3 nights in Interlaken or up in mtns?

cbro, do a Search on "interlaken" here on this forum, and you'll find hundreds of similar inquiries, for which almost always the replies are - don't stay in Interlaken. Interlaken is basically a transportation hub, with more shops and restaurants for tourists. But its not IN the mountains that you're there to see. It is at the foot of the mountains, not in the mountains or the valley where you are surrounded by the mountains. Distances are deceiving in the mountains. That means that you'd be wasting a lot of transportation time both ways every day to get to the places you want to be. Lauterbrunnen is central, on the valley floor, makes it a good hub for those places you want to see. But being halfway up the mountain like Mürren or Wengen just makes it more spectacular.

I agree whole heartedly. Grindelwald is just the perfect place for a base to the area. Check out the Spinne hotel. Be sure to Google gentle walks in the Jungfrau. Many of them for all types of hikers.

Grindelwald would be an upgrade vs. Interlaken. Wengen is even better, as it is really up in the mountains. Mürren is even higher but less convenient (further from Grindelwald and Jungfrau). Have a look at Lauterbrunnen as well.

If it were anywhere else, Interlaken would be a great destination. But when you're so close to Lauterbrunnen, Murren and Wengen, staying in Interlaken is a lost opportunity.

Thanks all for the insights. Interlaken is out and I've made hotel res in Grindelwald...

Definitely enjoy the accessibility and tranquility of the mountain and valley towns.

One other question - we will be in BO from Oct 23-26. I am reading that some cable cars close mid October - can I assume that we can find alternative ways to access villages and trails later in the year?

Thanks again for all of the feedback and input!

In general, any village like Murren or Wengen will be open to trains/cable cars year round because they have to keep stocking the grocery stores. As for other places, you can get a pretty good idea of the open times and non-maintenance times from these 2 sites:

https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/prices-and-brochures/

www.schilthorn.ch/en/Infos/Timetable__and__Tariff