My wife & I plan to travel in Switzerland in September. We are trying to avoid the prime tourist season, yet travel there before the onset of winter. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you.

Kit

I think it's a good idea, just moved some of my summer vacation to october for similar reasons.

great use of the thumbs down icon
September is usually good weather. So Just Do It

September is a good month for doing some stuff. it depends what.


dave

PS: Try usenet rec.travel.europe for this question a thousand times over.

hi Kitjv, September is my favorite month of the year here. If the weather stays mild, it's the perfect season for hiking - more fun because it's not as hot as in summer.

I agree, September is normally pretty nice here. A few tourist things shut down or reduce their hours in mid-September, but almost all remain open. If you need advice on travel / train passes, then see this thread: Travel Passes for Visitors.

Similar query, so bumping up this old thread, rather then cluttering the forum with new threads.
From what I could gleam from the discussions, is that first week of september is "shoulder" season, as vacations end on 31st August.
Now we will be driving into switzerland from Italy side(Livigno/bernina pass) on 31st august.
I am worried about being caught in holiday rush. We will definitely avoid the gotthard tunnel, and take furka pass instead.
We stay in Switzerland for 5 days around Lauterbrunnen area.
So how will be the roads in general. Clogged with traffic , or reasonably okay.
We intend to take paddle steamer rides on thun, and drive to valais, and I am hoping for low traffic on the roads since everybody will be in cities, which we will avoid

I don't think the roads will be clogged with cars, or at least not in the Lauterbrunnen area or Valais for that matter. School vacations in Switzerland end long before the 31st of August, most munchkins go back to school by next week. I don't think you will be facing Mumbai traffic in the Oberland, don't worry!

I cannot really speak for road traffic as I have used trains, but September is a good time to visit. I have been over there several times in September and found most places not too busy. I will be back over in September again this year

Thanks for your replies! A big relief, I must say.
That said, how is it scenery wise. Is everything autumn brown with fall colors, or is it green?
Will the waterfalls have much water, or is it like californian waterfalls which go trickly in september.

I would say that it depends on what you like.

Do you like mountain biking or hiking?

It is an awesome time to mountain bike or hike.

You could hike from Kandersteg over the Gemmi pass into Wallis.
It is a very beautiful hike.

Pre Gregorian calender, September was the 7th month, and was the height of summer, despite being 3/4's of the way through the year - you can't lose.

Alpine views are usually excellent in September as there is no haze. However, you'll be too early for the beautiful autumn colours. Waterfalls vary a lot during the year, and depend very much on rainfall in the previous week of so. Of course they are usually best in Spring, when snows are melting.