Interlaken Switzerland

[VPS]

We've booked a week in Interlaken for Christmas this year. After my dismal failure at a White Christmas in 2016 I'm hoping 2019 will bring me some magic.

Does anyone have any recent knowledge of the Interlaken area for day trips? The last time I was in the area was 1982

 

[offshore171]

We've booked a week in Interlaken for Christmas this year. After my dismal failure at a White Christmas in 2016 I'm hoping 2019 will bring me some magic.

Although you could get lucky, there’s unlikely to be snow on the ground in interlaken itself. It’s below the general winter snowline. A bit like Jindabyne.

There are three quite famous villages above the town that are reliably above the snow line and might be a better option for that snowbound Xmas experience: Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren.

 

[Meggsy]

We were there recently, although stayed at Grindelwald. A very worthwhile day trip from Interlaken is to get the train to Jungfraujoch, head up via Grindelwald and come back via Lauterbrunnen through the valley. In Interlaken you can visit Harder Klum for some magnificent views of the lakes and surrounding alps. It is also just under 1 hour, very easy drive to Bern. Don't hold your breath for a white christmas in Interlaken but it is very easy to get to various parts of the alps by rail to play in the snow. Enjoy.

 

[moa999]

Jungfraujoch definitely worth the day trip.
Not cheap though (not much in Switzerland is) - albeit half price with Swiss Half Fare card.

 

[jase05]

Agree with all here. Interlaken is nice but quite possibly no snow. Wengen, Grindelwald and Murren are all stunning and in close proximity. Interlaken being pretty central means many day trips are possible. Zermatt, Lucerne and Mt Pilatus, Rigi, Schilthorn are all easily accessible in a day aswell as Jungfraujoch. A Swisspass will give free access to Rigi, Stanserhorn and Schilthorn and give reductions on many others such as Gornegrat and Pilatus.

 

[VPS]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I did go up the Jungfrau in 1982 and I remember it because I took a whole roll of 36 film in one day . Now I'd probably take 200. I would have preferred someone else but one of the group had their heart set on this area and it's hard to find places that hold a group. The place we have got is fully cancellable until the end of October so if we find somewhere else we can book in then.

 

[Jurahn]

Another vote for Grindelwald, the place we stayed at was down the hill from the railway station and we could lie in bed and look directly out at the Eiger! We really enjoyed staying there, and as we had a Swiss Pass, we could catch the train for free down to Interlaken when we needed to go to the bigger supermarket. We did the Jungfrau trip as well - as others have said, expensive but worth it. Because we were staying locally, there was an offer which gave us free entry to the local indoor heated swimming pool and sports centre. We were the only ones in the pool when we visited, and there were massive floor to ceiling windows at the end of the room looking out on the gorgeous scenery.

 

[Fifa]

Another vote for Grindelwald and don't you just love the name?!!!

Make sure you take a drive to Lucerne to visit the fantastic Swiss Museum of Transport. Well worth the trip.
A special treat for AFFers is the Aviation Hall: Switzerland in the Air

 

[jase05]

I love Grindelwald but the last 2 visits I’ve found Wengen to be almost as good and a little quieter tourist wise. But really anywhere in the region is fantastic, Gimmelwald lacks the accommodation options of surrounding towns but is also an absolute gem and feels a million miles away from the other towns

 

[Jurahn]

Another vote for Grindelwald and don't you just love the name?!!!

Make sure you take a drive to Lucerne to visit the fantastic Swiss Museum of Transport. Well worth the trip.
A special treat for AFFers is the Aviation Hall: Switzerland in the Air

We moved from WA to Tasmania last year and were astounded to discover there's a Grindelwald here too! Grindelwald, Tasmania - Wikipedia

We visited the Museum of Transport in Lucerne as well, more Mr J's thing than mine though . I found the Lion Monument memorial in Lucerne very moving, I kept being drawn back to it for some reason, and we walked up to see it every day we were there. The Glacier Garden next door (free entry with our Swiss Pass) was rather quirky and surprisingly interesting.