Switzerland in May
 

Hi,
DH & I are in the very early stages of planning a trip for mid May 2007. It seems this time of year is between seasons, some hotels are closed in the BO region, what else might not be in operation? I have tried myswitzerland.com but can't seem to find any seasonal info.
Just wanted to know about ferries, cable cars, trains - that sort of thing.

Can anyone help? Thanks.

Hi Maudie,

Here's a link to what the Jungfraubahn railways says are the operating days:

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/Deskto...113_read-1060/

You can get information about access to the Schilthorn at www.schilthorn.ch (click on "Timetable/Rates," then again on "Timetable/Rates"). They list the days of maintenance.

To see if the hiking trails are clear, go to one of the town's websites, like www.grindelwald.com (click on "Summer" then "Hiking Reports") or at www.wengen.ch. This will be useful for you especially this spring, so you can follow the operations in May and will know what to expect next year.

Have fun!

s

Most will be open, but no all. It's case by case. Here's one that's great when back in business:

www.niesen.ch/

Try also www.niederhorn.ch - great excursion!

Don't worry, there will be plenty to see and do, worry not about closures but about weather.

But if a cloud cover settles in, don't automatically give up. Very often it's what they call "high fog" - Hochnebel, and it's a layer that makes everything below it feel dismal, while you can go above it and have unbelievably great weather.

So ask about elevations of the cloud cover etc., and go to one of those two I just mentioned, or any number of other elevated locations, and look down onto the clouds and enjoy (bring sunscreen and dark goggles!).

WK

My wife and I are planning to go there this May 10-20. We were worried about the closure as well. What type of things are closed generally? We are still deciding whether it is a good idea to go there in May of this year.

Thank you all for your helpful replies, I will check out all the websites.
I am sure we won't run out of things to do, we will just be happy to be there, rain or shine or fog.
On another of my posts it was recommended for us to stay in Meiringen, what would be the pros and cons of this, our first though was Brienz? We would be using trains and postbuses only, as we won't have a car. We are looking into buying a Swiss Pass.
We would prefer an apartment so we can self cater to a certain extent.
Augiechang - they are the rough dates we will be there in 2007!

Thanks again, it is so great to be able to get immediate answers to my questions.
Cheers,
Maudie

Switzerland is nice, expensive but nice.

topping... your additional quetions in "Going in May"... would be better added here... or re-post with a message header that actually mentions Switerland (referring to your other post, not this one)...

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi Rex,
I guess you are posting for Augiechang who also has a post going here for Switzerland in May 2006.

I would still like to get some input with regards to Meiringen/Brienz if anyone can help me?

Thanks
Maudie

tagging

Maudie - I will give you all of my info as soon as I have everything together. Also, when I come back (that is if I go), I will give you a full load down of what is good/bad. :)

Hi Maudie---OK, now I have this discussion on my "list" and I can come back with ideas, especially on self-catering apartments and the like.

Thanks, I think I have hijacked augiechangs thread too much!

Many hotels in the higher elevation close but the trains and cable cars continue to operate. Example: everything is open in Lauterbrunnen but Wengen is mostly closed. The lake ferries are open in May. Schedules can be found at sbb.ch

The weather can vary so much. We were there in May (98, I think) and it was very hot in the valleys. There again in 02 and saw heavy snow in the Furka. So much snow that the Glacier Express was closed for a meet because of snow slides that covered the tracks with fallen trees. Had snow agin in may 04
in Lauterbrunnen.

have fun,

hhav

Thank you hhav, I am sure we will find plenty to do whatever the weather and if it snows that's ok too, we don't have snow where we live!
However I am still undecided about where to stay, Lauterbrunnen, Brienz, Meiringen.......decisions, decisions.

maudie - I purchased my tickets to Switzerland, so I guess I am GOING!!!

I am planning to stay at Grindelwald instead of Lit. and the reason is b/c there are more easy strolls around Grindelwald compared to Lit. I looked around the hotels/accomodations around Grin. and I decided to try the chalet/apartment approach.

How many days are you staying in the BO? I am planning to do a 3 nite/4 day thing. I hope Jungfraubahn is open at that time. Reading other posts, people are suggesting NOT to goto Jungfraubahn...thoughts?