Chamonix or Interlaken?

We've been to both twice and if I had to choose one it would be easy - I would choose the Berner-Oberland. We loved staying in Murren, a small charming town at 5,000 ft elev. The views are more spectacular and we enjoyed all the walks / hikes more. The BO felt more spacious to me, and I loved all our walks through the incredibly beautiful meadows with wildflowers, a stream, cows and the musical sound of cow bells. I wouldn't stay in Interlaken, I would choose one of the smaller, more charming villages.

Finding one Alpine area and "savoring" it would depend on where you're going and where you're coming from. Don't think you need to limit your choices to an "either/or" of the Berner Oberland and Chamonix. Mr. Steves chooses to highlight these areas, but along a similar vein that there are numerous mineral spa resorts besides Baden-Baden, and many preserved historic towns besides Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Chamonix and the Berner Oberland are far from your only worthwhile Alpine options. So, tell us something about the overall flow of your trip, and we can perhaps make some recommendations. Personally, my Alpine resorts to "savor" are Lech am Arlberg in Austria and Flumserberg in Switzerland- but these may not be the most appropriate for your wants, needs and the flow of your trip.

Hi Cynthia. They are both wonderful. Chamonix is more jagged, dramatic, snowy peaks, less expensive. Swiss is very scenic, more variety /green / cows. Either will work fine by car.
Enjoy your trip!

To answer the question, rather than offer alternatives, my vote based on personal experience is the Berner Oberland region. This without qualification. While Chamonix is beautiful and certainly has many worthwhile qualities, the Berner Oberland is superior and I look forward to yet another visit there as soon as possible.

Go with the Berner Oberland and stay in Lauterbrunnen or Murren.

When we went to Chamonix, we arrived in the afternoon & it was gorgeous. Got up the next morning, fogged in & we waited half the day, gave up &went to Switzerland for late lunch and a look around. The next day it rained for hours. Had to leave the next day. I know weather is unpredictable in the mountains, but still sorry it didn;t work out. So---be flexible and go up the moment the weather cooperates! It's a cute town but in many ways reminds me of Aspen.

I have been to both several times. They are both wonderful, but if I had to choose one, it would be the Berner Oberland. However, I agree with the comment to not stay in Interlakken. You would be better served staying in one of the villages in the Lauterbrunnen valley. My only other comment concerns weather. If you could be flexible, you could determine which one to visit based on the weather forecast. I have never had rain in Chamonix. In fact, on my second trip, I only went to Chamonix because it was sunny while the Berner Oberland was rainiy. (I returned later in the week and enjoyed 4 sunny days in the BO) If it were me, I would go with the phone numbers for hotels in both places, check the weather forecast a week in advance, and them make my decision. One caveat: I travel in September and have always managed to get a hotel. If you are traveling in July or August, it could me more risky. Having said that, I would not be as worried about the weather in the middle of summer. Having enjoyed both, you really can't go wrong. However, I am usually ready to leave Chamonix after a full day there. I have never been ready to leave Lauterbrunnen and often find myself daydreaming about returning. I am going to France for a month next September and will not return to Chamonix (prefer to see other areas I have not seen yet) I have, however, tried to work in a quick trip into Switzerland to visit the BO. So I guess you know what my personal choice would be. Have a great trip.