Switzerland in May: Adventures and Mishaps
My trip to Switzerland in early May came with its share of unpredictable weather, just like our weather back home in Malaysia sometimes! After spending 5 days and 4 nights exploring Interlaken and the surrounding areas, I wanted to share my detailed itinerary to hopefully assist you in planning your own Swiss adventure.
Day 1: Interlaken - Iseltwald (Crash Landing on You Filming Location)
Arriving from Germany around 2 pm, we quickly checked in, dropped off our bags, and headed straight to the famous Iseltwald, known for its appearance in "Crash Landing on You".
- Bus 103: Interlaken Ost - Iseltwald (27 minutes) – ride to the final stop.
We used the Interlaken Guest Card (provided free by hotels or Airbnbs in Interlaken), which allows free travel on public transport within the Interlaken area.
Day 2: Lauterbrunnen - Mürren
- Train R62: Interlaken - Lauterbrunnen (22 minutes) - take a stroll around before heading up to Mürren.
- Lauterbrunnen - Mürren: Take the cable car (Lauterbrunnen- Grütschalp) and train R66 (Grütschalp - Mürren).
Sadly, Mürren was completely shrouded in fog! Visibility was only about 5 metres. Luckily, Lauterbrunnen was much clearer upon our return. For a great view of the waterfall, search "Staubbachfall Viewpoint" on Google Maps.
Day 3: Lake Oeschinensee
The weather continued to challenge us, but our group completed a 30,000-step hike!
- Interlaken Ost - Kandersteg: (1 hour 11 minutes). Once there, choose to take a cable car up followed by a short walk or hike from the bottom.
Hiking can be tiring, so be prepared. There are restaurants and cafes at the top, or bring your own food for a picnic.
Day 4: Grindelwald - First
- Train R61: Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald (36 minutes).
- Two options: Bus 121, 122, 123 or a 10-15 minute walk to "First Bahn" for the cable car.
Since we skipped Jungfraujoch, we purchased the "Adventure Package" (97 CHF), which includes unlimited cable car rides and access to two activities.
The cable car has three stations with corresponding activities:
- First (First Cliff Walk)
- Schreckfeld (First Glider, First Flyer)
- Bort (Trottibike)
Important: Check the opening times, waiting times, and book tickets to avoid disappointment (especially during peak season). Weather can also affect activity availability. Unfortunately, due to fog and rain, only the Trottibike was open when we visited. Still, experiencing snow in May on First, even with limited visibility, was something!
Day 5: Brienz Rothorn Bahn Steam Train
After dropping off our luggage at Interlaken Ost station, we continued our adventure by steam train.
- Train: Interlaken Ost - Brienz (20 minutes)
The station for the steam train is right next to the Brienz station. We bought tickets online (round trip - 72 CHF). Before peak season, the train only goes to Planalp. During the main season, it goes higher up the mountain.
If you have a pass like the BOP, you still need to reserve a seat (additional 8 CHF).
Even with the train only going to Planalp, the scenery was beautiful. I highly recommend trying this steam train experience.
Tickets and Accommodation
Tickets: For those skipping Jungfraujoch or Schildthorn, I recommend buying tickets for specific routes. Groups of four under 25 can check out the "Friends - Tageskarte Jugend" (80 CHF).
Accommodation: We rented an Airbnb called "Mountain Views - Rütosstrasse 29, 3800 Interlaken", which could accommodate up to 10 people. Staying near Interlaken Ost is convenient for transportation. If you prefer a livelier atmosphere, Interlaken West is a good option. Interlaken is centrally located and convenient for transportation, dining, and shopping.
Food Recommendations
- Aare Korean BBQ Restaurant: Must-try "Ginseng Chicken Soup"! It's so comforting.
- Truly Asia: Delicious Vietnamese dishes are available. Seeing the Malaysian flag proudly displayed outside the shop was a pleasant surprise. The food was delicious, and the staff and owner were very friendly.
To save money, try the roasted chicken from the "Coop" supermarket. It's surprisingly good! Cooking your own meals can also help reduce costs.
Apps
Use the SBB app for convenient train schedules, and I purchased a SIM card through the "Esim du lịch" app.
I hope this helps you plan your trip to Switzerland!
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