We have decided on a 5 day visit to Switzerland arriving in Zurich on October 5 and traveling by train down to Interlaken. That seemed like a good base with easy access for our short stay. We are now re-thinking that hub and wondering if the charm and scenery of Lauterbrunnen may be a better choice with similar accessibility. On October 6 we plan to do a bicycling tour ( bike shops are available in either towns) of the 72 waterfalls area and do casual sightseeing near to our hotel. That leaves October 7 & 8 to take cable cars / cogwheels to Wengen, Grindlewald and Murren. Not sure there will be time for visiting Harder Klum. We will travel on the 9th back to Zurich ( possibly stopping in Lucerne) and catch a flight on the 10th to join 2 week a tour of Italy. Will staying in Interlaken make much of a difference in the ease of our travel time to those destinations? Where would you suggest we base ourselves- Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen for charm and easy connections and time saving? Thanks so very much for any advice! Susan and Greg
Posted by
Bend, OR
2192 posts
IMO Interlaken was not charming, it was a railroad hub. Frankly, I would base in Wengen, it only takes a short amount of time (maybe 11 minutes) to take the cog train down to Lauterbrunnen and the views are incredible.
Posted by
California
61 posts
Lauterbrunnen is the jumping off point for all the things you mentioned. Yes wengen would be good too. Lauterbrunnen saves you the 25 minute train ride into the valley from interlaken every time you want to do something there.
Posted by
Switzerland
508 posts
Will staying in Interlaken make much of a difference in the ease of
our travel time to those destinations?
No. It will be roughly the same (to Grindelwlad) or worse (Wengen, Mürren) as far as ease and amount of travel time.
Of course arrival and departure will take a bit longer, but that is preferable to going in and out of the valleys each day to the areas you want to visit.
You will probably be able to do more on Oct. 6th than you have planned so far. Cycling the valley and exploring the village would take about half a day. You will find out as you go, but you could easily do that and explore one of the three other villages on your list.
Posted by
19 posts
Hi Susan and Greg. I will start by saying I absolutely love the lauterbrunnen valley, but at the same time, I want to help you set your expectations so you are not disappointed. Saying there are 72 waterfalls is a bit over the top. I'm sure someone counted that many at some point, but some are a trickle and not accessible. Not trying to be a downer, as I said, I love that valley, but don't think you're gonna go and be able to count 72 waterfalls. The other thing is, the waterfalls are fed by snow melt and glacier runoff, which means the size varies by time of year. The later in the year, the less the snow melt and glacier run off. It also might mean fewer waterfalls. Have a wonderful time.It's really beautiful. You will love it, but I just did not want you going there with high expectations and be disappointed.