What to do in Lauterbrunnen with Toddler
 

Hi All,

We plan to go to Switzerland with my 2 yo boy from October 10th - 24th and will be stay in Lauterbrunnen for 3+1 days (3 full day stay + 1 day travel)
I want to know the must to-do list in Lauterbrunnen with 2 yo toddler. Is the place is nice to spend with toddler or it will only nice with kid that can do hiking?
Additional question, if we stay in Chalets around Wengen/Lauterbrunnen/is the place is easy to access anywhere and easy to get our basic needs like groceries/diaper?

Thanks!!

October isn't a good time for hiking in the Alps. Why are you planning to go there in October? Lauterbrunnen is all about enjoying the outdoors, so if you haven't booked yet I would stick to a Swiss city like Bern or Lucerne.

Bern is arguably the most beautiful European city. Pity its often overlooked by tourists.

If you want to see the Alps with a toddler, you can take a scenic train ride. That way you can admire the scenery without braving the cold or having to move around.

Counting on other Fodorites to recommend the best train journey.

Hi Loacker,

The only reason we pick October just because that's the only month fit with our work schedule for this year. I'm aware with the odd timing of October, but Lauterbrunnen is always come up as the top list to go to Switzerland, so I was going to give it a try. If the season if really wont going that well then yes, we need to reconsider it.

We also planned to go to Lucerne after Lauterbrunnen.

I will check on Bern as alternative option too. Thanks for your input

October can be a GREAT time to be in the Alps! We go hiking there every October and the weather has often been nothing short of glorious. Even in early November it can still be excellent.

I agree that October is GREAT for hiking in Switzerland.
I have had great weather during the last 4 out of 5 October trips. There are plenty of paved, level hikes in the area,where even a stroller can be used.
!
That said, Bern is a beautiful small to mid-sized city, with a small 'bear park' (symbol of the city), and miles of arcaded shops - great on a rainy day!

Check out the site:
MySwissAlps.com
under Berner Oberland 'easy half day hikes'.
Take a picnic lunch and enjoy awesome mountain views along the way.

If you've had great weather in October doesn't mean the OP will. This is one of the most unpredictable months. Snow is not uncommon.

going by car say Lucerne or train. If trains what is you whole itinerary - a Swiss Pass can be a great deal if traveling around a bit - kid always goes free on any transport. For lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

If you can carry your kid a few miles take the gondola from Wengen to The Mannlichen and do the easy ridge walk to Kleine Schiedegg- one of the most gorgeous in the Alps - I believe strollers may be able to go over it but not sure - ast Kl Scheidegg take a scenic train back to Lauterbrunnen or to the Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest train station and a world of snow and ice - kid can play in snow at any time of year.

From Lauterbrunnen the two most fantastic excursions you can make is up to the Schilthorn - see http://schilthorn.ch/en/Welcome - and to the Jungfraujoch - see www.jungfrau.ch/en .

The Jungfrau is the broad mountain in the trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The "Joch" is the low saddle between two peaks.

Similarly, Loacker, if you've had bad weather in October, that doesn't mean the OP will. Your statement that October is a bad time to hike the Alps just isn't always true; maybe best to say that weather is always unpredictable in the Alps, and it's always good to have an alternate plan. Like others posting here, a friend of mine went hiking in the Swiss Alps in October and had perfect weather.

astimesser, of course it's easy to get groceries & baby supplies in Wengen & Lauterbrunnen. These places are very small, and it's possible to walk through them in about 30 or 40 minutes. Depending on where your hotel/apartment is located, it could be less. If you're in a hotel in Wengen, it's likely your hosts will have an electric cart to help you.

Have fun as you plan!

s

OTOH - I was in Murren in mid September once and there was ice on the sidewalks - you never know like swandav says. Kee3p a flexible itinerary IMO - poor weather high up go down to Interlaken and take a train to Bern, etc. where the weather may be better.

I live in Switzerland and have been in the BO every October and November for the past 7 years in a row. The weather is often wonderful and certainly no worse than other months. Sure, you can get snow at the highest elevations...you can get snow at Jungfraujoch in mid-July!

But Switzerland is not immune to climate change and while the Alps are subject to sudden storms ANY month of the year, there is no validity to this claim from a spiteful attention-seeking troll poster whose main purpose on Fodors seems to be dampening everyone's trip plans.

I'm sure astimesser appreciated my input. I wasn't trying to "dampen" her travel plans. I was simply giving her a heads-up. Hiking can be an issue in October as some hiking paths are closed due to snow.

The likelihood of a rainy/snowy day in October is far greater than that of a sunny day.

"The likelihood of a rainy/snowy day in October is far greater..."

I shouldn't feed the trolls, but you persist in promulgating utter claptrap.

Average rainfall/snowfall in Interlaken (in inches) per month:
June: 5.4
July: 5.5
August: 5.7
September: 3.8
October: 3.1
November: 3.3

Maybe you should consider a remedial math class since you think 5.7 is less than 3.1

Wow, that's the first time I use someone use the word "promulgating".

It's only 3.1 in October because the rest is snow. They can't count the snowflakes.

Thanks all.. im exited and nervous at the same time, I know we can't predict the weather at all and I need to arrange more flexible schedule and back up plan just in case. Hope we get lucky with the weather there!
Preparing our stuff is bit tricky now since we don't have any cold outfit at all. well.. we live in mid east now, hard to find one for icy cold outfit

"It's only 3.1 in October because the rest is snow."

That figure includes snowfall. Even you must know that snowfall is measurable.

Many Europeans hike with kids in backpack type thingys--even in October.

No one can guarantee the weather anywhere.

"The likelihood of a rainy/snowy day in October is far greater..."?

to check that it would be more useful to say how many days each month are likely to see rain or snow - total rainfall figures can be misleading- it may drizzle for days and it would not accumulate to much.

I don't know if the honorable Fodorites agree but I think you could outsmart the weather, by basing yourself in Lucerne for a few days, and making a daytrip to Lauterbrunner on a sunny day.