I have your Switzerland guide book, but can’t see any information about Wengen. Can you offer suggestions about the town and sites?
Posted by
Chicago
8298 posts
The town has an official tourist info site:
https://wengen.swiss/en/
Posted by
San Diego, California
6062 posts
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Wengen&utf8=%E2%9C%93
The above Search should help.
You can probably find Wengen facebook group to join, which should have on-the- ground, real- time info. In addition, look for U-tube videos.
And, RS doesn't read these posts, this is all input from fellow travelers.
Have a great trip- when is it?
Safe travels.
Posted by
Chicago
3409 posts
I’ve stayed in Wengen twice at the Hotel Schonegg. If you walk down the main road in town, just past the Hotel Schonegg, is a small church with great views over Lauterbrunnen Valley. Wengen has the cable car up to mannlichen, a favorite of mine. There’s a small coop grocery store near the train station. If the weather is nice, there will be the ice cream cart out in the plaza in front of the coop.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
952 posts
I stayed at the Edelweiss hotel in June for 3 nights, and was very happy with that choice. It was recommended by several others on the forum. Others have recommended the Hotel Bären, which is just across the road and has a great restaurant. Both are downhill from the train station, and the walk back up would be challenging if you have mobility issues.
The Staubbachbänkli walk was our favorite right in Wengen. Any hotel or the website should have information on that walk and others in the area. As Carrie mentioned, heading up to Mannlichen is a great idea, for views or for hiking.
Do you have other specific questions? There are several people on the forum who are very familiar with Wengen.
Posted by
Indiana
979 posts
Our stay at Hotel Edelweiss in Wengen was also terrific. Daniel and his staff provided excellent customer service. One evening, he hosted a complimentary wine/cheese event while telling us about the history of the area. The hotel offers a 4 course meal each evening for 35CHF which we found to be more than reasonable for Swiss dining options. You do not have to commit to half-board when booking, but can inform them each morning if you will be there for dinner. It is a rather steep walk from the train station, and though the village is car-free, there is a taxi that can take you to and from the hotel. We only found it necessary to use that when we were leaving, due to our luggage since we were on a five week trip, and had more than just a small carry-on.
We loved the location of Wengen, and found the Swiss trains/gondolas etc. very user friendly when traveling to other locations in the area. Cable car to Mannlichen from Wengen was quick and easy. We stopped at the COOP by the train station in the morning and picked up supplies for picnic lunches. It's a beautiful village, and well worth investigating for your trip.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
952 posts
I agree with TravelBug that the half-board dinner at the Edelweiss is very worth it. I think they offer it every day but Tuesday--be sure to check that as you make your dinner plans if you decide to stay there.
I think if you ask in advance, that they might be able drive you to the train station with your luggage on the day you depart. They offered it to us that morning, but we went ahead and walked--very slowly!
Posted by
103 posts
How did you decide Wengen versus Murren? Are they similar?
Posted by
Chicago
3409 posts
pumpkin5, Here’s my take on Wengen and Murren (and Lauterbrunnen)
LAUTERBRUNNEN is the most convenient for day trips, but also the busiest. I love walking in the valley once you get past all the hotels. There’s just something about having the rock walls on both sides of you with the waterfalls. It’s pretty incredible!
MURREN I find to be the next busiest as there are often large groups walking back and forth between the train station and the Schilthorn cable car station. And I’m not a huge fan of getting up and down from Murren. From Interlaken Ost to Murren, it is 54 minutes (versus 38 minutes up to Wengen). There is a 12-minute wait after getting off the train in Lauterbrunnen to the cable car heading up the mountain. So, you have to stand around and wait in line. The cable car is usually very crowded and the small train does not always have enough seats to accommodate everyone. That being said, I absolutely love the views from Murren!! And it has many spectacular walks.
WENGEN is easier to get to (an 11 or 12 minute beautiful train ride up from Lauterbrunnen) and also has great views and walks. Plus, it’s easy access up to Männlichen, a favorite of mine. I have always found Wengen to be the least busy of the three.
VERDICT: You definitely can’t go wrong with either of the three locations. But for me, it’s a toss-up between Murren and Wengen as I prefer being up in the mountains. If Murren was easier to get to, I would have to go with Murren. But that cable car is such a negative for me, I’m going to have to call it a tie. If I had just a few nights in the area, I would probably go with Wengen. Or Murren. :-) If I had 5 or more nights, I would definitely split my time again.