Wengen, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald - overnight stay?
Mar 10th, 2016, 11:26 AM
#21
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We want to do Jungfrau but need a base to stay for 2 nights so we can hike from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg and also do the cable car ride and Jungfrau>
Wengen is also a lot closer to the Mannlichen to Kl Scheidegg stroll - the famous Ridge Walk - take a cable car up from Wengen - walk to Kl Scheidegg and hop the Jungfraujoch train or v.v.
Wengen is also a lot closer to the Mannlichen to Kl Scheidegg stroll - the famous Ridge Walk - take a cable car up from Wengen - walk to Kl Scheidegg and hop the Jungfraujoch train or v.v.
Mar 11th, 2016, 02:13 AM
#23
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Here's what I wrote in a trip report back in 2012:
"I didn’t know what to expect in Grindelwald. I had heard that it is dreadfully touristy with many busses and fumes, and mobs of people, but what we arrived to was a cute alpine town just past the end of the railroad tracks between some mountains with one main street of small shops. There was a parking lot with 2 busses and no hoards of tourists to be seen. (We had an extra treat the next day. It had cleared up and the same street had a gorgeous backdrop of the Alps which made it even more enchanting.)
We headed to the right from the back of the station and quickly came upon our hotel – the Bel-Air Eden.
http://www.hotel-belair.ch/index.php?userlang=en
I booked a balcony on the south side facing the Alps...Again, it was overcast, but we looked out to a stunning view of chalets and open fields with no buildings between us and the view."
We did all the things you're talking about doing from there quite easily...and more.
We've stayed in Lauterbrunnen too, and enjoyed being there, but the views weren't as good and it took longer to get to the Jungfrau so for you, I would not recommend Lauterbrunnen.
I've walked around Wengen and liked it too but have never stayed there overnight. Wherever you choose, try to get a room with a view because mobs of tourists in the town or not, you won't be in the town during the day and when you get back after touring, it's nice to relax looking at the Alps.
"I didn’t know what to expect in Grindelwald. I had heard that it is dreadfully touristy with many busses and fumes, and mobs of people, but what we arrived to was a cute alpine town just past the end of the railroad tracks between some mountains with one main street of small shops. There was a parking lot with 2 busses and no hoards of tourists to be seen. (We had an extra treat the next day. It had cleared up and the same street had a gorgeous backdrop of the Alps which made it even more enchanting.)
We headed to the right from the back of the station and quickly came upon our hotel – the Bel-Air Eden.
http://www.hotel-belair.ch/index.php?userlang=en
I booked a balcony on the south side facing the Alps...Again, it was overcast, but we looked out to a stunning view of chalets and open fields with no buildings between us and the view."
We did all the things you're talking about doing from there quite easily...and more.
We've stayed in Lauterbrunnen too, and enjoyed being there, but the views weren't as good and it took longer to get to the Jungfrau so for you, I would not recommend Lauterbrunnen.
I've walked around Wengen and liked it too but have never stayed there overnight. Wherever you choose, try to get a room with a view because mobs of tourists in the town or not, you won't be in the town during the day and when you get back after touring, it's nice to relax looking at the Alps.
Mar 11th, 2016, 06:55 AM
#24
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kwren - my experiences in Grindelwald mirror yours - it's not the pitts some here make it out and has lovely views - to me the best around because of the amphitheatre like vast views from left to right.
I really like Grindelwald.
I really like Grindelwald.
Mar 11th, 2016, 11:41 AM
#28
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Hi Swandav - you can be half surprised...we were there June 29 - July 3
I think any tour busses drop people off and they all scatter until it's time to come back to the bus and leave. Even the shops were empty.
I think any tour busses drop people off and they all scatter until it's time to come back to the bus and leave. Even the shops were empty.
Mar 11th, 2016, 02:02 PM
#29
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Like Interlaken I think swandav's antipathy for Grindelwald is way over the top - she will say no doubt that early July is too early - anything to make Grindelwald look bad because she didn't like some tour buses in town- no one is in town during the day but out day tripping and at night there are no tour buses clogging the streets.
And she never says that tour buses only clog the place in July and August in her posts but makes it sound like they are always there. But that is her subjective take and I accept that there may be tour buses around at times - if you avoid places with tour buses you'd have to skip half of the nicest places in Europe.
I even like to see the coming and going of folks - one reason I like Grindelwald is seeing groups of alpinists and serious hikers carrying their gear around.
And she never says that tour buses only clog the place in July and August in her posts but makes it sound like they are always there. But that is her subjective take and I accept that there may be tour buses around at times - if you avoid places with tour buses you'd have to skip half of the nicest places in Europe.
I even like to see the coming and going of folks - one reason I like Grindelwald is seeing groups of alpinists and serious hikers carrying their gear around.
Mar 11th, 2016, 09:35 PM
#30
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kwren, lol, I am half-surprised!! No, I am way surprised that even the shops were empty!
Pal, I never mention the tour busses when folks are not travelling in the summer -- because they're only an issue in July and August. In fact, I do recommend Grindelwald (and even, *gasp* Interlaken, along with Thun) when folks travel during if-fy months like May or November.
And, like here, I DO identify that it's a summertime issue, as I wrote above:
"Grindelwald is as high as people can drive, and so in July and August it attracts a lot of tour busses for day-tripping tourists."
See? I say it's a problem "in July and August . . " I do mention the tour busses when folks travel in July & August because I think it's relevant information. I would want to know about it, and I do wish someone had told me for that visit with my mom.
I really have no grudge against the place, Pal. I've skied from there a few times and did enjoy the town. I just would like folks to be fully informed about what they may encounter.
Peace, out.
Pal, I never mention the tour busses when folks are not travelling in the summer -- because they're only an issue in July and August. In fact, I do recommend Grindelwald (and even, *gasp* Interlaken, along with Thun) when folks travel during if-fy months like May or November.
And, like here, I DO identify that it's a summertime issue, as I wrote above:
"Grindelwald is as high as people can drive, and so in July and August it attracts a lot of tour busses for day-tripping tourists."
See? I say it's a problem "in July and August . . " I do mention the tour busses when folks travel in July & August because I think it's relevant information. I would want to know about it, and I do wish someone had told me for that visit with my mom.
I really have no grudge against the place, Pal. I've skied from there a few times and did enjoy the town. I just would like folks to be fully informed about what they may encounter.
Peace, out.
Mar 14th, 2016, 04:56 AM
#33
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I stayed in Wengen as a teenager w/ a school trip. Awesome. Just stayed in Lauterbrunnen as a 50-yr old w/ one of my daughters. We stayed at the Hotel Staubbach in Lauterbrunnen. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat! Great budget hotel.
Basically you can't go wrong in ANY of the towns you've mentioned. They're all gorgeous.
FYI, there's a terrific restaurant at the large campground in Lauterbrunnen. Affordable delicious food. Walk away from town towards the direction of Trummelbach Falls, and you'll see the campground on your left. Worth the short walk.
Basically you can't go wrong in ANY of the towns you've mentioned. They're all gorgeous.
FYI, there's a terrific restaurant at the large campground in Lauterbrunnen. Affordable delicious food. Walk away from town towards the direction of Trummelbach Falls, and you'll see the campground on your left. Worth the short walk.
Mar 14th, 2016, 08:24 AM
#34
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As Melnq8 said...I'd stay in Murren. I've stayed at Wengen and Murren and prefer the latter (but Wengen was great too). It does involve a bit more time to get up the gondola but if you're looking for views then it's about as good as they get. Just make sure your hotel room overlooks the valley.
I would not stay in Grindelwald...too busy.
I would not stay in Grindelwald...too busy.
Mar 14th, 2016, 08:26 AM
#35
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We went through this a couple of years ago and ended up picking Wengen for our overnight stay. Agree you can't really go wrong with either but our group (several couples) felt the views from Grindelwald were the best.
