Interlaken Travel Forum

I have a possibility of having around *two days in the Zurich area the early part of December. I see it takes roughly 2 hours to get to Interlaken from Zurich.

1. Are the trains that go to Jungfrau running during this time of the year?

2. If #1 is yes, is it possible to wear hiking boots into the glacier, or do I need special snow boots?

3. Is the trip to Jungfrau doable as a day trip from Zurich?

4. I'm a Florida-California type who's used to being in New York in the winter ... how much colder does it get in those mountains? Would I be OK with layers (camisole, shirt, sweater or fleece shirt, scarf, and a good jacket)- hat and gloves - or do I need to purchase any special clothing.

5. I plan on going by myself - is it dangerous to go sightseeing for a woman alone this time of the year ... in two senses - first, is it very lonely up there, second, with hiking boots, is it easy to slip on the snow (I'm not too clumsy but like to take pictures).

If going to Jungfrau does not sound like a good idea, could you suggest other places nearby where I could experience some of the season (yeah, want to get real cold ... he he) and see some Christmas decorated villages and pretty snow scenery?

Thanks!

www.sbb.at or www.oebb.at
gives the earliest times for Jungfraujoch today at 06.35 dep. in Interlaken Ost
needs a bit more than 2 hours to get there !
1) They run all year long except mayb a fw days of repairs each year, BUT it makes sense going there only in PERFECT weather !!!
2)Hikingboots should be OK, in principle you can stay inside the buildings and look outside. I had hiking-shoes in summer there ( it was snow-covered as well) and was ok
3) from Zurich it will be quite a hassle
4)special clothings are not necessary, BUT it could be windy and extremly cold !
5)dont worry about unsafe areas !!!
other places : Grindelwald - Muerren - Wengen - Lauterbrunnen - Brienz...

b.t.w. take a look at this page, it includes all aspects of Jungfrau :
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1ffe4/a8e2e/

Thank you globetrott. It was actually your pages that initially created an interest in the area. I *love* trains - we took the Bernina Express and it was wonderful!

I saw the schedule and realize that from Interlaken to Jungfrau there's another two hours, if I read the schedule correctly (I thought it was around 15 minutes). I don't think I'll have enough time ... and given the weather prospects, perhaps I should leave this endeavor for the summer vacation, when I'll have a little more time. Thanks again - I will definitely use this info in the summer!

Hey, We've been there and had the most beautiful time there. Even my teenage children enjoyed. The pictures were breathtaking. Esp on a bright day. There are many places to stay in Interlaken, which we did. You could spend a whole day there. But make sure you get the train schedules right. We lost an hour because we had been incorrectly advised by the hotel staff. During winter, trains run hourly, so you miss it, you wait another hour! We didn't even have gloves and scarves but it's ok. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time there.