[Birivera]

9 October 2019 at 17:56:40 #824135

Hello:

This is my first trip to Switzerland, and therefore, not familiar with traveling by train there, but willing to embark on the adventure. So I’m planning to travel to Jungfraujoch from Zurich HB, on November 10, weather permitting, to return Zurich that night, as my 8-day Swiss guided tour begins the next morning. I would plan to leave be leaving around 6:30-7:00. From looking up the information, I gather that the train trip takes about roughly 4 hours to Jungfraujoch. That means I would be arriving at Jungfraujoch sometime around 11:00ish. If time allows, I would like to make my go-to trip Interlaken – Grindelwald and my return trip via Lauterbrunnen, so that I can stop there and see the valley and falls if time allows. These are my questions:

1. Is traveling by train the fastest means of transportation to Interlaken, in order to reach the Jungfraujoch?

2. I know that the time spent at the mountain top is discretionary, and I don’t plan to linger too long or have a long lunch, etc. but want to enjoy the views and take pictures without rushing to leave. What is a reasonable amount of time needed to enjoy the views and get off the mountain to be able to do other things, such as a stop at Lauterbrunnen?

3. Is it realistic, timewise, for me to do this trip from Zurich and get back by night, at a decent time to get back to my hotel, traveling alone, most likely, as my friend will not be accompanying me?

4. If feasible to make the trip, upon my return to Zurich by train, what are safe means of transportation for me to get back to the hotel? Bus, taxi? I suppose I can inquire about this at the hotel as well. I’m just trying to get as much information ahead of time as possible, being that where I’m from, public transportation at night is not the safest means, and I’m not familiar with your options.

5. My idea to make the return trip from Jungfraujoch through Lauterbrunnen is to, if feasible, make a stop there to hike some in the valley and by the waterfalls. Being that is Fall season and weather is cooler, is the hike feasible and possible?

6. I know there plenty of waterfalls around the valley, but I would like to see at least the most worthy, Staubbach Falls and/or the Trümmelbach Falls. Feel free to suggest any alternative routes/hikes and how I can achieve this if possible, in the shortest time. I am up for the hike, although not planning to run through it ;-), and able to do an easy to moderate short hike, time and weather permitting. Are there train stations in between that I can hop on and hop off in order to maximize time rather than walk for hours?

Thank you for your assistance!

Brenda

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[Removed user]

9 October 2019 at 20:13:31 #923409

Hi Brenda,

1. Traveling from Zurich to Jungfraujoch by train is the best and most comfortable option. It really takes around 4 hours (see the timetable at http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable).

2. You should count at least 2 hours at the top of Jungfraujoch, see more information at http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfraujoch.

3. It will be a very long day, but yes, you can do that. It depends on you, how much energy you left for Lauterbrunnen. Be aware that days are getting shorter, you can check the sunset at http://www.timeanddate.com/su n/@2659992. The best if you check the timetables and plan accordingly.

4. In general Switzerland is a safe country, you can take the public transportation. As it is getting dark around 5 pm in November, probably you will be already on the train at 6 pm, so you will be back in Zurich around 9 pm. That is not that late, but if you feel unsafe you can take the taxi too.

5. This one is a short hike from Lauterbrunnen to one of the waterfalls: http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/lauterbrunnen-stechelberg. But to be honest I am not sure if it will fit in your itinerary. I think you should stay flexible according to this and also the weather. Read more about the weather at http://www.myswissalps.com/we ather and forecast at http://www.myswissalps.com/we ather/forecast. You should carefully check for the conditions (weather, snow, hiking route) before you start your hike.

6. I believe I’ve already answered this 🙂

I hope this helps, let me know if you have further questions.

More information about the places you are planning to visit at:

• Zurich: http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich
• Lauterbrunnen: http://www.myswissalps.com/la uterbrunnen
• Jungfrau region: http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion/activitie s

[Birivera]

9 October 2019 at 20:40:37 #923410

Great! Thanks so much, very helpful.

Brenda