5-day itinerary for Lucerne, Wengen in March
Jeanna is arriving in Switzerland on March 19 for five nights and has adjusted her itinerary to focus on Central Switzerland instead of Italy. She’s looking for advice on skiing and paragliding in Wengen, transportation options to Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken, and whether the Alpenrose's half-board option is worth it.
- Consider buying a Swiss Travel Pass for easy travel between towns and discounts on some trips.
- Wengen is car-free, so using trains is the best option for getting to Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken.
- For skiing, the beginners' area is in the center of Wengen, and the local tourist center has info on paragliding lessons.
- The Saver Day Pass covers some routes in the Jungfrau region, so check its full validity.
- Staying put in Wengen might save you the hassle of changing hotels, as all ski areas are accessible from there.
AI-generated summary-
Hi All-
I will be arriving in Switzerland on March 19 and staying 5 nights. I have moved my trip up and changed my itinerary (was originally going to be training through Switzerland (Zermatt and St. Moritz) to Northern Italy to visit my daughter (a study abroad student in Florence.) Needless to say, due to the Coronavirus, I will not longer be going to Italy and have rearranged my trip to stay in Central Switzerland instead. I have booked one night in Luzern at the Cascada Hotel and 3 nights at the Alpenrose in Wengen before heading to Basel for last night to fly home.
I would love some itinerary help while in Wengen. We would like to ski and paraglide while we are there. I’ve not had much time to research so would appreciate any feedback on the best places to do these things and any others. I have purchased a saver day pass for our time in Luzern on way back to Basel and hope to use it to visit Mt Rigi if the weather is good. Since Wengen is a car free town- what is the best form of transportation to visit Lauterbrunner and Interlaken? Bus or train? Is anything covered. in any area with a saver day pass that would be a cost saver (much like Mt. RIgi is included for Lucerne.) I’m a planner and don’t have much time to research. I had purchased saver day passes for my trip at the end of March (my original trip time) because they included the Glacier Express that I was booked on. I’m just wondering if it’s worth buying them for certain days (I know they will be more expensive but if there is a cost savings AT ALL because they include excursions, I’ll do it.) I think I’m out the $500 I’ve already paid for the saver day passes we aren’t able to use (unless they are willing to refund me if I buy more or under the circumstances of the coronavirus- if anyone knows this answer, please do tell!) I also wanted to ask about the Alpenrose Half-Board – is it worth adding this to our reservation? It seems to make good sense to me for the 3 nights we are there but would love feedback on that as well.
Thanks for any help or recommendations you can offer.
Jeanna
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Sorry to hear about your need to change plans, you probably have a lot of company in that regard. Have you considered a 3 day Swiss Travel Pass? I think getting to or from Wengen, whether to Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, or beyond, is going to be via train, at least that’s the only way we ever got to Wengen (other than skiing down from Kleine Schiedegg). The regional pass for the Bernese Oberland area doesn’t begin until April 19 this year, so that’s out.
I would explore getting a refund on the saver day pass tickets you now won’t be able to use, even though they’re not supposed to be refundable. Again, I’m sure you’re not the only one with that situation. Won’t know until you try.
I have no advice on Wengen itself, we never stayed there. Hope your revised trip goes well.
Hi Jeanna,
Sorry to hear you had to change your plans but glad to know you are still going ahead with your trip. To keep yourself up-to-date with the latest info about the coronavirus situation here, please follow this thread: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/does-the-corona-virus-affect-trips-to-switzerland
We try update it as often as we can.To answer your questions:
Skiing and paragliding in Wengen – For skiing, you will find the beginners’ area right in the centre of the village, next to the Mannlichen cableway. There’s a also a sports rental shop and a ski school if you’re interested to take a private or group lesson. For paragliding lessons, please enquire at the Wengen Tourist Centre (right next to the slope). They would have a a list of recommended paragliding schools for you to choose from.
Be sure to read this too: http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/snow
Travelling from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken – Train is best form of transport. http://www.myswissalps.com/wengen/travel
Please use the timetable to plan our journeys: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetableSaver Day Pass – The Saver Day Pass is good up to Wengen and Grindelwald. It’s also good for travel up to Mürren via the Grutschalp cableway. You can download the validity map here: http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass/validity
As for whether the Alpenrose halfboard would be a good deal, I hope someone else on the forum would be able to offer a personal insight.
Regards,
Anna
thanks Cabinjon- I was actually looking at the ski resort you mentioned. Where I’m from in the states, there aren’t so many choices so it’s little overwhelming. I ski every year in Park City Utah at Deer Valley Resort and love it so I’m sure skiing in Switzerland will be the best skiing I’ve ever experienced (definitely a bucket lister!)
Thank you Anna- you’ve always been so helpful! We are not beginner skiers so we don’t need instruction but we also don’t ski black diamond moguls either. I’m wondering the best ski resort to go to and I imagine it’s cheaper to rent off site somewhere if access to the mountain is easy enough with no car. I’ll looking into the links you sent- thank you for your info.
Jeanna
Jeanna – Kleine Schiedegg isn’t a resort, its a train station where the trains coming up from Wengen and Grindelwald on the other side of the area meet. When we skied there, we stayed in Grindelwald, took the train up to KS, and skied down either side, catching lifts back up to KS and a final train back to Grindelwald (not much energy left at the end of the day, so the train ride was a nice way to finish). If I recall correctly, the lift ticket served as our train pass up to KS too. Most of the trails and lifts are on the Grindelwald side, but the Lauberhorn World Cup downhill does end in Wengen. See this trail map for a better idea of the area and relationship of trails, lifts, and towns. Sorry its in German, but you can probably find other versions online.
http://www.myskimaps.com/Ski-Maps/Switzerland/Jungfrau-Ski-Trail-Map-2019.pdf
We skied a lot in Colorado, but Switzerland was wonderful; the entire combination of mountain towns, multiple trails and close up to the majestic Alps is hard to beat. I highly recommend an outdoor lunch break at the KS train station restaurant (Rosti Bernese style in particular); it is nothing like the typical on-mountain restaurants I’ve encountered skiing in the US.
Hi Jeanna-
There aren’t really any ski resorts, as such.
Stay in Wengen or any of the other villages, and you have access to all the slopes. In March, the entire region is a ski resort.;-)
Slowpoke
Hi again Jeanna,
If you’re staying in Wengen and looking for more challenging ski slopes, there are 3 areas you can explore:
- Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen: take the Mannlichen cable car up
- Grindelwald First: take a train to Grindelwald or gondola from Männlichen
- Mürren–Schilthorn: take a train to Lauterbrunnen then change to the Grutschalp cableway
Regards,
Anna
Hi Jeanna –
The only access to Wengen is by frequent cog-rail train, hiking, skiing or snowshoes. Also, cableway from above(Männlichen). It is on the side of the mountain, so the train is how you get to and from the other villages, which will involve changes of train, cableways, etc. The train as far as Wengen ( up from Lauterbrunnen) is subsidized Public Transport, therefore cheap. Runs early and late. From Wengen onward to Kleine Scheidegg, it is a private mountain railway , and costs a lot more. Same train, same cars, no longer “Public Transport.” Definitely does not run as late or early. Watch the times at the end of the day.
This map shows the general layout:
#31 is the Alpenrose. #8 is the Bellevue.
It is an old map. The shorter train line coming up the hill no longer exists except as an empty road bed.
<<“I also wanted to ask about the Alpenrose Half-Board – is it worth
adding this to our reservation? It seems to make good sense to me for
the 3 nights we are there but would love feedback on that as well.”>>
Stayed at the Alpenrose many many years ago. Half board was decent. At that time ( Summer holidays) it was served en masse at a specific time. There are (were at that time) nicer places to eat near the station.
The Alpenrose is shown on the attached marked up screen grab.
That map does not show altitudes. This topo map does:
I marked on it to show the Hotel Alpenrose. Hope it stuck.
It is about 35-40 meters altitude below the train station. We considered the walk a burden. I don’t know if they’ll pick you up when you arrive. Ask.
I always stay at the Hotel Bellevue. It is a good deal farther from the station, to the west, but the walk …about 10-15 minutes – is not as steep. They’ll pick you up with your luggage when you arrive (telephone board at the station) but I don’t know if they’ll run you to the station or Wengiboden when you’re in your ski gear, for access to the slopes. E-mail them. The Bellevue has an excellent kitchen, excellent generous salad bar, a good wine list, and a very good half-board plan. You will have a limited time window in the evening to sit down..may 1/2 hour, but the service is by table, not en masse. Frau Graf-Engi runs a tight ship, but gives excellent value.
http://www.bellevue-wengen.ch/en/home.html
Attached image was taken in the Summer, from a view point just below the Hotel Bellevue. Views from the hotel are almost the same, although wider…and, the valley is not always so clear. The one from the Hotel Eiger ( now apartments) is from near the station. [By mistake, I posted one image twice. The software does not allow me to remove the duplicate.]
There are other hotels, some of which are much closer to the station as well as some that are larger or more luxurious than the Alpenrose or the Bellevue. Although, the Bellevue is quite nice.
http://www.myswissalps.com/wengen/hotels
You’ll be there toward the end of but well within the good skiing season. Toward the end of March the snow gets to be a bit lower in quality, and many (not all) area hotels close sometime in early to mid April until hiking season.
Slowpoke
slowpoke- thank you for all this detailed information and for the pictures/maps. I’m honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed with trying to figure out the best way to take advantage of our time there and how to efficiently get around. Thank you for clarifying that there aren’t “ski resorts” as we are used to in the States- this explains why I’ve had some trouble figuring out the skiing. I guess I’m wondering is it better to:
*Buy a 3 day Swiss pass and use our Saver day pass I’ve already purchased for Monday 23/3 to visit Mt Rigi once we leave Wengen and work our way towards Basel hotel (to fly out on 24/3)
*Buy train tickets as we go to explore Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, etc from Wengen
I’m trying to do this as cost efficiently as I can since I’ve already got over $500USD in saver day passes I can’t get a refund on. I’m trying not to “lose my shirt” (as we say in the states) on planning things last minute but still want to be able to see and do. If we have 3 days in the area (Fri, Sat, Sun) is it worth visiting the Jungfrau- it’s an expensive excursion and we do want to paraglide and ski if possible.
Thanks for any additional help you can provide on the best way to purchase transportation and should we also explore the half fare card and is that worth it?
Jeanna
Hi Jeanna –
Glad I was able to help.
As far as I can tell, you are definitely staying in the Jungfrau area ( Wengen) for 3 days., have one day (night) in Luzern upon arrival, and are flying home from Basel? I assume you are flying in to Zürich? You did not say. Same logic would apply to Basel arrival.
I don’t understand flying to the USA from Basel, so if that is not true, please let me know.
You own 3 days worth of Saver Day Passes:
http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass
The key section under “Saver Day Passes” is:
http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass/validity
where the key phrase is:
<<“Transport into the mountains (dotted lines: cable car, funicular, cogwheel train, etc.) is not free and not discounted, but there are a few exceptions;”>> Scroll down for a detailed list.
The lines that are covered are the lines between population centers, that is, Switzerland “beyond” Interlaken ( that is, outside the Jungfrau Region) and, the lines from Interlaken to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and notably, the mountain villages of Mürren notably, Wengen.
That would include lines from Zürich to Luzern, and Luzern to Interlaken Ost, as well as IO to Basel, and the bus to the airport which is in France.
The Validity Map will maybe make that clearer for the Jungfrau Region. …I hope….and tells you that nothing else in the Jungfrau area is covered. Maybe. Download the map and zoom way in to the Jungfrau region:
http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass/validity
Zoom way in and Look at the Jungfrau Region. Solid red lines as noted between towns are covered. That is “Public Transport.”
Dotted lines are not covered. Those are the expensive lines.
Here is the Fare schedule:
http://www.jungfrau.ch/fileadmin/Prospekte_und_Broschueren/Jungfraubahnen_Fahrpreise_Preisliste.pdf
For calibration – Fares without a discount between InterlakenOst and Wengen are: 14.40 CHF, but if you continue to Kleine Schedegg, it is 41.40…27 additional CHF.
The only way to get actual costs is to use spreadsheet described on this page:
http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass
It is time consuming and probably is not worth the effort.
The SBB timetable is supposed to give you prices for the journeys..especially those outside the mountain regions. For some reason, it is not doing that for me today. If it is working it automatically shows fares with a 50% reduction at the first window,because all Swiss carry a half-fare discount card. Once you get inside the costing menu, it gives you the option to specify “no discount.”
Without those numbers, I can’t give exact costs for the major intercity journeys. So, I’ll rely on memory.
With that background, it is clear to me ( and, I think, to you) that the SD Passes should be used on the two long distance travel days.
I think that using the third one of them to get from arrival airport Zürich to Luzern would save a bit less than using the one day around the Jungfrau region, but I’m not sure. Depends if you go to Brienz or Thun or Bern on a cloudy day when you can’t see the Alps. Still can ski, of course. Basel to Luzern is a bit more expensive than Zürich Airport to Luzern ( I think…but not by much.) If you come in that way, you might use an SDP for that, but I would tend not to.
Since the Rigi is “free” you could possibly visit it as you suggest, either when you go to Wengen (better)from Luzern, or or when you go to Basel ( distinctly out of the way). I’d skip it, as noted below. Wander around Luzern if you want to kill some time. My choice is head to Wengen right away. Focus on your key goal.
Here are travel times, with very very useful explanations:
http://www.myswissalps.com/travel/inswitzerland
or, direct:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/timetable.html
The Rigi is nice,but nothing compared to the High Alps. So, in clear weather, I’d spend my limited time around the Jungfrau region. You still have one set of Saver Day Passes which you could use around the Public Transport lines in the Jungfrau Region. You won’t get full value, but it will save you tens of CHF.
How to do the rest?
Without running numbers, and relying on memory, what that tells me is fairly obvious. Use one set of Saver Day Passes for the journey from Luzern to Wengen, and another for the journey from Wengen to Basel. The third for any of several options.
Remaining Travel –
Now for the rest.
If you buy a half fare card, it costs about 120 CHF. You have to spend 240 CHF worth of non-discounted fares to break even. That may not be easy. However, it include modest savings on the “short” travel days, such as arrival to Luzern . You are may not break even on your planned travels, after you use two SDP’s, and especially, if you “waste” one on a short travel day. But, it would give you 50 % off on the mountain transport- say cableway to Wengen, or train to Kleine Scheidegg, so y0u could possibly come close to break-even if you use the mountain transport heavily, or go to Bern, etc. . Say 2 1/2 days on the mountains at 50CHF per day per person, non-discounted……..
The Swiss Travel Pass –
Three day STP, about 230 CHF.
It would come close to paying off if you included the long travel days, but they are covered by the SD Passes. Otherwise, my guesstimate is that it is not the best option.
STP give 25% discount and saves 44 CHF. Half-fare card gives 50% discount, saves about 88CHF.
Those numbers added to the other travel make the discounted rail passes closer to break even. Seems to me that the Half-Fare card now is paying for itself, but maybe not the STP. ( Best guess…not a detailed calculation).
Overall, the difference in the CHF numbers that we are talking about are not large enough to break the bank, so to speak. So, many people just buy an STP for convenience, and don’t worry about the cost. Great for general travel, dubious for a short stay in the Jungfrau region. Same caveat. Best guess.
And, you have to use it at a ticket counter anyway, to get on the mountain transport such as cableways, so some convenience is lost.
I did not price out the Berner Oberland Regional Pass at about 220 CHF, which permits a Jungfraujoch trip for added 99CHF. It could come close to equalling the value of the Half-Fare card, but has no benefit on your few short trip(s) outside the BO.
If you don’t go to the Jungfraujoch, I don’t think it pays off. Rough guess, not calculation.
I’ll add that in 39 years of traveling to Switzerland, hiking, not skiing, with a camera, I’ve never felt the Jungfraujoch was worth it., compared to my other options. Opinions vary widely, and tend to be strongly held. 😉
Whatever else you do, keep track of the weather at high altitude with webcam:en.swisswebcams.ch/suche/ort/m%C3%A4nnlichen-6935774/
and by asking the staff at the Tourist Info office in Wengen ( at Wengiboden) or the train station staff.
Jeanna- please note –
I’ve given you best guesses. No promises. Others may have a better perspective
In your situation, my personal choice would be to buy a Half-Fare card and use up two of the three SDP’s on the long trips, and”waste” one on a short travel day. I’d tend to save it till near the end of the trip, in case weather dictated a day trip to somewhere distant from the Jungfrau region. As businessmen often say “Sunk costs are truly sunk” That money for the SDP’s is gone no matter what you do with the SDPs, so even if one of them only saves you 1 CHF overall vs. other choices, it is better than saving zero CHF.
Overall, my best estimate…maybe best guess is that set of choices would give the least added costs, but, obviously, it will depend a whole lot on what you decide to do with you time. Discounts for Jungfraujoch can alter the best choice.
Have a great trip.
Slowpoke
Jeanna – If you meant the Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) when you asked ” is it worth visiting the Jungfrau- it’s an expensive excursion”, then my answer would be No. We did that years ago when skiing in February, and while it was unique, you spend most of your train ride inside the mountain, and if the weather is at all marginal, the views from the top aren’t that much better than several other places. You are after all smack dab in the middle of the Alps to begin with. Save the time, save the money and go skiing instead – save your lift ticket as a souvenir; no one in Utah will have one.
<<“best way to purchase transportation”>>
Already discussed railpasses. Whether you use a half fare card or no discount card, you can purchase rail/bus/boat tickets at any train station via a ticket machine. Works in English, or other languages if you prefer, and takes credit cards or cash (CHF). There are manned counters at the mountain transport stations , such as Wengen. Better there than when on the small trains, which are some times crowded. That includes cableways, and you can buy from them. Before you get on a cableway, you’ll need to buy a ticket at a manned counter, no matter how you arepaying.
I don’t know anything about the smaller local ski lifts. Someone who does may know if the Berner Oberland Pass becomes a good deal if you include them.
How many days do you expect to ski?
Slowpoke
Slowpoke- I really appreciate you taking the time to give me such a detailed outline of pricing and maps in the area with train info. You are correct that we have 1 night in Luzern and 3 in Wengen (i think I’m going to actually change the last night in wengen to stay in Grindelwald- we will ski on Sunday and stay night there if weather permits. We are flying in/out of Basel because we have the front part of our itinerary in Colmar, France and that’s the closest airport to that location. It was cheaper to fly round trip than flying from Zurich on short notice (believe it or not!) so that’s why we are using BSL and not ZRH.
As for the saver day passes (SDP’s)- we currently only have one for Monday 3/23. I may have confused you bc I mentioned I have 3 (but the dates for those are later in the month and since I’ve changed my itinerary around and I am no longer going to Zermatt, St Moritz or taking the Glacier Express. The SDP’s were for that itinerary so unless I can get my $ back for those, I’m afraid I have to consider them a loss. I was wondering about the 3 day travel pass or SDP’s at current rate for the front 3 days when we head to Wengen/Grindelwald from Luzern but sounds like you think it wouldn’t be worth it bc a lot isn’t covered for the pass in those areas? Maybe I should just buy for the Friday when we head to Wengen – I will need to check pricing and do the math between that and the half fare card or the BO pass. My friend who has been to Wengen suggested we rent a car at Basel airport and drive to Colmar and keep it all week and drive to Lauterbrunnen and leave car there and take train up to Wengen. I’m honestly open to anything. Driving is ok with me but will parking of winter weather be an issue? Thx again for all your time and detailed input. It’s much appreciated!
Cabinjon- thanks for that input- we will skip then and ski instead. The views in wengen (and all of switzerland!) are sure to be amazing and I’d rather spend a day skiing the alps any day of the week! We only have one day to ski bc we want to paraglide the other so thx for helping me make up my mind. I’m still very confused on the ski situation. Where do we rent ski equipment and what lift area should we be using if we go to Grindelwald to ski and then stay the night. I welcome any suggestions as far as this goes! I’m used to a resort where you buy a lift ticket and maybe it all makes sense once there but for now- it’s confusing. Thx for any advice!!!
Partial reply.
Car as described might work.
However, you’ll pay for every day that you rent it. Here is the parking cost in Lauterbrunnen
http://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/parkticket/
Parking in Luzern can be up to 50+ CHF overnight, depending on where you park.
Specifically, where will you ski if you go to Grindelwald? It may make sense to go from Wengen….or not? For most, it’s not worth the change of hotels, but your circumstances could make sense.
I’ll think about the rest,but not today.
Slowpoke
Rent ski equipment at an Intersport..one in most every town.
Map of slopes – sorry fr the long link, but that is Google for you.
Or, search for panoramic map of the Jungfrau region.
Slowpoke
We spent one week in Grindelwald when we were skiing there, and fortunately were staying in a hotel (Hotel Wolter) almost directly across from the train station. We simply got up, had breakfast, grabbed our gear, walked across the street and got on the train headed up to Kleine Schiedegg. We did almost all of our skiing on that side of the mountain. The train to KS makes one stop in town (Grund – to pick up more skiers it seemed), two stops on the way up, and takes 32 minutes. It runs every 1/2 hour, at x:15 and x:45. We brought our own equipment, but Slowpoke’s link shows several rental locations in Grindelwald, one very close to the train station, basically next to the Hotel Wolter. I’m sure you can get a better trail & lift map when you rent your gear and/or buy the lift ticket.
Of course, as Slowpoke noted, you can stay in Wengen and access to KS ski area from that side by taking the train up from Wengen to KS, skiing all day, then returning to Wengen via train. There are also a couple ski rental locations in Wengen. You can ski all the way down to either Grindelwald or Wengen if you have the legs for it at the end of the day, depending on where you stay.
There is another skiable area beginning in Grindelwald that heads up in the opposite direction from the KS area. It is Grindelwald First, but we didn’t ski there so I can’t give any tips on that.
Slowpoke and cabinjon- would you recommend us staying put in wengen for the sake of convenience or is it worth a hotel swap for a night and see a different area? I’m ok with either- just not having been before- i don’t know that makes the most economical and practical sense. I’m getting ready to research the car option vs the train. The car would be nice to have so we are on our own schedule and the cost per day isn’t much but if it’s a pain to park and drive in winter conditions (esp on back roads) then I can tell you I’m not interested. I’m not sure how much gas is there but seeing that we would be renting a small car- I’m sure that wouldn’t be too pricey. I see the advantages to both the car and the pass….the train offers more relaxing travel with less headaches (trying to navigate down unfamiliar roads and dealing with possible differences in road rules (no turn on red) and concerns of driving in winter weather. The advantage of a car is not sharing a small space w/lots if other people (esp in light of the recent concerns of the COVID-19) and being able to dictate our own schedule. Thanks again for all help!
<<“I’m not sure how much gas is there but seeing that we would be renting a small car- I’m sure that wouldn’t be too pricey. “>>
Gasoline today is about $4.80 (US) per gallon.
Please note that gasoline is usually dispensed and priced by the liter… a bit larger than a quart.
Slowpoke
Jeanna
Since you’re already changing hotels a few times, I’d just stay in Wengen rather than moving to Grindelwald for one night. Grindelwald is bigger, has more bars & restaurants, and of course traffic. We arrived by train for our ski trip, so I have no first hand advice on driving & parking in that area during the winter, but I presume parking would be limited and probably not free. The train going up from Grindelwald to KS did get a bit crowded in the morning, and I would expect the same going up from Wengen. No way around that during ski season.
I understand trying to do as much as you can during the limited time you have there, but take time to look around and enjoy the experience of just being there. It is magic. You can’t ski next to the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau anywhere else.
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