Switzerland 2 weeks In September

hi hilary
2 weeks in switzerland is more than most other visitors have. and usually september is a lovely month weather wise. but of course you shouldnt try to fit in to much.

a couple of inputs:
- look at www.sbb.ch for schedules of trains, boats etc.
- zürich airport to wädenswil is just 35 minutes
- visiting part of the 2 appenzell half cantons is certainly worth doing and is something that is not on the usual "tourist path". its just 2 hours by train from wädenswil, so not too far
- you can hike and cycle almost everywhere in switzerland
- lucerne would probably be my "must stay" place (and it is very touristy)
- which places you visit, depends on you. there is no right or wrong. going to zermatt is not unreasonable, but visiting all the places you mention would be too much in my opinion. personally, i would stay in gimmelwald or mürren for 3 nights.
- 2 nights wädenswil, 2 nights appenzell, 3 nights lucerne, 2 nights mürren or gimmelwald, 2 nights zermatt, 2 nights between zermatt and geneva - thats what i would do with the places you mention and your time frame (and in that order mentionned, which makes the most sense).

Hi, a few comments:

• Of course, I don't know if your flight plans are already made, but Zurich might be more convenient as an arrival point given the Wadenswil connection. In my personal view, Zurich is a nicer city than Geneva also so, even if just for the evening before the flight back, it is nice to walk around. Also Zurich is now only about 3 and a quarter hours from Zermatt by train with only one transfer.

• I haven't been to Appenzell, so can't really comment on it other than it takes you a bit out of the way from other things. (I realize this is obvious!)

• I think two nights for Lucerne is fine. Although again, I have not done it, my guess is that Pilatus will pale in comparison to what you will see if you do indeed go to the Berner Oberland and Zermatt (see below).

• I am a fan of Muerren - it is a little town with a fabulous view across the valley. You can do some hikes from there for sure. Just be aware that it isolates you a little bit from some of the other fabulous places around there. If you are in that area I would hope you get a chance to get to Kleine Scheidegg, which is right at the base of the Jungfrau, Moench and Eiger (a bit overcrowded for sure), Maennlichen, which is accessible by cablecar and offers beautiful views, and also the First lift that goes out of Grindelwald and offers different and also spectacular views (also a hike to Bachalpsee and then the Faulhorn). I mention these things because you mention hiking and I think you would enjoy them. All of this is not in any way excluded by staying in Muerren, just be aware that to go to these other places you will need to get on the train/funicular and then come back. It all depends on what you are looking for. Muerren is a wonderful little village, Grindelwald is more lively (with cars allowed, unlike Muerren) with more shopping, etc. (I have not stayed in Gimmelwald; it is lower on the mountain, so I would think the views would not be quite as good as those from Muerren.)

• I think it is a great idea to see Zermatt. If you do, keep in mind a trip to the Gornergrat (and a hike some of the way down) and also as a day trip, Saas Fee, which is just beautiful in autumn and in some ways even more beautifully situated than Zermatt. (But the Matterhorn is a must see if you like mountains!).

Make sure you look into a rail pass of some kind. check out the sbb website.

Sounds like a great trip!