ngd24

Hi,

I would be in Switzerland for a brief span of 2 days. One of the days I want to take a day trip from Zurich. I understand that Grayline has these tours which they do and the 2 that interested me was to Mt Titlis and to Jungfrau. I am to be in Switzerland from 20 to 22 April and plan to do this trip on 21st of April. I am travelling with my pregnant wife and 4 year old son.

Your valuable inputs would be much appreciated.

Jungfrau or Titlis ???

bob_brown

the Jungfrau excursion costs more, takes longer,and reaches much higher altitudes.
Undiscounted, the trip for 2 adults from Interlaken Ost to the Jungfraujoch and return is 168.80 chf.
The trip takes 2:18 one way and the highest altitude reached at the rail station is over 3454 meters or 11,332 feet. The actual observation platform must be at least 200 more feet higher.

The listed cost of the Titlis trip is $50;plus chf 31.80 for the fare from Luzern to Engleberg.

I have no idea how much it is total in chf, which is the official currency.
$50.00 is about 65 chf making the round trip about 82 chf.

The elevation at the summit is given at 10,000 feet. How accurate that might be is subject to investigation.

I don't know what effects altitude might have on the members of your traveling party.

bob_brown

PS Well, I did have an idea of the cost in chf. But just how accurate the $50.00 figure is I have no way of knowing because the price of the Swiss franc fluctuates all day long each business day.

ngd24

Thanks Bob for your valuable input, but cost and distance aside, which place would you recommend for a first time traveller to Switzerland. In the packages, Titlis costs CHF120 and Jungfrau CHF185. It is free for kids.
Need your help in deciding which one.

Thanks

Queenie

My pregnant girlfriends have been told by their doctors not to ride to the Junfraujoch based on the high altitude. Titlis is not that much lower, so I dont know if either would be appropriate for your wife.

Another important factor in the choiice is what is the weather forecast. Can you wait and make the decision when you arrive here? If its foggy (which it has been since, um, September) neither would be worth the time or money.

Just my opinion, but I enjoyed Titlis over Jungfraujoch. That LONG train ride inside the mountain on the way to the Jungfraujoch was too much for me.

Ingo

I think you will enjoy Jungfraujoch more than Titlis. (Although I agree with Queenie that the long ride inside the tunnel is not much fun)

The scenery is much more gorgeous in the Bernese Oberland. The peaks higher, the glaciers larger, the Lauterbrunnen valley is just stunning.

I also second the idea of waiting with reservation until you are in Zurich. Weather is a major concern. It is only worth to go (to either Titlis or Jungfraujoch) on a day with nice weather.

Ingo

rach

ngd24:
I have been to both and found Mt. Titlis and surrounding area refreshingly beautiful and far less crowded--avoid weekends if possible!
The bottom station is Engelberg, a delightfully walkable town with a monastery, cute shops and plenty of outdoor cafes-weather permitting.
You change gondolas three times. If you get out at the second stop, you can take a pleasant gravel path downhill to a lake, with snow-capped mountains reflected all around for a peaceful picnic. Then walk uphill again to the gondola to continue upwards. The final 10 minute leg is in a gondola which revolves 360 degrees over the glacier field-serene. At the top is a four-story building with self-serve restaurant, fancy cafe, outdoor deck and an extensive snow park with tobogganing (unsure that it would be open in April-check their website). Assuming that you do not intend a vigorous mountain hike, I would choose Mt. Titlis, for its calmer pace and gorgeous eye candy!

rach

ngd24:
Check out www.titlis.ch and www.engelberg.ch for additional info, available in english, on these options!
Panoramic photos available--Enjoy!

bob_brown

I think the above arguments sum up most of the issues for the Jungfrau. Last year we had a beautiful day; there would have been little choice -- The Jungfrau.

But, the altitude is a factor. I was feeling a little lightheaded shortly after arrival and, as a result, I gave my body a chance to rest sitting down. After adjustment, we made the remainder of the trip fine. But I was aware of my 70 years and lack of conditioning.

Even so, altitude problems begin about 7,500 feet for the moderately conditioned. For someone who is breathing for 2, I know I would want the opinion of a well informed obstetrician before assuming even a slight risk.

There are too many other places out there where the views are outstanding but without the altitude risk.
There is plenty to be seen from Wengen, Mürren, and Kleine Scheidegg.

I am not sure where you get your price of 185 chf for the Jungfraujoch. That must mean a starting point farther out than Interlaken Ost.

For the Jungfraujoch, roundtrip from Interlaken Ost, the two prices I get from the SBB website are 166.80 chf and 144.80 chf The lower price is the Goodmorning Ticket, which requires a 7:35 departure from Interlaken Ost.
The Jungfraubahn site gives the same information, which is at least reinforcing. I think children 6 to 16 pay half price.

ngd24

Thanks all of you'll for your excellent tips. I am new to the fodors world, but cannot tell you how pleased I am to be part of it. I have told all my friends about it as well. Bob, the price of CHF 185 is from Zurich (hence why more expensive), this is a guided Grayline tour. My son would travel for free since he is only 4. I think based on all your comments, I will wait till I reach Zurich to make my booking, but I really appreciate all of your advice for my wife and myself. I hope our trip in Switzerland will be a pleasant one.
Thanks.

bob_brown

A Grayline Tour for the Jungfrau makes very good sense.
The Grayline bus will provide the one essential ingredient you need and the price is "right". You cannot do it that cheaply on your own from Zürich.

I think not booking until you get there is also a good idea, mainly because of the weather. If the "Joch" is shrouded in clouds, I can think of other things to do -- like visit the transportation museum in Luzern or see the Falls of the Rhine River near Schaffhausen.

I an curious now. Just where does the bus drop you off to board the train? Lauterbrunnen?

Lauterbrunnen is a logical place because the paved road goes no closer. There is a large parking deck near the train station with easy access. The train line itself goes within 75 feet of the apartment I rent in Lauterbrunnen.

Private vehicles cannot drive from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, or to Kleine Scheidegg. Once you leave Lauterbrunnen, the landscape changes dramatically as the train climbs the side of the valley.

As you go up, the train line gradient becomes steeper. The last section, up from Kleine Scheidegg, had new equipment last summer which I found to be comfortable and very modern.
Even a seemingly moderate grade of 5% is murder on a railroad system. Because of the gradient, maintenance is very expensive, and constant.

Europewithkids

Which would be more fun for kids (boys, ages 15, 12 and 8)? Is the journey up to the Jungfrau too long for them (they will tire of scenery pretty quickly)?

Europewithkids

Any thoughts on the Jungfrau or Titlis with 3 boys (ages 15, 12 and 8)? Is the train ride up the Jungfrau too long for kids? What is there for them to do on each mountain?

Ingo

The Jungfraujoch is IMO much more interesting and offers more than the Schilthorn(but the train ride not as thrilling like the cable car ride to Schilthorn).

On top of Jungfraujoch you can do a leisurely walk to the Monchsjoch Hut (45 minutes one way) from where you will have more stunning views. If I recall correctly there is also always a musher there with his huskies, and your boys could do a short ride. But the most important fact to me is that you are right on a glacier with guaranteed snow, the peaks in very close distance. Amazing.

The Schilthorn might offer better long distance views and the option to hike down (not my favourite thing). But the plateau on top is very small, not much to do.

Ingo

Ingo

Oops, sorry. Seems I am still sleeping

Titlis vs. Jungfrau: Both have an ice grotto, the one at Jungfraujoch is more impressive IMO and larger.

Titlis is of course also topped by a glacier with guaranteed snow. Not much to do on top, though.

I still think you should go to the Jungfrau. The ride from Lauterbrunnen via Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg alone is worth the trip. Much nicer than the Titlis cable car ride.

brookwood

One thing about the Jungfrau, you can go out and play in the snow. There is a dog sled ride, with Alaskan sled dogs, and even a wire strung up so people can put on a harness and go sliding down wire.

When we were there last year, I heard all this barking. The dogs hooked up to the sled were saying "Let's get on with it."

So there is more to do than just view the glaciers and rocks.