Lucerne in Sept: day trip to Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Mürren
A traveler is planning a 3-night stay in Lucerne in mid-September and wants to visit Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, or Mürren, mainly to enjoy the beauty of the Alps. They’re unsure if they should also visit Kleine Scheidegg given the long round trip back to Lucerne.
- Using the Swiss Travel Pass or Saver Day Pass offers free travel to Wengen and Mürren, but remember, the Swiss Travel Pass only gives a 25% discount for journeys to Kleine Scheidegg.
- Start your day early with the Lucerne-Interlaken Express for the best experience.
- Check the weather forecast and mountain webcams before heading out, as conditions can vary greatly between lower and higher altitudes.
AI-generated summary-
We are staying in Lucerne for 3 nights in mid-September. We want to take the train, etc to lauterbrunnen and on to Wengen or Murren. We are primarily interested in just the beauty of the Alps. But it will be a long round trip back to Lucerne. Will we be sorry we don’t go on to Kleine Scheidegg?
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Hello Swof
Welcome to MySwissAlps
Lucerne to Wengen
Changing at Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen, this journey takes 2 hours and 35 minutes. The return journey takes 2 hours and 43 minutes.
Note that both the Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) and the Saver Day Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/) will take you free up to Wengen (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/)Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg.
Takes 22 minutes going up, 25 minutes going down. Super views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Well worth the TIME. BUT note that holders of the Swiss Travel Pass get only 25% discount. Holders of Saver Day Passes get no discount.Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald
Whenever I go up from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg, I will always go down to Grindelwald (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/grindelwald/). The descent takes 39 minutes. As a holder of an STP, I will get a 25% discount on this trip. Holders of Saver Day Passes get no discount.Grindelwald to Lucerne
This takes 2 hours and 38 minutes changing at Interlaken Ost. STP and Saver Day Pass both give free travel on this route.Lucerne to Murren
This takes 2 hours and 48 minutes, changing at Interlaken Ost, Lauterbrunnen, and Grutschalp. The return journey takes 2 hours and 57 minutes.
Note that both the Swiss Travel Pass and the Saver Day Pass will take you free up to Murren (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/murren/). Note that the Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp leg of this journey is a cable car.Best wishes
Roger
Your reply is very helpful. Thanks so much. Each part of your answer gets me closer to a clearer understanding of what I’m planning! Again, thanks!
Hi Swof,
It is certainly possible to do a day trip from Lucerne to these places. I suggest you start your journey early by taking the Lucerne-Interlaken Express train to Interlaken Ost. Then continue with the regional train to Wengen according to Roger’s suggestions above. Please use the Swiss timetable to look up train schedules: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
regards,
Anna
Luzern to Wengen or Murren will indeed be a long trip regardless of which you choose since you’ll be sitting in a train, bus, or gondola for about 6 hours. However, it is a very popular area for good reason. I’ve been to Kleine Scheidegg several times but only passed by Murren once on the multi-gondola trip to the Schilthorn. Of your two options, I suggest Wengen. And then on to Kleine Scheidegg. The train station at KS has a restaurant with outdoor seating, and it is a delightful and very scenic spot to have lunch and a drink, with the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau right in front of you.
If you really want to make a long day of it, you can take the gondola from Wengen to Mannlichen (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/mannlichen/) , then the easy hiking trail (the Grannies Walk) to Kleine Scheidegg. The trail takes about one hour and is almost entirely downhill as you walk to KS with the famous peaks directly in front of you. That is about as easy as it gets for a visitor to experience the beauty of the Alps.
One important tip. Check the weather forecast before you leave, and in particular the mountaintop web cams. Weather at lower levels is no indication of weather on the mountains. If the forecast isn’t promising for the Jungfrau area, you may find better weather at Rigi(https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/) , Pilatus ( https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/) Stanserhorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/stanserhorn/), or Titlis (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/titlis/), all of which are much closer to Luzern. And pack a light rain jacket just in case.
Enjoy your trip!
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