Travelling to Switzerland - Part 3

How to travel comfortably in Switzerland

Certainly one of the most affordable options to travel in Switzerland is the one we have chosen. We used our own transport, which is the best in terms of freedom, since we stopped exactly where we liked and didn't have to depend on others. We were all in one van, which made the transport even more affordable, as we all covered the cost of fuel, vignettes and parking fees together. Every night we stayed at a different campsite. The reason for this was that we were travelling fast and wanted to see and experience as much as we could in just over a week. Campsite prices are suitable for almost every budget.

We took care of the food ourselves. Before we left, we bought lots of food, which we took with us on the trip. We had a warm meal every morning and evening. That's definitely the cheapest and the most fun for the kids. Each of us was assigned a part of the task, and we stuck to it and worked together very well. The most expensive thing we paid for in Switzerland was a ride on the rack railway, which cost us anything from 20 to 160 euros per person. Although the prices of rack railways are very high, this is a must-have experience in Switzerland. We didn't have many other entrance fees, and the prices to enter a cave or a ravine were quite normal.

Lucerne and Zürich

The cities that lie close to one another are well known both in terms of tourism and economy and should certainly not be left out for sightseeing. Both towns are located by their own lake, with high hills rising not far away.

The city of Lucerne was more pleasant to us because it is smaller, it is a little less crowded there and mainly because of the famous bridge. The town lies at the northern end of Lake Lucerne, where the River Reuss flows into the lake. The centre is home to well-preserved historic buildings, a medieval old town and a wooden bridge, the Kapellbrücke. The bridge crosses the River Reus diagonally. It was built in 1333. Inside the bridge, more than one hundred 17th-century paintings depicting patrons and scenes from the city's history are on display. In the middle of the bridge stands an octagonal water tower, which was once part of the city's fortifications. A stroll through the town centre, over the wooden bridge and along the beautifully landscaped riverside and lakeside paths is a very pleasant experience. We could also go on a tour by boat.

Zürich is a pretty big city where we can meet people from all over the world. Switzerland's largest city is one of the most expensive in the world, but if you give it a little thought, it can be experienced very affordably. We walked through the centre, saw the attractions this way, and ate only delicious ice cream in the centre. The only thing that got in the way was the crowds, which were more on the roads than walking through the city. The city offers many historic buildings, beautiful parks, a lakeside promenade and lively squares. The city also has many parties, cultural events, shopping centres, etc. You can also see it from a tourist boat, which runs along both the lake and the Limmat River, which winds through the town.

Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch can be reached by the most scenic mountain railway, bringing you very close to the four-thousand-metre peak. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as the Top of Europe. The rack railway leading up to the saddle on the rocky outcrop between the Jungfrau and Mönch peaks is the highest rack railway in the world. It reaches 3,454 metres, and then with the help of elevators we can get a few more metres higher, up to 3,573 metres. The cherry on top is the observation terrace, where in fine weather you can't help but admire the beauty of the mountain nature.

Access to the highest point is initially by cable car and then by rack railway. The rack railway runs partly underground and partly along the surface. The building at the top has several restaurants, shops, an observation deck, exhibitions and fun tunnels inside the glacier. Another important feature for all visitors is that, weather permitting, they are let down onto the glacier itself. For children, the most interesting experience on the glacier was driving on the rack railway and walking inside the glacier. The trenches are carefully designed and in between there are many interesting things for guest entertainment. Children are especially positively surprised by a fun character from the Ice Age cartoon.

Appenzell

Appenzell is a canton in Switzerland, famous for its beautiful pristine nature, the indescribably beautiful views from its mighty mountains and one of the most special mountain huts in Switzerland. The village of the same name is also called Appenzell. The whole region is also known for its rural customs and traditions, such as the descent of livestock from the mountains in autumn, cultural events, folk music, country dancing and, of course, hiking. Locals say that no other place in Switzerland has that many diverse rock formations. They reach 2,500 metres in height and are really something special. We went into the mountains, first by cable car, and then on foot. We chose a circular hiking trail and during the hike we enjoyed beautiful views, among mountain flowers, hiked through a cave and to a famous mountain hut. The Aescher mountain hut is located beneath a mighty overhanging rock and, due to its special location, is one of the most photographed mountain huts. The hike also led us past a pleasant chapel, which is placed under a mighty rock. We also returned to the valley by cable car.

St. Beatus Caves

The cave is located near Interlaken and is considered one of the most famous tourist attractions of Switzerland. The access itself along the beautifully landscaped path up to the cave is special. We crossed several bridges over a stream and a waterfall, and walked through a beautifully landscaped park set into the steep hillside below the cave. The entrance to the cave is also beautiful. The cave is 14 kilometres long, but only one kilometre is open to visitors. It is a karst cave, where we can also see some stalactites. The visitor route is safe, beautifully lit and marked. Less than an hour is needed to visit the cave, but we can go on the tour ourselves without a guide. It is possible to observe the stream flowing through the cave and many cave formations. On the way back from the cave to the car park, we recommend a stop at the cave museum, where you can learn many interesting things. There is also a nice playground for children. And if you fancy something to eat or drink, there is a nice restaurant just outside the cave entrance with a beautiful view of the lake.

Suspension bridges

Suspension bridges are becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland, suggesting that there are more of them every year. Suspension bridges are a popular tourist destination for visitors. They are usually made near other tourist attractions, across gorges, valleys, or where they can give us spectacular views and, above all, dizzy views at the bottom of a gorge or valley. One such bridge is near St. Beatus Caves.

It's hard to describe the beauty of Switzerland as beautifully as it really is. The beautiful unspoiled nature surrounded us for most of the trip. Swiss infrastructure, which allows us an even more beautiful touch of their beautiful nature, is an exceptional tourist attraction for visitors. Few places can we experience so many excellent and different devices that take us to the heart of the Swiss Alps.