Lucerne is about 2- 2 1/2 hours from Lauterbrunnen. I would go straight from the airport to Lauterbrunnen and then you could spend your first 1/2 day in that area. Kleine Schidegg, I believe, is a way-station on the way to Jungfraujoch. I do believe, however, that you can hike up there. Others more informed than I will be able to tell you. I would also suggest you go to the Schygge Platte - one of my most fantastic memories of that area.

Lucerne is a beautiful small city and might be a great place to go to for the contrast with the tiny towns of the Berner Oberland. A great side trip from Lucerne is just 45 minutes by train: Engelberg. Once in Engelberg you go up to Mt. Titlis. We just came back from Switzerland and did this little side trip. It was fantastic! There is snow at the top and we played in it. You can walk a lot - not just stand on a platform like at the Schilthorn. You take cable cars up from Engelberg to 10,000 feet - a wonderful and gorgeous experience. Just wanted to add this in as I have been to the Berner Oberland and this Titlis trip was one of the best Alps trips I have ever taken and rates way above the Schilthorn, in my opinion.

Thanks for the tips. I had also considered doing one of the day trips around Lucerne but I just assumed I didn't have enough time to do it. I saw great reviews for Rigi, Titlis and Pilatus. Do you think it's possible to do one of these day trips in addition to Berner Oberland? I arrive Sunday morning to Zurich and would head to Geneva Friday afternoon from Interlaken area.

Where would you stay in Luzern? What hotel?

Where were you thinking of staying in the BO? Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wegen, Murren?

I'm one who thinks that if you are going to do one excursion, you don't have to do the other similar excursion. For example, if you want to take a boat ride on Lake Brienz, you don't really need to take a boat ride on Lake Luzern. If you are going to go up to the Jungfrau or the Schilthorn, you don't have to go up to Mt. Pilatus. If you were spending two weeks in the area, that would be a different story.

You have to decide what is most important to you as you only have 6 days.

Are you a walker? You have to do a lot of walking in the BO to get the most out of it. People come from all over the world with their hiking boots and poles to walk the trail here.

Pepper--who prefers Wengen

Our family spent 10 glorious days in Switzerland 2 years ago. Although we enjoyed Lucerne and Zurich(0ne day each), our best time was had in the phenomenal Lauterbrunnen Valley.

In addition to Schynnige Platte and Kleine Scheidig, you can access the car-free mountain towns of Wengen, Murren, and Gimmelwald.

We also took a day trip from Interlakken on Lake Thun to the town of Thun. Along the way, we stopped at two towns to see local castles. We also spent a half day and took the train to Bern to soak up the medieval atmosphere.

I truly believe you would be better off just heading to Lauterbrunnen...you won't even have enough time to do all there is to do. And you won't be disappointed.

Have fun!!

So in Lucerne I was looking at either Hotel Alpha (zähringerstrasse) or a short term rental in Zürichstrasse.

In BO I was deciding between Wengen and Murren, leaning towards Murren though at Eiger Guesthouse. Seems to have really great reviews and fits into my budget. Do you guys recommed one area over the other? A lot of people told me to avoid interlaken etc because it's super touristy. I definitely want to be near to the most beautiful scenery but also not be so far that it's difficult to get around. I definitely like walking and expect to do a lot of it. Based on what people are saying i'm leaning to spend all 6 days in the Lauterbrunnen area. I just have to decide on the exact area. Appreciate the great advise!

Interlaken isn't bad in the off months, but in July it will be filled with Contiki-type young people who like to paraglide from a tether in the park across the street from the Hotel Victoria. This is also when all the shops have their merchandise out on the already-crowded sidewalks for tourist picking. It looks like a giant jumble sale!

There is also a Hooter's on the main street in Interlaken, which is the oddest place to put a Hooter's, as if Interlaken were Daytona Beach.

Interlaken is a good base, however, because you are within walking distance of Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West train stations and then the boats to Lake Brienz and Lake Thun are right there in back of the train stations.

Interlaken also has the best nightlife in the BO.

If you are staying in Wengen or Grindelwald, you are closest to the Jungfrau, just one train stop away at Kleine Scheidegg.

Lauterbrunnen is on the valley floor; Wengen and Murren are up above.

Wengen and Murren are car-free towns. Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen have roads--that means cars and traffic.

It is very easy to get around this area, just jump on a train, cable car, or boat.

They put a new hotel up at the Schynige Platte, by the way, kenav. And there is a brand new self-serve cafeteria there now, too. It makes for a very nice afternoon.

If I were going to stay in Luzern for one night, I would stay at a hotel on the lake. My fav is the Hotel Montana. The Hotel Royal is just up the road a bit, and is much cheaper, but the walls are like tissue paper and you hear much noise.

The views of Lake Luzern from the Montana are spectacular.

Pepper

I really wish I wasn't traveling in the height of tourist season but unfortunately it was the only time I could travel. If I'm understanding the transport correctly, Wengen is close to Jungfrau and Murren is close to Schilthorn? Perhaps I could even split my stay between those 2 towns but if transport is good would that even be necessary?

Is the view of Lake Lucerne more spectacular than any other place that I'm planning on traveling to?

There is no reason to move hotels. That would be daft.

It is very easy to get from Wengen to Murren by train. You go down the hill in Wengen and get off in Lauterbrunnen.

Go under the road and come out at the Grutscalp Cable Car. Take Cable Car up to Grutscalp and transfer to train to Murren.

Easy as Pie.

Train schedules here: www. sbb.ch

There are lots of spectacular views in the BO.

One of the best views is of Lake Thun/Lake Brienz from the overlook at the Sychnige Platte. You have to climb up a steep hill, though, to see this view.

Another spectacular view is the Lauterbrunen Valley from Wengen. But, you have to find a hotel with a south facing view of the valley and the Jungfrau up to your left. That is the hard part.

I have found my place, but I keep it a secret. A life-changing view.

You should visit youtube and check out videos of the towns you listed above.

If I were in Luzern, I would stay on the lake.

Pepper

Wow thanks for all the great advice!

How does Lake Thun/Lake Brienz compare to Lake Lucerne? I'm just wondering if on my way to Lauterbrunnen from Zurich is it worth stopping in Lucerne.

Can you not get a good view of the Lauterbrunen Valley by one of the many hikes. Do you have any suggestions for hotels in Wengen that would have such a view?

The Hotel Wengener Hof has south-facing rooms.

The Schonegg has the best chef in the BO.

Pepper