What about the regional pass for BO? 8 days is 330 CHF and then all I would need to do is get from Zurich to Luzern and that ticket round trip is 56CHF.

Improviser -- my one line item was for brevity. There is an "etc." there. Of course the airport round trip was purchased with the half fare card. If you read the TR/blog, you will note that we got around quite a bit. Since you asked:

(all prices for 2 adults -- kids are free)

6-Jul fr. 240.00 Half Fare Cards
6-Jul fr. 144.60 Zurich Flughafen Wengen (1st)
7-Jul fr. 23.00 Kleine Scheidegg Wengen
8-Jul fr. 15.40 Wengen Grutschalp
8-Jul fr. 8.00 Murren Allmendhubel
8-Jul fr. 10.80 Murren Lauterbrunnen
8-Jul fr. 6.60 Lauterbrunnen Wengen
9-Jul fr. 23.00 Wengen Mannlichen
9-Jul fr. 31.00 Kleine Scheidegg Grindelwald
9-Jul fr. 15.40 Grindelwald Wengen
10-Jul fr. 6.60 Wengen Lauterbrunnen
10-Jul fr. 5.20 Stechelberg Lauterbrunnen
10-Jul fr. 6.60 Lauterbrunnen Wengen
11-Jul fr. 46.60 Wengen Schynige Platte
11-Jul fr. 31.00 First Grindelwald
11-Jul fr. 15.40 Grindelwald Wengen
12-Jul fr. 15.40 Wengen Grindelwald
12-Jul fr. 31.00 Grindlewald First
12-Jul fr. 22.80 Gross Scheidegg Grindelwald
12-Jul fr. 15.40 Grindlewald Wengen
13-Jul fr. 144.60 Wengen Zurich Flughafen (1st)

Does not include the First Family Fun outing (gondola, zipline, trottibikes) as that as bookkept elsewhere.

Do you travel with a family of four? If not, then I don't think you can adequately judge me and my decision for 1st class.

Catherine

Since we had a refrigerator/kitchen, we purchased our items individually. However, the Coop and the bakery (and probably the other grocery store) do sell pre-made sandwiches, etc. that should work out well. Not sure the cost.

Do try out the cheese shop as well. Outstanding.

Curious that you are doing daytrip to Bern and Lucerne from Wengen. I'd say enjoy the B.O. while there!

marking - so much to digest in this tasty treat.

If I only got one shot at Switzerland, I wanted to try and experience as much as I could. Unlike you and your adventurous family, I do not plan to hike daily. I can be walking and fall. Somehow always seem to break bones while out of the country. The broken bones in Ireland lead to a week stay in the hospital. Thank you Giant's Causeway!!! Not exactly how I wanted to spend my time. Italy was not so bad, fractured chest bone and 3 separated ribs. Trip to the ER but not admitted. Thank you scooter!!! So, I figured the less adventurous I get the less likely I am to break something. I absolutely want to enjoy BO while I am there but I am trying to balance scenery and shopping (window shopping that is given the limited budget, although I always seem to find things to drag back with me).

Thanks for the info on the cheese shop. Don't think I should try to bring that back... LOL! Might get a bit pungent. But chocolate is a must! I will be looking for a bakery (breakfast) and pre-made or deli-slices for sandwiches.

Catherine... Wengen is beautiful, and I always recommend it to others, but in your case you might prefer to stay in either Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken. Since you plan on mostly day tripping elsewhere, staying down below will save you traveling up and down the mountain each day. In Interlaken you will also be closer to more restaurant and grocery options.

Hi again Catherine,

Keep in mind that the hike from KS to Wengen will be a lot of downhill and hard on the knees. Maybe not so good with your proclivity for broken bones. :D

What do you mean about walking from Grutschalp to Wengen? Grutschalp is on the Murren side of the valley. Walking Grutschalp to Murren is a great (easy) walk. We liked the walk from Almenhubel to Murren as well on the same day. I would not recommend hiking up/down the Lauterbrunnen valley slopes.

I did a quick calc of your costs above (assuming I did it correctly).

Full Fare: 543 CHF
Half Fare Card: 392 CHF
Swiss Card: 382 CHF
3-day Flex: 381 CHF
4-day Flex: 391 CHF
5-day Flex: 399 CHF
8-day Pass: 405 CHF

Not a whole heck of a lot of difference -- do check my (your) sums though.

Agree that staying lower down the valley might make sense with your planned itinerary.

indy-dad -

Hoping you finish the report before we head out!!! We are looking forward to lots of hiking an fresh mountain air!! We already nixed the First Flier based on so so reviews, price, and the weight restrictions. My youngest is just over 60 lbs at 11 years old. Trottbikes sound super fun!!!!
Any other recs???

Oh wait - for some reason I hadnt updated the page in a few days and Im seeing lots more posts.

Indeed as Indy Dude points out the Swiss Card can often be a tad cheaper than the Half-Fare Card all told and offer the exact same benefits yet everyone automatically says the Half-Fare is the best bet.

Always examine the Swiss Card vs Half-Fare Card, especially if taking longish train trips to borders or airports at the beginning or end of your trip.

It looks like you are planning some fairly extensive day trips form Wengen catherine. That makes it a little more difficult to compare costs to a half-fare card. You really need to check the full fare cost for each trip. Then divide the prices by half and see if the total at half price comes to as much as the difference between a 'full' 8 day pass and a half-fare card. But at a quick look I would say a 4 day flexi would meet your needs.

1 day Zurich/Wengen; 1 day Wengen/Bern return; 1 day Wengen/Lucerne return; 1 day back to Zurich. Then pay half fare on all other days.

The flexipass is good for 30 days from the day you start it. During that 30 days you decide on which days you will use it as a 'full' pass. So for example, if it is a 4 day flexi then you can use it as a 'full' pass on any 4 days in that 30 day period. On all other days (26) you would use it as a half-fare pass. So as I said, it combines a full pass and half-fare card. That's the 'flexi' part, you decide which days in a 30 day period are which.

Re Gstaad, it's a fair distance for a day trip. Is it worth a visit, as much as anywhere else I'd say. If going though I would look at getting on the Golden Panorama Train (Google it)if possible. They also run a 'Classic' train.

Re Jungfraujoch, I would always reccommend it to a visitor to the region. Checking the weather at the Tourist Office in Wengen in the morning will get you an answer that is good for at least the next few hours and therefore long enough to cover the time it takes to get up there. If they say it is a good day to go, go.

While riding the rails is always scenic in Switzerland, just remember, the more time you spend ON trains, the less time you spend IN places.

Sometimes a 'pass' has the disadvantage of making people want to 'get their moneysworth' which can result in moving too much rather than spending time IN places.

Re first class, Indy, your choice is yours to make. All I am saying is that second class on Swiss trains is not really 'second class' in any real way. Their second puts most countries rail systems to shame.
http://www.google.ca/search?site=&so...hp.sw2APCUIrAM

LOL, couple of hours between when I wrote my last response and when I hit'submit' (went out to do some stuff) and in the meantime, several more comments added on.

The figures Indy has worked out seem much of a muchness as he notes. I'm surprised there isn't more difference.

The flexipass is good for 30 days from the day you start it. During that 30 days you decide on which days you will use it as a 'full' pass. So for example, if it is a 4 day flexi then you can use it as a 'full' pass on any 4 days in that 30 day period. On all other days (26) you would use it as a half-fare pass. So as I said, it combines a full pass and half-fare card. That's the 'flexi' part, you decide which days in a 30 day period are which.>

I think this may be incorrect - your 50% off expires when your final unlimited travel day is used up - way earlier for many than 30 days - and a 3-day flexipass is almost always better than a 4-day flexipass - to see if I am correct about the 30 days vs when the final day is used check these sites that are great fonts of info on Swiss trains - www.swisstravelsystem.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html and www.ricksteves.com.

and also always price Swiss passes or cards in dollars as well (or your local currency vs the Swiss franc prices for the exact same thing - in years of tracking prices in U S dollars have more often than not been cheaper - sometimes significantly so than those in Swiss francs and also add in any foreign exchange transactions your credit card may impose and never use the official rate in the paper to compare - banks make money on foreign exchange you know - buy and sell rates never the same.

You are correct it expires on the last 'full' day PalenQ, the assumption however is that most people use the last full day when they are leaving the country. ie. making their way from wherever to their departure city.

The value of the 'full' days depends on what you use them for on that given day. I don't know how you could calculate the value difference between a 3 day and 4 day pass other than to determine the exact cost of all transportation you expect to use on a given day.

For example, if you take a bus to A and then a cable car to B and another cable car to C and then walk to D and take a cable car down to E and then a train back to A, it might cost more to do that at full fare than a train ride across the entire country.

At some point, unless you are willing to work it out to the last franc, you just go for convenience I think. So looking at the plan catherine has given and including the possible trip to Gstaad, I'd just opt for a 4 day flexi and not worry about it beyond that.

Wow. You guys are fantastic! So much info to resesrch. I just need to research all my options. The one thing that mo one commented about is the regional BO pass. Is that worth a look?

Indy: Somehow I have maps with hikes and I connected a couple different ones for that hike. There might even be some public transport involved.

All in all because this is a solo venture, everything is fluid. Never having beeen there, all I can do is pick out things that might be interesting. Once I am there, things could and most likely will change. I do not wish to spend hours daily on a train.

I am ok syaying higher up. I live in FL and came from the mountains. I miss it. I want to sit on the balcony every morning and drink my coffee and just be "in" Switzerland.

Thank you all for your invaluable input!

I'd say a regional pass works well if you go directly to that region and do not want to leave it until you are heading home. So a full fare return from say Zurich to Wengen and back plus the regional pass. But then no travel outside the region. ie. Lucerne, Berne, Gstaad.

Catherine -- the BO pass is right in the mix at 386 CHF assuming you take the longer way through Lucerne to Wengen. Slightly more via Bern.

As you can see, it doesn't really make much difference in your case.

MBM

Yep, TR is done in terms of planned content. :)

Where are you staying? Trummelbach Falls was well worth it. We didn't do any other paid activities as the hikes were enough to keep us happy. As I mentioned, we looked into the toboggan runs at Pfingstegg but blanched at the cost.

There were a couple of mini-golf places that I noticed. Wengen had one as well as Grindelwald (it looked better) but we didn't do them. Paragliding looked interesting -- maybe next time.

Indy-staying in grindelwald. We bought the Swiss pass and got the free family card. Mini golf not our thing, but wondering about the toboggan. Do you have a link to that info???
We do plan on taking the trip up to Jungfrau. Hopefully we get a chance to make that happen.

http://www.swissholidayco.com/page/PFINGSTEGG

I don't think your pass will be accepted for the gondola to Pfingstegg -- that's why the cost will be higher.

Hr

The BO Pass now includes Bern and Luzern according to their website.

Paragliders often take off from just outside the Hotel Faulhorn on the Grindelwald side Indy and theoretically at least could make it all the way to the lake.

Going back to your encounter with snow, when hiking from Faulhorn down to Giessbach, we had snow/ice on the first section going down from Faulhorn. It is extremely steep and if you stumbled or slipped I don't think you would stop rolling for a long, long way.

The north side of any of the peaks is always where you will encounter snow if anywhere, as they get less sun. It's always a good idea to keep that in mind when planning a hike in the Alps anywhere, at higher altitudes.

<<The BO Pass now includes Bern and Luzern according to their website.>>

I realized that. It's cheaper, but longer to go Zurich -- Lucerne -- Wengen than Zurich -- Bern -- Wengen. The 386 CHF assumes you are paying for the pass + the Zurich/Lucerne round trip as you indicated in your post.

If you went via Bern it would cost more (because Zurich -- Bern is more).

Hi, indydad,

just found your TR. looks like a great trip - and wonderful weather.

I was interested in reading what you said about costs. on our first and last visit to Wengen, it was at a time of rampant inflation in the UK. We were very impressed to be handed a wooden menu which had its prices etched into the wood.

not much inflation there!

Good one annhig.

Of course, what you didn't think of is that they are laser burned into the board and can be produced as quickly as a printed page. ;-)

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/swit.../inflation-cpi

As you can see (change year to just the last year for a closer look) they have had NEGATIVE inflation in the last year. Would have had to DROP prices on their menu.

Ok everyone. I have spent time crunching the numbers and have come to the conclusion for me is the Regional Pass with travel from Zurich to/from Luzern. Now with Luzern and Bern being included in the pass, it is less. The details are the pass and ticket to Luzern comes in at 395USD. The 1/2 fare card comes in a close 2nd at 410USD. This is all based on individual ticket prices and www.sbb.ch website. There are supersaver tickets available that can save even more $$$ off the individual 1/2 fare rates; however, I cannot look at those until 14 days before I leave as they only post them up 14 days in advance. I want to avoid the 50USD shipping fee and will buy the pass once I arrive. Supersaver tickets can be printed off online I believe.

Again, thank you everyone for all your assistance.

I thought the B.O. pass netted 386 CHF (330 + 56). That's higher than $395 isn't it? (doesn't really matter -- they are all about the same)

Are you locked in for a specific train for the super savers? If so, be sure to weigh the flexibility of the walk up tickets.

Have fun!

It is ironic to read your report today. A warning to all people who are going in that area please stay on the trails and do not hike on your own, a very special person I know fell to his death this week there. Take care on these mountains, they can be very dangerous

Indy....
Can you tell me the easiest way to get to Trummelbach? We want to go tomorrow and after today's trek...we want to minimize the hiking. Train from grindelwald to??? Then how far to falls or can we take a bus???

sure

Go to www.sbb.ch and enter Trümmelbachfälle for your destination

You'll take the train to Lauterbrunnen via Zweilütschinen.

You'll then want the (Post) bus. Not sure the number or location, but it was close to the station -- I assume there are signs.

If it doesn't say Trummelbach, you can look for the Stechelberg bus (that's the end point) and get off along the way.

It's not that far to walk (2 miles? flat) either and then you'll get to see a few other falls along the way.

Thanks!! Just getting back to our room after celebrating Swiss National Day. I will check it out in the morning. ;)

The bus to the falls in in front of the train station, across the street and just to the left a little bit as you leave the train station. I thought there was a little sign there. Either way, they will know at the train station. It is a little bit of a walk to the falls once you get off the bus, but it is through a meadow and is just beautiful and peaceful. Have fun!

ttt

Great photos and trip report!

bookmarking. great report!

Bookmarking as well.

Great trip report. Love the details and pics in your blog. Do your remember the weight requirement for the First Zipline? I'm taking my girls (11 and 9) in summer. Also do you feel the food at the Schoenegg was kid friendly? We are staying there and trying to decide if we should do half board or not. Also trying to decide between Swiss Pass and Berner Oberland Pass for family of 4. Coming from Lugano and staying in Wengen a week. Then from Wengen to Germany.

Great trip report. Love the details and pics in your blog. Do your remember the weight requirement for the First Zipline? I'm taking my girls (11 and 9) in summer. Also do you feel the food at the Schoenegg was kid friendly? We are staying there and trying to decide if we should do half board or not. Also trying to decide between Swiss Pass and Berner Oberland Pass for family of 4. Coming from Lugano and staying in Wengen a week. Then from Wengen to Germany.

@brubenow

min weight limit is 35 kg

http://www.jungfrau.ch/nc/en/sommer/...un-package_201

We only ate the one night at Schoenegg and my memory is fading. I don't remember any complaints from the kids but it was on the fancy side. I'm sure they can accommodate. In general, the half-board is a good deal if you are going to be eating out anyway.

Don't forget the Half-fare card. My experience is that it will be the best option or close to it in most cases. However, the only way to really know is to do the math (spreadsheet). Gather all the fares here (and other places):

http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/tr...al-travellers/