bensonwho

Hi

I've two nights in Switzerland, arriving around 1pm on day one and leaving around 730am on day 3. I can't decide whether to stay un interlaken west (hotel alphorn) or Lauterbrunnen (hotel staubbach). Basically we intend to take a boat cruise on Lake thun on 1st day and go for a simple walk/hike along the way to Schilthorn the 2nd day. Rest of the time would just to be wandering around.

Appreciate any advice if possible.

Thanks!

bensonwho

Just to add on, I would love the environment in Lauterbrunnen over interlaken but the convenience when it comes to arriving and leaving seems to suggest interlaken.

Pepper_von_snoot

It takes 20 minutes via train to go from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken Ost.

You then have to either take a bus to Interlaken West or walk down the main street, past the Hotel Victoria, to the station. That will take about 15-20 minutes.

The launch at Lake Thun is behind Interlaken West.

So, it really won't take you much time to go from Lauterbrunnen to the boat at Lake Thun.

By all means stay at Hotel Staubbach in
Lauterbrunnen.


Thin

swandav2000

Hi bensonwho,

What month are you travelling?

If you'll be there in July or August, I would avoid Interlaken, which can become overcrowded with tour busses and the off-loaded passengers. Interlaken is just too small to absorb so many day-trippers, and it gets truly ugly imo.

Any other time, Interlaken, at best, is not as charming as Lauterbrunnen or Wengen or Mürren. I would spend the extra 20-40 minutes if it meant I could spend the nights and the mornings in a more charming environment.

Have fun as you plan!

s

susan001

Yes, do stay in Lauterbrunnen!

bensonwho

Thin, Susan - thanks for the advice!
S - I'll be there around 3rd wk of June. Guess it's a peak period as well?

swandav2000

Hi again,

Well, June isn't exactly peak season, no. There will be one or two tour busses, I guess, but not on the scale of July/August.

Nevertheless, in comparison to the nearby villages, Interlaken has not much charm.

s

BarbAnn

Another vote for Lauterbrunnen. I have stayed in both. Lauterbrunnen is so much more charming. It is more of what people think of as "Swiss". I stayed at the Hotel Stubbach. Loved the view of Stubbach Falls and down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. From our balcony, we watched the cows (with bells around their necks) walk in town on the way from the pastures.

bensonwho

Thanks barbann and s!

I guess I'm more or less settled on the choice

Pepper_von_snoot

You are going to walk up to the Schilthorn???



Thin

Byrd

Lauterbrunnen. by all means!

bensonwho

Thin - nope. Just maybe talking a walk from Lauterbrunnen to wengen.

susan001

Try to do the walk from Winteregg to Murren if you have nice weather. The views of the 3 peaks from the trail are stunning. Here's a photo I took of the view: http://www.pbase.com/scbowen/image/112006516

Pepper_von_snoot

If you are going to the Schilthorn you don't walk to Wengen.

Wengen is on the opposite side of the valley.

You want to walk from Grutscalp to Murren.

Or you want to walk from Winteregg to Murren.

If you are staying in Lauterbrunnen you can also walk to Stechelberg and take the gondola up to Gimmelwald then on to Murren/Schilthorn Gondola Station.

Thin

bensonwho

Thanks for the tips. Maybe I didn't read carefully online. Was thinking of finding out from the hotel staff when I reached since they should be the best person to guide.

Will definitely read up on winteregg to murren and from Lauterbrunnen to stelchelberg.

And that was beautiful, susan!

Thanks!

Mimar

Do you have a particular need to cruise on Lake Thun? Because the boat for Lake Brienz leaves (across the street) from Interlaken Ost, which is quicker to get to from Lauterbrunnen. You can stop off in Brienz town and bus to the Open Air Museum, a sampling of all the areas in Switzerland with re-enactments.