Switzerland and Jungfrau in particular

[stever1]

Hi all.
On the way back from Austria we are hoping to stay somewhere in the Jungfrau area for 3 days of touristy stuff in June. Any info on good hotels and places to see/go to will be gratefully accepted.
My mate wants to go on a railway to see the Eiger, but he is a bit unsure of its location and other info so if you have any idea what he is on about please tell me, otherwise i'm likely to cock it all up at the planning stage.
regards
steve

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Interlaken is the nearest town I believe.
We had 2 nights there on the way to Mugello, specifically to go up the Jungfrau but, unfortunately, the weather was against us.
You may well need to book early, the hotel we stayed at which was central, clean & had private insecure parking had no rooms available on any nights at all until the end of October, and we were there in late May.
Interlaken hotels aren't cheap but the price of going up the Jungfrau is eye-wateringly expensive.
You can save a £ or two by booking in advance but I don't think you'll get a refund if you can't go up. We decided against pre-booking and it's just as well we did. Most of the hotels in Interlaken have TV's showing live views from the various stages up the mountain and on the day we were there you could see the square root of feck all.

Good luck, I hope the weather is kinder to you than it was to us, the Jungfrau remains on my to do list.

 

[JayC]

This might be useful >>> http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/eiger-trail-the-swiss-alpine-experience-trail.html

 

[Muppet]

Best choice for hotels would be to stay in Grindelwald on the North side of the Eiger. You can catch the train up the Jungfrau from there. you could stay at Wengen over the other side but not sure if you can drive/ride actually in the town. The train up to the top of the Jungfrau is quite pricey, about 50 quid or so, but if you've never been and aren't likely to be in the area again, it's worth it. The views across the top of the Alps from the highest point you can get to without climbing in Europe (I think) are spectacular. Be aware that at somewhere around 2 mes above sea level the air is thin and you may struggle a bit to breathe properly, being breathless and having a headache is quite common.
I've been up it twice, would definitely do it again, it's stunning and worth a full day out.

 

[mcinlb]

Also, we stayed in Lauterbrunnen at http://www.staubbach.com/ good hotel with a great view onto the highest waterfall in Europe.

Also got the train to Kleine Scheidegg below the Eiger and Jungfrau, it is a bit expensive to get up there but I reckoned it was worth it, we got a brilliant blue sky day.

 

[Swiss Mike]

Also, we stayed in Lauterbrunnen at http://www.staubbach.com/ good hotel with a great view onto the highest waterfall in Europe.

Also got the train to Kleine Scheidegg below the Eiger and Jungfrau, it is a bit expensive to get up there but I reckoned it was worth it, we got a brilliant blue sky day.

The Jungfrau is very expensive but if the weather is good its once in a life time trip.
+1 for the Staubbach, a basic hotel with very friendly staff.
The manager is english and she rides a crossrunner.
If you need any help / info just email them.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

We stayed in Grindlewald at this hotel.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_...u_Region_Bernese_Oberland_Canton_of_Bern.html

Grindlewald is very touristy, as is the train - but they are definitely worth a visit.

It would be wise to give yourself some room in your schedule as you need a clear day to get the views from the train, and it's expensive.

The Eiger

 

[cookie]

I've taken the train up from grindlewald, and it was definitely worth the money.

This was a few years back when the exchange rate was vastly more favourable, and iirc it was c.£100 per person.

 

[nick.ct]

Camped last year next to the river in Interlaken. They have 'pods' for hire for those without tents. Cheaper than the very expensive hotels.

 

[adventuredon]

Calling swiss mike. He has accomodation there. I stayed at a campsite in the area, best campsite I have ever seen. See blog at www.free-me.com or search here for a *a very european jaunt*

Also, we stayed in Lauterbrunnen at http://www.staubbach.com/ good hotel with a great view onto the highest waterfall in Europe.

Also got the train to Kleine Scheidegg below the Eiger and Jungfrau, it is a bit expensive to get up there but I reckoned it was worth it, we got a brilliant blue sky day.

 

[Neil W]

Only do it if the weather is good or it is a waste of money (check the webcams), also go early, stop at the kleine Scheidegg on the way up for 1/2 an hour to get used to the altitude or you will suffer and not enjoy
the top as much (unless you are used to high altitude).
Also make sure your camera is working, we went up in the late 80's - best weather in 30 years or so we were told and my slr buggered up- not one photo out of 60 taken came out

 

[FatAl]

Me and the wife stayed here for a week a few years ago. It was excellent, breakfast every morning overlooking the valley and watching the avalanche each day opposite as the sun came up.

www.kirchbuehl.ch

also helicopter rides available from lauterbraunnen

 

[Rasher]

Staying a bit further afield may save a decent amount of cash. You could stay somewhere around Andermatt and drive there (not exactly a hardship) and you will find many decent deals on Hotels with "Zimmer Frei" signs, also means far less planning required, just rock up and find a hotel.

 

[kennyc]

you could do worse than the Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen, the owner Mark is very bike friendly, and a dab hand at heating up FD crown bearings

 

[Peirre O`Bollox]

I can highly recommend a privately run hostel (mountain hostel) http://www.mountainhostel.ch/en/mountain-hostel-grindelwald close to the Jungfrau station http://goo.gl/maps/O4uRc
I stayed there in July for 2 nights, there`s parking outside for the bikes under a lean too canopy. There`s a café/bar close by at the train station. or a short train ride into the centre of town.
If there`s several of you (4?) you may be able to have a private room. Breakfast is included.

 

[Tusky]

you could do worse than the Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen, the owner Mark is very bike friendly, and a dab hand at heating up FD crown bearings

Lauterbrunnen would always get my vote, been there many times and even remember when Mark came from Australia working and ended up marrying the daughter of old Mr Von Allman (owner of camping Jungfrau) ......

Www.valleyhostel.ch gives you a much cheaper self cater option and Martha, Alfred and Stefan all speak perfect English, if you like the look and price for that, make sure you go for a double room in the chalet not the hostel!

Look out for early morning options at both Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn to save money and the three day area passes can save money as well, dependent on what you plan to do

Bottom line on why Lauterbrunnen rather than Grindlewald or Interlaken is one side of Lauterbrunnen takes you up Wengen and the Eiger on a train, the other side takes you up to Murren and Schilthorn on Cablecars....

If you're up for a walk..... Take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp and walk to Murren it is awesome and takes an hour or two then take the cable car down to Stechelberg and walk down the Valley to Lauterbrunnen, keeping your eye out for base jumpers!

IMO and that of many others, is that Lauterbrunnen is unsurpassed in its sheer awesomeness!

 

[kennyc]

Lauterbrunnen would always get my vote, been there many times and even remember when Mark came from Australia working and ended up marrying the daughter of old Mr Von Allman (owner of camping Jungfrau) ......

Www.valleyhostel.ch gives you a much cheaper self cater option and Martha, Alfred and Stefan all speak perfect English, if you like the look and price for that, make sure you go for a double room in the chalet not the hostel!

Look out for early morning options at both Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn to save money and the three day area passes can save money as well, dependent on what you plan to do

Bottom line on why Lauterbrunnen rather than Grindlewald or Interlaken is one side of Lauterbrunnen takes you up Wengen and the Eiger on a train, the other side takes you up to Murren and Schilthorn on Cablecars....

If you're up for a walk..... Take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp and walk to Murren it is awesome and takes an hour or two then take the cable car down to Stechelberg and walk down the Valley to Lauterbrunnen, keeping your eye out for base jumpers!

IMO and that of many others, is that Lauterbrunnen is unsurpassed in its sheer awesomeness!

spot on! I having been going there for the last 25yrs and although Grindlewald has more hotels and Bars, Lauterbrunnen is certainly an impressive hole in the Alps

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

If you need any inspiration to visit the Eiger - watch this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tlwj3/The_Eiger_Wall_of_Death/