Matterhorn

I have been to both Wengen ( on RS family tour last July) and Zermatt( climbed to hut!).

You do not need to do both. Both are pedestrian towns that you assess by train. Both are very pretty , with little chalets etc everywhere( yes, just like the postcards, you will love the scenery). Both offer assess to many hiking trails and cable cars etc to higher vantages..
Both are expensive, but worth every penny.

I would go back to either , but not both on one visit.

Thanks for the advice.

Yes, I've been to both Wengen and Zermatt, and after seeing Wengen, Zermatt was kind of a let-down. Zermatt is WAYYYY too touristy. Wengen is touristy also but not NEAR to the degree of Zermatt. You will love Wengen and the whole Lauterbrunnen Valley area.

Hi Susan,

We've also stayed in both Zermatt and Wengen. If it's going to be an effort to get to Zermatt, skip it. It's hard to top Wengen and the BO in my opinion!

Paul

Susan,

I have visited Zermatt in '03. I left from Grenoble, FR and passed through Zermatt en route to Milan and the rest of Italy. My intention was to "ski the alps" since that had such a ring to it. And it was quite amazing seeing the Matterhorn on a crystal clear day in January when I opened my window the first morning. And the ski run from 13K to 5500K was awesome too.

However.... keep in mind that Zermatt is a resort and feels like one. It's quite pricey and you won't get that tiny Swiss town in the Alps feeling when you're there. In the end, I think I enjoyed telling people I was there more than I actually enjoyed the experience.

So, depending on how badly you want to see the Matterhorn, you may consider an area of the Alps that is just as pretty but more accessible.

Just my thoughts.

Whereas in the Lauterbrunnen Valley you get much more all in one place: Yosemite on steroids, 3000 foot + cliffs, the Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, and clog railwlay and gondola access to these.

AGREE 100%. Beautiful in May. Trains are always on time and this area of Switzerland, along with Lucerne, is a must see.

Visit both

Since 1 year new lötschberg tunnel (5 billion investment)shortens the trip for more than 1 hour, So its a day trip. Very often if the weather is bad north of the alps its sunny south of the main ridge. Check the weatherreport and the web-cams of zermatt and have a sunny day while its grey and rainy north. If bad weather south, possible sunny in the north. Süd oder Nord-Föhn. We often cross the alps to escape the bad weather for a day biking or hiking. If you are travelling by car dont use the park-house at train station Lauterbrunnen. Park near the church and safe a fortune.

Have a good stay

Fritz Hutmacher Interlaken

I believe this is Fritz the owner of the Hotel Lötschberg (I've stayed there twice highly recommend it!), and star of one of Rick's TV shows on Switzerland...welcome! The TV show "Amazing Race" just passed through Interlaken, any stories Fritz?