Could anyone please tell me if there is a disadvantage to staying in Wengen vs. Interlaken. We will be arriving by train from Zermatt. One day is planned for the journey up to the Jungfrau summit. Another day would be up the Shilthorn, including some hiking. Is this possible from Wengen?How about a boat ride on Lake Thun? The more I read, the less I know! We plan to depart late in the day for Lucern, so we will have only 2 1/2 days.

I've never been to Switzerland (unless you count my layover at the airport in Zurich, which I wont) but we are planning a trip for next year and we are going to stay in Wengen. The reason we chose Wengen is because it seems smaller and more quaint. We liked how is a walking town with no cars, and that its close enough to Interlaken and Grindelwald for things we may not be able to find in Wengen. The location seemed great too, especially for a jungfrou visit.

You'll probably get more information from someone who has been there, but just wanted to share our reasons for staying there, many of which we decided on due to postings on this board.

Thanks!
Tracy

We loved Wengen, though the transportation to other towns requires making connections. Wengen's on the way to the Jungfrau summit so that trip will be easy. It's lovely to just hike around Wengen, in particular you can take the cable car to Manlichen and then walk down through beautiful pastures (but watch your step!). The ride on Lake Thun was pleasant but I wouldn't lose a day in Wengen to do it.

I would stay in Wengen or Grindelwald rather than Interlaken. If you are hung up on the Shilthorn then Murren may also make sense. It is on the opposite side of the valley from Wengen.

Good morning,
Wengen is a very good location., it is locted about half way up from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, the
beginning of rail to the Jungfrau and the downward journey to Grindelwald. There is also a cable car that takes you from Wengen to the Mannlichen and the Mannlichenbahn which goes back down to Grindelwald, from there it is a short walk to the center of town and the gondolas tht go to the top of Grindelwald First. Also from Lauterbrunnen the funiculare and the bergbahn to up to Murren and from there you can take the cable car for the Schlithorn, Piz Gloria. You also
can get this cable from the valley floor at Lauterbrunnen. Hiking is on the Schlithorn and much more extensive on Grindelwald First....Lake Brienz, Brienz and Ballenberg are good for cloudy mountain days... Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..

SOOOOOOOOOO-----WENGEN sounds like the place to stay. Does anyone have a hotel suggestion---mountain views of course!
bobthenavigator sounds a bit negative on the Schilthorn, is there a reason?

Wengen is wonderful and I can recommend the Alpenrose Hotel where we stayed a few years back. Take the train to the Top then get off at Kleine.S. station on the way down, say Hi to the St Bernards for us and then take the trail down the hill to Wengen while observing the avalanches in the distance.

We went to switzerland a couple of years ago and stayed in Wengen. We loved it! The hiking around there is beautiful and the connections down the mountain and then across the valley to Murren are not bad to get to the Schilthorn. We actually hiked up the schilthorn from Murren. Definitely one of the more challenging hikes we've done!! We then took the cable car back down. I'm trying to remember the name of the hotel we stayed in which was very nice and just up the hill from where the train lets off. I will post it once I find it.

Have a great time!! We are actually heading to switzerland in a couple of months and are trying Saas Fee this time.

Last summer we stayed in Grindelwald, Murren, Interlaken and Lucerne. They were all beautiful. Best view is from Mannlichen. Be sure to hike down from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg- great views and not difficult at all. (Would not recommend the hike from KS down to Wengen though.) Boat ride on lake Thun or Brienze was lovely as well.

Before you go, don't forget to rent the old James Bond flick "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" - the revolving restaurant on top of the Schilthorn is where most of the action takes place, along with other venues around Murren and Lauterbrunnen. Also, Clint Eastwood's "Eiger Sanction" was shot on location at Kleine Scheidegg, again with many places you'll come to recognize. Both are pretty forgettable movies, but fun if you know or are planning to visit the area.

Wengen is convenient if it is close to what you want to do!! It is not all that convenient to the Schilthorn because you have to make four changes of transportation methods to get there:
train to Lauterbrunnen, Drehtseilbahn to Grutschalp, little train to Mürren, walk to the Schilthornbahn, and get on it for the ride to the top.
Or you can take the glorious walk from Grutschalp to Mürren where you look at the Jungfrau massif the whole way on a clear day.

I think the problem with Wengen is that if you want to leave, you ride the train, either up or down.

Other than that, it is a wonderful place to stay and gaze.

I have stayed three times at the Eiger Hotel in Wengen. Absolutely delightful. Directly across from the train station, like 20 steps! South facing rooms look down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley and waterfalls AND up at the Jungfrau (try to get one of these). You can check on the weather on the Jungfrau and decide whether or not to take the train up. North facing rooms look out at the Mannlichen ridge. The family who own and run it are delightful pleasant people. Enjoy!
John

A few years ago, we stayed in Interlaken, took the train to Wengen (charming), took the lift to Mannlichen, then walked from there to Kleine Scheidigg, then took the tram down to Grindelwalk and the train back to Interlaken. What a great day. We never made it to the Jungfrau becauswe of the fog, but that was OK - walking in the Alps was truly special.