they often close for up to 2 hours' "pause" over lunch. In Migros restaurants you can get a good quality buffet meal and pay by weight. Don't stay in Chur, it is really a hub town rather than a resort. If you are travelling from Geneva to Chur you could take in the Bernese Oberland or Lucerne.

Thanks LIZS, only thinking Chur because that's where I want to get the glacier express from.

If you have time take the train up to Arosa instead of staying in Chur.

Its cheaper to stay on the french side and do daytrips in

Wow, Arosa looks stunning.

Love Switzerland.
Yes it is expensive, go with pp's recommendations for supermarket foods. If you have room, then take flask and make your own coffee for travelling, and buy picnic lunches from supermarkets. Although the local specialities food is, to me at least, an essential part of any trip.
Weather can vary from nice and warm to snow, it snowed today in parts of Switzerland! And we've had every sort of weather in September. So layers and waterproofs are a good idea, just in case.
Always found the Swiss people to be nice, a little reserved and very polite. So always we try to be the same, always say hello/good day/please and thank you in local language, be prepared to shake hands, that sort of thing.
Did I say I love Switzerland?

The Austrian and German Alps are also really beautiful, if not quite as high, and are a lot cheaper than Switzerland. If the money aspect is important then I'd consider those regions. Prices for everything in Switzerland and are truly eyewatering (and I say that as someone living in London)

@FadedRed what would be your must try foods?

@DoubleHelix79 must be Switzerland.

Rosti
Raclette
Fondue - cheese, fish or chinoise (meat)
Birchermuesli
If you can fit in a Sunday brunch up a mountain you will get a spread which will keep you stoked until dinner often accompanied by local musicians.

I much preferred Lausanne to Geneva.
Geneva just felt like it was for ultra rich people. I was really disappointed, but Lausanne had a bit of soul

@LIZS swoon, I'm mainly doing it for the cheese. Swiss cheese is the finest in the world.

Not planning on staying in Geneva, just heading straight to Chur Arosa.

I was thinking a boat trip in Lausanne.

Ah well. If self-catering is an option then that's a good way to save a few quid. Local cheeses are always delicious - could live on them if I had to. September is a fantastic month in my opinion - you're usually lucky with the weather and the colours are incredible.

I visited Switzerland as a child and have always dreamed of going back - not a tight tight budget, but happy to eat picnics of cheese in hotel rooms.

I went to Denmark a couple of years ago and that was eye wateringly expensive.

The shops in the train stations are often the most expensive! We now have Lidl which is fairly priced for basics but I wouldn't buy fondue from there. Raclette is fine though. M
Don't forget tartiflette.

If you are a cheese lover, then Gruyere is a must. Also the chocolate factory.

Depending upon what time of the month you are visiting, you might be able to see a des alpes. They are my favourite Swiss festival.

Definitely picnic wherever possible. Migros do set menus, not just by weight. I find the weighing options crazy expensive.

You can get the boat to Yvoire from Nyon, which is a lovely ride. You can get the fast Boat or the steam paddler.

Tartiflette, might have to renounce vegetarianism whilst I'm there.

Maybe zermatt - Gruyere - Lausanne?

Hello OP,

Great choice, Switzerland is beautiful! I've lived here 7 years, also between Geneva & Lausanne. It is indeed expensive though, so bear that in mind. Second the idea of getting a train pass; go to the SBB CFF website for info. You can also download the App.

Here's a snap from on the train that I took the other day, just outside Vevey (Swiss end of Lac Léman/Lake Geneva). You'll get this view as you take the train to Lausanne.

Thank you so much, at least I have a year to save up!

Food: to add to what LIZS said, mountain cheeses and aired dried meats, chocolate, Kagifrets, proper chocolate, Ovomaltine (not as sweet and more malty than the UK version), Swiss wines (not the blended ones though, did you know the Swiss don't export their wine? They drink it all themselves, or so I was told.), a apple pies and apple fritters, patisserie, speciality breads, Alpermacaroni with apple sauce, different rösto dishes.
You will need to do a lot of walking as it's a tad carb heavy, though

Lovely photo @DeltaG

I love living here!

It's the first time I ve seen Geneva described as expensive.
I thought it was plain and boring?