Must-knows about Wengen Switzerland

  • Wengen is one of the most popular mountain villages of the Bernese Alps. 
  • The town is located above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, with magnificent views of the Jungfrau and other snow-covered Alps.
  • Wengen is car-free. Drivers have to park in Lauterbrunnen down in the valley.
  • It takes some time to reach Wengen. It’s a good base to explore the Jungfrau Region, but we don’t recommend it if you want to visit other areas too.
  • Wengen is touristy, but in a good way. With all facilities, no cars, and stunning scenery it’s easy to relax here.
Recommended season: early January to mid March and early May to late October
This is a car-free town
Altitude: 1276 m (4186 ft)
This is a winter sports resort
Town size: Small
Local language: German
There is a train station
Cable car from Wengen to Männlichen
The steep cable car route from Wengen to Männlichen in the Jungfrau Region.
The Arenas Resorts hotel in Wengen
One of the many hotels with balconies and mountain views in Wengen.
Wengen, Lauterbrunnen and Lauterbrunnen Valley from Männlichen
View of the towns Wengen and Lauterbrunnen from the mountain Männlichen (Jungfrau Region).

What to do near Wengen Copy link to clipboard

Find your activities in and near Wengen

Jungfraujoch mountain station and Konkordiaplatz
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Mönch, Jungfraujoch, Tschuggen and Jungfrau from Männlichen
Männlichen
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Must-sees near Wengen

If you're short on time in Wengen, we advise to consider the below excursions:

Winter activities in Wengen

Snow activities are widely available in Wengen: there are groomed hiking trails, snowshoe tours, an ice rink for curling and skating and sledge runs. An interesting sledge run is the ‘Fox trail’: it’s next to the famous Lauberhorn ski run.

For more options, you can also visit the ski areas near Mürren and Grindelwald.

Bad-weather activities

Staying in Wengen means you are dependent on the weather, as nearly all activities are in the outdoors. Some ideas for rainy days:

  • Go shopping in Interlaken. Find more tips for rainy weather in our Interlaken guide.
  • Visit the national capital Bern.
  • Explore the town of Thun.
  • Visit the Trümmelbach Falls down in the Lauterbrunnen Valley (they're in caves).

Our travel info and map of Wengen Copy link to clipboard

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How does the timetable work?

Wengen is car-free and can be reached by train only. The area can be explored by train, cableway, and on foot.

How to reach Wengen

You'll usually travel to Wengen from Interlaken. Take a train to Lauterbrunnen from the rail station Interlaken Ost, and then switch to the cogwheel train to Wengen.

Please find all details about this last section in our travel guide Lauterbrunnen-Wengen.

How long does it take to reach Wengen?

A train trip from Interlaken Ost to Wengen takes just under 40 minutes: 20 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen, and less than 15 minutes by cogwheel from Lauterbrunnen.

You'll find all connections in the Swiss timetable.

How to reach Wengen by car

Wengen is car-free and you can't drive to the village. If you come by car, you'll need to park in the paid garage in Lauterbrunnen and then take the cogwheel train up to Wengen.

Go to Wengen by train or by car?

Travel by train if you can. You will save on parking costs, and you won't be needing a car to explore the region anyway.

Scenic routes to Wengen via Grindelwald

You can combine your journey to Wengen with 2 scenic mountain routes via Grindelwald. From there, you can reach Wengen either via Männlichen or via Kleine Scheidegg. Note that these routes aren't accessible all year.

Starting from the Grindelwald train station, travel as follows:

  • Take the train to Grindelwald Terminal. Then use the gondolas to Männlichen and the cable car down to Wengen.
  • Board the cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg. Then take another cogwheel train down to Wengen.

How to get around in town

Wengen is small. You can get by on foot. There are no cars or buses. If you travel with lots of luggage, your hotel can usually arrange for a pick-up service.

How to travel from Wengen to other areas

From Wengen, there are trains back down to Lauterbrunnen and further up the mountain to Kleine Scheidegg and eventually Jungfraujoch.

From Lauterbrunnen, you can continue to Interlaken and other parts of the Bernese Oberland and Switzerland. From Kleine Scheidegg, you can take another train to reach Grindelwald.

There's also a cableway up to Männlichen. Several hiking routes start there, and there's a gondola down to Grindelwald.

In winter, many ski lifts make sure you can reach the more than 200 km of pistes in the Jungfrau Region.

Discounted local trips with the Guest Card

Hotels in Wengen provide a free Guest Card when you check in. The card provides various discounts on local attractions and cableways.

Rail passes for your stay in Wengen

In most cases, the discounts provided by your Guest Card aren't enough. An additional rail pass will help you save money. Your main options are:

Our rail pass-choosing guide helps you determine which option matches your plans best.

Map of Wengen in Switzerland

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Travel guides for the Wengen area Copy link to clipboard

Wengen, Lauterbrunnen and Lauterbrunnen Valley from Männlichen

Lauterbrunnen to Wengen

Getting from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen is easy and very scenic. We explain all about the 12-minute trip by cogwheel train.

When to visit Wengen Copy link to clipboard

We recommend visiting Wengen in these months: early January to mid March and early May to late October.

Wengen in spring: mid-March to June

Wengen's location in the mountains causes spring and summer to set in later than in lower Swiss areas. Its surroundings can be somehwat muddy and brown in March and April.

That's why we prefer to visit Wengen from mid-May. There can still be snow on the higher hiking trails by this time of the year, but valley hikes are already very pleasant. The Männlichen cable car and the cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg will run without any maintenance closures from mid- to late May.

June is a brilliant month to stay in Wengen. It's less crowded than in July and August, there's normally still snow on the mountain tops, and nature looks fresh and green. Most outdoor activities are accessible, except maybe for the higher alpine hiking trails.

Wengen in summer: July to September

July and August are busy months in Wengen. Many tourists from abroad, but also the Swiss themselves, travel around the Jungfrau Region.

Wengen is a pleasant refuge if it's hot down in the valleys. This is the perfect time for high-altitude hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

The same holds true for September. It's usually quieter than in July and August, but weather can still be very pleasant. The first signs of autumn may appear by mid- or late September.

Wengen in autumn: October

We love Wengen in autumn. The fall colors down in the valley are stunning, it's relatively quiet, and fresh snow may cover the mountain peaks above the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Mountain transport mostly operates until mid-October. Hiking on mountain paths may no longer be possible.

Wengen in winter

Wengen is an excellent winter village. It’s not as high as Mürren on the other side of the valley, but you’ll still have good chances of snow in town. Snowfall is most likely in January, February and early March.

November and early December aren’t the best time to visit Wengen: snowfall isn’t likely yet and it’s low season. Not all mountain transportation is operational.

What to expect weather wise Copy link to clipboard

How warm does it get in Wengen?

July and August are the warmest months in Wengen. It can get 14°C to 20°C during daytime in the village. These are averages: lower and higher temperatures occur as well.

How cold does it get in Wengen?

Even though Wengen is in the mountains, daytime temperatures in the coldest months January and February are usually above freezing point: 2°C to 6°C. Frost during the nights is common. 

Does it snow in Wengen?

Snow in Wengen during winter is likely but not guaranteed. Chances of snow are best from January to early March. 

Does it rain in Wengen?

Wengen is in the relatively moist climate zone of the northern Swiss Alps, so rain is common.

The wettest months are May to August. This doesn't mean you should expect days of rain in these months. Although this can happen, showers alternating with sunny spells are more common.

You can just as well experience clear blue skies and sunny summer weather for days or even weeks in a row. As in all of the Swiss Alps, weather around Wengen is changeable and hard to predict.

5-day weather forecast for Wengen

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Accommodation in Wengen Copy link to clipboard

Book a hotel or a holiday home in Wengen?

For a stay that's less than 4 days, a hotel in Wengen is recommended. Holiday homes and apartments are usually for rent for longer periods.

Are mountain views guaranteed?

Lots of hotels and chalets in Wengen offer views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Jungfrau and other mountains. Don't assume this for each accommodation though. If a panoramic view is important to you, always check the specifics and review pictures.

Accommodation in the Jungfrau Region

If you want to look for options in nearby villages as well, check our Jungfrau Region accommodation tips.

Our Wengen hotel overview

Street in Wengen opposite Männlichen cable car station

Hotels in Wengen, Jungfrau Region

Find your hotel in Wengen, learn how to find rooms with stunning views of the Jungfrau and the Lauterbrunnen Valley, …

What Wengen is like

Location and scenery

Wengen is on a plateau in the Jungfrau Region, which is part of the Bernese Oberland. The village offers panoramic views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and mountains like th Jungfrau, Breithorn and Schilthorn.

A picture-perfect village

Wengen is one of the picturesque villages you may have in mind when you imagine what the Swiss Alps look like: no cars, mountains all around, green meadows and forests surrounding the village. It’s a perfect place to hike in summer and enjoy the snow in winter.

Touristy in a good way

Like many popular villages, Wengen is pretty touristy, but we feel it’s in a good way: all facilities like hotels, the basic shops and transportation systems are there, so it’s easy to experience the Jungfrau Region without hassle. At the same time, there are no cars, large shopping centers or fast food places.

Mürren is on the opposite side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It offers a similar experience, but with different views.

Pros and cons of Wengen

Small and quiet

Wengen is car-free, which is perfect for hikers, families, and anyone seeking peace and quiet in the Alps. The village is small. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants, but don’t expect museums or many nightlife options.

Popular and pricey

The village is popular, so it’s not necessarily the cheapest place to stay. Budget and mid-range hotels and apartments can be found though.

Not the best location to explore a larger area

While Wengen is a perfect base to explore the Jungfrau Region, it takes quite some time to travel to other areas from here: you first have to take the train down to the valley.

Are you interested in alternative towns in the Jungfrau Region? Compare them here.

FAQ about Wengen

  1. Where is Wengen located?

    Wengen is on a plateau high on the eastern slopes of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It’s in the Jungfrau Region, which is part of the holiday region Bernese Oberland in the Swiss canton of Bern.

    Wengen is at a 0h15 train ride from Lauterbrunnen, 0h40 from Interlaken, and 2h40 from Zurich.

  2. Is Wengen car-free?

    Yes, Wengen is car-free. You can’t drive in or to the village.

  3. Can I drive to Wengen?

    No. Wengen can only be reached by train from Lauterbrunnen in the valley. You’ll have to park your car there.

  4. Is Wengen snow-sure?

    Wengen is at well over 1200 m altitude. This means that snow in town is likely during winter, but not guaranteed.

    The ski areas around Wengen are reasonably snow-sure, especially in the coldest winter months: January and February.

  5. Is Wengen a good base?

    Wengen is a good base if you like amazing mountain views, prefer peace and quiet, and focus on the Jungfrau Region during your stay.

    If you want to explore other areas too, we recommend a more central base such as Interlaken. Compare the villages in the Jungfrau Region here.

Other websites of interest

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.