I am hosting a number of Australian tourists this coming weekend, and from Zurich have isolated that Mt.Titlis / Mt.Pilatus as the two main options for a mountain visit.

Is there a mountain I have missed (I only have a day to show them), or is this it, and if so which one is better?

Thanks in advance.

you could do the tourist rundfahrt (round trip) to Rigi too, mixing up train to Luzern, boat to bottom of Rigi, Fenicular up and train down the other side IIRC

http://www.myswitzerland.com/de/navp...port-8707.html

The Rotair up Titlis is not bad either. In fact anywhere high enough if it's clear will be really nice.

There is also the Rigi which is great if anyone is scared of heights and refuses to go in a cable car as there is a train to the top. I've never been to the top of Titlis but often go hiking in the area which is really nice. There is snow at the top all year round and a snow park to play in The views from both the Rigi & Pilatus are really good.

Titlus for sure. It's higher and permanently has snow on the top. Which is very important for the Australians that I have take there so far.


No reason for this, just wanted to use it

I was wondering how long it would be before anyone used that new "smilie". Looks like it took about 48 hours.

You can do Luzern town then boat to base of Pilatus and then cog train up and then cablecar down the other side and then bus back to Luzern. I havent done it yet as the weather was bad, but you can get round-trip tickets.

Engelberg and Titlis are good for a day trip too: theres a lake up there somewhere too.


dave

Don't rule out Säntis. Great view, plenty of eating choices, cant promise you snow.

You get to use at least 4 transport networks to get there (SBB, AB, Postauto, Säntisbahn), but you can buy the complete trip on one ticket.

Don't quite know what these guys are for:

A favourite I work is the Schilthorn (http://www.schilthorn.ch/)with great veiws of the Jungfrau/Eiger and a James Bond connection

Is that the one where you have to mortgage your home to go up it? And then you start explaining to your tourist friends that's it not normally that bad because "everybody" has a half-tax card so it's cheaper. And then your friends aren't convinced. Been there, not done that Sorry, couldn't resist...

Day tickets get you to the top, then you only need the mortgage for the meal

I found Säntis pretty impressive, especially if you like hiking and take the rock scramble path to the top! There's a view of Lake Zurich/Walensee? and Lake Constance from the top, surrounded by rolling green Appenzeller hills.

The views of the Eiger (and Mönch and Jungfrau) also never fail to impress me. But particularly the Eiger, in part due to the mountaineering feats and tragedies that have unfolded on its north face. Beautiful views down the valley from Lauterbrunnen or Wengen, and waterfalls at Trummelbach (sp?). Pretty pricey train ride up to the top of the Jungfrau I believe, though.

If your friends purchase the special train passes sold outside Switzerland to tourists, they will receive a 50% discount on the train to Schilthorn, as well as Jungfraujoch and many of the other, usually exorbitantly priced routes. We've found these train passes to be a great value - of course partly dependent on where you fly into and travel throughout the week. But I love that they are valid on local public transport as well as almost every train line in the country (for free transport) and then offer the discounts on the mountain rail lines.

Having been up Pilatus, Titlis, Rigi, Schilthorn and Säntis I can recommend all of them.

Rigi - This was my parents favourite but then it was the first mountain I or them had ever been up and it was a gorgeous day, the train ride up was stunning and the views from the top down to the lakes were amazing - i would recommend taking the boat from luzern to Vitznau and taking the train right to the top to Rigi Kulm. On your way back down get off at Rigi Kaltbad, a couple of stops down and take the cable car down to the lovely village of Weggis and catch the boat back. On a clear day I'd say this trip is probably the best all round for lakes and mountains.

www.rigi.ch

Pilatus - great trip up on the cogwheel train, quite a long trip with stunning scenery (as with all of them) we had a great day up here, it was only a couple of weekends ago and we had fantastic weather. We took a train from Luzern to Alpnachstad but you can also get here by boat then took the cogwheel train up (the worlds steepest apparently) I'd recommend coming back down via cable car to Kreins then taking the bus back to luzern. At the top you can easily fill up several hours having lunch and walking to the various view points. I'd recomend booking your round trip at the ticket office at HB because you get a 10.- voucher for the restaurant at the top, make sure you ask to go up via cogwheel from Alpnachstad and back down via cable car/gondolas to Kreins.

www.pilatus.ch

Schilthorn - I think this is my favourite so far, amazing views at the top of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, stunning scenery again which is standard, interesting trip up on the cable cars - lunch in the revolving restaurant is certainly worth a go although it did make me feel quite sick! I'd definitely recommend getting off at Müllen on the way back down and walking down to the next cable car, a lovely walk through the village and beautiful views.

http://www.schilthorn.ch/

Titlis - Fantastic trip, took my parents here in June and it was weird to be in snow at the top when it was 30° + at the bottom. They have some sledging and inner tube snow activities which are good fun. The rotaiting cable car is novel but if like me you find the rotating restaurant sickly you'll find this odd also!

www.titlis.ch

Santis - probably my least favourite of them all but still an amazing day out, nothing really much to say about this extra really, cable car up and down so no alternative routes etc.. apart from hiking up or down!! Nice restaurant at the top and amazing views. I'd recommend while you are in this area going to Appenzeller also as its only a stones throw away and is a lovely town

http://www.saentisbahn.ch/pages/d/

Hope this helps

Nicky

I would like to know how long it will take to Mt. Titlis?

It's about 15-20 hours from San Jose...

I would guess more than that even. 45 minute drive to SFO from San Jose and the last time I looked, there were no direct flights to Zurich. Add in security checks and you are probably looking at closer to 24 hours.

But, once you get to Zurich, it's a 2:08 train ride to Engelberg and then a 45 minute ride up to the Titlis.

I preferred Rigi (last Sunday) to Pilatus (6 weeks ago).

But the best one so far was Jungfraujoch (3 weeks ago). I am receiving strong hints to go back there, which I don't mind doing.

But is there anywhere else that will have snow at this time of year until end September?

Oh, a further proviso is no cable cars or ski lifts, etc. Only trains are allowed. The person doing the hinting has a fear of cable cars and is not round for long enough for me to spend time working on the fear.

TIA for any advice.

I think they are all great options, especially if it is a clear day. It may be worth waiting till closer to the trip and check out the webcams or weather reports to see which is likely to have good weather. makes all the difference. I have been up Rigi in the fog and can see nothing (and guests were a bit cold and less excited...), and then on a clear day and it is great... have fun!

I don't think I emphasised enough that there has to be snow .

You could try the Gornergat from Zermatt. Pretty well snow all year. Train from Zermatt right to the top.

http://www.gornergrat.ch/home/

Another really good trip is the steam train to the Brienz Rothorn. Snow is unlikely at the top but it is a great trip nevertheless. Stunning views across the lake to the Alps.

http://www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch/?lang=en

Rod