My wife and I are planning a one week visit to the Lauterbrunnen valley of Switzerland this October. For easy travel, Is it better to stay in Interlaken or in a smaller town such as Murren or wengen? Also, would you recommend a hotel accomodation or a B&B? Thank you for your assistance!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
IMHO, you will never regret chaning trains at Interlaken Ost to the Jungfraubahn and taking the 25-minute ride into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. If you want to see and stay where the alps are the most magnificent, this is where you need to be. I'm sure that you will get a variety of responses where to stay as you really can't go wrong staying in any of the 3 places you mention above. Note that Wengen and Muerren, as well as Gimmelwald, are a lot higher up the valley walls than Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen is the center of transportation in the valley. I would suggest taking a look at www.tripadvisor.com for the 3 different towns and villages. Lots of good stuff there.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17456 posts
I second Larry's comments. Do not stay in Interlaken; it lacks the charm and gorgeous scenery of the other 3. Lauterbrunnen sits at the base of a waterfall in a valley which looks like Yosemite. Wengen and Murren are perched high up above the cliffs that frame the valley, one on each side. We prefer these carfree villages and their magnificent views over staying in Lauterbrunnen, but we go there to hike, not travel around the area. Between Wengen and Muerren, I prefer the views from Muerren, but Wengen probably gets more sunshine in the fall months. One of our favorite hotels anywhere is in Wengen. In other words, you cannot go wrong with any of the three. Your choice may depend on finding just the right place to stay. Since you are spending a week, you will want to get that right for your tastes, budget, and travel style.
Posted by
NYC area
2982 posts
Hi Ted, I'd suggest staying "in" the Alps (Wengen, Muerren, etc.) where the scenery is out of this world beautiful. We stayed in Wengen 4 nights, in mid Oct., quite a few years ago. The place we stayed, Hotel Eiger, is now condo's/apts. There's nothing like watching the sun set in Wengen IMO. Spectaular scenery all around you (and below, to the valley floor). Our favorite spot in all of Switzerland. It's also on the train line to the Jungfraujoch. Paul
Posted by
Tulsa, OK
355 posts
We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for a week in 2008 and loved it. We were able to take trains, gondola's, etc. to pretty much everything in the BO. It is very central and decreased travel to Grindelwald, Bern, Lucerne, etc. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the towns in the area.
I would also suggest you consider an apartment rental if you are staying a week. The restaurants are very expensive and doing a little cooking - or just having breakfast and snacks in your apartment can really cut down on the amount you spend on food.