34905GER
Facts and Free Time
Wengen is car-free and only reached by means of the cog railway from Lauterbrunnen.
In order to get up to Wengen, you will park and leave your bus at the Lauterbrunnen station. You will have a fixed reservation time – reconfirm it with the railway company and stick to it. Leave plenty of time to get here if you are arriving after a long journey and be aware the last train up can be as early as 17.00 (N.B. If you miss the last train, you will be stranded with no way up to your hotel whatsoever).
Lead your group, with their luggage, up into the station and leave them on the platform while you obtain tickets (ACIS Card, Cash or voucher as appropriate). Also call your hotel to reconfirm your arrival time in Wengen.
The group loads their own luggage onto the train (there are small luggage compartments at the ends of the carriage). Distribute the individual “control” tickets and keep the main group ticket yourself. They will need the return portion to come back down again, so it might be worth collecting them back in again so they are not lost. There are always ticket checks and the fines are hefty. The ride up is exceptionally scenic.
Your driver will either come up with you on the same train or on a later one. Although technically they should be travelling with you and the group ticket, the railway is used to them making their own way up.
On arrival in Wengen the train will stop for a short while before continuing up the mountain. Get everyone off and locate your hotel representative who will be there to greet you, unless you are staying very close to the station. They will have an electric cart that you can load bags onto for the transfer to the hotel and will then depart. There are no road names or addresses in Wengen, so make sure you get directions (Google maps is your friend) and know where to walk the group. Your luggage will arrive before you do.
On departure, arrange a time for the group to be down in the lobby to load their luggage onto the hotel cart and simply reverse the procedure.
Practical Information:-
Tourist Information: Dorfstrasse. Tel. (033) 855 1414. Can give you advice on just about all the activities you might want to do in and around the village. It also doubles as an Internet centre. www.wengen.com
Post Office and currency exchange: Dorfstrasse – by the Tourist office.
Free Time Activities:-
Visiting a mountain top. There are many possibilities in the area including Europe’s highest railway station at the Jungfraujoch or the cable car up the Schilthorn. Be aware that these are expensive rides although the views are amazing if the weather is clear!
Speak with your group leaders about this.
Skiing. This is a great area, ski equipment is readily-available for hire but make sure any participants and the group leaders are aware of the insurance implications of this activity. (Not covered by ACIS package)
Hiking. Many superb trails, ask at your hotel or the tourist office for maps of the marked trails.
Swimming. There’s a heated open-air pool at “Bei der Zuben”.
Minigolf and bowling. At the Fun and Sport Park.
Cafés and Bars. As a lively ski resort, Wengen has no shortage of these although they tend to be quieter (or closed) out of the main ski season.