Switzerland in March
 

I will leaving for Interlaken, Switzerland on March 15 and will be there for a week. Does anyone have idea what to pack? What is the weather this time of year? We will be taking day trips and will have two dinners at the hotel (Victoria-Jungfrau) and the rest of the dinners in town. Many thanks for your help.

Hi! Wish I could be of more help, but I've never been to Europe in March. However, we are leaving April 22 for 6 weeks. (In Lyon, Fance for a month's
research work). On our way home first of June, we want to go to Interlacken for at least a couple of nights. See Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door. He makes that area sound wonderful. I saw the hotel you are staying at in one of Karen Brown's
books on B&B's or hotels in Switz. Sounds great!
I plan on taking a heavy jacket to have in Austria
and the Dolomites in Italy for April. I'm even thinking that up in the Alps in Interlacken in June that one might need a jacket. Let me know when you get back! Make a note of my email address. Have a great trip!

I wish I were going with you. Interlaken is the most beautiful and fun place in Europe. It was my last stop on a two month backpacking tour and I had a blast. I was there the beginning of June and it was still cool in the day and cold at night. If you are hiking or going up into the Jungfrau region, bring a heavy jacket or thick sweater. Bring jeans or hiking gear. In most guide books it will tell you the temperatures for that time of year as well as packing suggestions. I don't know how adventurous you are, but check out Adventure Village when you are there. You can glacier climb, white water raft, canyon, paraglide and bungy-jump among other options. I highly recommend the glacier climb and the bungy. It's the highest in the world and guaranteed to pump you're adrenaline for at least a week. Have fun and dress warm. Also, bring sunscreen as being in the snow or the mountains makes you susceptible.

I wish I were going with you. Interlaken is the most beautiful and fun place in Europe. It was my last stop on a two month backpacking tour and I had a blast. I was there the beginning of June and it was still cool in the day and cold at night. If you are hiking or going up into the Jungfrau region, bring a heavy jacket or thick sweater. Bring jeans or hiking gear. In most guide books it will tell you the temperatures for that time of year as well as packing suggestions. I don't know how adventurous you are, but check out Adventure Village when you are there. You can glacier climb, white water raft, canyon, paraglide and bungy-jump among other options. I highly recommend the glacier climb and the bungy. It's the highest in the world and guaranteed to pump you're adrenaline for at least a week. Have fun and dress warm. Also, bring sunscreen as being in the snow or the mountains makes you susceptible.

Thanks, both of you have good advice. Anyone else????? Less that two weeks and counting!

I was in Switzerland in March and found it still cold. Overcoat type weather. If you are in Interlaken, anywhere you go, north or south, is up.
And elevation gain means 3.7 degrees F change for each 1,000 feet.

Do you have a down-filled parka? It would be useful because, in general, such garments are light in weight and have a wide comfort range, though a bit bulky unless you are good at stuffing. Spring does not set in until about May 1 at the upper elevations and ice goes off the alpine lakes in late June or early July, depending upon elevation and shade conditions. However, this year has been mild I am told by my friends in Europe; El Nino affects them too. You will have fun, but take money. The local conditions have a way of extracting it -- lots of it.

I was in Switzerland in March and found it still cold. Overcoat type weather. If you are in Interlaken, anywhere you go, north or south, is up.
And elevation gain means 3.7 degrees F change for each 1,000 feet.

Do you have a down-filled parka? It would be useful because, in general, such garments are light in weight and have a wide comfort range, though a bit bulky unless you are good at stuffing. Spring does not set in until about May 1 at the upper elevations and ice goes off the alpine lakes in late June or early July, depending upon elevation and shade conditions. However, this year has been mild I am told by my friends in Europe; El Nino affects them too. You will have fun, but take money. The local conditions have a way of extracting it -- lots of it.

I was in Switzerland in March and found it still cold. Overcoat type weather. If you are in Interlaken, anywhere you go, north or south, is up.
And elevation gain means 3.7 degrees F change for each 1,000 feet.

Do you have a down-filled parka? It would be useful because, in general, such garments are light in weight and have a wide comfort range, though a bit bulky unless you are good at stuffing. Spring does not set in until about May 1 at the upper elevations and ice goes off the alpine lakes in late June or early July, depending upon elevation and shade conditions. However, this year has been mild I am told by my friends in Europe; El Nino affects them too. You will have fun, but take money. The local conditions have a way of extracting it -- lots of it.

Thanks for the info about coats and temperature changes. I have been monitoring the weather on the weathernet and have noticed it is warmer than I expected. But some of those evening temperatures look cold enough. I did buy a coat that is good with jeans/boots and dresses for the evening so I hope I have it covered and am warm enough!

Thanks again.

We just got back from a brief, but wonderful 5 day trip to Switzerland! Interlaken was absolutely beautiful. We stayed in the city at the Hotel Blume. It was very clean, reasonably priced, and the clerk (Claudia) was very helpful in suggesting things to do in the area. The weather was not too bad during the days. We wore turtlenecks, jeans, and a jacket and were comfortable. Of course at night and up in the mountains, the weather was considerably colder. (you'll definately need to dress in more layers at these times). If you have time, definately consider a side trip to either Hergeswil or Engleberg. These were the highlights of our trip! Hergeswil (10 minutes outside of Lucerne) has a glass factory with a museum tour that was absolutely fantastic. The brochure we read indicated that this exhibit had been voted the best in Switzerland (we agree!). They also have 2 stores which sell their merchandise. One is a regular store, the other sells "seconds". Our favorite destination was Engleberg (located about 30 minutes southeast of Lucerne). We took the Rotair (a revolving gondola) up to the top of Mt. Titlis. The view was breathtaking. At the top of Mt. Titlis, there is an ice cave which you can walk through. Pretty neat! Hope you have a fantastic time! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions.

Thanks Nancy! We are on a package tour (amazing price!) and have day trips arranged. There is a half day in Grindelwald, a day to Alsace and the Black Forest, a day in Gstaad/Bern/Gruyere, and a day in Lucerne. I will certainly try to see if we can get to that glass exhibit/factory outside of town. Sounds great!