Suggested itenary when in Lauterbrunnen

Going to the top of the Schilthorn and Jungfrau are fairly expensive. You might want to choose just one of them. I think if you have a eurail pass you can get a 25% discount on most of the trains and lifts in the area. I'm not certain about if the 50% discount with the swiss pass works all the way to the top.

Some other great things to do are go to Trummlebach falls at the end of the valley. They are really amazing. You can take the train through Klein Sheidegg to Grindlewald and from there take lifts up to First (sp?). That's a pretty amazing ride. About half way down they rent scooters with seats to ride down. My husband and son had a blast doing this.

The Lauterbrunnen valley is amazing. You'll have a great time no matter what you do!

Vikram,
I'm actually going to be in Lauterbrunnen on similar dates (18-22) so maybe we'll cross paths. From my research i've learned it's best to make as many iteneraries as possible as the weather can really mess with the best laid plans.
In addition to a trip up Schilthorn or Jungfrau, you might consider taking an excursion on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. Bern is about an hour or so via train from Lauterbrunnen as well. I think there are a number of easy hikes in the area also for those nice days.

Thanks Jill and Michael for your quick replies.

Jill: Thanks for mentioning "other things to do" in Lauterbrunnen. I saw couple of pictures of trummelbach falls..looks enticing.

Michael: As you said,I agree 100%, I wanted to keep my itenaries packed so if one isn't possible, we know what else we can do. We will be staying at the Hotel Staubbach in Lauterbrunnen just to let you know.

Thanks,
Vikram

Vikram, you can travel from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, Gimmelwald and Muerren with relatively little expense. Same to Grindlewald from Interlaken. It's only when you go above these towns and villages that the much higher costs kick in. Swiss passes cover 100% to these towns and villages mentioned above and 50% to go higher up to the mountain tops.

Last June, we paid $134 per person round trip from Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfraujoch (Jungfrau train station). 2hrs to get up there and 2hrs to get back down). It's now about $160 with the current exchange rate. We paid $90 per person round trip to go to the top of the Shilthorn from Stechelberg (short bus ride from Lauterbrunnen). It's now about $115.

Thank you very very much Larry!
The information(about the costs) you have provided is exactly what we were looking for. So probably we can do either Schilthorn or the Jungfrau this time around.

Vikram,

The owners of the Staubbach are extremly nice and helpful. They are more than happy to help in planning your time there. You're going to have a great time. We're arriving in that area on May 29th. I'm hoping by then the trails will be mostly free of snow!

Thanks much, Jill. I will contact them and ask for their help!

My wife and I will arrive in Lauterbrunnen by car. We will not have a Swiss pass. Would it make sennse to buy a Swiss pass only for the 50% discount to Schiltorn and Jaungfrau and free passage to Murren, and etc.

When we bought our 1/2-fare card in June of last year, it was 99CHF. At the current exchange rate, the Swiss Franc is about 1:1 with the dollar. For two people, this is 198CHF and about $198. I have posted the costs to the two mountain tops above. Swiss passes will only get you a 50% discount. Thus, the 1/2-fare card at 99CHF should save a small bit of money if you go to both mountain tops. You will save a bit more as you transit in, out and around Switzerland.

Search your TV guide/DVR for upcoming Rick Steves episodes (or check the podcasts). I know he runs episodes on HD NET at like 2 in the morning and on the local Los Angeles Channel here. I've seen an episode where he goes to Lauterbrunnen and rents a bike.

We're going May 7-8 and we're staying at the Staubbach. Seems like a great deal and a great view.

In 2000, I took the other valley to Grindelwald. It has a nice street with shops and we went to the ice caves as well (I don't remember the name).

Hi,
My Husband, I and our baby of 22 months are planning to go Lauterbrunnen for 1 night and spend another night in Luzern on May 19th and 20th of 2009.
I saw similar dates on this post for last year.
Is it a good time to visit BO area?
I heard most of Murren/ Gimmelwald is closed during this time.
Is it safe to take our 22 month old child up schilthorn?
what are other options here if we cant go up the schithorn?
I would really appreciate it if anyone can help answer these questions...We dont want to something that could potentailly be harmful for our child.

I would check with your pediatrician before taking your 22 month old to Schiltorn or Jungfrau. You're at a fairly high altitude, the air is thin and that may or may not be good for someone that young.

The change in altitude for a short period of time won't hurt the child unless he/she has other respiratory or cerebral problems. Serious conditions like acute mountain sickness or high altitude cerebral edema usually occur only after several hours at high elevation, much longer than the average tourist spends on a visit to Piz Gloria or the Jungfraujoch. Talk to your pediatrician if you have specific concerns.

To answer your question about if businesses are open in mid-May in the mountain towns- yes, usually the majority have reopened by then.