Switzerland in October - Glacier Express

[Summerbe]

We are planning to go to Switzerland mid October, family of 4. We normally go self catering and would like to explore the country, want to go by train from London and hoping to go in the glacier express.

I would be grateful for any advice on which places to visit, how to get around, etc. We will try some of the local food but will also eat supermarket food. Planning yo spend between 1 week to 9 nights.

I am not sure where to start. Maybe buying the Eurostar? We can also fly but thinking of trains for a change

What’s your budget?

No more than 5k; hopefully that’s enough; we don’t want luxurious accommodation or eat out everyday. Just explore the natural scenery and culture.

When in October? Half term break there is earlier than in UK and resorts tend to wind down from mid October until ski season with lifts open only at weekends . Larger resorts like St Moritz, Wengen/Grindelwald, Saas Fee, Zermatt etc are probably a safer bet or small cities like Lucerne. Trains are very reliable but not all as smart at Glacier
Express

Thank you

Planning to leave around 14th of October

It’s a lovely journey from Zermatt to Chur/St Moritz and the last time I did it was in January 2020 when there was nothing outside to see except the most beautiful winter snow scenes and frozen waterfalls down the sides of rocks. After that journey I then went by train to Zurich. I love Zurich and visit as often as I can.

Have a look at www.seat61.com for train info. It's an amazing resource.

We went to Switzerland quite a few years ago and we had a rail pass for the whole country. You can travel on different bits of the glacier express route on ordinary trains on your pass at a fraction of the cost. We did have trouble finding self catering accommodation and food is sue wateringly expensive. Also at that time it was hard to shop for food after Saturday afternoon until Monday.

Beautiful country, fantastic transport - our hotel issued a free bus pass - but as PP has said, eating out is eye-wateringly expensive. We spent a few days there last July. A 1-course evening meal for 2 with a beer each cost 60CHF, buying the cheapest items on the menu (pizza). Coffee was about 7CHF. 1 CHF = about 80p at the time. Factor that in and you'll have a great time.

Sounds lovely. Will check that journey

where should we base ourselves? Or shall we move around?

When I went we stayed at Boningen on a lake which has a quick easy bus link to Interlaken station. From there you can use the Swiss Rail card to see a fantastic area of Switzerland using mountain railways. We went to Wengen, on the Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, Murren and other mountain villages using all sorts of rail transport. It’s spectacular and, with planning, easy enough to do. Swiss Travel Service London have a scenic railways holiday with lots of ideas.

We flew to Zurich but Basel is similar distance from Interlaken. I would save the railways for Switzerland. Yes. It’s expensive but wonderful.

Thank you all. Will start researching; hopefully we can get self catering. Not sure if we should split the stay in 2 places. In guess we better fly to save time

@Summerbe
We did 1 week. When skiing one year we met a couple who had come by train. I think they said door to door was a whole day - Paris to Zurich is 4 hours minimum but you have to get to Paris and then to the Gare de Lyon. Depends where you live in the uk to regarding access to Eurostar and the efficiency of connections. I think I’d fly.

Take a look at the Website Swiss family fun lots If information there.
It may work out cheaper to take a tour.
In October the smaller resorts are in between season but the bigger ones - Jungfrau/Zermatt etc will be open.
For self catering look at airbnb. Lots of larger supermarkets have warm take away but restaurants and cafes are expensive compared to the Uk
Luzern might be a good place to base yourself. It’s central and very pretty with good rail connections.

Myswitzerland.com is good for ideas and itineraries. Probably best to focus on resorts at start and finish of the rail trip.

I would not actually do ski resorts. There is plenty to do being based around Interlaken and then maybe doing a city area or moving base.

Have a look at the Wellness Hostel 4000 in Saas-Fee. We’re big fans.