Luzern or Bern?

Posted by cstretco on 05/13/15 04:37 AM

We are arriving in Zurich early morning of the 29th of September and plan to meet up with friends on October the 6th in Milan. We would like to spend most of our time in the Berner Oberland area and then travel to Lake Como to spend 2or 3 nights before meeting up with our friends. Our time in Switzerland is limited and we are trying to decide whether to spend our first night either in Luzern or Bern. We would appreciate any feedback. We will probably be traveling by train.

Also, we are trying to decide which village to stay in the BO area - Murren or Wengen. It looks like Wengen may be a bit larger after reading the RS Switzerland book. We would like charm, great views and some amenities nearby. Any suggestions there?

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

05/13/15 04:55 AM

20072 posts

For charm, you can't beat Muerren. Luzern is nicer than Bern IMHO. And the train ride from Luzern to the B.O. is also quite scenic. Travel from there to Lake Como will be a long day, but lots of mountain scenery on the way.

Posted by asps2

Firenze

05/13/15 05:38 AM

500 posts

As the old adage says, "Bern is twice as big as Vienna cemetery, but only half as fun".

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

05/13/15 05:56 AM

32201 posts

Both cities are very scenic, but my preference would most definitely be Lucerne (one of my favourite cities in Switzerland).

In the Berner Oberland I prefer to stay in Lauterbrunnen for pragmatic reasons, but of the two towns you mentioned I'd suggest Mürren. It provides great views, a convenient walk down the hill to Gimmelwald (one of the RS favourites), and an easy (although not cheap) trip to the Schilthorn.

Wengen seems more "posh" (expensive?) so it doesn't fit as well with my travel style. Also, if most of the touring you want to do is on the other side of the valley, it will take time and money to go back down the hill to Lauterbrunnen and then to your desired destination.

Posted by Terri Lynn

Nashville, TN, USA

05/13/15 07:14 AM

795 posts

I would choose Lucerne over Bern any day! Also, we like Wengen a lot. Stay at the Romantik Hotel Schoenegg in Wenchen and wake up to look out at the most amazing views! It is very charming. The hotel itself is gorgeous and has any amenity you could want. www.hotel-schoenegg.ch Wengen is in a great area for skiing or hiking in the area.

Posted by cstretco OP

05/13/15 05:18 PM

17 posts

Thank you all very much for your advice. I do believe Luzern and Murren is our choices now. This forum is very helpful!

Posted by Anthony

Holmes Beach, Florida

05/13/15 07:54 PM

33 posts

Could folks elaborate on the strong prefernce for Luzern? Its very nice there but I thought much of Bern was supposed to be a UNESCO world heritage site, preserved for many centuries??

Posted by phred

Los Angeles

05/14/15 11:58 PM

4389 posts

My take is, Bern is an actual mid-sized city while Lucerne is a mid-sized tourist town. I didn't feel they were similar at all. It seemed that Bern developed because of trade and its location on a river while Lucerne was for building grand hotels alongside the lakeside promenade. Kinda like Montreux.