Day 9 – Lucerne
Today we will have a whirlwind day traveling from the Southern part of Switzerland to Lucerne to the Bernese Oberland, our final destination Grindelwald.
The weather will be warm again, but once we arrive in Grindelwald we may be a little cool. So wear clothes to be comfortable on the train and boat ride, wear shoes that you can walk on cobblestone streets and loose clothing to keep cool, but a jacket or sweater to grab if you get cold.
The Gotthard Panorama leaves the Lugano train station at 9:18AM. The train will make several stops along the way, but only long enough for people to get on and off the train. We will arrive in Fluelen at 11:35AM.
Cost: Free with our Swiss Travel pass. We paid $35.34 for the seat reservation for 2 people.
https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/gotthard-panorama-express/
https://www.gotthard-panorama-express.ch/en/
From the train station in Fluelen we will quickly walk over to the ferry dock, which leaves at 12:00PM.
The ferry arrives in Lucerne at 2:47PM. It will make stops at Isleten, Bauen, Rutli, Brunnen, Treib, Gersau, Beckenried, Vitznau, Weggis, Hertenstein, Verkehrshaus-Lido.
Lucerne
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/destinations/lucerne/
When we arrive in Lucerne I suggest that we go our separate ways and meet up at the train station for the 7:06PM train going to Grindelwald via Interlaken.
Here are my suggestions:
From the ferry dock I suggest you walk over to the train station to store any backpacks that you would not like to walk around the city with. This is located on the 1st floor of the train station, by the escalators.
From the train station you should see the large Jesuit church to your left. This will be your first sight to stop at. Make sure you make it to the church before 6:30 when it closes.
https://www.luzern.com/en/highlights/sights/jesuit-church/
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/jesuitenkirche-jesuit-church/
From the church you will cross over Speuerbrucke Bridge, which is very similar to Chapel Bridge, but smaller.
http://lucerne.all-about-switzerland.info/lucerne-spreuerbridge-dance-death.html
I would wander over to Chapel Bridge grabbing a bite to eat along the way.
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/chapel-bridge-and-water-tower/
Restaurant recommendations:
Zunfthaus zu Pfistern
https://www.restaurant-pfistern.ch/
Kornmarkt 4, Lucerne
41 41 410 36 50 – must call to make a reservation for more than 8 people
We will meet back up at the train station for the 7:06PM train going to Grindelwald via Interlaken.
We will board the train at 7:06PM going to Meiringen (arriving at 8:16), we will switch trains in Meiringen (train leaving at 8:20PM) going to Interlaken Ost (arriving at 8:55PM). We will switch trains at Interlaken Ost (leaving at 9:05) arriving in Grindelwald Terminal at 9:34PM.
If for some reason we miss the 7:06PM train in Lucerne, we can get on the last train at 8:06PM.
From the train station in Grindelwald the hotel should provide us a free shuttle.
Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 168
Grindelwald 3818
41 33 854 7777
https://grindelwald.sunstar.ch/en/
Paid through American Airlines package
1 double bed – double room (budget)
Free wifi
Free breakfast
Drinks from the mini bar are free
Admission to the Spa Center with indoor pool, sauna,steam bath included
Massages are available
When we arrive in Lucerne, we will check into our hotel, Renaissance Lucerne Hotel.