We would like to experience at least part of Glacier Express. We only have one day and are staying in Wengen. We can catch train in Brig (Wengen to Ost to Spiez to Brig) around 9 and go as far as Chur and then return. My question is.. Is this part of Glacier Express worth all this train hopping?
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2320 posts
Where will you be before and after Wengen, and how long will you be in the BO area. I’m wondering if it makes sense to leave the glorious alps just to take a train through the alps, if that makes sense. Or does it make more sense to try to take a scenic train ride on your way to/from Wengen.
Posted by
Paris
6901 posts
I would say it's not worth it. There are plenty of scenic railways closer to Wengen: the Luzern-Interlaken express, the Montreux-Zweisimmen, and... the railway from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen and on to Grindelwald, right on your doorstep.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8447 posts
Well, no matter how beautiful the scenery, to ride a train for 5 hours (from Brig), then turn around and ride back 5 hours over the same scenery is not as fun as it sounds.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32767 posts
the 5 hours is the least of it.
There is also the minimum 2 hours each way between Wengen and Brig, and that's using the fast train between Spiez and Visp (just before Brig) which is in the basis-tunnel for virtually the whole distance of that leg. No scenery under there, whereas if you had time to take the scenic Lötchberger train over the mountains to Brig from Spiez there is abundant scenery.
Of all the scenic trains in Switzerland (I've done them all except the Chocolate train, where I have been over the route by car) I am least impressed by the Glacier Express. Not because it is not scenic - it is - but because it is basically the same views over ice fields and rocky tops of mountains for mile after mile after mile. I have been the whole distance west to east once and separately from Chur halfway from east to west to Disentis/Mustér and then turned around back to Chur. (It may have been Landquart, not sure). I'm afraid I got bored both times.
My personal favourites are Interlaken Ost via Meiringen and Brünig to Luzern; and the route of the Bernina Express but with local trains. I'm afraid I don't travel on any named trains, just the hourly local trains doing the same route, in the same time, same scenery, hourly every day, for much less money.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8447 posts
Nigel, I'm glad you said that. I didn't want to admit that I nodded off several times during the trip.
Posted by
OP
Pawtucket, RI, USA
118 posts
Thank you everyone for your responses.. That is exactly what I needed to know..is that section worth the hassle. This is our 13th trip to Switzerland and Jungfrau
region and have traveled most of areas mentioned. We just had not been on Glacier Express