6 adults are flying from the USA into Zurich and traveling by train to Grindelwald as our base for a 4 day holiday. Once there, we hope to take the train to Jungfraujoch (weather permitting) one day, and perhaps do some other sightseeing using aerial trams and trains another day. What train pass should we purchase to give us maximum discounts? There seem to be many options and I am thoroughly confused: do I buy a Swiss Pass? What extra costs will we incur? DO I book Jungfraujoch trains in advance and how do I do this? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Grindelwald winter excursion--train travel advisement needed
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I always get the Half-Fare Card upon arrival at Zurich Flughafen. It is good for a month of travel.
Some people buy the Swiss Pass. There is one for 4 days of travel.
You really have to to do the math and figure out which pass is best for you.
The Swiss Pass does Not cover the cost of going up to the Jungfrau from Kleine Scheidegg. I think you only get 25% off the cost.
The Half-Fare Card always works best for me.
I am not a big fan of Grindelwald.
I MUCH prefer Wengen or Murren.
Good Luck.
Tschuss,
Thin
You can not reserve a seat on the train to the Jungfrau.
Thin
If just going from Zurich to Grindelwald and back by train and staying in the area the rest of the time I think the Jungfraubahn Pass would be your best best - covering trains in the area - and most important the Jungfraubahn train - the costliest train in the world IME - this pass you buy locally.
Swiss Pass could be useful if day tripping out of the Jungfrau Region but within the Jungfraubahn Pass or Berner Oberland Pass, both sold locally will provide you a better deal as Swiss Pass yes only now give 25% off on trains from Grindelwald or Wengen via Kl Schiedegg to Jungfraujoch - covering trains in full however to Grindelwald or Wengen and will give 50% off aerial gondolas, etc.
a 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass however if you can marshall all your train travels into that period may be good as well - covering all your transport from airport to Grindelwald and many other conveyances and trains in the area and also giving 50% off for aerial cable ways, mountain trains (except Jungfrauojch exception noted).
For lots of great info on Swiss trains, especially in the Jungfrau Region I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sources - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
a bit of caution about getting on the RIGHT part of the train standing at Interlaken-Ost station and labelled overnhead Grindelwald - note that this train splits en route, at Zweilutschenen (sp?), where the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valleys meet - one half of the train trundles up one valley to Grindelwald and the other up the Lauterbrunnen valaley to Lauterbrunnen (change there for Wengen or Murren).
Everytime I take this train I see flummoxed folks scurrying off one part of the train, after being told by the conductor they were in the wrong half, and onto the other - so before boarding look at the exact name of the terminus city on each train car and be sure it says Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.