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| Airport | Distance to Wengen | Approx. transfer time by road | Approx. transfer time by train (changes) |
| Basel | 65km | 1 hour | 2 hours 30 minutes (3-4) |
| Zurich | 149km | 2 hours 30 minutes | 3 hours (3-4) |
| Bern | 191km | 3 hours 30 minutes | 3 hours 15 minutes (2-3) |
| Geneva | 224km | 3 hours | 4 hours (3-4) |
Many UK airlines fly into Geneva, which has a transfer time of three hours by car or four hours on train. The other major Swiss airport is Zurich, which takes three hours, and the smaller Basel airport (two and a half hours). The closer local airport of Bern can only be reached from Birmingham and Southampton with Flybe or from London City.
Quite often, the cheaper the airline, the more complicated and expensive their baggage policy is. This can make carrying skis or snowboards to your destination costly if you are not prepared.
Wengen is a car free resort and can only be reached by train. Trains from London Waterloo to Geneva (change in Paris) take around nine hours. For the ongoing journey from Geneva to Wengen see the Swiss rail website, SBB. You can also get to Wengen by train from all the international airports via the following stations:
First change at Interlaken Ost for the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) to Lauterbrunnen. In Lauterbrunnen change on the same platform to the Wengernalp Railway (WAB) to Wengen. The journey from Interlaken Ost to Wengen lasts 45 minutes.
Transfers
You can hire a car at the airport to drive as far as Lauterbrunnen, where you have to park the car before traveling up to Wengen by train, 6chf each way. Reserve parking at least 14 days in advance, stating your name, car number & arrival and departure dates. Winter tyres, snow chains and ski racks are normally available at additional costs - make sure you request them when booking.
For door-to-door, private transfers or taxis are a good option, but not the cheapest.
Self-drive
Calais to Lauterbrunnen is around nine hours. Most of the route is on motorway and tolls will be about €50 one-way. You are likely to need winter tyres and snow chains. It is also sensible to fill up with petrol before reaching your destination as prices rise with the altitude.
To help with driving routes, check out www.rac.co.uk or www.drivingabroad.co.uk for directions and tips. Before you go, check with your car insurers that you will be covered for your time in Europe. Also remember to carry a warning triangle, flashlight and a first aid box.
| Report date: | 30 Apr 2008 |
|---|---|
| Last snowed: | na |
| Fresh snow: | cm |
| Lifts open: | na out of 19 |
Snow depth | |
| Lower slopes: | 0cm |
| Upper slopes: | 0cm |
Piste information | |
| On-piste: | na |
| Off-piste: | na |
| Resort runs: | na |
