LGBooker

Is there any reason we should not rent a car at the Geneva airport and drive to Interlaken in late April/early May?

TIA!

Florence

Bonjour LGBooker,

Just make sure you don't find yourself trying to get out of the airport parking around rush hour (5-7 PM) or worse, on the freeway around Bern at approximately the same time frame. Congestion can be really horrible.

Beware the very aggressive drivers between Geneva and Lausanne, stay in the right lane. Also don't try to speed (limit = 120 km / hour on the freeway, 80 on main roads, 50 in towns), they're putting more and more radars.

Take gas and shop for groceries in stations outside the freeway, since prices will be much lower. You can however shop at the Migros (one of the 2 main groceries chains in Switzerland) inside the train station, the prices are the same as their other stores.

OTO, I'm sure others will find good reasons why you should take the train

_jinx_

If you are not in a great hurry and want to see some beautiful scenery, drive around the lake to Montreux and Aigle--then take 11 by way of Gstaad. One of the primo drives in Europe.

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover

nessundorma

Just the usual reasons in a country with such an excellent rail system.

Intrepid1

I would add that "the" answer might also depend on what you are planning to do with that car after you get to Interlaken. If you feel the absolute need for a car then take the train from the Geneva airport station and rent a car IN Interlaken.

Intrepid1

You can also do the route suggested by Ms. Hoover above by rail..that way EVERYBODY in the car actually gets to enjoy the scenery.

swandav2000

Hi LGBooker,

I'm here to jump on the "train" bandwagon. Did you know that there is a train station next door to the Genenva airport? Look at the schedules at www.rail.ch (use "Geneva airport" as your departure point).

Have fun!

s

LGBooker

Ok, you all have convinced me that rail is the way to go. Now I need to decide if we need a railpass. Here is our (rough) itinerary...thoughts? I am thinking the 4 say Swiss Pass might save us a few headaches.

Friday night- Arrive in Geneva and take train to Thun (anyone familiar with Hotel Restaurant Panorama?)

Saturday morning- check out Thun
Saturday afternoon- train to Interlaken, picked up for skydive!
Saturday evening- train back to Thun

Sunday- Day trip to Grindelwald

Monday- ?
Leave from Geneva in the evening

As always, thank you for your help!

swandav2000

Hi LGBooker,

I don't think your trips will merit a full Pass, maybe only the Half Fare Card. Have you priced out the trips at the SBB? I suggest you do that or put your itinerary into www.railsaver.com.

Have fun!

s

cod

Hi LG Booker. If I were you, I would certainly rent the car. There is no bother in driving from Geneva to Interlaken, there is a motorway nearly all the way, and plenty of signposts. I suppose if you are on your own, you may want to look at cost. Anyway, we had a car full of teenagers last year, and rented a car in Geneva, and went to Grindelwald. We just like the freedom to go where we want, when we want, with what baggage we want, even for a day trip. Personally, I'ld rent the car if there were two or more. Good luck.

Intrepid1

I'd rent a car, too..if I could get someone else to drive it and I still don;t think it will be much good at your final destination but to each their own.