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Brienz versus Lauterbrunnen in April

Hello! My husband and I are planning some time in Switzerland before visiting friends in Amsterdam in April. Knowing the weather is unpredictable, I'm looking for feedback on whether to stay in Brienz or Lauterbrunnen as a base for a few days in that region. Here's our tentative schedule:

4/19 - flying into Zurich and taking a train to either Brienz or Lauterbrunnen
4/19 to 4/22 - enjoy the region (Jungfau is the only "must" we have), find a hike or 2 and be flexible to the weather
4/22 - take the train up to Lucerne and stay there until flying to Amsterdam on 4/24

We're looking to only stay in 2 places so very much appreciate your thoughts and feedback. Other option we toyed with was Lucerne and Appenzell but as we have dairy cows have decided to go for mountains and lakes versus that dairy region. :)

Posted by
16893 posts

I don't really know how bad the weather might be, but I'd think of staying at Lauterbrunnen as "planning for the best," so you're 50 minutes closer to the valley and mountain destinations whenever the weather does cooperate. If there's a day that you end up heading to the lake, instead, it's only one day covering that direction of travel. You'll probably miss your cows, so you can still find some in this area.

Posted by
7209 posts

To clarify Laura's information - if you stay in Lauterbrunnen you "ARE" in the valley...the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Which is closer to Jungfraujoch than Brienz.

Posted by
11247 posts

One over the other? Yes, Lauterbrunnen. Easiest access to the Jungfraujoch early int he morning when it is most likely to have the best weather, more options overall, actually in the mountains.