[Anonymous]

4 February 2020 at 21:24:19 #825106

Hello, we will be traveling around Switzerland mid-April and need helping choosing a place to stay. We have narrowed down our choices to two vacation rentals, one in Spiez and one in Brienz, but can’t decide between them. We will arrive mid/late afternoon on a Saturday and move on to Lucerne Wednesday morning. During our visit we plan to do one day on Jungfrau– Lauterbrunnen, glacier visit, and hopefully the First Mountain Carts if I can convince my sister she isn’t going to die on one. Another day around Brienz– boat/ferry, Ballenberg museum, possibly up to Meiringen for the Sherlock museum or to Interlaken for Harder Klum. And one day on Lake Thun– ferry, St Beatus Caves, Thun & Spiez castles and towns. With those day trips in mind is one town better equipped for public transit than the other? Does one city have better options for restaurants, shops, and lake views? Also are our day trips reasonable, anything to add or remove? Thank you!

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[User]

Reply 1 of 6 • 5 February 2020 at 13:28:36 #929435

Hi Megal and welcome to MySwissAlps!

Can you share the two vacation rentals with us? I would say that also their location within the towns can be important if you make day trips from there.

If their locations are quite the same I think I would choose Brienz: http://www.myswissalps.com/brienz. I think that Lake Brienz (http://www.myswissalps.com/lakebrienz) is nicer than Lake Thun (http://www.myswissalps.com/lakethun).

Ildiko

Also see:

• Jungfraujoch: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch/gettingthere
• Jungfrau region: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauregion/activities
• Interlaken: http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken

[User]

Reply 2 of 6 • 5 February 2020 at 18:05:23 #929436

Thank you for your reply! Unfortunately airbnb will not tell you the location until after you book, in Brienz the description states the apartment is about 300m away from Brienz West, 100m from lake, and near the church. In Spiez it is less than 100m to train station next to the shops and restaurants with balcony views to the cove.

We like the lake access of Brienz better than a hilly walk in Spiez to reach the shore but Spiez looks like it might have more restaurant and shopping choices. I’m also wondering if Spiez will have more frequent trains and buses.

[User]

Reply 3 of 6 • 5 February 2020 at 20:15:08 #929437

Yes, this is one of the reasons why we do not really recommend Airbnb, please read: http://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/airbnb.

Spiez is bigger than Brienz, for sure (the population of Spiez is around 12 500, while Brienz’s is only around 3 000.) But you can find restaurants in Brienz too, have a look at Google Maps, search for “restaurants near Brienz” and same for Spiez.

If you cannot decide, try to look for images on Google for both places. It might help.

Have you tried to look for accommodation at http://www.myswissalps.com/brienz/hotels and http://www.myswissalps.com/brienz/rentals? And https://www.hotelscombined.com/Place/Spiez_1.htm

You can search for the timetables at http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.

Ildiko

[Peterli]

Reply 4 of 6 • 5 February 2020 at 20:23:50 #929438

Hej,

“I’m also wondering if Spiez will have more frequent trains and buses.” The answer is a most definite “yes”. Spiez is a much better location when it comes to the frequency of public transportation departures and connections. You will not be disappointed with Spiez (or even nearby Thoune) for all kinds of wonderful scenery and shopping and restaurant opportunities. And you an always pop over to see the smaller Lac de Brienz in no time at all.

[User]

Reply 5 of 6 • 6 February 2020 at 16:46:27 #929439

Thank you both for your replies, I appreciate it. I will definitely check out those links you shared and examine our options further, I am not familiar with those booking websites but appreciate the variety of choices.

[User]

Reply 6 of 6 • 6 February 2020 at 18:59:49 #929440

Hi Megal,

HotelsCombined.com is a hotel price comparison site. It compares the prices from different booking sites and allows you to choose the one you prefer. It is safe and trustable.

Ildiko