Switzerland road trip

[Anonymous]

We’re planning a 3 week trip with our 7, 9, and 11 year old and have 5 days between Lyon and Nice. We’d love to rent a car and drive the Alps. Does anyone have favorite small towns that are good for kids? We usually rent Airbnbs but we’re open to staying in a resort. Any must do activities or experiences? Restaurants? Send me all of the recommendations please!

[Anonymous]

What time of year?

[Anonymous]

Why drive instead of the train?

[Anonymous]

July and good point- we could train. We usually like the flexibility of having a rental car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:July and good point- we could train. We usually like the flexibility of having a rental car.

A lot of the small alpine towns are carless.

[Anonymous]

We literally took the train all around the country. It was great.

[Anonymous]

I think train would be a better option. Some small towns have a few options for parking a car or cannot even be reached by a car (eg you reach Wengen and Murren by cog rail). With young children, you should definitely look at the family pass. Also, if you have a family pass, I think it means that the children can go up to Jungfraujoch free (it’s usually about $200 per person). I don’t think you would make it up to the Bernie Overland given you only have five days but you could check whether there’s any other incentives further down in the south.

[Anonymous]

Train it is- thank you

[Anonymous]

You don't want a car. Alpine driving takes focus and concentration, and you'll have to figure out where you can park. Speed enforcement is bothersome if you're not always attentive to changing limits. Trains are perfect - frequent, clean, go pretty much everywhere, and leave literally on the dot when scheduled.

Consider taking the cablecar to Piz Gloria at the summit of the Schilthorn. you can usually see the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, and there's a 360 degree rotating restaurant there. It's a close destination if you stay in Wengen, Murren, or in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Also, it's not too far from Interlaken, where there are lake steamers which may appeal.

In the French-speaking part of Switzerland, the Chocolate Train which runs between Montreux and Broc is a good option, as is a visit to Gruyeres to visit a cheese factory (La Maison du Gruyere). Speaking of Montreux, the Chateau du Chillon is a famous lakeside castle, nearby in Veytaux.

[Anonymous]

Very helpful- thank you!