Join us on a scenic train journey from Switzerland Basel to Grindelwald, exploring the charming Swiss town, stocking up at Coop Supermarket, and savoring a festive Christmas dinner at Hotel Glacier Grindelwald. A perfect family adventure in the Swiss Alps! The perfect Family Itinerary Basel Switzerland!
Table of Contents
Pre-Travel Preparation and Tips
Transport
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As Switzerland is well known for their efficient public transportation, we decided not to drive this time round. We relied a lot on the door to door luggage transfer. Unlike in Japan, you will have to book at least 2 days in advance for this service. We paid more for their express service – e.g. collect in the morning from our departure hotel and the luggage will be delivered at night to our destination hotel. Reminder to keep per luggage below 23kg. We received a warning via email after pick up that our luggage was more than 23kg and that the luggage company has the right to refuse to transport.
- To determine whether a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card is more cost-effective for your itinerary, you’ll need to compare the prices of these passes with the cost of individual train tickets for each leg of your journey. You can use the SBB app to find out the fare. Swiss Half Fare Card turned out to make more economical sense for us.
- We took the Interlaken – Luzern Panoramic Trains. Remember to select the option for Half Fare to enjoy 50% off via the official website. As my kids are 1.5 and 4 years old, travelling on public transportation is free if accompanied by a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Holder. However, on Panoramic Trains, a separate fee and seat reservation are required. Hence, I paid for their seat reservation as well, just to ensure that we get to sit together. The most beautiful view (lake view) is in the direction of travel on the right hand side.
- Luggage storage is available at most train stations. We took the train from Grindlewald to Interlaken and stored our hand carry in the locker so that we can roam around Interlaken before our train to Luzern.
Logistics
- Food is not cheap (easily >CHF100 per meal). Luckily we brought along cup noodles and ready to eat food (e.g. korean cooked rice, pasta) and brought along a portable cooker. We might consider staying at a serviced apartment with kitchenette next time. The meat sold at the supermarket are quite well-priced.
- Coming from a tropical country where it’s hot year-round, this is our boys’ first winter adventure. We invested quite a bit in purchasing winter wear. Our go-to shops are Decathlon and Uniqlo, which offer a good and affordable range of winter clothing. Here are some tips on layering for cold weather:
- Base Layer: Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin. Thermal tops and leggings made of merino wool or synthetic materials work well.
- Middle Layer: Add an insulating layer to retain body heat. Fleece jackets or down vests are excellent choices.
- Outer Layer: Finish with a waterproof and windproof outer layer to protect against the elements. A good quality winter coat or jacket is essential.
- Accessories: Don’t forget gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks to protect extremities. Layering socks and wearing waterproof boots can also keep your feet warm and dry.
- Adjustable Layers: Choose layers that can be easily added or removed to regulate body temperature as needed.
- Fit and Comfort: Ensure that each layer fits well without being too tight or too loose, allowing for freedom of movement and proper insulation.
Attractions
- We visited a few mountains throughout our trip, and we only purchased the tickets on the day of the visit after looking at the weather conditions.
- We recommend visiting the Top of Europe – Jungfraujoch via the Eiger Express from Grindelwald and coming down the mountain via Kleine Scheidegg. We did a pit stop at Kleine Scheidegg, and we enjoyed it more here. It was way less crowded. We don’t ski and were satisfied just renting the toboggan and going up and down many times and admiring the sunset here. We then caught the last train back to Grindelwald.
Our First Long-Haul Adventure with Kids
We were very excited and dreadful at the same time about the trip as it’s our first long-haul trip with our boys – 18 months and 4 years old. Our travel history with the boys included short-haul flights to diverse destinations like Japan, Penang, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and even a memorable 6D5N Royal Caribbean Cruise. However, this time, we aimed to explore London for its shopping allure and Switzerland for the enchanting train rides through snowy mountains!
With hengboi2 turning 2, the aunty spirit in me sought to capitalize on the chance to save on one air ticket. Hence, London and Switzerland became the chosen kids friendly destinations for our family escapade. We proceeded to redeem all our air miles for three business class tickets. Read all about our miles strategy in this post.
We wanted to visit the renowned Christmas market in Basel. However, Singapore Airlines does not fly to Basel. Hence, we decided to explore and transit via London as well. Read about our winter adventure in London!
Flying in business class brought unexpected comforts, which were especially important with our lively boys. The spacious seating gave them plenty of room to move around and burn off some energy, making the whole journey smoother and more enjoyable. We were also thankful for the hospitality of the flight crew on board for being so patience with the boys. It was really miles well spent.
14 hours flight time flew by quickly. We landed at London Heathrow T2 in the evening and opted to stay overnight at the Sofitel London Airport at T5, for an early-morning departure to Basel from T5.
A Magical Day in Basel: Exploring Christmas Charms and Cultural Delights
The boys were buzzing with excitement despite only getting a few hours of sleep! Upon checking in at the airport for our flight to Basel, we were slapped with an expected cost. We were accustomed to Singapore Airlines’ baggage policy, which allows for consolidated weight, but British Airways operates differently. They have a strict limit of 23kg per piece of luggage, without the option to consolidate weight. It seemed impractical to pack four separate bags for our family of two adults and two kids. Our two suitcases were over 23kg each, landing us with an unexpected GBP 75 fee per bag.
Arrival at Basel EuroAirport
Our British Airways flight departed at 7:50 am. The hotel-to-airport trek took about 20 minutes on foot. We touched down in Basel at 10:25 am. EuroAirport, jointly operated by France and Switzerland and is just a 15-minute drive or a breezy 20-minute bus ride (Bus 50) from the city center. Ask for direction if you are not sure! We accidentally exited via the French exit. Luckily we eventually found the right way out.
We called for uber but the driver regused to proceed without a car seat, and we were charged with a cancellation fee of CHF8. We decied to opt for Airport Bus 50 which was free if you have a hotel booking confirmation, as the taxi fare was just way too expensive. Luckily the bus was spacious, allowing us to navigate easily with 2 large suitcases, 2 backpacks, 1 stroller and 2 active kids.
Minster and Old Town Charm
After we checked in to our hotel at Hotel Victoria Basel, we decided to start our tour of Basel as we only have one day here. We strolled over to the Basel Minster, a breathtaking Gothic cathedral that dominates the skyline. We explored the Old Town where we were surrounded by medieval buildings and cozy cafes. After that we strolled along the Rhine Promenade and absorb the scenic beauty of the river
Lunch at Alte Post
We stumbled upon a café that serves delicious cuisine such as pizza, pasta, and rösti. It’s one of the few cafés we’ve truly enjoyed during our 15-day trip. Even the boys enjoyed the food!
ALTE Post
Address: Centralbahnstrasse 21, 4051 Basel
www.altepostrestaurant.ch
Basel Christmas Market
As the sun begins to set, we made our way to the Basel Christmas Market, which was the main reason why we were in Basel. Located in the heart of the Old Town, the market is a festive spectacle with twinkling lights, festive music, and the aroma of seasonal treats. We explored stalls offering handcrafted ornaments, local delicacies, and unique gifts. The Basel Minster is illuminated against the night sky, creating a magical ambiance which put us in a festive mood
As it got quite cold, we returned to our hotel and prepared the ready-made food we had brought along for our boys, then settled in for the day. The foldable collapsible bowl was a lifesaver since it was so compact and convenient for traveling light without a car. We also brought along a portable cooker so that we can cook a simple meal for the boys on some nights.
Read about our stay at Hotel Victoria Basel!
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