Swiss mountains in rain ? Any point going ? And 34 degrees heat wwyd?

[Rainyswissmountains]

Hugely (for us expensive holiday ) is there any point going in extreme heat 34 , no air con thunder and rain
The idea was three days in Switzerland and go up some mountains which is also v expensive.
I'm wondering whether to just call it off ,scary driving etc too hot to sleep and can't see anything up a mountain ?
We are flying into Basel so could go into France /Germany instead with better air con ? What would you do.

This is Lucerne live webcam https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/destinations/panoramas/luzern-1/

No forecast is remotely accurate two weeks out!

But change to France as you don’t seem to want to go.

I have lived in Lucerne for just over a year now. We have one small portable aircon for the whole apartment and we do not have trouble sleeping. It’s getting a lot cooler later this week and next week. In the height of the heatwave a week ago it just about got up for 34 but it’s not going to be anywhere near that for the next two weeks. It will probably rain a bit but not constantly and Lucerne is still beautiful whether the sun is shining or not. I do drive here as it’s a bit easier with the dog but travelling by train is definitely very relaxing and comfortable. The trains run like clockwork, are not overcrowded and it’s probably one of the safest places in Europe. You will not get pickpockets at all. You’ll have a great time. Go for the adventure you won’t regret it

OP, just a thought for the future, Austria is as beautiful as Switzerland and much cheaper. Switzerland really is excruciatingly expensive, especially eating out.

Back to the here and now- me and DH went to the Italian Dolomites years ago, hiking and sleeping in mountain huts. The weather is extremely localised in the mountains, so one valley might be nice, whilst its raining in the other. It started snowing in September when we were there, so went down into the valley and found a cosy bar and it was still an amazing holiday. Just don't go into the hills with a bad weather forecast, it can get dangerous.

Also, two weeks away is too far for a predictable weather forecast especially in the mountains.

Is there any way at this point Youre going to enjoy looking forward to your holiday as currently planned? Or is it now beyond hope in your mind.

It sounds like it might be. If that’s the case, change your plan.

Thanks for your reply. Im going second week in August. We are spending 4 nights in Zell am See and then 3 in Salzburg. Travelling by train from Munich and flying back from Salzburg.

I had a childhood obsession with Heidi and the Sound of Music so I'm living out my childhood fantasy!!

OP, reports are that it has been very uncomfortably warm during the heatwave - in the main towns, lake areas, and alsomountain valleys. The more elevated locations above 1000m get some relief at night. There is no sea breeze to alleviate the conditions. Aircon is non-existent. Forecasts are for cooler weather from next week onward - should be quite nice then. Costs are horrible - everything is so expensive. Eating out in restaurants especially and mountain cable car prices. Scenery amazing though - definitely worth seeing at least once in a lifetime

This is what i should have been doing ! .
If you go to salzburg do.not.miss helbron (sp) villa /palace ...its got unusual water features and fab unusual art inside

If you do go to Engelberg, they have some free summer activities like canoeing and Go Ape. Not sure if you have to be staying in Engelberg or just to buy a lift pass, to be eligible. Check the Engelberg website. It’s first come first served though. There’s a lovely free swimming lake up a mountain there too. We went in bad weather last summer and it did spoil it a bit. Switzerland is very expensive so I’d be inclined to cancel and book France or Austria instead tbh. I only go because my lovely friend lives there, although it is beautiful.

Basel to Lucerne is only just over an hour on the train, and you clearly haven't been on a Swiss train if you are expecting crowded trains (the Swiss would forbid it!) pick pockets or break down. Dodgy aircon and a breakdown are much more likely in a hire car!

Google tells me the last train is at 11pm but if you're coming into the airport at that hour I'd go for a taxi not a bus (again, given it's Switzerland, everything will work like clockwork but at night I agree you don't want to faff with a bus). Taxi the other end, save your nerves driving at night.

Or which I think was your original plan, go to a hotel in Basel that night, train in the morning, no hassle with late night flight delays or with driving.

Why are you talking about Switzerland like it's some kind of crime-ridden hellhole?

Mountain temperatures around Zell were around 10 degrees cooler than in the town when we visited. Unless you go up the Kitsteinhorn where you will need winter gear. We had no aircon in high summer but it was fine, just go up a mountain if it gets too warm. Enjoy!

Thanks ,we are not doing it as I originally planned due to easy jet messing our flights about.
So it's a pricey half arsed trip we were supposed to stay lurcerne and then interlaken and see more. So in the back of my mind I'm.thining we can cancel and save the money for next year go on may or oct and as originally planned see it properly

Anyway it's probably too late now to change unfortunatly.

@drspouse I'm on a few Swiss travel groups on FB and there are reports of exactly what I have said very crowded trains and pick pockets

Funnily I have been too and you are definitely latching onto the few negative posts. The “crowded” trains tend to be likes of the Bernina Express which are tourist routes or ski-trains. Have travelled extensively there by train and never had such an issue.

I also would not listen to this. I have never been on a crowded train for the whole year I have lived here. Crime is incredibly low compared to pretty much anywhere else. Honestly it’s night and day how pleasant train travel is compared to the UK

It’s cooler higher up. Or relax at one of the lake/river swim spots and swim. The water is clean and a lovely temperature currently.
I live in Switzerland- give me an idea of your hotels/itineraries and I can help.

@Ritaskitchen flying in Basel 26th July then heading to Luzern for three nights ,hoping to go up Pilates and Titlus, are accmd is by a lake so hoping DC can swim
Last day leaving and driving to Germany.

It's too far ahead to rely on weather forecasts. It could well change by the time you go.

From what I can see, BBC is forecasting 30/31 in Luzern during the day but 18 at night which is not too bad.

Personally I'd go for it and enjoy it!

I wrote a whole post and then it didn’t work!
Rainy days - Transport museum in Lucern, Aeschbach Chocolatier in Root Chocolate museum in Root - close to Lucern, Kamberley biscuit factory.
It will be cooler at the top of Pilatus and Titlis. Don’t drive to the parking for Pilatus unless getting there early, take the bus. If you wanted something less touristy then Klewenalp in Bekenreid is nice - especially if you like hiking. Less to do tho compared to Pilatus.
The Lido at Lucern is great. But there are plenty of places to swim where it’s free. Switzerland doesn’t really go life guards. The Badi Aufsicht people are to enforce the rules rather than life guards per say.
Titlis has a huge car park. And the village of Engleberg is work a visit - the have a nice little cheese making place.
If you want a full on chocolate experience then Lindt in Kilchberg near Zurich is the place to go. There is an underground parking lot. After, I think, 5 hours the parking there gets very expensive. At the Kilchberg motorway junction there is a cute park and cafe called Parc im Greune. Nice to Wander round, see the donkeys, have a drink and relax.
Kilchberg has a lovely lake side swimming area - called Badis. There’s a small cost to enter. Has a restaurant and slide, pool, floats and pontoon on lake.
You can get a picnic or sandwiches/salads from Migros and Coop. The bigger ones have hot food. You have to buy disposable cutlery seperately- it’s 20 Rappen but reusable.

@Ritaskitchen that's wonderful thank you !
We are staying near the lido I think and the dodgy weather suggestions are great I think we are also near the transport museum.

If going to the Ljndt museum there is a lovely little beach opposite too. There is a small fee (2-3chfs I think) and it closes around 8pm, but it’s really great.

OP, as another Swiss resident, I really would recommend you go. It’s beautiful, the people are wonderful and it is so safe compared to other countries. In the 20 years I have lived here, we have experienced very little crime, overcrowding or inefficiency.

Lake water temperatures will still be perfectly warm enough for swimming even if air temperatures drop and there is a bit of rain. That can actually be an amazing experience. Much quieter than in sunny weather, and the most amazing colours of the dark turqoise water, green trees, mountains on the horizon turning a deep purpley colour in the stormy skies. (storms generally short, late afternoon / evening, if at all -just be sure to exit the water if lightening is coming! )

Thanks everyone.
We are going to stick with the course !

I've been looking at meteo weather and it doesn't seem to show that nasty 34 any more . Maybe the rain next week cools things down ?

Also if it's rain below is there any point going up the mountains or will it be clearer up there ? Titils for example ?