Berner Oberland Pass (my brain out of control)
 

I have read constantly and my brain is swelling by the minute.
We have 1st class Swiss Passes purchased and we are staying in Lucerne for 2 nights, Lauterbrunnen for 5 nights and Chur for one night and taking the Bernina Express.

I read comments on the Berner Oberland Pass and I am confused as to whether we need to purchase this BO pass being we already purchased the Swiss Pass.

Our wish list while in Lauterbrunnen:
Schilthorn; Jungfraujoch; Brienz Rothorn Bahn; Rick Steves hike suggestion Jungfrau (East) side of the Lauterbrunnen page 196.
PalenQ’s suggestion: Lauterbrunnen-Grutschalp-Murren-Schilthorn-Gimmelwald-Stechelberg-Lauterbrunnen;
Etc; Plus--Everything we can fit in during the visit.

All this reading on “up to this” and “down to this” has my head spinning because I can not totally place in my mind what it looks like.

Questions:
1. Does the tourist office in Lauterbrunnen have a brochure that spells it out in a simple way?
2. When we arrive at a gondola does it show on a sign whether we need to purchase additional ticket?
3. Maybe I am worrying to much, but I want to use our time wisely. Who would not want to do everything?

Hope you can help me.
Thanks!!
Betsy3

betsy

I am getting the BO Pass for my September trip. I'm not sure that I will save that much over the 50% with a Swiss Pass, but it does cover many cable cars in full. And I love the cable cars! So I just made up my mind to buy it and forget about it. I am also buying the Swiss Transfer Pass. I was working my brain too much trying to figure the prices against the passes.

I had an 8 day 2nd class Swiss Pass that allowed me to use all the gondolas, trains, except for the one to Wengen and the one to Schilthorn. Those are privately owned. When you arrive in Lauterbrunne, all you have to do is get on the bus (if you're going up to Murren from the valley floor) and then get on the gondola and show your pass. Same is true if you're going up the gondola closest to the station. You will need to buy a ticket (If my memory serves me correctly) to take the little train to Wengen and beyond.

I will check that out. I thought it only gave you 50% off on the gondolas. That will work great.

you do not take a post bus from lauterbrunnen to get to murren/

all you do when you get to lauterbrunnen is walk under the road and take the gondola up to grutscalp and get on the train to murren/

you would only take the post bus at lauterbrunnen if you wanted to go to murren via stechelberg/gimmelwald/

you were foolish to buy the first-class swiss pass as there is only one class on many trains and all gondolas in the bo/

you would have been better off if you had bought the half-fare card/

CONTINUED--

i always stay in wengen and always buy a half-fare card/


the performance artist known as razr//

Oh, well, Betsy, 1st class will be nice on the trains that do have it. It's all a learning experience. You can go either way to get to Murren. My Murren hotel was right next to the Shilthorn station so I chose to take the bus down to that end. The gondola up to Grutscalp is nicer (newer) and the train that takes you into town is scenic (hiking that path to Murren is also a VERY lovely thing to do if the weather is good.

Wengen is lovely but I found it to be much more commercial than Murren. Everyone has his/her preferences. It's all good. When I return I'll stay in Murren again.

I would not purchase the BO pass in addition to the Swiss Pass. Hardly ever pays off, definitely not with your itinerary.

I wouldn't purchase it either, your Swiss Pass covers ALOT.

1) This link might help you - click on reductions

help:http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/tr...tickets-fares/


2) No. Just board the train and show your pass when the conductor comes by. Before getting on a gondola, show your pass at the ticket window and they'll either wave you through or let you know how much you owe. Same for buses and boats.

3) Yes, you're worrying too much. It makes alot more sense once you're there.

Schilthorn - The Swiss Pass will cover you as far as Murren, then you pay 50% of the fare to the top of the Schiltorn and return. The Swiss Pass covers both sections of the cable car from Murren to Stechelberg and from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen and also the bus back to Lauterbrunnen.

Jungfrau - The Swiss Pass will cover you as far as Wengen, then you get a 25% discount off the fare from there to the Jungfrau and return. The fare might vary if you make a loop, so be prepared to know if you plan to return via the same route or make the full loop (meaning up via Wengen and down via Grindelwald or vice versa)

I hope this helps.

To: Pepper_von_snoot

Your advice is always excellent and welcomed by others, but your tongue is sometimes sharp.

Thanks for your advice, I will keep it in mind for the future.
betsy

you mean i have a sharp pen--or in this case a cursor/

i sharpened my pen long ago at dartmouth/

if i have offended you i apologise/

i was raised a quaker and we are plain spoken/

i just never understood why people buy first-class train and gondola passes for the bo when there is only one class on many forms of transportation/

and even when there is a first and second class on a train the difference is negligible/

there is a first-class compartment on the train from interlaken to lauterbrunnen for example but the train takes only 20 minutes to get to its destination/

a first-class ticket seems like a waste of money for a 20-minute ride/

maybe you are elitist/

have a nice day/

see you at saratoga/



the performance artist known as razr//

No--not elitist. Interesting that you mentioned your schooling. I am a private person.
We are using the Swiss Passes for other parts of our vacation.

We are traveling for many weeks, but it was not necessary to comment on the other parts of my itinerary. My question was only for the Berner Oberland area.

why wouldn't i mention my schooling/

i am extremely proud that i graduated from dartmouth/

i have been posting in fodorville for 10 plus years/

most of the long-time fodorites know my history/

if you don't like what i have to say--tough/

maybe somebody else can use the info/

this site doesn't belong to you/


razr//

Hi Betsy,

If you don't mind, I add my small comments as well.

Actually, Meinq8's answer is excellent. Or to put it in another way: it does not make sense to buy two different tickets for the same show (for one and the same person); one seat in the orchestra, one on the parterre. Which you choose very much depends on your preferences.

So, either a Swiss Pass, or a BORP, but by no means both of them! (though they do not cover the same thing the same way, even in the Bernese Highlands (BO)).

You are totally fine with your Swiss Pass. Additionally to Meinq8's answer, check the validity map for coverage and reductions: http://files.gadmin.ch/51796.

Regarding 1st class (@Pepper_von_snoot: "you were foolish to buy the first-class swiss pass…"):

I am Swiss and I could not disagree more with P_v_s' statement!
I travel a lot with train, for business as well as for private reasons. And I extremely appreciate the difference between 1st and 2nd class in trains. Though I am a tall person and I like therefore some additional space and comfort, this is not reason no. 1 why I almost exclusively buy only 1st class tickets. The most important aspect is: the environment in 1st class is much more calm, more civilised. Tranquility and people who know how to behave and try to take care about their traveling neighbours (not to disturb them, even unconsciously) can be such a relief.
Of course, there is no warranty that all 1s class travellers are aware about this, e.g. some foreigners tend to talk too loud for my Swiss habits (I am not interested in their private concerns on no account), but the additional costs is always worth it.

So do not bother at all, you made an excellent choice, just enjoy our country as far as possible!

Best regards,

Martin

Thanks Martin. Your country is beautiful!!!
Betsy

The tourist office at Lauterbrunnen is almost opposite the station - we found the staff very helpful.
If you are looking for a hotel in Lauterbrunnen, we would recommend the Hotel Staubbach.
Another good place to visit is Grindelwald.
Hope you have a fabulous holiday.

betsy,

Just to add in - I lived in Switzerland for four years and spent a lot of time on the trains. I had a first class pass and found it, for me, more comfortable to travel 1st versus 2nd class. Cleaner and more seats available plus more quiet cars which I prefer.

Particularly on leisure travel I enjoyed the first class because often the windows were larger and better for viewing scenery if you like that sort of thing.

I can be a teeny bit elitist, however, so guilty as charged on that one....

Have a nice trip.