Is it worth stopping in Zurich or Lucerne?

[Tythu]

We are flying in to Zurich in the summer and travelling by train to the grindelwald/lauterbrunnen area. Just trying to decide if we should do a stop in a city first - Zurich or maybe Lucerne on the way? Are these nice cities ? Has anyone been? We will have two teen boys with us.

I’ve been to both, although some years ago so it may be different now! Beautiful places, lots of little trips you can do up the mountains on cable cars and going on boats etc. We really enjoyed it. If you can, get the train from Zurich to Lucerne as that’s an experience in itself - trains are double decker, lovely views. But - it’s super expensive and we felt some of the people were less than friendly (never felt this anywhere else we’ve ever been and we’re always very polite and respectful ourselves).

Thanks

I’ve been to both but many years ago! It’s definitely worth visiting each city, there is plenty to see. I think Lucerne is especially beautiful.

I loved Zurich. Great little place, easy to walk, lots to see, good food. Expensive though.

Thank you. Just realised bern is an option too. Anyone done that?

I would say Lucerne. It is a manageable size, there are interesting sights to reach on foot within walking distance of one another (historic bridge, lion sculpture, geological pits) and many dining options.

Zurich is a little boring.

I did wonder if may be boring. Although the fifa museum might be good for the boys?

I found it sad also due to the well-known big euthanasia facility. My DS is not into football so it could be better for you. The best part for me was the train out.

You can visit Salzburg on a daytrip from Zurich. Or Jungfraujoch/Interlaken but that is closer to Grindelwald where you are heading anyway.

That's a bit of a weird comment @Croque ... the clinic isn't in the middle of the town centre and it's not like the place is teeming with people with chronic illness filling their final hours! It's a totally normal and rather charming European city.

Bern is lovely to wander round but a bit dull

Agree with this.

Lucern for me very beautiful

Lucern is beautiful. The old town is lovely, and you can take a boat ride on the lake for an alternative view

There is an interesting transport museum, which your boys might find interesting?

it is eye wateringly expensive though. DH still talks about when we got charged the equivalent of £100 for 3 Caesar salads, a soup and a glass of coke each. It was in 2016, and he still can’t believe it

Lucerne is smaller and has activities to do like Rigi railway(do it as a round trip with boat), Mount Pilatus , Transport museum if that is of interest, glacier garden and bridge . Scenic train over the Brunig pass to Interlaken. Zurich has trams, zoo, lake, nice old town. Bern very traditional buildings , Bears, capital city.

You can't mean Salzburg!

Zurich old town is very beautiful, lovely food, lovely Riverside bars etc.

Never been to Zurich but Lucerne is stunning! I was late teens and only stayed for short time but remember it being very, very clean (I lived in Manchester at the time!) Food was great as well, but it was pricey

I meant Heidiland and Liechtenstein!

I've been both... I think as you are flying to Zurich, spending a few days there is probably the easiest option.

I second a train ride through the Swiss Alps!

Lucerne is about an hour and quarter from ZH airport by train. Another day out is to Engelberg with Titlis revolving cablecar, snow tubing and rope bridge in glacier, walks, mountain biking, monastery to visit etc.