Adventures in Switzerland: Early May Travel Guide
My recent trip to Switzerland in early May was filled with unpredictable weather and incredible sights. After spending five days and four nights exploring Interlaken and its surroundings, I'm excited to share my detailed itinerary, hoping it inspires your own adventure!
Day 1: Interlaken - Iseltwald (Crash Landing on You Filming Location)
Arriving from Germany around 2 PM, our first priority was checking into our accommodation. We quickly dropped off our luggage and headed straight to the picturesque village of Iseltwald, famous for being a filming location of "Crash Landing on You."
- Getting There: Take Bus 103 from Interlaken Ost to Iseltwald (approximately 27 minutes) and ride to the last stop.
- Travel Tip: Utilize the Interlaken Guest Card (provided by most hotels or Airbnbs) for free public transportation within the Interlaken area.
Day 2: Lauterbrunnen - Mürren
- Travel: Take train R62 from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen (about 22 minutes). Spend some time exploring Lauterbrunnen before heading up to Mürren.
- Continuing to Mürren: This requires a cable car (Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp) followed by train R66 (Grütschalp-Mürren).
Unfortunately, Mürren was shrouded in dense fog with visibility limited to about 5 meters! Luckily, the weather cleared up when we returned to Lauterbrunnen. For a fantastic photo opportunity, search for "Staubbachfall Viewpoint" on Google Maps to capture the stunning waterfall.
Day 3: Oeschinensee Lake
Our team faced another day of challenging weather conditions. Despite this, we completed a rewarding hiking journey, clocking in around 30,000 steps.
- Transportation: Travel from Interlaken Ost to Kandersteg (1 hour 11 minutes). Upon arrival, you can choose to take a cable car up and hike a shorter distance, or hike all the way up to the lake.
Important reminder: Hiking can be tiring, so prepare both physically and mentally. You'll find a restaurant and café up there, or you can bring your own supplies for camping.
Day 4: Grindelwald - First
- Travel: Take train R61 from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald (36 minutes).
- Getting to First Bahn: Choose between taking bus 121, 122, or 123, or enjoy a 10-15 minute walk to "First Bahn" to catch the cable car.
Since we weren't planning on visiting Jungfraujoch, we purchased the "Adventure Package" (97 CHF). This included unlimited cable car rides and access to two activities.
The cable car has three stops with corresponding activities:
- First (First Cliff Walk)
- Schreckfeld (First Glider, First Flyer)
- Bort (Trottibike)
Important Notes: Check activity schedules and waiting times, and book tickets in advance to avoid sell-outs (especially during peak season). Weather can significantly affect activity availability.
During our visit, most activities were closed due to fog and rain, except for the Trottibike. We did experience snow on First in May, although we couldn't see much!
Day 5: Brienz Rothorn Bahn Steam Train
After storing our luggage at Interlaken Ost station, we set off for another adventure via steam train!
- Transportation: Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Brienz (20 minutes).
The steam train station is conveniently located just steps from the Brienz train station. We purchased round-trip tickets online (72 CHF). Before peak season, the train only goes as far as Planalp, but it goes further up during the main season.
Important: If you have a pass like the BOP, reservations are still required (+8 CHF).
Even reaching just Planalp was incredibly scenic. If you have the opportunity, definitely experience this steam train ride.
Ticket Tip: If Jungfraujoch or Schildthorn are not part of your plans, purchasing individual tickets per route can be cost-effective. For groups of four under 25, consider the "Friends - Tageskarte Jugend" ticket (80 CHF).
Accommodation & Food in Interlaken
Accommodation: We rented an Airbnb called "Mountain Views - Rütosstrasse 29, 3800 Interlaken," which could accommodate up to 10 people. Choosing accommodation near Interlaken Ost makes travel easier. For a livelier atmosphere, Interlaken West might be preferable. Interlaken is very convenient for transportation, dining, and shopping.
Food Recommendations:
- Aare Korean BBQ Restaurant: Try the "Ginseng Chicken Soup." It's incredibly comforting.
- Truly Asia: This Vietnamese restaurant serves delicious à la carte dishes. We were impressed to see the Vietnamese flag prominently displayed. The food was authentic, and the staff were friendly.
- For budget-friendly options, try roasted chicken from the Coop supermarket. Also, self-catering can significantly reduce costs.
Apps: Use the SBB app for convenient train schedule information. I purchased a SIM card via the "Esim du lịch" app.
Wishing everyone a successful trip to Switzerland!
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