Honestly, for this trip we spent around MYR9XXX/person (including return flight tickets and accommodation). All the trains and accommodation booking were pre-booked 3-4 months in advance. Our budget wasn’t very impressive, so this trip definitely belongs to the “budget travelers”.
Before we book the flight tickets, we’ve decided that the best starting point would be London (UK) since the flight tickets from Penang → Singapore → London was quite reasonable for both of us. For independent travelers who don’t like to use local travel agents, and prefer to plan your own itinerary like us, this post is for you.
Day 1: 23 March 2018 (Friday) ● LONDON (UNITED KINGDOM)
Penang (PEN - Penang Intl) → Singapore (SIN - Changi) via Silk Air SQ5345 Singapore (SIN - Changi) → London (LHR - Heathrow) via Singapore Airlines SQ318
PM: Arrive London Heathrow Airport
PM: Take uber to YHA London St Pancras - Hostel, London and check-in
PM: Take bus 10/390 to Soho and dinner at Burger & Lobster Bistro
Day 2: 24 March 2018 (Saturday) ● LONDON (UNITED KINGDOM)
AM: Breakfast at YHA London St Pancras - Hostel, London
AM: Take underground from King Cross St Pancras (Northern line towards Morden)→Westminster (Circle line towards Edgware Road) via Monument and walk to Westminster Abbey
AM: Walk to Big Ben and stop by London Telephone Booth along the way
AM: Walk to Buckingham Palace for Changing of the Guard Ceremony (from Big Ben 16-20 mins walk and pass by St James Park)
AM: Victoria Memorial
PM:Walk from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square (15 mins walk)
PM: Stop by Admiralty Arch for photo taking
PM: Take underground from Charing Cross -Trafalgar Square (Northern line towards Morden) to Waterloo underground station
PM: Lunch at Giraffe World Kitchen, Southbank for London Fish & Chips
PM: Coca-Cola London Eye and watch view of Big Ben & House of Parliament from CJD Memorial PlaquePM: Walk back towards Coca-Cola London Eye to Borough Market (along the way to London and Tower Bridge) – must try Fish!Kitchen London fish & chips
PM: London Bridge (walk to Tower Bridge 13-15mins walk)
PM: Tower Bridge & Tower of London
Day 3: 25 March 2018 (Sunday) ● LONDON (UNITED KINGDOM) / PARIS (FRANCE)
AM: Breakfast at YHA London St Pancras - Hostel, London
AM: Take underground from King Cross St Pancras (Northern line) → St. Paul's (Central
line) (via Bank)
AM: Walk along St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul’s Churchyard and Cannon Street
AM: Kings Cross Station London, Platform 9 ¾ Harry Potter Shop
AM: Check-out from YHA London St Pancras and depart from St. Pancras International Railway Station to Paris Gare Du Nord (11.31am-14.47pm)
** Note: To arrive 45mins before departure for custom clearance
PM: Arrive Paris Gare Du Nord and check-in Sylvain Et Dalila’s Home (Airbnb)
PM: Take Metro Line 6 from Sèvres Lecourbe → St-Michel Notre Dame (direction towards Porte de Clignancourt. Connection via Gare Montparnasse Metro Line 4
PM: Notre-Dame de Paris and dinner nearby
PM: The Louvre and Paris city night view via Uber
Day 4: 26 March 2018 (Monday) ● PARIS (FRANCE)
AM: Breakfast at Sylvain Et Dalila Home
AM: Take Metro Line 6 from Sèvres Lecourbe → Trocadero (direction towards Charles de Gaulle Etoile)
AM: Photoshoot at Trocadero with Airbnb Photographer Richard
AM: Stroll around Pont d’léna and Quai Branly for Eiffel Tower view and lunch
PM: Walk to Bir-Hakeim station (near to Champs De Mars) for Line 6 metro to
Charles de Gaulle Etoile. Walk to Arc de Triomphe
PM: Shopping along Av. Des Champs-Elysées
PM: Walk to Jardin des Tuileries
PM: Walk to Carrousel Arc de Triomphe and Musée du Louvre
PM: Groceries shopping at Franprix afternoon tea (escargot) at Le Louchebem (French Restaurant) around Rue Berger area (10-15 mins walking from Musée du Louvre)
PM: Take Metro Line 1 from Palais Royal Musée du Louvre (towards La Dèfense) to Bir-Hakeim (Champs De Mars). Interchange at Charles de Gaulle Etoile for Line 6
PM: Dinner at Iolanda (pizza restaurant) and walk to Champs De Mars (5-10 minutes’ walk) for classic picture of Eiffel Tower for night view of Eiffel Tower
Day 5: 27 March 2018 (Tuesday) ● PARIS (FRANCE) / INTERLAKEN (SWITZERLAND)
AM: Breakfast at Sylvain Et Dalila’s home and depart to Paris Orly Airport via Uber
AM: Depart from Paris Orly Airport to Geneve, Switzerland (approx. 1 hour 5 minutes)
AM: Arrive Geneva Airport, Switzerland
PM: Depart from Geneve Airport to Spiez Schiffstation – Interchange at Bern Station (approx. 2hr 52 minutes)
PM: Stop at Spiez Schiffstation for Lake Thun Boat Cruise (for approx. 1 hour) (direction from Spiez to Thun)
PM: Arrive Thun Bahnhof. Depart from Thun Bahnhof to Interlaken West Railway Station (approx. 45 minutes)
PM: Arrive Interlaken West Railway Station
PM: Check-in Hirschen, Hauptstrasse 11, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland
PM: Wander around Town Centre (main street and the streets north of the main street leading to the river) + Dinner + Shop at Migros
**Note: Some hotels provide a free pass to use the local bus service
Day 6: 28 March 2018 (Wednesday) ● INTERLAKEN / GRINDELWALD (SWITZERLAND)
AM: Breakfast at Hirschen
AM: Check-out from Hirschen, Hauptstrasse 11, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland to Interlaken Ost Station
AM: Interlaken Ost Station --- (by train) --->Lauterbrunnen --- (by cable car) --- > Grütschalp --- (by train) ---> Mürren --- (walk to Mürren (Schilthornbahn) to take cable car) approx. 5-8 minutes --- > Brig and Schilthorn
AM: Explore Schilthorn Piz Gloria View, Bond World, 007 Walk of Fame, IGL007, Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk
PM: Schilthorn → Mürren (by cable car). Explore Mürren, picture perfect villages in the Swiss Alps along the way to catch a train (approx. 5-8 minutes’ walk).
PM: Mürren --- (by train)---> Grütschalp --- (by cable car)---> Lauterbrunnen
PM: Collect luggages and take train to Grindelwald Lauterbrunnen ---(by train) ---> Zweilütschinen <direction towards Interlaken Ost> --- (by train) ---> Gridelwald – train duration approx. 42 minutes
PM: Arrive Gridelwald Railway Station and walk to Jungfrau Lodge, Swiss Mountain Hotel
PM: Walk to Dorfstrasse shooping area, shop at Coop Supermarkt Grindelwald and Dinner at Tea n Take Away (pizzas)
PM: Explore the villages in Gridelwald by local bus 121
**Note: Some hotels provide a free pass to use the local bus service
**Note: You may drop / store your baggage(s) at Lauterbrunnen / Mürren stations (on your way up to Grütschalp. It’s FREE of charge
**Note: The cable car leaves Mürren for Brig and Schilthorn every half hour
Day 7: 29 March 2018 (Thursday) ● GRINDELWALD / LUCERNE (SWITZERLAND)
AM: Breakfast at Jungfrau Lodge
AM: Depart from Grindelwald Railway Station to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
**Note: the Jungfrau Travel Pass can be purchased at any train / railway station. Please take note that the Jungfrau Travel Pass is a separate pass from the Swiss Travel Pass. You can purchase the Jungfrau Travel Pass with a discounted rate of 25% with the Swiss Travel Pass AM: Board the train from Gridelwald Railway Station --- (by train) ---> Kleine Scheidegg --- (by train, Jungfraubahn) ---> Jungfraujoch. Train duration approx. 1 hour 10 minutes
AM: Arrive Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe station hall. Always follow the “TOUR” symbol. Explore: Jungfrau Panorama cinematic experience, Sphinx Terrace, Alpine Sensation hall, Ice Palace, Glacier Plateau (view of Jungfrau and Aletsch Glacier)
PM: Board the train from Jungfraujoch station hall --- (by train) ---> Kleine Scheidegg --- (by train) ---> Gridelwald Railway Station
PM: Check-out from Jungfrau Lodge
PM: Depart to Lucerne from Gridelwald Railway Station --- (by train)---> Interlaken Ost ---(by train) ---> Bern ---(by train) ---> Lucerne (Train duration 2 hours 42 minutes)
PM: Groceries shopping and Dinner at Migros, Lucerne Hbf
PM: Take bus 4 from Lucerne Hbf to ibis budget Luzern City
Day 8: 30 March 2018 (Friday) ● LUCERNE / ZURICH (SWITZERLAND)
AM: Breakfast at ibis budget Luzern City
AM: Stroll around old town. Visit: Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Jesuit Church, Franciscan Church, Museggmauer & Türme (Town Walls and Towers), Spreuerbrücke, Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument)
AM: Take bus 1 / 7 from Lucerne Hbf to Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument)
AM: Take bus 4 from Lucerne Hbf to ibis budget Luzern City
AM: Check-out from ibis budget Luzern City. Take bus 4 to Lucerne Hbf
AM: Depart to Zürich Hbf from Lucerne Hbf (train duration 52 minutes)
PM: Arrive Zürich Hbf and check-in Hotel Bristol Zurich (5 mins walk from Zürich Hbf)
PM: Stroll along River Limmat. Visit: Lindenhof Square, St. Peter Evangelical Church, Schlüsselgasse shopping street , Münsterbrücke Bridge, Wasserkirche Church, Fraumünster Church
PM: Shop for souvenirs at Teddy's Souvenir Shop AG
PM: Stroll at Quaibrücke Bridge (Limmat)
PM: Dinner at Sternen Grill, Bellevuepl
PM: Enjoy shopping street – Bahnhofstrasse via tram
Day 9: 31 March 2018 (Saturday) ● ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) / SALZBURG
(AUSTRIA)
AM: Breakfast at Hotel Bristol Zurich and check-out
AM: Depart from Zurich to Salzburg Hbf (train journey approx. 6 hours)
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our train was delayed. And we departed from Zurich Hbf at 9:40am via Zurich → Bludenz (train); Bludenz → Otztal (bus); Otztal → Salzburg (train)
PM: Arrived Salzburg at 4:03pm
PM: Check-in Gasthof Auerhahn and refresh (Bahnhofstraße 15, Salzburg, Salzburg Stadt, Salzburg, Austria, 5020)
PM: Staatsbrücke Salzburg (bridge)
PM: Mozart’s Birthplace and Getreidegasse shopping street
PM: Residenz
PM: Franciscan Church Salzburg, Collegiate Church Salzburg and Salzburg Cathedral + Domplatz
PM: Dinner at Nordsee along Getreidegasse area
Day 10: 1 April 2018 (Sunday) ● SALZBURG AND HALLSTATT (AUSTRIA)
AM: Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Salzburg
AM: City Hall, Salzburg
AM: Getreidegasse shopping street, Salzburg
AM: Check-out from Gasthof Auerhahn
AM: Depart from Salzburg Hbf to Hallstatt Bahnhof (train journey approx. 2 hours 40mins) PM: Arrive Hallstatt Bahnhof. And board on ferry to Ferry Terminal Hallstatt Marktplatz PM: Check-in Gasthof Weisses Lamm, Dr. F. Mortonweg 166, 4830 Hallstatt
PM: Aussichtspunkt Hallstatt for Classic Village Viewpoint / Postcard Angle
PM: Evangelische Pfarrkirche Hallstatt
PM: Marktplatz
PM: Stroll around Seestraße
PM: Walk to Salt mine Hallstatt
Day 11: 2 April 2018 (Monday) ● MUNICH (GERMANY)
AM: Check-out Gasthof Weisses Lamm, Dr. F. Mortonweg 166, 4830 Hallstatt
AM: Depart from Hallstatt Lahn (Bus Terminal) to Salzburg Hbf via bus 543, 542 and 150 (journey approx. 2 hours, 10 minutes) AM: Depart from Salzburg Hbf to München Hbf (via Bayern ticket) (journey approx. 1 hour 52 minutes)
PM: Check-in Helvetia Hotel Munich City Center
PM: Stroll around Karlsplatz and Kaufingerstrasse / Burgersaalkirche / St Peter’s Church / Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) PM: Marienplatz / New Town Hall / Alter Peter (old Pete)
PM: Munich Residenz / Bayerische Staatskanzlei (State Government Office) / Dianatempel PM: Feldherrnhalle / Hofkapelle / Odeonsplatz
PM: Dinner at Asiahung at München Hbf
Day 12: 3 April 2018 (Tuesday) ● FÜSSEN AND MUNICH (GERMANY)
AM: Depart from München Hbf (via Bayern ticket) to Füssen (to Neuschwanstein Castle)
** Note: Interchange at Buchloe within 8 minutes. Allow approximately 2.5 hours to get to Neuschwanstein from München Hbf
AM: Arrive Füssen Bahnhof and take bus 78 / 73 in the direction of Schwangau and stop at Hohenschwangau / Alpseestraße (10minutes ride). Then hike up (40minutes) to
Neuschwanstein Castle PM: Neuschwanstein Castle and Marienbrücke (bridge)
PM: Take bus 78 / 73 to Füssen Bahnhof for train back to München Hbf
*Note: Please note that trains from Füssen Bahnhof → München Hbf departs every hourly. Train from Füssen operates from 11:05am till 22:36
Füssen Bahnhof
|
Change at:
|
München Hbf
|
15:05
|
Kaufbeuren
|
17:10
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16:04
|
direct
|
18:05
|
17:05
|
Buchloe
|
19:17
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18:06
|
direct
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20:05
|
PM: Dinner at Asiahung and last minute shopping at München Hbf
PM: Depart from München Hbf to Amsterdam Centraale (mid-night DB train at 00:01 ) **Note: Interchange at Köln Hbf within 34 minutes at 05:12 (4 April). Train journey approx.: 9hr 28mins
Day 13: 4 April 2018 (Wednesday) ● AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS)
AM: Arrive Amsterdam Centraale at 09:28
AM: Stroll around Amsterdam Centraale Station for morning break & Amsterdam GVB public transport travel tickets and Tourist Information Centre
AM: Take bus 347 towards Uithoorn to Amstelveen (Shanti’s house)
PM: Unpack and refresh, take bus to Amsterdam Centraale
PM: Stroll around the canals, Dam and Jordaan neighbourhood
PM: Red Light District, sex shops and bars
PM: Shopping and Photo at Damrak, near Rederij Plas
PM: Dinner at home
Day 14: 5 April 2018 (Thursday) ● AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS)
AM: Take bus to Amsterdam Centraale Station
AM: Take Rnet-bus 391 to Zaandam Zaanse Schans at platform “E” at Amsterdam bus station IJzijde (facing Amsterdam Ferry Terminal). Bus fare approx. EUR11.50/return and journey is approx.45 minutes from Amsterdam Centraale
AM: Stroll aroundZaanse Schans traditional houses, windmills, warehouses and workshops, De Zaanse Schans Clog Workshop, Catharina Hoeve cheese farm, Henri Willig Kaas B.V. cheese farm and store
AM: Take Rnet-bus 391 back to Amsterdam Centraale
PM: Take the Keukenhof Gardens Tour from Get Your Guide counter at Tourist Information Centre (From Amsterdam: Keukenhof Entry Ticket and Transfers at EUR36/pax)
PM: To board the bus to Keukenhof, first take the free ferry from Central Station in the direction of "Buikslotermeer” to A'DAM Lookout (opposite Amsterdam Central Station) on the IJ. It is only a 3-minute ferry ride to the opposite side, from where it's a 1-minute walk to the A'DAM Lookout. Our bus departs at 14:00. Direct bus journey is approx. 55 minutes. PM: Depart from Keukenhof Gardens at 18:00
PM: Arrive A'DAM Lookout and take ferry ride back to Amsterdam Centraale
PM: Dinner at Pancakes Amsterdam and stroll around canals and Red Light District
For more info for our trip to Zaandam Zaanse Schans: http://www.bus391.nl/
For more info for our trip to Keukenhof Gardens: https://www.getyourguide.com/
Day 15: 6 April 2018 (Friday) ● AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS)
AM: Take train from Amsterdam Centrale to Steenwijk (train journey is approx. 1hr 40mins). Then take bus 70 (tickets can be bought from the bus driver towards direction: Zwartsluis) and stop at Hylkemaweg (bus journey is approx. 10 minutes). Bus will stop you at the opposite street, cross the road and it’s just 2 minutes’ walk to where the boats dock. Be sure to get on a boat!
AM: Hop on Giethoorn self-drive electric engine steering wheel boat (approx. 1 hour boat rental at EUR22.50)
PM: Stroll around Giethoorn village
PM: Depart from Giethoorn village → Steenwijk (by bus 70) → Amsterdam Centrale (by train)
PM: Take tram B5 to Rijksmuseum from Amsterdam Centrale. Take photo in front of “I AMSTERDAM” classic sign
PM: Shopping at Hard Rock Café and Max Euweplein
PM: Stroll around Leidseplein Square / Leidseplein Theater
PM: Dinner at Wok to Walk, Leidsestraat 96
PM: Groceries shopping (stroopwafel) at Albert Heijn Koningsplein
PM: Manneken Pis Fries (Voted Number 1 in Holland) at Damrak
PM: Final shopping at Damrak, near Rederij Plas
Day 16: 7 April 2018 (Saturday) ● AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS)
AM: Breakfast at home
AM: Depart from Amstelveen (Shanti’s house) to Schiphol Airport for flight Amsterdam (AMS - Schiphol Airport) → Singapore (SIN - Changi) via Singapore Airlines SQ323
Singapore (SIN - Changi) → Penang (PEN - Penang Intl) via Silk Air SQ5346
Interlaken – here’s the first spot of our Swisscation! So, we flew into Switzerland (Geneva) from Paris Orly via EasyJet and took the train to Interlaken.
Interlaken is one of our favourite places in Switzerland. We spent only one-day in Interlaken. I would suggest you to stay more than one day, if your schedule and budget allows! The scenery in this region is absolutely stunning. It’s so stunning that it is hard to believe that the scenery around you is real. (P/S: We traveled to Interlaken during late winter – end of March)
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| Interlaken-Lake Thun is one of our favourite place in Swiss |
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| Lake Thun is surrounded by a fabulous mountain scenery, a myriad of cozy villages |
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| The turquoise Lake Thun are situated in the spectacular mountain setting |
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| Cruising along Lake Thun |
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| Lake Thun near Interlaken is one of the best lakes for enjoying cruise boat excursions in Switzerland |
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| Fabulous mountain scenery |
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| Fabulous mountain scenery |
Cruising along the water was so breathtaking, peaceful and of course the views are spectacular, combine the pureness of the turquoise blue ice glacier water and the roughness of the majestic snowy mountains surrounding the lake. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass then the cruise is free. The boat journey lasted for 50 minutes and we disembarked the boat at Thun and took the train back to Interlaken West (journey was about 28 minutes from Thun).
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| Unforgettable moments on Lake Thun |
We personally did not have sufficient time exploring Interlaken, maybe someday we’ll get the chance to return (with #hangboy of course!)
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| Interlaken Ost Station |
The best part of the Swiss Pass is that you can hop onto any train without going through the process of buying tickets at the train station counters.
Accommodation(s):
INTERLAKEN (SWITZERLAND)
Hirschen
Address: Hauptstrasse 11, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland
Tel: +41 33 822 15 45
Room type: Double Room with two Extra Beds
Room price: CHF 187 / 1 night for 4 adults including taxes and service fee
Booking site: Booking.com
Nearest Station: Interlaken West / Interlaken Ost, Bus 104/105
Where to Book Your Train Tickets / Itinerary:
SWISS TRAVEL PASS for 4 Days
Covers local train / tram / bus / boat / ferry / mountain railway / cable car in 75 cities in Switzerland and free admission to selected museums
Fares: CHF270 / person (2nd class)
Booking site: https://www.swiss-pass.ch/
**Note: Book online and print your e-pass according to their standard requirement
JUNGFRAU –TOP OF EUROPE Tickets and Connections
Connections: Gridelwald Railway Station → Jungfraujoch (via Kleine Scheidegg)
Train journey: Approx. 1 hour 10 minutes
Fares: CHF142.60 / person (2nd class return ticket)
Booking site: https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/
**Note: The Jungfrau Travel Pass can be purchased at any train / railway station. Please take note that the Jungfrau Travel Pass is a separate pass from the Swiss Travel Pass. Show the counter receptionist your Swiss Travel Pass for your 25% off entitlement
TRAIN: Genève Airport → Interlaken West / Ost
Train Journey: 2 hour 56 minutes
Note: Interchange at Bern within 8 minutes
Fares: Swiss Travel Pass 4 days (2nd class): 270CHF/person
Booking site: https://www.swiss-pass.ch/
Note: All entrance / transportation fees and accommodation rates/charges listed on this post are based on our (chengywong.blogspot.com) travel dates (2018) and therefore subject to change(s). ©chengywong.blogspot.com is not responsible for content on external web sites.
“Travel teaches tolerance” – Benjamin Disraeli
Welcome
to Small World! This blog is not a travel agency, but rather a personal
site which allows us to share our past travel experiences in a
straightforward and far-reaching way. We often made great use of other
peoples travel blogs and sites every time we plan for our travel
itinerary as they often contained most updated information and
invaluable resources from their past travel experiences. We hope that
you will find every piece of information & images contained within
our blog handy and useful. Thank you very much for reading our post(s).
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xoxo Both Chengy & Camel are passionate travelers who enjoys
speaking to young keen travelers about the freedom to get cultured and
to taste the fullness of life. Feel free to contact them if you need any
travel advice, guidance or tips or if you have any burning questions
with regards to your upcoming trip(s)/ journey
- Be inspired but more importantly be inspiring-
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