Advice five day itinerary, Switzerland in July

  • Sarika_sood
    Participant
    4 posts
    26 January 2020 at 0:55:32 #825004

    Hello, we will be in Switzerland for days in July . We are a family of 4. After landing in Zurich we want to take a train and either go stay in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.

    We have 4 full days to explore before arriving back in Zurich . Will have a full day in Zurich .

    Should we make our base in Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald? Or stay in Wengen? Want to cover Lucerne and take scenic train routes.

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    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    26 January 2020 at 2:22:07 #928761

    Hello Sarika Sood and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

    Some words of wisdom from Kim, another Forum contributor and Jungfrau Region expert – “Lauterbrunnen is a very small village down deep in the valley with imposing cliffs above. Therefore it doesn’t get as much daylight as the villages up the mountains do. There is quite a bit of car and bus traffic through the little village and limited selections of restaurants and food stores. During the high summer seasons (July and August) there is a ‘college student backpacking around Europe’ vibe. There is not much there in the way of sightseeing/views, other than the glorious walk down the valley floor (which can also easily be done from Wengen or Mürren). The positives are that there is a fairly major train station there (although Wengen and Mürren are only 15 and 18 mins, respectively, up the mountainsides) and lodging is less expensive (there’s a reason).

    Getting up into a car-free village gives one a much more ‘old Switzerland’ feel. You can’t go wrong with either Mürren or Wengen. We prefer Wengen because we like the views better from there (jaw-dropping), it is slightly larger therefore has more amenities (food stores, restaurants, shopping), is easier to get in and out of so is better as a base, and we think it has more of the quintessential Swiss mountain village ‘vibe’ than does Mürren.

    You could also stay at Interlaken which makes transport to Luzern simpler and quicker if yo plan a day trip there.

    See http://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/activities and http://www.myswissalps.com/berneseoberland/activities.

    Based on your personal itinerary you should read “How to choose the best travel pass” (http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass), download the handy spreadsheet calculator and do the math. The spreadsheet also includes links to the “Where it’s valid” page for all available passes. Be sure to check those pages for each pass you are considering. Study the map AND read all the text on those pages to fully understand what is covered by the respective pass.

    For checking timetables see http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/checking-train-timetables.

    Sarika_sood
    Participant
    4 posts
    26 January 2020 at 4:55:37 #928762

    Thank you for your response.

    in your opinion is it better to stay in Grindelwald as a base ?

    Are 2 days in Wengen and 2 days in Grindelwald good? We do not want to stay interlaken .

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    26 January 2020 at 5:39:30 #928763

    For only 4 nights I don’t think it makes sense to swap hotels. It is not difficulty to travel around the Jungfrau Region so one base is better. Grindelwald is not car-free and is quite spread out. It has the advantage of being a direct train ride from Interaken Ost. It is busier than the other mountain villages but that might appeal to you. It’s hard for me to say which would be best for you and your priorities.

    See http://www.myswissalps.com/grindelwald and http://www.myswissalps.com/wengen.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    26 January 2020 at 13:56:45 #928764

    Hello Sarika sood,

    Welcome to MySwissAlps!

    It might be better to stay in one place for the 4 days. Wengen and Grindelwald are both great places and both have their special qualities. I will attach links to both places, take a look at the photos and see which catches your eyes:

    Wengen:

    Grindelwald:

    Be sure to get familiar with the train timetable:

    I hope this helps you decide!

    Suzanne

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    26 January 2020 at 14:55:57 #928765

    Hi Sarika sood –

    Of the four options, everyone has their own favorite. Mine is Wengen.

    Rockoyster has give sound advice, succinctly, and Kim’s opinions are to be valued.

    I’ll toss in my two cents worth.

    I just plain do not like Grindelwald because it is too commercial. That appeals to some people, but not me. One benefit is the access to the cableways up to First, which are a bus ride or a 20-minute walk from the train station.

    There is certainly sufficient supply of stores, restaurants at all price ranges, etc. in Wengen for a 4 day stay, or more.

    Slowpoke

    Sarika_sood
    Participant
    4 posts
    26 January 2020 at 16:31:23 #928766

    Based on your suggestions we will be staying in Wengen.

    can you please suggest a 4 day itinerary from Wengen .( Easy to moderate hikes preferred as we have a 8 year old). Suggested day trips to nearby villages / towns

    Is it better to stop in Luzern on way to Zurich or make a day trip?

    Based on train connections taking a train to reach Wengen after landing in Zurich around noon is possible? Is there a direct train to Lauterbrunnen from Zurich airport? Or do we need to go Interlaken and change ?

    Thank you

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    26 January 2020 at 19:28:42 #928767

    Hello Sarika sood,

    Thanks for your question! I think it’s great that you stay in Wengen. Here are links about Wengen, and suggested activities. From that link it can help you plan your 4 day itinerary:

    If you have time, make a day trip to Lucerne, it’s worth it. I will attach links about Lucerne for you:

    When you arrive in Zurich airport, you need to change trains in: Bern, Interlaken Ost, and than Lauterbrunnen.

    There are no direct trains from Lauterbrunnen to Zurich airport. You will need to switch trains in: Interlaken Ost, and than Bern.

    Please refer to the timetable for the train connections:

    Good luck!

    Suzanne

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    26 January 2020 at 20:02:48 #928768

    Hi Sarika sood –

    < <“( Easy to moderate hikes preferred as we have a 8 year old). “>>

    One that I took with my 8 year old granddaughter is just above Wengen. It was a big hit!

    http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/maennlichen-kleinescheidegg

    See description and images in ,y post in this thread:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/16-day-itinerary-honeymoon-in-september

    I’ve added a few more pictures taken at Männlichen or on the walk to Kleine Scheidegg to this current thread, and one duplicate, as well.

    <<“Suggested day trips to nearby villages / towns “>>

    We really don’t build itineraries on the Forum, because everyone’s needs and interest are different. In addition to the good links that Suzanne provided, you might like to look at these two links:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/berneseoberland

    and

    http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauregion

    My 8 year old granddaughter was fascinated by music boxes….still is, 10 years later.

    You can buy them at the Swiss handicrafts stores (Heimatwerk) in larger cites.

    http://www.heimatwerk.ch/en/

    However, because she now has bit of a collection, I go to one of the best the best sources, where they actually make them. It is in Brienz, at the other end of the lake from Interlaken. The name of the concern is Jobin, and they also sell wood carvings. Run a school, too, I think.

    jobin.ch/

    Sorry for the German, but you can figure it out. They are about a 5-10 minute walk from the train station and ship landing, on the main street, uphill side.

    Slowpoke

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    26 January 2020 at 20:20:25 #928769

    On one day train down to Lauterbrunnen. From Lauterbrunnen a very nice circuit to do is to Grütschalp (cable car), Mürren (train), Gimmelwald (cable car), Stechelberg (cable car), Lauterbrunnen (bus). From Mürren you can easily visit Schilthorn (don’t miss The Thrill Walk at Birg) and even Allmendhubel if you have time. In between Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen the bus stops at the Trummelbach Falls. Well worth a look.

    Sarika_sood
    Participant
    4 posts
    26 January 2020 at 20:47:41 #928770

    Thank you so much for your responses. Looks like I am all set .

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