Wengen or Grindelwald as a base to explore the Jungfrau region?
A traveler is looking for advice on which town would be the best base for a 4-5 night stay in the Jungfrau Region, aiming to explore Lauterbrunnen Valley, Gstaad, and Zermatt. They want to minimize hotel changes to make the trip more convenient and are considering the local atmosphere, travel options, and activities available in these regions.
- Consider staying in Wengen for a quaint village vibe and easy access to Jungfrau activities.
- If planning to visit Zermatt, the Swiss Travel Pass is practical for train travel.
- Interlaken and Spiez provide better connectivity for longer trips, especially to Gstaad and Zermatt.
- For family trips, the Swiss Family Card allows children under 16 to travel free with you on the Swiss Travel Pass.
- Renting a car may not be necessary as the Swiss Public Transport system effectively connects locations.
AI-generated summary-
I would like your opinion on choosing one of these towns as a base to explore everything the Jungfrau Region has to offer. I plan to stay at one of these locations for 4-5 nights to explore Lauterbrunnen Valley and nearby attractions, as well as Gstaad and Zermatt during the day. To make the most of my time, I want to avoid the hassle of transferring luggage and going through hotel check-in and checkout processes.
Which town would you recommend as the best base for exploring the region? Which one would you choose and why?
Thank You.
-
If you want to visit places such as Zermatt (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/) and Gstaad (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/gstaad/) from the Jungfrau region then you want to base yourself in a place which is on a standard track gauge main line railway so as to minmize journey time and the number of changes of train. Wengen and Grindelwald are not on a standard gauge main line.
Please study a map of the area. Interlaken and Spiez are both on the standard gauge BLS main line. Wengen to Zermatt can be done, but it requires changes of train at Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken Ost, Spiez and Visp!
Best wishes
Roger
One of our friends who works in Grindelwald says it’s now the busiest place in Switzerland. Of the two Grindelwald is more like a town and Wengen is quieter and a village and feels more “in the mountains”.
As usual, Roger gives sound advice. If you want to explore the wider Berner Oberland (https://www.myswissalps.com/region/bernese-oberland/) or beyond, then go down at least as far as Interlaken. From Grindelwald or Wengen you’re adding about an hour and a half’s travelling each day. If you just want to stay in the Jungfrau area then I would advise Wengen.
Our solution also depends on the time of year. If it’s winter we stay in Wengen for the skiing and if it’s summer we stay in Spiez for the lakes and walks and going further afield. The option to go up into the mountains is still there.
Andrew
I would say the difference between Grindalwald and Wengen is mostly size and cars. Wengen is car free and has the feel of a small Swiss village and better views and vistas in my opinion. Grindelwald is roughly 2-3 times larger and allows cars. Both have ample hotels and restaurants but many more shops in Grindelwald if that’s important to you. They are roughly equal in convenience for travel to Jungfrau locations of interest. Certainly if you are exploring the greater BO area Interlaken will save you some travel time. Interlaken is more of a city probably 2-3 times larger than Grindelwald and slightly less convenient in visiting Jungfrau sites. To me at least the extra travel time to Zermatt is worth it to experience the ambiance and vistas in Wengen and to a lesser extent Grindelwald.In case you haven’t guessed we have always stayed in Wengen on our several trips to the Jungfrau area. The discussion on a base town has been a frequent topic on this forum for many years annd each town has its avid and vocal proponents.Actually I expect you would have a wonderful time staying in Wengen, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Murren, or Interlakin but Wengen gets my vote
Mark
Hi SVBackpacker,
In addition to the above replies, I’d also suggest you play around with the journey times from Grindelwald or Wengen. Perhaps that will also help with your decision.
Here’s the Swiss timetable so you can research: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
We have guides to both Grindelwald and Wengen, in case you have not come across them already:
- Grindelwald: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/grindelwald/
- Wengen: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/
I agree with Mark, I don’t think you can go wrong with either bases, though I also have a soft spot for Wengen.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thank you, Roger, Andrew, Mark, and Yolanda, for the excellent tips!
I forgot to mention that I’m planning to visit in July. Based on my research and photos, I really enjoy the small village atmosphere of Wengen. From what I gather from your feedback, it’s a better place to stay in the Jungfrau region if I exclude Gstaad and Zermatt. If anyone has a good hotel or Airbnb recommendation, please share!
That being said, what would most people do to visit Zermatt? I’ll be traveling primarily by train and plan to purchase a Swiss Pass. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
If I have 5-6 days, would you recommend breaking my journey into two different towns? Perhaps Wengen and a more central location to access Gstaad and Zermatt?
Hi SVBackpacker,
Accommodation suggestions for Wengen can be found in the link below:
If I have understood correctly, you are asking how most visitors reach Zermatt? Zermatt is car-free so by train is the only mode of transport to reach the town. All explained in our Zermatt guide below. Scroll to “Traveling: reaching Zermatt, traveling in town, rail passes, mountain tickets, and map”.
A second base, perhaps Montreux. Here you can access both Gstaad and Zermatt quite easily. Take a read of our Montreux travel guide when you have a moment, here is the link:
The Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) is very practical and convenient and a popular choice for visitors here. There are other rail passes too, like the Swiss Half Fare Card and the regional passes. If you wanted to be extra sure of the best rail pass, you are best to carry out the maths. Use our downloadable spreadsheet in our “how to choose rail pass” guide below. Based on your daily plans, thereon, the best rail pass will be displayed.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
If I had 6 days I would probably spend 4 days in Wengen and 2 in Zermatt. Due to the distance between Wengen and Zermatt I think it reasonable to change bases once although I too try to limit changing hotels to a minimum. I would recommend traveling light, perhaps 1 small suitcase and a backpack. That will make traveling much easier. If you just have 5 days then 3 days in Wengen. 2 days in Zermatt will allow you to see the Gornergrat and Matterhorn and give you a small buffer if one day is cloudy or rainy.
We usually stay at the Beausite Park Hotel in Wengen and the Riffelalp Hotel in Zermatt. But there are many choices in both towns depending on your budget.
Mark
Thanks, Mark/Yolanda; I think splitting the days between Wengen and Zermatt would be best. Returning from Zermatt to Geneva or Zurich is about a 3.5 train ride, so catching a return flight from one of the main airports wouldn’t be a problem. @Mark – I’ll check out your hotel recommendations. Thnx.
The next step is determining if Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken train stations offer luggage storage facilities; that’s one day when I would prefer to move to Zermatt on the late afternoon/early evening hour train.
Hi SVBackPacker,
I personally would recommend staying in Wengen for your whole time in the Jungfrau region, instead of losing about half a day going from one hotel to another. I agree with Mark, and I also love staying in Wengen. It’s only a 13 min train ride to/from Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken is 20 min. From there, you can go anywhere (including Zermatt). Along with the comments from Mark, in Wengen, you can jump on the cable car up the mountain, (Mannlichen) and from there, you can hike down to Kleine Scheidegg, or take the gondola down into Grindelwald. Or from Wengen, you can take the train to Kleine Scheidegg, continuing on to Grindelwald. Lots of ways to get around. All of which are not lacking beautiful scenery.
As far as luggage, you can use the luggage forwarding services (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/luggage/) available. For CHF 12 you can send it to Zermatt (if you go) and have the freedom of not having to worry about dragging it around while changing destinations. (You do have to allow 2 days for retrieving it, though.)
As far as hotels, this site has recommendations. I usually bounce between that, booking.com, and Google maps to find them. Have a great trip.
Regards,
Danielsan
Thank you @Danielsan, for your valuable feedback and detailed information on traveling around Wengen. Once I finalize my base towns for this trip, I’ll share my itinerary to refine the practical activities I can do in 8 to 10 hours.
Since Wengen is car-free, does anyone know if there are local cab or transportation services available to and from the hotels? Carrying bags around might be a bit challenging! 🙂
Hi SVBackpacker,
Wengen is a car-free village but some hotels do provide shuttle service to pick up guests and luggage from the train station. Please check with the hotel you are booked at.
Regards,
Anna
Hi SVBackPacker,
There are cabs in Wengen, yes,as Anna has mentioned. Some hotels will pick you up free of charge, and some will charge. When I went 6 years ago, I stayed at the Victoria Lauberhorn (now Arenas), which is just steps away from the station. Both last year and this year, I stayed at the Edelweiss, which is located down the hill, on the lower side of Wengen. Last year, they charged me CHF 24, but the hotel picked up, I believe, it was CHF 8, so it cost me CHF 16. It’s not a huge difference, but basically, it depends on each individual hotel. This year, I just hoofed it back to the station. That’s the only drawback to this hotel, is climbing the hill when leaving. Other than that, it’s a beauty of a hotel. Small, quiet, scenic. It’s only listed as a two star hotel, but it’s no different than any 3 stars I have stayed at. Breakfast included the owner (Dan) and manager (Thomas) very friendly and informative with any questions I had.
Again, have a great trip. It will be hard not to.
Regards,
Danielsan
SVBackPacker,
I have an opinion based on my own experience staying in Wengen but first I would like to ask you what are your top 4 or 5 must see attractions you are interested in visiting while in the area? This is important because the sights you are most likely to visit is crucial to determining an ideal location but as others have already mentioned, you pretty much can’t go wrong wherever you decide to stay because everything is well connected.
Hey RJC,
Below is what I have in mind so far. I’m open to suggestions as I’m currently in research mode—I haven’t booked anything yet. I don’t know how much I can comfortably pack in a day, so I might have to droop a few things.
Sat Day 6: Wengen (Night Wengen)
- Checkout in the morning, checkin in the afternoon
- Train Ride to Interlaken from Lucerne (2 hr scenic ride)
- move to Wangen, a car-free town on the hills, and explore the town
- Männlichen Royal Walk/ Chillexing time
Sun Day 7: Wengen (Night Wengen)
- Jungfraujoch – Experience the “Top of Europe”
- Visit Murren trail walk
Mon Day 8: Wengen (Night in Wengen)
- Rent a Car for today only
- Ride to Gstaad, Thun
- Lake Explore – Naturpark Blausee
- Time permitting, can go all the way to Monterex
Tue Day 9: Wengen (Night Wengen)
- First Clif
- Bachalpsee Lake
- Rosenlaui Vally
Wed Day 10: Wengen (Night in Zermatt)
- Brienz, Rothern, Harderkukum
- Lake Brienz explore
- Evening Train to Zermatt/ place luggage in a locker
Thanks, @Anna & @Danielsan; I’ll also check out the hotel recommendation.
SVBackPacker,
Based on your feedback and the places you are interested in visiting I would take Roger and Andrew’s advice. Interlaken makes more sense as a base in terms of logistics and wise use of time if your heart is set on visiting the places you described. It also makes sense because you want to visit the area around the lakes anyway.
Another thing to consider is weather. I have heard of folks spending one or two nights in Zermatt (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/) and never seeing the Matterhorn because its shrouded in clouds. If you simply stay put in Interlaken (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/) you could let a nice weather day come to you and make a day trip over there while also being within a reasonably short distance from Grindelwald, Wengen, Jungfraujoch and Murren.
You mentioned renting a car one day but since you already have a Swiss Travel Pass ( https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) I don’t believe that is necessary unless you have something in mind that absolutely requires having a car and don’t mind the added expense.
I stayed in Wengen before at the Edelweiss and its a great hotel in a beautiful location but I ended up not spending much time there because I was running around all over the place to Murren/Schilthorn, Grindelwald/First, Schynige Platte and other attractions. Ended up taking a train back down to Lauterbrunnen almost every morning in order to visit these places so if I were to return one day to visit just the Jungfrau area only, I would choose Lauterbrunnen over Wengen.
My two cents.
Actually on days 6,7,and 9 Wengen is more convenient than Interlaken. Days 8 and 10 Interlaken is more convenient. I’d still stay in Wengen and get up a little earlier on days 8 and 10. The superior ambiance and views in Wengen is an important consideration for me. Personal opinion of course.
Mark
@RJC and @Mark, this is the exact type of feedback I was looking for. Pros and Cons! 🙂
While I figured Interlaken is probably a better fit to visit Gstaad/Zermatt and Lake Brienz area, I like the feeling of being in the mountains and that’s where Wengen scores. One of the reasons I thought about Grindelwald is if it can be a good compromise between Interlaken and Wengen to try to get the best of both worlds.
For your consideration, this is my full itinerary as of now – subject to change based on feedback I receive from great folks like you! 🙂 Thank you everyone!
Note: Swiss Rail Pass and Traveling with two kids age 10 & 12
July Sun Day 0: JFK to Milan
- Take the evening flight from JFK to Milan; you should reach Milan the next day
July Mon Day 1: Arrival @ Milan (Night in Milan)
- EDI land in the afternoon, check-in at the hotel, meet and greet & explore the City in the evening
July Tue Day 2: Milan to Tirano 15th night – Checkin/Out
- Morning/afternoon Explore Milan Sightseeing
- Evening, take the Train to Tirano
- Checkin at the Tirano Hotel and settle down for the next day
July Wed Day 3: Tirano to Chur to Lucerne (Night in Lucerne) Checkin/Out
- Take the Bernina Express UNESCO Heritage Route train at 8 AM
- Reach Chur by afternoon and take the train to Lucerne
July Thu Day 4: Lucerne (Night in Lucerne)
- Mount Titlis
- Explore Geneva in the evening
- Lake Tour/Stancehorn (optional)
July Fri Day 5: Lucerne/Zurich (Night in Lucerne)
- Mount Pilatus – (optional)
- Lucerne Lake explore
- Stoos Ridge Hike
July Sat Day 6: Wengen (Night Wengen)
- Checkout in the morning, checkin in the afternoon
- Train Ride to Interlaken (2 hr scenic ride)
- move to Wangen, a car-free town on the hills, and explore the town
- Männlichen Royal Walk
July Sun Day 7: Grindelwald OR Wengen (Night in Wengen)
- Jungfraujoch – Experience the “Top of Europe”
- Murren Vally trail walk
July Mon Day 8: Wengen (Night in Wengen)
- Rent a Car for today only
- Ride to Gstaad, Thun
- Lake Explore – Naturpark Blausee
- Time permitting, can go all the way to Monterex
July Tue Day 9 : Wengen (Night Wengen)
- First Clif
- Bachalpsee Lake
- Rosenlaui Vally
July Wed Day 10 : Wengen (Night in Zermatt)
- Brienz, Rothern, Harderkukum
- Lake Brienz explore
- Vally Explore
- Evening Train to Zermatt/ place luggage in a locker
July Thu Day 11: Zermatt (Night in Zermatt)
- Matterhorn/Zermmet Explore
July Fri Day 12: Travel to Zurich or Geneva (Fly back home JFK)
SVBackPacker,
A lot depends on what YOU prioritize. If the “feeling of being in the mountains” is your priority then I would go with Wengen (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/) . You could spend all your time around the immediate area and never run out of awesome things to see and do.
Sorry but I’m still trying to wrap my head around day #8. Why rent a car if you have a STP and what is it about these places that is so appealing? No offense!
Also, please don’t discount the weather factor ( https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/practical/weather/ ). Read the title of this post and some of the replies: After days of clouds, finally got a view of the Matterhorn from my hotel window (Zermatt, Switzerland) : r/travel
How would you feel if you packed up the family, moved to Zermatt and on day #11 the weather is rotten and you don’t even get a glimpse of the mountain? I’m not trying to scare you off from going there but understand this is a real possibility which is why again I would circle back to what Roger and Andrew said initially about one base that makes sense for ALL the activities you are attempting to do on this trip.
Regards
Hello Again.
Thanks for setting out your detailed itinerary.
First one general comment. There is no such thing as a ‘Swiss Rail Pass’. I am assuming that you are investing in Swiss TRAVEL passes, valid on buses, boats, streetcars and … oh yes, I remember now … trains!
Days 1 to 3 look fine. Day 3 is NOT ‘too long’. But note that when travelling from Chur to Lucerne you will have to change at either Thalwil or Zurich.
Day 4 is a bit long, even assuming the reference to Geneva is a mistype! You could however combine Titlis (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/titlis/ 50% off with STP) and Stanserhorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/stanserhorn/ FREE with STP) The bottom station for Titlis is at Engelberg. The bottom station for Stanserhorn is STANS, which is the main town between Lucerne and Engelberg.
Day 5. is long if you try and put in all three elements. Your children will love all the activities at Frakmuntegg, on the way up from Kriens to Pilatus. They might find the Stoos Ridge Walk very demanding. Regarding Stoos, note that while the STP gives you free travel on the bus to the bottom station of the funicular, and on the (very steep) funicular itself, the chairlifts going higher up are not free with the STP.
Day 6 If you want to do the Mannlichen walk on this day, you need to be at Wengen by the EARLY afternoon, and hope that your hotel will look after your luggage.
Day 7 Combining Jungfraujoch with Murren looks quite a long day.
Day 8 The most important point has already been made by RJC. You mentioned renting a car one day but since you already have a Swiss Travel Pass I don’t believe that is necessary unless you have something in mind that absolutely requires having a car and don’t mind the added expense.
I would add that. whether you drive along the steep winding roads of the Berner Oberland, or take public transport, this day looks far too long. Either (1) take the train to Gstaad and then (perhaps) carry on towards Montreux. (The most spectacular bit of this line is the descent into Montreux.) Or (2) combine Thun with Blausee. To get to Blausee by public transport you take a train to Frutigen, where two connecting buses will be waiting in front of the station for passengers getting off trains. Make sure you get on the bus bound for KANDERSTEG.
Day 9 I suspect that if the weather is good, then First and Bachalpsee will take up all your time, and there will be no time for Rosenlaui.
Day 10 This looks way too long a day. I suggest just Brienzer Rothorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/brienzer-rothorn/) and, if time, Harder (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/harder-kulm/ )(close to Interlaken Ost station.) before travelling on to Zermatt. The Brienzer Rothorn trains will be very busy. If possible reserve seats.
It takes two hours and twenty minutes to get from Interlaken Ost to Zermatt, with changes at Spiez and Visp. I personally would want to be in Zermatt by about 7 30 pm. That would mean that the last suitable train from Interlaken Ost is at 16 59 (One minute before 5 O’Clock pm).
Day 11. Just pray for fine weather!
(Day 12 Do not even think of flying home to New York from Milan. Getting from Zermatt to Milan will not be easy in July 2025…..)
Best wishes
Roger
- The thread ‘Wengen or Grindelwald as a base to explore the Jungfrau region?’ is closed to new replies.
