Trip Planner: Tour the beautiful country of Switzerland

TRIP TRAIL


You need a lot of time to sample all of Switzerland’s charms, but if you’re timestrapped, seven days will be just enough to cover the highlights. Soon after arriving in Zurich on day 1, visit the local sights. In the evening, take a boat ride on lake Zurich. The following day, take the cableway to Felsenegg, a vantage point, and catch a train to Lucerne for an overnight stop. On day 3, soak in the panoramic views and indulge in shopping. You can choose to spend one more night here, or catch the William Tell Express for an epic journey from the traditional heart of Switzerland to Lugano, its Mediterranean-like south. On day 5, move to Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on to Geneva the following day. If time permits, take a day trip to Lausanne from Geneva, before flying back home. Alternatively, drop Lugano and visit Interlaken, the gateway to the glacierscape of Jungfraujoch. Visit http://www.myswitzerland. com for more information.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summer is the peak time, but it’s also the most expensive time. The period of April-May, and late September-October may be a better deal.

DON’T MISS: Neuchatel Wine Festival

If you are visiting Switzerland in September, try to be in Neuchatel—a 50-minute train ride from Bern—on the last weekend of the month to attend the Neuchatel Fetes de Vendanges, or the wine festival. This is a big street party attended by 2.2-3.2 lakh visitors every year, drawn by costumed parades, music, floral floats, wine tasting and gastronomic delights. The festival dates for this year are 27-29 September. If you are planning to visit earlier, attend the Lucerne Summer Music Festival, currently under way till mid-September.

SAVING TIPS

Invest in a travel pass for big savings on public transport. Visit www.myswitzerland.com for the types of passes on offer. For instance, the ‘2-day Swiss Flexi Pass’ promises free admission to more than 470 museums till 31 May 2014. Base your choice on the duration of trip, number of travelling days and the number of mountain rides.

Switzerland is not known for its cuisine. So skip eating in restaurants and try to buy groceries from Migros, a supermarket chain, or frequent cafes and bars for light bites.

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOU LEAVE

AIR FARE: Swiss Airlines and Air India fly direct to Zurich from Delhi and Mumbai, with return flights costing Rs 50,500-Rs 63,500 per person this autumn. However, return flights from either Indian city to Geneva, with the shortest stopovers, are cheaper, falling in the range of Rs 48,000-Rs 53,000.

EXCHANGE RATE: The Swiss Franc (CHF) has seen a steady appreciation since the end of 2009, which is bad news for travellers since the country was expensive to begin with. Currently, Rs 100 will fetch CHF 1.52.

VISA: For the Schengen visa, set up an appointment at the VFS visa application centre by e-mail (swissappointment.delhi@ vfshelpline.com). Complete the paperwork and submit/collect the application in person or via an authorised representative/travel agent. It takes five days to process it. The visa fee is Rs 4,600 and service charge is Rs 672 a person.

TRIP EXPENSE: The average daily cost per person, covering food, stay, local commute and sightseeing, on a shoestring budget is Rs 3,500-4,000. For a mid-range vacation, slot Rs 7,000-7,500 per person, per day. Luxury trips will cost more than Rs 12,000 per person.

ACCOMMODATION: Switzerland offers options for every budget—hotels, campsites, vacation rentals, farmstays and youth hostels. Budget hotels cost Rs 5,000-5,800, while the three-star variety costs Rs 8,500-10,500, and hostel private rooms start at around Rs 4,700 a night. You can also consi der staying at an alpine hut or an overnight pit-stop at one of the monasteries in the country.

LOCAL COMMUTE: Let train be your main mode of transport in Switzerland. They are efficient, promise scenic beauty and are value for money, especially if you invest in a travel pass. Though cable cars can be entertaining, limit yourself to just 1-2 rides because it’s the most expensive way to travel.