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Bern or Wengen with toddler

Hello. My husband, 2.5 year old son, and I have 3 full days to plan in Switzerland for the end of August and need help deciding which to choose as a base town.

Because we have a 2.5 year old, we don’t imagine we will be doing a great deal of adventurous activities, so, should we: 1. Spend the 3 days/4 nights in Bern with one of those days as a trip to Wengen area, or 2. Spend the 3 days/4 nights in the Wengen area with one of those days as a trip to Bern?

This will be our only taste of Switzerland before moving on to Zurich for 2 nights before flying back to the US.

Happy to provide more details if needed, but I think those are the critical pieces. We’d like to base ourselves in one place so we’re not packing up (as we will have done this a few other times before we reach this point in our trip). Thanks!!

Posted by
8967 posts

bdw9877, well what do you want to see and do? Bern is a nice city, with culture, art museums, shopping, etc. But its not in the mountains. Wengen is in the mountains. Thats what most people come to Switzerland to see. The only significance of the toddler's presence as I can see, is that it will take longer to get to Wengen, with a couple of train changes.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you all! This is the direction we were leaning, but were thinking that having a little one with us might make Wengen tougher.

So glad to have your advice!

Posted by
8889 posts

Having a little one is easier in Wengen. He can toddle along the street safely. And fall over in the grass when you are out walking. Or look out with his nose pressed on the train window.

Posted by
6462 posts

I agree on Wengen. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend ;) going up to Gimmelwald. Its charming and your little one will love the little farms and farm animals. There is also a small playground just as you get off the cable car in Gimmelwald. Since it was mostly covered with snow, I can't say how appropriate it would be for toddler. I enjoyed Bern, but I can't think of much that would be enjoyable for a toddler. If you are not locked into your itinerary, I would seriously consider changing your nights in Zurich to Luzern. Luzern is spectacular and is a little over an hour on the train to the airport in Zurich. I think that Luzern and Berner Oberland are top places in Switzerland for many people.

Posted by
451 posts

My little one loved Wengen. No cars, lots of playgrounds. Good walking paths nearby. But we used an Osprey Poco Plus pack to carry or little one.