Switzerland Bike Tour Reviews (page 11)
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★★★★★ Cindy23 September 3, 2019We can't wait to schedule our next trip!!!
· Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
This was a trip of a lifetime. My husband and I have never done a bike tour before, and we were so impressed with Switzerland. It has to be one of the best countries to bike in--they have fresh spring water all over the countryside (see pic), bike route signs that are more visible than the street signs, and views that are absolutely breathtaking. I'm still trying to soak it all in and we went a month ago in July/August. My husband is a professional photographer so we stopped constantly to take pictures. Now on to more details...
We arrived a day early so we could rest and get used to the time change. We decided to fly into Zurich and take a train to Montreaux. We got a hotel right on the water--and it was SO worth it. Montreaux has a walking path all along Lake Geneva and it's just gorgeous. A great way to start your trip.
We brought our own helmets, pedals, and shoes. We figured it would be better on the hills to be able to push and pull. The tour company was willing to let us bring a suitcase and a backpack for luggage transport (we had the extra helmets and pedals). We opted for the hybrid bikes vs the e-bikes. My husband mountain bikes every day. I did about 80% of my training on a peloton stationary bike.
The first day of biking it takes awhile to get used to the bike and the signs. We got a little lost because of detours. We also weren't familiar with the maps provided. We thought we were supposed to stay on Route 9, but day 1 and 2 they had us going on route 59. We didn't realize this until we finally found our hotel the first day. Our luggage wasn't there yet at 5:00 so I highly recommend bringing something light to change in to so that you can shower if you beat your luggage.
Day 2 we basically just did route 59 until it met back up with route 9. The only booklet we had was for route 9 so I wasn't aware that it would be a 3500 foot ascent. We climbed...and climbed and climbed. The bike has plenty of gears though--so I just put it on the lowest gear and balanced going 2 mph. Gstaad was just gorgeous--as was Schoenreid. We LOVED the hotel there. They were amazing. Our luggage wasn't there yet but they greeted us with a warm towel and champagne.
We had a rain delay on day 3, but we ended up getting out by 11 that morning and we are glad we did. We saw some amazing views and only had to go a little over 20 miles--flat miles.
Day 4 we decided to skip the boat to Interlaken and just follow route 9--which added about 10 miles. The 4 lakes you bike along are just stunning. The water color is Caribbean blue! That day is relatively flat other than a pretty long climb up to a gorgeous waterfall. So worth it. We stayed in Wilen, but I would recommend going 2 extra miles and staying in Sarnen. There weren't any restaurants or anything in Wilen. We ate at our hotel--which was AMAZING though. We had a 2 course steak dinner. I've never had that before.
Day 5 we biked to Lucerne. It was a pretty easy day. Lower mileage and pretty flat. We took the advice from a previous review and stayed in Lucerne. I regretted it. It's a nice city--but it was so crowded and over priced compared to the serenity we enjoyed the other parts of the trip!!
Day 6 we started in Lucerne vs Zug which is 100km from Rapperswill. My husband convinced me to bike the entire thing since it was our last day. We did it! It wasn't easy but what a way to go out. The last climb into Lake Zermatt is a giver--but the view at the top of the hill is breathtaking.
We got alot better at reading the signs. Someone gave us a tip at the beginning--if you don't see a sign for awhile, you probably missed one--because there are so many. You definitely need to download maps.me and make sure you download all of the Switzerland maps (6) so you don't end up in an area you haven't downloaded yet when you need it. (day 1 for us!)
There was more of a language barrier than I expected. They spoke french the first day or two and then German. Many people in the country don't speak English; however they always seemed to know what "beer" was. :)
Things would have gone smoother if the travel documents had just a simple bullet point or two rather than an arrow buried in the map. We were so set on Route 9 that a simple note that told us to look for Route 59 here and here would have been really helpful. Every single time I emailed before the trip asking questions, the staff responded quickly. It was great. They are also pretty flexible so if you want to stay in one place vs another or want to spend a couple days in one city--let them know, chances are, they can probably accommodate your request. We upgraded to the Class A hotels and definitely recommend that. We also took everyone's advice and got sandwiches for lunch, so we could stop anytime we needed to. There were quite a few places along the way to grab a quick sandwich though. It seemed like kitchens closed 2-6. Coops will become your friend fast!
We definitely recommend this tour and we plan on possibly doing it again soon!!! SHOW MORE- What was the date of your tour?
- July 28-August 3
- How many tours have you completed?
- this was our first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
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★★★★★ Traveling Jackie November 28, 2018
Cycling doesn't get more beautiful than this!
· Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
I can still hear the cowbells! I thought I knew what to expect coming into this tour, but I completely underestimated almost everything about this trip. The scenery blew my mind every second, the hotels were MUCH better than I realized they'd be (Category A all the way), the hills were steeper, the fondue tastier, and the rejuvenation and "reset" for my well-being... I just didn't even realize how GOOD I would feel just from saying yes to this experience.
I loved it and would recommend making it longer if you can, add a day to the middle somewhere (possibly Lucerne) to allow yourself more time to soak in the beauty that is Switzerland. My only complaint is that it went too fast.
I've been on 3 bike tours and used a hybrid touring bike for each of them (I opted NOT to use an e-bike on this trip). This was definitely the most challenging itinerary I've experienced with a hybrid bike, but I would choose a hybrid again if given the chance to do it again, because I loved the challenge. If you aren't a strong rider, definitely get an e-bike, we are talking about the Swiss Alps!
I also recommend buying a picnic lunch everyday (there is a store called Coop that is found all along the route) because timing your hunger with open restaurants and backcountry trails is almost impossible. And the picnic views are unbeatable.
Also, be sure to download the Swiss Mobility app and I also recommend Maps.me, both work offline and with the two of them we found our way just fine. Definitely choose Category A hotels, don't think twice! Also I would skip Zug and stay in a different town instead. Find more tips and stories from my experience at https://travelingjackie.com/swiss-alps-by-bike/
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
Video: Swiss Alps by Bike: A MUST-DO For Adventure Lovers
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★★★★★ CarleyC November 16, 2018
Outstanding!
· Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
I didn't know how much I would fall in love with a trip by bike. In fact, I hadn't even been on a bike in years, but when your friend says "come to Switzerland and bike with me," you go. This region of Switzerland is so very beautiful, it wowed me at every turn. And if I was worried about biking over the ALPS, well, e-bike for the win. An electrically-assisted bike really made this trip for me, since I am not in biking shape. I was able to fly right up those alps with ~almost~ no problems at all (some are pretty steep). I am absolutely in love with the pace of a bike trip. Wind in your face and views all around, but can stop for a scenic vista or a cup of coffee whenever you like. I cannot recommend this route enough. If you are even considering it, just go. You will not regret it.
Having your luggage transported for you every day is great! You just take what you need with you for the day, and when you arrive at your hotel on the other end, your stuff is waiting for you. Also, we had one bad weather day, and we were able to send our bikes with the luggage with no problems, which was a treat. I highly recommend downloading the app of the route, it was very helpful for figuring out where we were at times. All in all, a stellar trip, and I would do the exact same trip again right now.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 30th
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
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★★★★★ apitzer October 19, 2017
· Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne
I went on a portion of this tour as a BikeTours.com staff member from Geneva to Lausanne and Vevey. The Lavaux Vineyards, on the Swiss side of Lake Geneva, are a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. The wine has been produced in this region since the 11th century. Alpine views and the stunning, clear Lake Geneva are other highlights. This level 2 tour is relatively flat with a few hilly sections up by the vineyards. You can experience Switzerland without having to pedal up mountains, and an e-bike makes the journey even more accessible for all. The Schweiz Mobil national network of cycling paths is well-maintained and clearly marked. In my 8 days of cycling, we were confused about signage only a handful of times. Be sure to plan for lunch or attractions before you begin cycling, as restaurants are generally only open from about 11:30 - 2:00 for lunch and they may not be able to serve lunch at 2:00. We had to do a lot of research ourselves about site-seeing, lunch stops, and directions to each point of interest along the way. Don't miss the Old City in Geneva, the Promenade du Lac with the famous Jet d'Eau (Jet of Water), the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, or Charlie Chaplin's estate in Vevey. The combination of the lake, vineyards, mountains, French-inspired cuisine and culture, and well-marked bike route make this tour a wonderful first tour in Switzerland.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 3, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
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★★★★★ Jim and Linda LoBue 10 months agoA rewarding challenge
· Lake Constance to Lake Maggiore
We knew that the ride would be a challenge for us, especially the climbs, but with the efficiently working e-bike assistance, we were able to make it work and that was a reward in itself. We have done multiple Europe tours through BikeTours and this was the first time that we followed an online map app. It worked very well. We were disappointed when we first arrived and realized that there would not be an orientation meeting with a live person. But, with the printed instructions and the app, it worked smoothly. A number of times during the tour we saw on our phone screen that we had made a wrong turn and were able to quickly correct the mistake and stay on track. The hotels were all first rate, with the exception of Buchs, where the hotel was undergoing extensive rehab work and we had to walk through construction zones to get to our room. Our only real complaint about the hotels was, with the exception of the Lugano hotel, they had no air conditioning. At least a fan would have helped us sleep better. But overall they were very nice and we were treated with fine hospitality. The scenery and the sites were amazing. It was a wonderful break from the sweltering California summer heat.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
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★★★★★ Dusty August 30, 2019Fun Way to See Switzerland
· Aare Cycle Route: Along the Jura, Aare, and Rhine Rivers
We enjoyed seeing Switzerland up close. Bike routes very well marked. The little towns were charming. We experienced beautiful scenery and very friendly people.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
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★★★★★ (Nancy) Bart Hemmerich July 24, 2023
Quaint Swiss Villages Among Majestic Alps
· Lake Constance to Lake Maggiore
After having just completed the Romantic Roads Tour, this tour was a perfect contrast - more focus on geography including huge glacial lakes, wide river basins, steep hillside farms and villages, and jagged Alp peaks with snow fields. This was a more challenging tour with added factors like very high temperatures a few days and very strong headwinds. Some of the gravel sections, particularly between Chur and Disentis were very tough for touring bikes so we have already suggested a road option. Hotels, restaurants and overall route were outstanding.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6 organized tours, many self-supported
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
