Before we embarked on our journey to Switzerland, we were told that it was identical to New Zealand (where we live). Some people even asked us why we chose to visit Switzerland. When we landed in Switzerland, it exceeded our expectations in every way. Yes, there were similarities, but there were also so many things that made Switzerland beautiful and unique.
Zurich:
We started our Switzerland chapter in the city of Zurich. We used the train to get from the airport to the station near where we were staying (Wiedikon). It took a bit of time to understand the trains however we learned how to find our way around using the maps.
The first thing we noticed were the bell rings from the grand clock towers that stood tall and magnificent throughout the city. The buildings had intricate designs which gave the place its character and charm. The climate was quite similar to Auckland.
We checked into our hotel. In our first few interactions everyone seemed helpful and very knowledgeable about their surroundings. Almost everyone knew English which made them very approachable.
We reached Zurich on a Sunday morning and then found out that all shops were closed on Sundays (with the exception of supermarkets and airport shops). It was a bit annoying as we didn’t get to explore the shops. At first glance, the prices for all items in supermarkets and eateries seemed quite expensive. They use Suiss Franks in Switzerland which is a different currency from the rest of Europe.
Our location was very close to Old Zurich (Aldstadt) and Niederdorf which was perfect because this is what we had in our itinerary first. Old Zurich and Niederdorf were pages out of a travel magazine. There was a beautiful lake in the middle, surrounding bridges, clock towers in the distance and churches - including the well-known Grossmunster. The part we enjoyed the most in the old town were little streets, alleyways, and buildings that added to its uniqueness. We took our time walking down the streets through every nook and corner.
We decided to have lunch at the Old Town. We stopped at a place called Adler’s Swiss Chuchi in Aldstadt, and ordered the cheese fondue with bread. All the cheesy goodness and the carbs were a treat at first. After a while though it got a bit rich and heavy. Cheese fondue is a local delicacy so it was good to try for the first time, however we wouldn’t rush back for seconds.
After lunch, we visited the Lindt House of Chocolate. We took a bus and then walked the rest of the way. It felt like a long walk in the heat. Near the Lindt house of chocolate there was a beautiful lake with funky bars along it. This area was called the Viadukt. The House of Chocolate itself was everything you could imagine at a chocolate factory - with a chocolate fountain, chocolate shop, cafe and a guided tour. We did the chocolate self-tour which was good. We were given point-and-scan remotes that were used as a virtual tour guide during the factory tour. It explained the history of chocolate and its origins in Switzerland. It ended with a surprise which involved a lot of chocolate!
Our next stop after the chocolate overload was Uetliberg, the highest point in Zurich. We took a train which took us right up to the walkway. It was a nice viewpoint with a walk. If you have limited time, Uetliberg is not a must-do, however it is a nice way to spend the evening and watch the sunset.
With our jetlag and tiredness from the long journey, we had an early dinner near the hotel at Mazca before calling it a night.
Interlaken/ Lauterbrunnen
This was our full on DDLJ (Bollywood) day. Throughout the day we could visualise all the movie scenes and song sequences playing in front of the luscious landscapes - things we had only ever watched in movies.
We woke up nice and early then headed to Zurich HB - the hub where you catch most trains from. We picked up some breakfast at the station including an authentic pretzel, a.k.a Brezelkonig before hopping onto our train to Interlaken via Bern. The train journeys in Switzerland are just as beautiful as the destinations. As we passed Bern, we admired the beautiful bridges with the mountains in the distance.
After reaching Interlaken, we took a train to a small area called Riggenberg. When we booked our accommodation we planned for it to be in Lauterbrunnen, however when we reached, we realised it was a 15 minute bus ride from the Interlaken station. The buses were frequent from Riggernberg and this made the location convenient despite the mix up. Riggernberg was a cute little town with classic wooden cottages decorated with bright flowers.
We dropped off our bags before heading back to the train station. In Europe, our check in times for hotels were later in the afternoon but we’d arrive mostly during the mornings which meant that we’d have to drop off our luggage at the lobby. Thankfully, all our hotels were accommodating and happy to keep our luggage safely.
We hopped onto the train to Lauterbrunnen next. If you go for the Eurail pass like us, you would need to get a separate ticket for Lauterbrunnen as this is not included. Is it worth it? YES! I still remember us standing at the train station wondering if we should make the trip to Lauterbrunnen. We were so happy we did. Lauterbrunnen was incredible and it was one of the highlights of Switzerland! It blew us away from the moment we stepped out of the train. We spent a lot of time exploring the beautiful little town with its towering mountains, rushing waterfall, and stylish rustic houses adorned with colourful flowers. There are lots of scenic walks you can do in Lauterbrunnen and we had a few in our itinerary. With the intense heat we could only go so far before deciding to go shopping for some cow bells (a Suiss speciality) then head back to Interlaken.
We spent the evening in Interlaken near Unterseen. The square was happening and buzzing with people. We went to a Mexican restaurant which had some of the best margaritas before walking around town with a Movenpick ice cream in one hand. While the food was amazing it was very expensive. We ended up paying around $150 NZD equivalent for two burritos, tortillas and a jug of margarita!
Lucerne
We stepped out of the train station and straight away adrenaline struck us- we wanted to see everything. Right outside the train station there was a serene lake, surrounded by buildings, and colourful florals. We took a bus to our hotel (upgraded backpackers stay). Once again the bus stop was very close to our accommodation which made travelling around the city very convenient. At the hotel we found out that if you stay at a hotel in Lucerne, you are given a city pass which allows you to hop on buses for free. It also gives you internet access throughout Lucerne (wherever there is wifi).
After checking in, we went on a mini trip to Mount Rigi. Our original plan was to go to Mount Pilatus. When we reached the accommodation we saw more information about Mount RIgi so we decided to go there. Both mountains have trains running up to the mountain top. There is a boat which takes you to the bottom of the mountain where you catch some of the steepest trains in the world. These take you to the summit where there are restaurants and viewing spots. Mount Rigi is more commercialised and that is why we saw more information about it.
Mount Pilatus has the highest cog train in the world. Mount Rigi was high too and overall it was a nice experience however we felt that it wasn’t a must do. The boat ride was beautiful and we got to see the whole city from the lake. The cable car was on a steep railway and before we knew it we were near the top of the summit. The view was amazing. We ate at the restaurant (bratwurst - German sausages) before heading back down.
For the evening we changed into some nice outfits before exploring the city. All the attractions were within the main city including the Chapel Bridge, Old Town, and Musegg Wall. The most dreamy part of the city was by the lake and Chapel Bridge. In Summer, the flowers along the bridge were in full bloom. There are many restaurants along the lake and we decided to head down to one of these places. The area is romantic and perfect for a date night. Good food.
To end our night, we explored a beach close to our backpackers accommodation. Even at 10pm there was some daylight, food trucks and people buzzing everywhere! We had drinks before calling it a night - ready for our adventures to Italy. What we noticed about Switzerland was the influence from all surrounding countries - culture, language, cuisine all from its three main bordering countries in France, Germany and Italy. Lucerne was more similar to Italy while Zurich was similar to Germany.
Zurich Part 2:
After our amazing trip to Italy, we returned to Zurich for the last night/day. We found that for us a day in Zurich was good to see the main sights. The second time around at Zurich we decided to go for the Glacier Express train which left from other regions of Switzerland. We used our Eurail pass to help us make a booking. We booked the trip that left from Thun. The journey was everything we enjoyed about Switzerland packed into one ride. The views included snow capped towering mountains, greenery, bridges, and wooden traditional houses. We enjoyed the relaxing ride.
For taking gifts or souvenirs back, we decided to buy chocolates. One of our favourite spots was Laderach where we had some of the best chocolate we have ever eaten. There were free tasters and nicely packed gift sets. Laderach was, however, very expensive so we also visited the Lindt store.
Tips and Extra Information
Water: In Switzerland, much like in New Zealand, you can drink water from the tap. All taps have fresh water you can drink and you will find mini fountains here and there. We would definitely recommend that you bring a water bottle or two with you that you can keep refilling. It is much more economical to do that than to keep buying water.
Charging Ports: The power plugs vary from those in the rest of Europe. Most hotels will have the adaptors so borrow those. There isn’t much of a point in buying the adaptor unless you are in Switzerland for a long time as it will only work.
Sim Cards: Switzerland has its own sim cards. Before going there, we thought we would get one of the European sim cards which work all over Europe. Upon reaching we were told that the Euro sim cards do not work in Switzerland. Wifi is good in most places and is available in the Eurorails. We managed the whole trip with no data.
Food: Above we talked about fondue and raclette. You must try their cheese fondue as it is their specialty. The German sausages (bratwursts) are delicious and most of the time it was our go-to choice. They have delicious pretzels for breakfasts. Of course, the chocolates are like pieces of heaven. Especially Laderach and Lindt. Laderach lets you try out some of their delicious chocolates in store. But they are very expensive. If you love Lindt chocolate- we would recommend you visit the Lindt House of Chocolate.
Shops: Shops do close fairly early (like in New Zealand). On Sundays they are closed. Make sure you do not leave any shopping for a Sunday. Zurich has the most expensive street in the world and it has good brands and options if you love shopping, however you have to be ready to spend quite a bit.
Public Transport: The public transport in Switzerland is so efficient and seamless that you would not need to worry about a car at all. All the signs and maps are clear and almost everyone speaks fluent English if you do need any guidance. All trains, metros/ trams, and buses arrive on time and take you to the right place. Some hotels will give you a card which means you can use buses in the area for free. Otherwise, you can choose to buy a Swiss pass or just buy tickets as you go.
Clothing: We went in Summer (July). The mornings and evenings were fairly chilly so we needed to wear a light jumper or coat. During the day it gets very hot so light Summer clothes (shorts, t-shirts, dresses) are the best. We would recommend carrying Summer clothes with some light coats/ jumpers so you can layer up in the mornings and evenings.
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