mrt

My wife and I are going to go to Switzerland for 4-5 days after spending time in Lake Como. We will fly out of Zurich so we will stay there one night. We don't know which would be a better choice to Lauterbrunnen, Murren or Wengen. We want to stay in one place and visit the other two towns. They all sound great but is one a better choice as a hub?. We may do some light hiking but scenery and quaintness is important. Would Lauterbrunnen offer more choices for restaurants?

kja

If you can afford a room with a really good view, Wengen is spectacular IMO. I enjoyed Lauterbrunnen in June, but at other times of year I'm told that the shadows from the surrounding cliffs can give it an oppressive feel.

Enjoy!

neckervd

Deduce one of your 4-5 days for the extremely complicated, expensive and time consuming train ride from Lake Como to Lauterbrunen/Muerren/Wengen (bypassing the highest peaks and longest glaciers of Switzerland, BTW).

PalenQ

Something on trains - if just going to one area and that's great look at the Swiss Transfer Ticket that gives you a trip from any border station or airport to any place in Switzerland and then a trip from there to any airport or border station. And then in between you get half-off everything transit-wise in Switzerland.

If taking the expensive train to Jungfraujoch the 50% savings on that alone almostpays for the Swiss Transfer Ticket.

For lots on Swiss trains and various passes check www.sbb.ch; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

PalenQ

Murren is IMO way too isolated for being a convenient base. Wengen is great though with easy trains and gondolas to everywhere of interest.

Lauterbrunnen too but yes in deep gorge so views are limited but also unique in their own way.

When are you going? Wengen at much higher altitude could be cold at some times. But Wengen is the preferred base for Fodorites it seems - can't beat the views. I like Grindelwald but it is too busy for many yet if you want more of a pulse say at night then check out Grindelwald!

Yes Lauterbrunnen would offer more choices for restaurants but is just a 20-minute train ride from Wengen which also has several restaurants and stores, etc.

annhig

We stayed in Wengen in August and it's right to say that in the evenings it was pretty dead. however the drop dead gorgeous view from our hotel room made up for it:

https://www.hotel-victoria-lauberhorn.ch

it's also very close to the station so convenient for tripping during the day.

We didn't take advantage of their half pension deal but the food looked excellent and would probably be good value compared with the cost of eating a la carte in Switzerland.

annhig

the other option would be to stay in Interlaken - then you can make your own mind up every day which place to visit.

so far as liveliness is concerned, it's at the other end of the spectrum to Wengen.

Sue81

Hi Wengen is awesome. I was there in July with a son at the Schonegg Hotel, had full board with BF and dinner, great food. Took the lift up to Mannlichen, 1/2 blk from hotel to the most awesome sights I have ever seen, below the Jungfrau and Monch mtns. Been to Murren which is lovely but more closed in, not the vast areas to hike, like around WEngen, in my humble opinion. Check weather. Trains are great, easy and on time, About an hour from Zurich by train, 3 to 4 hrs from Zermatt to Wengen. Wish I was back there. Sue

Sue81

also when you consider the hotel cost with half or full board, and eating out in town, you may find the hotel makes sense for a meal or two. less expensive pizza bar on main drag of little Wengen that was reasonable in cost. Bring $ to Switzerland. Sue

PalenQ

We don't know which would be a better choice to Lauterbrunnen, Murren or Wengen. We want to stay in one place and visit the other two towns.>

those are nice towns but little per say to see in each - forget about visiting Wengen say if not staying there - or just pass thru - the joy of Jungfrau Region is nature not towns.

Just chose one base like Wengen which is also well perched from a utilitarian standpoint.

For cheaper hotels and restaurants, etc Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen would be best as they have many more. But Switzerland is expensive no matter where you go.

PalenQ

I'd consider Grindelwald too if Lauterbrunnen - similar active place but much better views - Lauterbrunnen is sunk in a gorge and IME not nearly as nice a town as Grindelwald - which is also poised superbly well for getting around.

At night Grindelwald has many more restaurants and apres-hiking or -skiing than Wengen and seems bigger than Lauterbrunnen.

Pepper_von_snoot

Wenger, without a doubt.

You must get a room with a south-facing view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

If you wanted entertainment, you could always train into Interlaken for the casino and dinner in the posh Hotel Victoria.

Get a Half-Fare Card.

Thin

PalenQ

Half-Fare Card almost pays for itself if used on the Jungfraujoch train - also check out the Jungfraubahn Pass good for many trains and conveyances in the Jungfrau Region. But Half-Fare Card is probably best - better than Swiss Travel Pass since you are going mainly to one area.

mrt- when are you going? If not in late spring or summer Wengen is at a much higher altitude than Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald and thus could be much cooler.

But otherwise Wengen is Fodorites place of choice by far from past posts.

Don't miss the easy Ridge Walk The Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg - wide well-beaten path with scintillating views over the Jungfrau Massif the whole way. Take cable from Wengen or Grindelwald to its start - Mannlichen is a superb vista point to with views for miles around - and lovingly over Interlaken wedged between its two lakes.

annhig

I can add to that the walk down from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengenalp - if you've just been up to the Jungfraujoch on a clear day, you should be able to see the buildings right up at the top from the footpath, and the end of the glacier as it melts.

The cafe restaurant just above Wengenalp station serves terrific cakes [and meals so I have read] and provides binoculars for you to get a better look at the view.

PalenQ

I walked once down from Kl Scheidegg to Wengen and that was an easy if rather long downhill walk over paths mountain bikes could traverse and if you tire hop the train which rather parallels the main trail.

MareW

We stayed in an apartment in Wengen, and really enjoyed it. You can't really go too far wrong though.

HappyTrvlr

Wengen or Grindelwald would work well, spectacular views.. We thought Lauterbrunnen too dark.

PalenQ

People here love Wengen because it is car-less and thus more tranquil than towns like Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald which have vehicles coming into town and are busy transit towns - but some folks would find it too quiet - though to many that is so cool.

Murren is similarly car-less but it involves taking a gondola from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp then a connecting train to Murren, making it more isolated.

kja

My reason for recommending Wengen has nothing to do with it being car-less. It's because the views are breathtaking.

In summer, Lauterbrunnen isn't necessarily dark at all -- I found it gloriously sunny with stunningly beautiful views (if not as gobsmacking as those from Wengen), and when I checked, I found lodging substantially less costly in Lauterbrunnen than a room with a good view in Wengen.

PalenQ

folks with cars can head to Grindelwald where the views are also awesome -different but totally awesome.

Lauterbrunnen does have neat views but obviously not nearly as expansive as Wengen or Grindelwald or Murren but still neat.