Grindelwald vs Lauterbrunnen vs Wengen on November
 

Hi, I am planning my trip to Swizterland this first week November and it is my first time there. I know that it is the off-season during November so it is not the ideal time to go but it is the only time I can get off work. I was wondering where would be the best area to stay during November? I love beautiful scenery and looking forward to seeing the majestic views of the Swiss Alps.

My concerns are the following - For Wengen, only few hotels and restaurants will be open so I worry that it will be too quiet. For Grindelwald, a lot of people have commented that it is too touristy, but will it have a lot of people during first week of November? For Lauterbrunnen, will I still be able to see the Swiss Alps or it is more of views of the valley?

Any suggestions or comments will be very much appreciated.

When we were last in the BO we ended up staying in Grindelwald; many of the hotels in Lauterbrunnen were booked out. We ended up appreciating our decision since we felt the rail connections to elsewhere nearby seemed more convenient.

Yes, there were visitors but it was not in any way "mobbed" and despite a lot of people talking about "all those tour busses" we didn't notice that many.

IMO you go there FOR the scenery and the fact that it may BE "more quiet" will be a plus.

The best way to see ALL those views, and they are spectacular, is to go around the entire area by either rail or cable car or both as well as walking (if that suits you).

I would think in November Grindelwald would be a better choice than Lauterbrunnen, Lauterbrunnen is in the valley which will restrict the daylight hours at that time of year, it is a lot smaller than Grindelwald. Connections to Interlaken are good although it takes a little longer. Plus factor, the views from Grindelwald are better, the north face of the Eiger gets my vote.

Just be aware that the further up in the hills you are the colder the weather will be expect high of about 5C and low of about zero C).

Expect snow on the mountaintops and realize that it is too late in the year for wildflowers and cows will have been brought down to the barns/nearby fields for the winter.

Hi spark219,

Tour busses won't be a problem in Grindelwald in November.

For November, I would also recommend Grindelwald. Yes, Wengen is likely to be closed up and boring at that time. I personally don't care for Lauterbrunnen at any time of year (I don't like being at the base of those overhanging cliffs). So, for me it would be Grindelwald.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Thank you for sharing your comments and suggestions on where to stay in the Bernese Oberland. I have decided to stay in Grindelwald on November!

Can you guys recommend a centrally located hotel in Grindelwald with views of the Swiss Alps?

Thanks!

Hi again,

No worries about that -- virtually every hotel will have views of the "Swiss Alps" as it's kind of unavoidable, and that's really the whole point of having a hotel there at all!

What is your budget (in numbers please, as everyone has a different concept of what is "moderate," etc) for the hotel, and how many people are travelling?

I've stayed at the Schweizerhof two times (once with my mother), and I enjoyed it both times. It's a 4-star.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Re Grindelwald hotel with view, it is which side of the hotel and not which hotel. Most south facing rooms have the view of the high peaks if not obstructed by another hotel. The room descriptions would say something like "Eiger view" (the high peak side) or "Mountain view." The latter may not be the high peak side.