Switzerland Next Year

We have had good experiences with Airbnb in Rome and Positano two years ago, and with VRBO in Provence and Barcelona this spring. We've also had good experiences with both in the US. Since this is your first time, consider looking only for properties with Superhosts on Airbnb, and look for properties with numerous 4 and 5 star reviews. Read those reviews carefully and review all the property amenities to find one that works for you.

You really, really don't need a car in Switzerland. It has practically the best trains in the world. Money-saving tips: buy food at the grocery store, choose a hotel with breakfast included. Have you read Rick's Switzerland book? If not, read it ASAP - it's fantastic and really helped us with our trip last year. If you don't want to buy it you can always get from the library.

Grindelwald / Lauterbrunnen / Wengen / Murren are definitely places you don't need a car. Murren and Wengen are not even accessible by car...only public transport.

Lodging is expensive in Switzerland no matter where you are. Money saving strategies would mostly be centered around grocery store shopping to prepare your own food and not spending money to rent a car and spend additional money to park the car while you spend additional money for train tickets.

We did airbnb in Lauterbrunnen last September and had a great experience.In 2008, we rented an apartment that is now listed on Airbnb and had a great experience. These are the two I have personally used, but I wouldn't limit myself to them. I would read reviews to know the ins and outs and pick the one that looked best to me:

In 2018
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21542541?location=Lauterbrunnen%2C%20Switzerland&source_impression_id=p3_1562526409_%2BAYK7h1HAU7hAJNJ&s=jNryeD9t
In 2008:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2954460?source_impression_id=p3_1562525758_GUpWL8YuylDLSZzx

We were with another couple in 2008 so needed 2 bedrooms. The place in 2018 had a 4 night minimun. I have a friend who picked this place because they were only staying 3 nights:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4207798?source=handoff-ios&user_id=40425596&ref_device_id=eb056c680c1c21ab1f38273e513721133da30268&_branch_match_id=676489773741489253&source_impression_id=p3_1562525957_rTe4fFwE9oAnz%2B2w

They were suppose to be 2 couples, but their friends canceled. Still she got it for $126 a night and that is good for the area. She will be staying there this September, so can't give you a personal reference yet. I think anything around $120 is a good price for this area. (In Germany and Austria, we were able to stay under $100 a night, but not Switzerland. I had to search hard to stay under $125.)

All these places have free car parking. We had a car too (picked up and dropped off in Germany, so...we had it and weren't getting rid of it loll) If you have a car, Lauterbrunnen is a great place to stay as many places provide parking. (But always check). If you stay up in Murren or Wengen, you have to pay to park your car in the public lot. Staying in Lauterbrunnen is our personal preference (easy access to the other towns and Innsbruck, etc) so it works great for us.

Barbara N;
Thank you. That is the same advice a friend gave us. She used airbnb in Prague and Warsaw.

Connie;
Which place did you use in 2018? That link showed a bunch of places. I will be reading all reviews and hopefully find one near transit. I think I might have found one. I wonder if it is a good idea to book these places a year or so in advance? I saw a lot of hotels that were sold out already.

Kelly and Tim:
Please, don't not take this the wrong way, although I appreciate your input, it does not answer the question that I asked. I dont plan on staying in a town with no cars, so I don't have to leave the car in a lot. This is just a portion of a 16 day trip and the car is already paid for. Also we will have big bags and don't want to fumble around with trains. We will take public transit when we arrive. My fiancé has cerebral palsy, so bags are very cumbersome for her, so the less she has to move them the better.

Thank you all.

I changed the link to the apartment. Sorry about that. It is studio in schonem chalet. Hope it works now. How will love Lauterbrunnen.

Connie,

I booked an Airbnb just north or Lauterbrunnen. $73 a night. Super Host Free Parking Transportation near by, chicks all the boxes. Plus ended up doing Airbnb in Triberg and Wurzburg. 10 months from today we leave.

Now we get to do all the other planning 16 days in Germany/Switzerland. Longest trip yet. But, will be for our honeymoon.

Thanks again.

Glad you found an apartment. It is an excellent way to save money. Food is expensive In Switzerland and wine even more so! Since you have a car, stop at the big COOP market in Interlaken as it is stocked much better than the little store in Lauterbrunnen. You should look into a Berner Oberland Regional Pass to cover the mountain trains, lifts, and the Post Bus.

I am glad you found something that works for you. Have a great trip. I have one tip. Lauterbrunnen has become quite popular so consider dropping by restaurants and making a dinner reservation. Our last trip was the first time we had to do that. Previously we just dropped in. Even the restaurant at the campground was turning away people without reservations. My favorite restaurant is at Hotel Oberland.

Sean, the other thing I do is be sure to send a message to my host a month or so in advance, saying how much we look forward to the visit and asking a question or two, just to be sure they are responsive and all is well. Probably not necessary, but I find it reassuring when I hear back.

Thank you all for the advice. I have contacted the Airbnb owners and will do so again. Going to have lots of questions, lol. We are super excited. Read about the Berner Oberland area in my Lonely Planet book. Now it’s time for Rick Steves to work his magic.

Thanks again.

Hi,
My plan same as yours too..may 2020. Anyway I'm still doing research on places n hostel. If for launterbrunnen.. you can try valley hostel. Good location. Walking distance from train station. We prefer buying Swiss travel pass , easy to travel with train ride.

Angel7105