smm_18

Hi all

After London and Paris, and as part of a 3 week trip to Europe with my boys, who will be almost 15 and 13 (Sept/Oct), I plan to take the train to Switzerland.

I read that Murren is lovely and car-free, so thought we'd go there.

I now have concerns about
a. adding to the travel time with lots of train changes
b. inhibiting our time in the Alps. How long would it take us to e.g. go up Jungfraujoch from Murren? Is it just plain silly to base ourselves there with only 4 days (and nights) in Switzerland?

Naturally we'll be spending a lot of time hiking and loving the natural beauty after two major cities.

Also, following this we will be travelling down to northern Italy (5 days before flying home), so this may also affect the decision (more questions on this topic to follow!)

Thank you for any help with these decisions!

neckervd

Muerren - Jungfraujoch lasts about 2 1/2 hrs one way and costs about 200 USD round trip (standard fare).
From Wengen, it would last 1 1/2 hrs and cost 170 USD

There is only 1 train change between Paris and Interlaken (at Basel, usually same platform), but there are many changes in the Bernese Oberland, due to technical reasons (from standard gauge to meter gauge to cableway to railway).

It's up to you to know whether you want to go to one of the most hidden (and in October rader shady) places of Switzerland.

smm_18

Thanks neckervd. Wow! Didn't know that was the cost. D'you know if it would be similar (timewise/costwise) from Grindelwald?



Not sure how treksinhimalaya crossed paths with my Switzerland trip!

Digbydog

We stayed in Grindelwald with our teenage boys about 6 years ago, and I have stayed in Gimmelwald (near Murren) previously. I think you would be better off in Grindelwald. There are more restaurants to choose from, and lots of activities near Grindelwald--an alpine slide, chairlift to First and trotti bikes down, closer to fabulous Kleine Scheidegg hike.

The Jungfraujoch is not worth doing unless you have perfect weather. My husband and I went up years ago. By the time we got to the top, clouds had rolled in, and you couldn't see much.

We stayed at the Chalet Hohturnen in Grindelwald. It is a great apartment owned by the Hotel Gletschergarten with views of the Eiger.

This area is a wonderful place for a family trip! Have fun!

Digbydog

I should have added that the area of Grinderwald near the train station is busy, but the Chalet Hohturnen is at the opposite end of town. It is quiet and lovely here with spectacular mountain views.

neckervd

As to fares and travel times, Grindelwald is similar to Wengen.

smm_18

Thanks, Digbydog and neckervd – that's great advice. It does sound as though Grindelwald is the better option, especially with active teens, particularly with the slide and bikes! Perfect. I backpacked there many years ago and have wonderful memories of hiking, but thought it sounded bigger and busier now, and wanted to try somewhere different. But it does sound a better base.

Unfortunately, Chalet Hohturnen is fully booked! If anyone has another recommendation, that'd be great. I've already booked (not paid) for a triple room in Murren @ 130 Euros/night – so that gives you some idea of budget. Looking for somewhere cheerful, clean, etc. Even better if it's self-catering.

Thank you!

PalenQ

Younger folk may be bored stiff in Murren but not so much in a much more hopping Grindelwald which also IMO offers many more varied things than just hiking - Murren's main offering along with views, which IMO are just as good in Grindelwald if not better - anyway if going to either Grindelwald or especially Murren by train from France and going onto Italy check out the Swiss Pass, especially since both your kids get a free Family Pass since they are under 16 (oops perhaps it is 15?) - and they never pay a dime to travel even on conveyances where the Swiss Pass normally only gets a discount- free on all aerial gondolas, etc and even the pricey Jungfraujoch train.

For lots of great info on Swiss passes, which are also valid in full on lake boats, buses, trams and gives free entry to 400+ Swiss museums check out these IMO fantastic siters - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

But back to staying in Murren - A Swiss Pass covers travel in full to and from Murren just like Grindelwald but Murren is yes more isolated, smack on top of a high cliff with little else around - Grindelwald is just a short 20-minute jaunt by train down to Interalken and its many activities for kids and families.

smm_18

Thanks for tips, PalenQ. Am now convinced Murren's not the best place for us, and will have to deliver the news to the Chalet owner I booked with! Just shows gut feelings should be looked into.

Thanks for info on Swiss pass, I'll have a look at those websites (scuse ignorance, what does IMO stand for?).

neckervd

But check the highly discounted fares from Paris to Interlaken with http://www.tgv-lyria.com/main/FCK/Fi...nce_suisse.asp and be aware that the Swiss Pass will grant only 25 per cent reduction on the Jungfrau railway (50 per cent on almost all other glacier railways and cableways in Switzerland).
Check the Swiss Half re Card too.

smm_18

Thanks, neckervd. These tickets aren't available yet.

So do I buy tickets Paris-Interlaken, and then buy separate (Swiss) tickets at Interlaken to take us to Grindelwald? Is this where I'd buy the Swiss Pass (family) if I decide to buy it?

Do under 16s get free train travel in Switzerland regardless of whether they're on a Swiss Family Pass? Need to work out if it's worth buying. Thanks for help!

neckervd

Buy your Swiss passes in advance. I just wanted to show you that you need not pay more than 244 EUR for your whole family for the trip from Paris to the Swiss border (in the Interlaken bound train) if you book in an intelligent manner.

smm_18

Thanks, I'm making every effort to use my intelligence! Appreciate all your advice. Intend to book tickets from Paris as soon as they're disponible.

MKECityMom

smm_18, we're heading to Murren in mid-May with our two boys ages 11 and 13. We're also getting the Swiss Pass 2nd class and free Swiss Family Card for the boys. I'll provide a trip report when I get back and let you know what the boys liked. If the weather cooperates and time allows, I'd like to check out mountain biking and hiking plus waterfall exploring. We're staying at Chalet Fontana. Was that the place you reserved?

We recently rented & watched the James Bond "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969) to get a tiny feel for what Piz Gloria will be like (minus the sexy women and the evil Blofeld played by Telly Savalas). Cheesy but fun...and now we won't have to spend any time watching the film at the Piz Gloria itself.

PalenQ, you mentioned kids "....never pay a dime to travel even on conveyances where the Swiss Pass normally only gets a discount- free on all aerial gondolas, etc and even the pricey Jungfraujoch train." Does that apply to the Schilthorn cable car as well? (Please say yes, please say yes...)

javafan1

We took our teenagers to the Murren/Wengen area in August 2012. On the local train from Interlaken were advertisements for a local Century Pass. We purchased this directly from the Hotel Oberland we stayed at in Lauterbrunnen, but could buy at the train stations too. I think it costs around 245 Usd and covered in full Schynige Platte, Jungfrau, gondola to Murren, train to Wengen, Grindenwald, and First. 4 full days of travel. The gondolas up to First are probably somewhat similar to Shilthorn, so we skipped Schiltorn and the extra 70 Usd. The open air cogwheel train to Schynigee Platte and the views were thoroughly enjoyed by all even though we didn't expect much. Kids under 16 get the local pass for free, too.

As for towns in the area, here is my take:

Wengen: Potential nice view of Lauterbrunnen Valley. But 30 minute train ride down to the valley train station.

Murren/Gimmelwald: I liked it a little more than Wengen, but it is more secluded deeper in the valley.

Lauterbrunnen: A different, but equally impressive view from the valley floor. Centrally located for day trips to the local attractions.

Grindenwald: Much larger than the other 3 towns. More commercial, less quaint.

You really can't go wrong with either. Loved the Bern Oberland area.

smm_18

Thanks, MKECityMom - hope you have a great time!! Would love to hear your report. It may be too late for my decision-making, though! YES, Chalet Fontana is the place I've reserved and Denise has been so great with it all, I feel awful about cancelling (haven't done it yet)... Still, Sept is a long way away, I'm sure she'll have no trouble filling the spot. With my two boys being almost 13 and 15, I'm thinking along the lines of a little more independence for them, and not sure that Murren would offer enough in this regard for afternoons/evenings. We're going to need some 'separate' time by this stage! (just me, the mum, and them for 3 weeks, HELP!)

Haha, yes those old James Bond movies, excruciating stereotypes, but lots of fun.

Thanks, javafan1 - that's interesting news about the Century Pass, would you say it's a better deal, then? Also your run-down on places is great, and as you say, you really can't go wrong in such an outstandingly beautiful area. I'm getting kind of bogged down in the details! I think I'll stick with Grindelwald, but try and find a quiet chalet a little away from the hub.

PalenQ

Piz Gloria was in part I understand built just for that film or was the impetus - when shooting occurred the place was still not finished. Piz Gloria meaning the revolving restaurant/building on the Schilthorn mountain.

kappa1

Cetury Pass? Was it the exact name of the pass? Have not heard of it and I was not able to find it by googling now. But I know Jungfrau Railways celebrated its 100th anniversary last year in 2012 and if the pass Javanfan bought had anything to do with the 100th anniversary, it may no longer be available this year.

> gondolas up to First are probably somewhat similar to Shilthorn, so we skipped Schiltorn ..

Schilthorn cable cars are much more thrilling, bigger gondolas on steep lines to the top of almost 3000m compared to 2100m at First. First gondolas are nothing thrilling but convenient to do some hiking once you are up there and admire higer mountains and glaciers on Jungfau side at about half of the cost than Schithorn.

smm_18

Century Pass makes sense for a centenary.

Thanks for advice, kappa1. Although I would think First gondolas would be thrilling to two young boys from Australia!

Digbydog

Our boys loved the First chairlift. When we reached the top, we took a fairly short hike and then picked up trotti bikes (stand-up scooters) to go flying downhill.