Closures or service reductions in the Jungfrau Region over Christmas?
A traveler named Matty is planning to stay in Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren from December 22 to 28, particularly in Wengen for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They are curious about potential service reductions during the holidays and want tips on planning their trip around this busy season.
- Public transport in Switzerland runs normally every day, including holidays like Christmas and Christmas Eve.
- Make restaurant reservations in advance for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals to ensure you have a spot.
- Most shops will be closed on Christmas Day, but major railway stations may have some open.
- Expect the villages to be lively on Christmas Day, but quieter after mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve.
AI-generated summary-
You would have seen already that we’ll be in Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren from 22/12 to 28/12. We’ll be in Wengen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I was wondering if we should plan around possible reduced service? My instinct tells me this would be a high time for hospitality businesses, though. 🙂
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Hi Matty
Certainly as regards public transport in all its forms, there is in Switzerland a normal service 365 days a year. (Contrast Britain where I live.) I would expect restaurants to be open, but I am slightly wondering about Christmas EVE,
I am British, and until fairly recently spent Christmas in Switzerland, based in Zurich. On one Christmas morning I went to the English church in Bern. The weather was fantastic and so I then went on to Kleine Scheidegg via Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen. Surrounded by skiers I had a quick late lunch sitting outside, mainly of grilled sausages, I then returned to Zurich via Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lucerne,
I had just found a seat on a quite well-filled 18 09 from Lucerne when my mobile rung. It was a British friend wishing me Happy Christmas. She could not believe I was on a train until she heard the on board announcements (in German and English).
Best wishes
Roger
Hi matty,
I’ve been in Wengen twice at Christmas time.
In my experience, Christmas Day was pretty much like a normal day in Wengen and the surrounding villages and mountain tops. Certainly all transport was running at normal frequency, and heavily patronised. There were lots of people out and about, skiing or sightseeing. Village restaurants and mountain restaurants were open, but I can’t remember whether the general shops were.
The main celebration is on Christmas Eve, and I found the village a bit quieter after mid-afternoon. Transport will be running normally, and you shouldn’t have any problem getting lunch, either in the villages or in the mountain restaurants. However, I would recommend making advance arrangements for dinner on Christmas Eve (and perhaps also for Christmas Day).
If your hotel offers half-board, I would take that. They will probably put on a wonderful festive spread, and for less than you would pay elsewhere. If not, I would make a reservation for dinner well in advance if you want to eat in a restaurant.
I hope you have plenty of snow! The first time I was in Wengen at Christmas, there was heaps of snow in the village. The second time, none, which was very sad to see. There is certainly snow there at the moment though! Here is a Wengen webcam:
https://bellevue.roundshot.com/#/
Very foggy today unfortunately!
I hope this helps!
Alpenrose
Hi matty,
Don’t worry. The Swiss public transport run all year round including on public holidays like Christmas and Christmas Eve. You can check transportation schedules on the Swiss timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
Restaurants will especially be busy and I would make advance reservation for dinner or lunch. Shops and supermarkets will be closed except those located at major railway stations (e.g Zurich, Lucerne, Bern) and airports.
Regards,
Anna
Thanks everyone. 🙂
We have restaurant bookings for both nights, so that is a relief.
Alpenrose, it seems Wengen is popular for Christmas. I live in a small north-eastern coastal city in Australia. Completely by chance, I was discussing this trip with a medical professional I met recently. Her face lit up when I said we would be in Wengen for Christmas. Apparently she and her family spend Christmas there most years (but not this year). 😀
Followup question – are there any Christmas customs we should be aware of, to both be in the spirit of it, and for courtesy?
Hi matty,
>>> Alpenrose, it seems Wengen is popular for Christmas. I live in a small north-eastern coastal city in Australia. Completely by chance, I was discussing this trip with a medical professional I met recently. Her face lit up when I said we would be in Wengen for Christmas. Apparently she and her family spend Christmas there most years (but not this year). 😀
Yes, it’s certainly a wonderful place to spend Christmas! Many of the people in my Wengen hotel (mainly English) had been coming there every Christmas for over 30 years. Some of them come twice a year! They book their rooms for the following year before they leave!
>>> are there any Christmas customs we should be aware of, to both be in the spirit of it, and for courtesy?
Not that I’m aware of – not on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, anyway. There are various traditional customs and events in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
You might find these links interesting:
Hope this is of interest!
Alpenrose
Hi matty,
In addition to Alpenrose’s helpful links, you may find the below link useful too. Lots of information in regard to all things “Swiss”:
Have a great trip.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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