susan4

I read that there are 2 train stations in Interlaken; the West station and the OST station. What is the difference? Which one do I want hotel to be near?
Thanks

swandav2000

Hi susan4,

The trains up to the mountain villages and the mountain peaks leaves from Ost.

However, both are very close together, maybe a 10-minute pleasant walk. So no bother no matter where you end up.

s

bob_brown

The rail station known as Interlaken Ost is the end of the line for trains coming from Bern, Thun, and Spiez and the beginning of the line for the train that ascends the Brünig Pass to Sarnen and Luzern. It is also where you can take the train to Brienz and Meiringen.

Most inportant, is it the terminal for the Berner Oberland Bahn trains that go to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. If you are interested in going to the Jungfraujoch, the Schilthorn, Wengen, or Mürren, you will depart from Interlaken Ost.

For that reason, I think Interlaken Ost is the more important of the train station.

All trains bound for Thun, Spiez, and Bern and beyond originate at Interlaken Ost and stop at Interlaken West on their way out.

As to which station your hotel should be near, I don't think it makes a major difference. I think I would want to be nearer Interlaken Ost, but most of the hotels in Interlaken are somewhere between the two.

The Interlaken, Royal St. George, Beau Rivage, Carlton, Villa Europa, and the Du Lac are closest to the east; the Merkur, Bahnhof, Touriste, Bernerhof, and Krebs are closest to the west station.

The others are mostly somewhere in between.

In terms of absolutes, the Du Lac is the closest to Interlaken Ost; the Touriste, Merkur, and Bahnhof hotels are the closest to Interlaken West.

Of the hotels, I know virtually nothing other than that the Beau Rivage is a plush place. The Victoria Jungfrau, however, is THE place to be seen. Of course, being seen there will cost you something like $650 per night before you tip anybody.

I thought once I would like to stay there, but I soon got over that idea.

Perhaps Swandav can comment on the quality of the rooms at the Victoria Jungfrau.

sunstar

Refresh my memory here. This hotel is that hotel on the south end of the main park in Interlaken right?

I always thouth the Beau Rivage was the more expensive hotel, but hey I would not know such things about 5 star hotels


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susan4

Thanks all, I am helping DD and DS, in their 20's plan their trip. Their hotel budget is closer to $100 LOL

kopp

Hello susan4,
Have you been to the interlaken.ch website? If not, be sure to check it out, clicking on the English language version. You will find lots of hotels with different prices, as well as hostels (which are many times like dorm rooms with bunk beds, some are private rooms).

Perhaps you will find something there that will fit the budget of your children. And kudos to you for helping them plan! What a good mother!

Happy travels!

bob_brown

Sun Star, which hotel you mean?

Susan 4

Here is my major source of data for Interlaken.
http://tinyurl.com/262hla

It is a good city map with lodging accommodations. Your price is more in the hostel range. I would, however, recommend looking three times at Balmers. I hear it gets loud and wild with beer buzzed people. At my age, I never would stay there!!

If you are on a hostel budget, check out the one in Lauterbrunnen. It is nice, I have heard.

When checking prices make sure you are not being quoted price PER PERSON.

Also, if you are quoted a price in US $$, make sure you pay in Swiss francs. CHF

I say this because any time I see a price in US $$ I instantly start looking for Dynamic Currenc Conversion scams.

When this happens, the customer is billed in US dollars. The exchange rate is most unfavorable.

Insist on being billed in the local currency. I use a Capital One credit card and I don't pay the 3% add on fee that many credit card issuers hit you with.

Bank of America is one of the offenders in this regard. There are others, but I don't know them all. I do know that Citibank and the AAA Visa card, which is now issued through Bank of America, tack on the 3% for no service added.

swandav2000

for bob brown --

Excuse me? What makes you think I've ever stayed overnight in Interlaken? What makes you think I've ever stayed at the V-J?

s

jmw44

Wow, S! Are you up early or is Knoxv on central time? Counting the days? I'm existing on these memory-stirring threads and the Panorama's webcam.

Susan4, you will fall in love with the Brienzersee and Thunersee and the mountains. What a wonderful area. J.

jmw44

My mistake, it's DS and DD who will fall in love with this wonderful place. Take a look at b&b accommodations. Try bnb.ch. Also, I read recommendations for a place called SunnyDays or something like that. Consider smaller lakeside towns on the rail line if you don't come up with something in their budget in Interlaken. I think there's a hostel in Leissigen. J.

Grassshopper

Haha, Samantha Brown stayed at the Victoria Jungfrau! It did indeed look fabulous.

sunstar

Bob, I was talking about the Victoria Jungfrau. Isn't that the hotel on the southend of the park in Interlaken where the paragliders land? If so, that looks like a nice hotel.

The hotel that I always give a second look to is the Beau Rivage. That is the hotel nest to the park close to the Ost station.

swandav2000

Hi j!

Nice to see you lingering around here these days!

I have to be in class at 08.00 for my summer classes, so I'm an early bird for a few months.

Oh, and, yes, who can sleep???

s

Mimar

swandav2000, you must be a very fast walker. My memory was the 2 Interlaken stations were some distance apart. www.mappy.com says a 25-minute walk.

We stayed at the Hotel du Lac, across from Interlaken Ost, and found this a very convenient location -- though on the river rather than a lake. (Also a quiet location. No trains at night.)

swandav2000

mimar,

Not particularly fast. I do find that I walk at about the same pace as the Swiss hiking markers -- my time is just about spot on for what's posted. Is that fast?

And I did say "maybe a 10-minute . . . walk." Maybe. And it is pleasant. I generally lose track of time as I window-shop, meander to and from the river, and people-watch along the way. So if it's 20 minutes -- so sorry for being so wrong.

s

bob_brown

Sunstar: Your recall sounds good to me.
Yes there is the big green area on the south side of the Hohenweg that is used for paraglider landings. The hotels are across the street.

I think the Beau Rivage is a little cheaper than the Victoria. Something like mid $300s a night compared with mid $500 if you can get a deal.

I thought I would stay there a week this time, but I haven't gotten a suitable offer yet.

Actually we will stay in Lauterbrunnen at Chalet Horner.

bob_brown

Swandav:

I was inspired to conclude from your elegant prose, pinpoint observations, and multi-lingual elan that you were an epicurean of the travel world.

Me? I'm just happy to walk in front of the Victoria Jungfrau and look at the dinner menu.

sunstar

Swandav is correct that is not a long walk between the two stations if one does not stop and window shop.

If a person does not want to walk down to the other station , they can always take the train from west to east or opposite.

When I stroll past the Beau Rivage, that hotel always reminds me of a place that a world leader would stay if he or she was staying in Interlaken. Someplace where a Bush, Brown, Sarkozy or Merkel might stay.

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Hot Tuna: Walking Blues

bob_brown

This Brown will not be at the Victoria Jungfrau. Three nights there would equal my trip budget! Well not quite, but close.

My idea of a hotel splurge is the Margarethenhof Golf Club overlooking the Tegernsee south of Munich.

That is about as high on the hog as I can go and I can do that only because my friends get me a discount.