My family will be staying in Interlaken for 5 nights (4 full days) in early October. This will be our third trip to Interlaken. My husband has always driven when we have traveled in Switzerland. I thought it might be fun to take a scenic train trip one of the days we are there, so he could take in the alpine scenery as we traveled for a change. We will be traveling with two young children, so I would like to keep the trips to roughly 3 hours or less each way. I would also like to have a destination we could actually visit/explore and stretch our legs before taking the trip back. I've looked at the Golden Pass Panoramic train to Montreux but can't get a sense of how dramatic the scenery is. I've also considered taking the train from Interlaken to Zermatt but, I can't figure out if this is mostly travel through tunnels or if we would actually travel along mountain sides and through valleys. I would love to do the Glacier or Bernina Express trips but we won't be in Eastern Switzerland. I'd love any suggestions or input anyone could offer to help me find the perfect scenic day trip from Interlaken. Thanks,
Chris
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
The scenery on the Golden Pass to Montreux isn't dramatic until you get to very end of the journey on the mountain overlooking Lake Geneva, you wind you way down to the city along the lake shore. The Golden Pass to Luzern is more "consistently" scenic for most of the way. You kids will love the Transportation Museum in Luzern. It's a bit like Switzerland's version of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. Another day trip option is to head to Gruyere, with it's cheese factory, mini-castle, and the sci-fi artist HR Gieger's museum (it might be a little too intense for some children). Nearby is the Nestle Callier chocolate factory which is open to the public. There is a shuttle train that will take right to the factory.
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
1048 posts
The Transportation Museum in Luzern is definitely something for the kids, mine go there at least once every couple of months! If your kids love trains then be sure to take a ride on the Garden Railway and be sure to check out the Gotthard Railway Model.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17559 posts
I too would suggest the Golden Pass route to Luzern. Watch for the fairy-tale castle of GrandhotelGiessbach as you go along the Brienzersee ( it is near the far end for Interlaken). Www.giessbach.ch You could actually break your journey at Beienz and ride a lake boat over there for a look at the hotel and the lovely waterfall behind it. I think the boat ride is about 15 minutes. Then return to Brienz and resume your journey.
Posted by
BROADSTAIRS, Kent, United Kingdom
120 posts
Try the route up to Kleine Scheidegg, going up via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, perhaps spending time in Wengen, then returning via Grindelwald the return trip from Kleinr Scheidegg to Grindelwald goes close the the Eiger North Wall. You could then spend time in Grindelwald possibly even going in the cable car to First and back then return to Interlaken. Given good weather it would be a lovely trip. Or go to Murren take the cable car and train from Luterbrunnen to Murren walk through the village and perhaps have lunch then either walk down to Gimmelwald and take the cable car, or take the cable car all the way to Stechelberg and either walk or get the post bus back to Lauterbrunnen.
Both trips can be done in reverse.