Eurail would probably be the best option, esp. if you intend to continue to London (more below). Otherwise half-fare card + individual tickets if you intend to go to mountain peaks such as Jungfraujoch.
Some advice in chronological order :
Between Zurich and Grindelwald travel via Lucerne even if it takes an hour longer, it's a beautiful route.
Grindelwald is fairly small and isn't worth more than half a day unless you're skiing. Same thing could be said for the whole area. Interlaken is a base for the region and not worth visiting.
Lauterbrunnen - Wengen and Lauterbrunnen - Grütschalp - Mürren are now fully included in Eurail.
You get 25% discount on Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn if you intend to visit a high-altitude peak.
March could have winter or spring weather, don't expect much snow unless you go high up (currently everything has melted...) but rather muddy/brown landscapes.
Have a look at the boat timetables, I don't think they run often in winter (maybe once a day on Lake Thun?). They are fully included in Eurail so that's cool.
The Eurail Global Pass would allow you to travel to London but you'll need to add seat reservations on high-speed trains : 10-20€ within France and 30€ for Eurostar (passholder quota on this one so book well in advance).
To avoid the station transfer by RER in Paris it's better to take a TGV from Strasbourg to Paris-Est. Then it's a 10 min walk to Gare du Nord, have a margin and eat something in Paris. :)
You must arrive 45 min in advance at Paris Gare du Nord as there are passport & security controls before boarding the Eurostar. This system is pretty unique in Europe.
On Day 5 do you have to go back to Zurich ? The fastest route towards London would be via Basel. For example :
- IC61 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB 06:30 - 08:32
- TER Basel SBB - Strasbourg 08:51 - 10:09
- TGV Strasbourg - Paris-Est 10:47 - 12:35
- 10 min walk + lunch break
- Eurostar Paris-Nord - London St. Pancras 15:12 - 16:30
Also possible to leave later with a later arrival. :)
Thank you @thibcabe
As you said and I just figured that in April Grindelwald may be covered in Snow, also that Interlaken not worth visiting.
Day 5 Zurich because I assumed that is the only exit point.
While someone suggested Locarno to be one place that wount be under the snow in late March/ April,
I’ve also been told be some travellers that Austria is a similar and more budget friendly option than Switzerland. Would you be able to suggest some places there, which are ideally not snow covered and are worth visiting like in the above itinerary . Do Austrain trains have a similar network as Swiss trains and are they covered under such passes?
Would it be better to take a plane from Zurich to london? Its just a little more money but less fuss. The idea of changing trains with luggage seems troublesome.
Day 5 Zurich because I assumed that is the only exit point.
Switzerland is very well connected and has many rail lines crossing its borders.
While someone suggested Locarno to be one place that wount be under the snow in late March/ April,
Locarno is highly unlikely to have any snow. The average temperature in March is 13 degrees and in April 17 degrees. It's more likely to have spring weather.
Would it be better to take a plane from Zurich to london? Its just a little more money but less fuss. The idea of changing trains with luggage seems troublesome.
That entirely depends on how you organise it. Don't take too much luggage. Changing trains at some point is inevitable, also if you intend to fly.
Thank you @rvdborgt
Would you have any suggestions on traveling to some scenic place in Austria for a 4 day trip in April? Would the connectivity from Munich to Austria be good?
