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Wengen is a small Swiss tourist and farming village that isn’t just near the mountain but it is in them, well up and on the very side of one of the Alps. Just look at these pictures and you will already be in awe, we were lucky to have a clear day after continuous rain for couple of days, when the majestic Alps (Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau) opened up to views surrounding Wengen.
For a trip to Bernese Oberlands in Central Switzerland, as lot of tourists would have searched through various articles and blogs, we were also considering whether to stay in an Alps mountain village or stay at Interlaken and do day trips. We are so happy, that we decided to stay at the mountain village of Wengen.
View from Wengen overlooking LauterBrunnen Valley
This post will offer a comparison for others trying to decide whether to stay in Wengen or Interlaken.Many people could have a great time in either destination, or could happily stay in both of them, but most folks would prefer one over the other depending on their interest. But if you love majestic mountains(as we do), look at this view as you just get out of the train station at Wengen itself.
Wengen is much smaller and quieter than Interlaken and it can be quite pricey during peak seasons. There are no cars, trucks, or buses allowed or seen in Wengen, except for a few vehicles owned by residents or businesses. So if you have a vehicle, this might not be a place for you unless you want to park in another town like Lauterbrunnen and take the train to Wengen. (Murren, Grindelwald are similar nearby destinations across the Lauterbrunnen valley.)
View from our room(Wengen village,Mannlichen mountains and Jungfrau peak)
We stayed all three nights in Wengen village. The day we reached it was raining but it cleared out thankfully for the next couple of days and we could witness the spectacular views in this region. The village has its own charm and laid back beauty just to stroll along and enjoy a well deserved vacation.
Everyone walks or, when you want to leave town, needs to take one of the frequent trains or goes for a serious climb and hike, because that’s what it takes to get to any town nearby. There are some family-run hotels, and there are homes for rent as in Interlaken. Some hotels and homes are open only during ski season– some non-hotel restaurants, and a very few small stores in Wengen.
You can certainly get drinks and good food in Wengen and there is more nightlife during ski season than in the summer, but anyone going for days with the primary goal of enjoying the nightlife or shopping would probably be much happier staying in Interlaken than in Wengen.
On the other hand, visitors who want to get away from it all, and would welcome quiet (particularly in the summer) and who want to stay up in the mountains, or who want to roll out of bed and start skiing in the long winter season, would probably prefer Wengen to Interlaken.
Besides the closer proximity to skiing and day hiking and the quiet, though, there is another reason to prefer to stay in Wengen. The Alpine views down and across the Lauterbrunnen valley below the village are breathtaking and world-class and immersively closer than those from Interlaken.
LauterBrunnen Valley
You do need at least a little luck, as clouds or fog or rain or snow can sock the area in for days at a time with limited or no Alpine views. But with a little good fortune with weather, staying with this magical panorama in this village on clear days makes you feel as if you are living in a different time and place.
Interlaken and Wengen, though only about 6 miles and a 30 to 45 minute steep mountain train ride apart, are very different places. From Interlaken ride the train for around 30 minutes to Lauterbrunnen, and then change again to go one more stop to Wengen. Many local Swiss trains as the ones in this valley relay shuttle-style like this, with only brief waits for transfers so that it doesn’t even really feel like you’re transferring.
Wengen is also the connection to the Wengen–Männlichen aerial cableway that runs to near the summit of the Männlichen mountain. The lower terminal of the cableway is some 250 m (820 ft) from the station.
Wengen–Männlichen aerial cableway & summit
Mannlichen Mountains
One highly recommended half-to-full day adventure for anyone staying in either Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen or Wengen area is to take the train past Wengen to the end of the line and the peak at Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, said to be the highest elevation train station in Europe. The train trip and the time you will spend at Jungfraujoch are unforgettable and well worth the cost on a beautiful day.
Fortunately, you do not need to reserve seats on this train, and can decide to go on the spur of the moment when the weather is right.
Read more about this in our upcoming blog on trip to Jungfraujoch.
Our pics @ Wengen Village:
Interlaken is warmer on summer evenings than Wengen, because of the elevation difference. Pack enough clothing to layer for very cool evening weather in Wengen even in the summer. A Merino Wool Base Layer Set works great for layering. Boots for snow in the winter and for mud in the summer are advised in Wengen or anywhere else in or above the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Jungfraujoch, on the other hand, is thousands of metres higher even than Wengen, and is snow-covered and cold year-round. If you will be spending time outdoors at Jungfraujoch (it is optional after getting off the train, though most people do go outside at least briefly and we did as well) and if it’s sunny, make sure you have a good sunscreen with you — we recommend Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 100+ . Be sure to wear sunscreen on all exposed skin. Read more about our journey to top of europe in our blog here.
Based on our journey experience and with the luck we had, our recommendation is to stay in an Alps mountain village like Wengen, Murren, Grindelwald etc. If you can’t find any location within budget at these location, then look at LauterBrunnen or the last option as Interlaken.
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