Bernese Oberland in late October a good idea?
A traveler named Angie93 is planning a trip to the Bernese Oberland from October 24th to 27th. They are unsure about visiting during the shoulder season due to potential cold weather and limited activities, and are looking for recommendations on where to stay, preferring Lauterbrunnen but considering Grindelwald as well. Angie93 is also curious if the trip is worth it given the timing.
- Check the weather in advance, as it can be unpredictable in late October.
- Consider staying in Interlaken or nearby towns like Wilderswil for better access to attractions and amenities.
- The Swiss Travel Pass is a good option for flexible travel around the country during your stay.
- Although it may not be very green, the beauty of the mountains and villages will still be enjoyable.
AI-generated summary-
I am planning a trip to the Bernese Oberland this October. The only dates we could go are from the 24th to the 27th. I would really like to get to know this area as it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, however after doing some research I am noticing it may not be the best time to go because of the shoulder season.
I am ok with not many activities being available as I would be happy being there and having a couple of slow days just enjoying the views. My main concerns are the weather (if it would be too cold that I won’t want to be outside. I am from a tropical country), if the towns would be too empty that it may feel we are the only tourists, and if it would still look pretty green (which in my personal opinion is one of the things that makes these valleys so beautiful)
Also, which town would you recommend staying in for those dates. My preferred option would be Lauterbrunnen but I was wondering if Grindelwald would be a better choice.
In short, do you think it is really worth all the time and money to go there in those dates, or if it would be smarter just going to another destination?
Thank you in advance for all your help.
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Hi Angie93-
Welcome to My Swiss Alps!
Your questions deserve some more detailed answers than I can give right now. But here are some comments that may get you started
I did check on one very special cableway ride. The cableway from Wengen to makes its last runs of the season on the 27th, a Sunday. You’re in luck for that one. You can go up any day that you are there.
Also, the cableways up to Schilthorn wil be running. Their service downtime is in November.
Many of us like to stay in Wengen, and there will be some people there and some services open. Most restaurants and hotels in any of the towns will be closed, but not all.
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim
Some links are obsolete, I believe, but the information is sound.
Grindelwald might actually have more options, because it is a much more commercial ( but less charming) village. Too commercial for my tastes.
<<“In short, do you think it is really worth all the time and money to go
there in those dates, or if it would be smarter just going to another
destination?”>>
http://www.timeanddate.com/we ather/@2658020/histori c?month=10&year=2018
Only you can make that judgement. How can we decide for you what will be too cold? Based on your suggested interests, I think that you will be able enjoy the area in the time when you plan to go. One thing that you will not see is “lush green valleys. Actually, not anywhere in Switzerland in late October, I believe. See image of Grindelwald taken in late September.
But, your opinions may be different from my opinions.
In the USA, the internet slang for that is the same as the warning that they give you when you buy a new car, and ask what the gasoline mileage will be. The answer “Your Mileage May Vary…YMMV” has become a kind of shorthand for “no one but you can tell.” 😉
So, YMMV. 😉
Slowpoke
Hi Angie93, welcome to MySwissAlps!
If you’re fine with taking things slow, I think you can have an amazing time in the Bernese Oberland. Of course weather is an important factor, but that holds true for basically any season: http://www.myswissalps.com/be sttimetovisit, http://www.myswissalps.com/we ather. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to experience some wonderful last fall colours and crisp clear skies. If I were you, I’d pick a base town somewhat more centrally located than either Lauterbrunnen (http://www.myswissalps.com/la uterbrunnen) or Grindelwald (http://www.myswissalps.com/gr indelwald). You may not prefer Interlaken itsel (http://www.myswissalps.com/in terlaken), but how about a nearby town such as Wilderswil? Spiez or Thun (http://www.myswissalps.com/th un) might work well too. This would provide easy access not only to the Jungfrau area you’re interested in, but also to other parts of the country and some interesting cities, in case weather forces you to change your plans. A 4 day Swiss Travel Pass would allow flexible traveling throughout the country: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass.
Hi Annika –
You have made a good point about Interlaken. Compared to the smaller villages, it will have more activity and the available commercial stuff ( stores, restaurants) will likely have more choices, since seasonal shut-downs are less common than in the alpine villages/resorts.
And, it certainly offers quicker and better connections via mainline trains out to the rest of Switzerland. They are faster than the narrow gauge mountain trains going into the valley(s) to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, plus the added 20 minute ride down from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen if you stay in Wengen.
Bern is only 52 minutes away from Interlaken Ost (IO) with frequent trains on the hour and half-hour all day long, for example. Traveling from Lautebrunnen adds 30 minutes, more or less each way. Wengen, another 20 minutes plus short the time at LB.
On the other hand, you really do not have the feeling of being in the Alps ( Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald) or up on them ( Wengen, Mürren.) and all but Grindelwald are much more charming small villages.
And, even though it won’t be as green as the attached image ( taken in June + a bit too much Photoshop to brighten the colors) , you can’t beat the views from the villages , for example, from Wengen. Still a good amount of green in the sunny areas in early September 2018, actually, in a photo taken from my room at the Hotel Bellevue Wengen.
Slowpoke
I have decided to go. Worst case scenario it will snow, which would be a novelty for me. I guess the valleys won’t look green but I am sure it will still be beautiful and I will get to live the small Swiss village vibe. I am still trying to decide where to stay but will do more research on all the options you suggested so I can make the best choice.
Thank you for your replies and time 🙂
That’s great Angie93! Fingers crossed for good weather, but as mentioned, that goes for any time of the year. Let us know if you have any further questions!
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