bernese oberland pass- economical worthwhile?
 

My wife and I are fairly active hikers in our late 40's. We will be staying in Grindelwald for 4 days and nights in August. I have checked this post and given the fact we have a rental car I feel the best option for the area would be the bernese oberland pass. My question to experienced fodorites is, If one day will be the ride to Jungfraujock where will will hike down, and the other days will consist of riding the train or gondola up to first or kleinne scheidegg or murren and hiking back, is it necessary to have a pass? Will we use the transportation system more than I anticipate to see more sights once we get to the area? Looking for insight from travellers who have been to the area.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff

Jeff, we just got back from Switzerland last night where we spent 7 days in Grindelwald. I'm going to try to get out a trip report sometime this weekend.

We had a rental car and stayed in a Chalet about a 1/2 mile from the downtown area.

In order to get up to the Jungfraujoch, you have to take the train from either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg and transfer to the Jungfrau train to go up to the Top of Europe. You cannot walk down from the Jungfraujoch -- only from Kleine Scheidegg.

For 4 days, I think you would be better off with the 1/2 fare card. That's what we bought, and I did some preliminary math and made out better that way than getting the BO pass. I will post some details on another threat as I don't have my notes with me.

You can do a combination of one way gondola/cable car/train, and walk back. The 1/2 fare card for 99 Francs may be your best bet. ((b))

Sorry, that should be thread, not threat. :-)

On the trip up to the Jungfraujoch, take it from Grund which is down the road from Grindelwald. More parking and you save a couple of Francs on the trip up. ((b))

Welcom back budman. I've been anxiously awaiting your trip report! :)

zurichhasbean, I too am wondering if I should get a bernese oberland pass. My husband and I will only be there 3 nights .. roughly 2 whole days .. and we don't plan on riding to the top of jungfrau .. I'm curious as to how the 1/2 fare card would be in comparison to paying per ride.

We will be visiting the Berner Oberland in June for 3 nights and puzzled over this same question. You can go to www.jungfraubahn.ch/en to get train fares for the places you want to visit. We did the math, and the BOB pass was not worthwhile for us. It all depends on where you plan to go.

Yes, you have to do the math. For 2-3 or even 4 days you may be better off paying full fare. Here's a link to cost of the BOB pass. 190 CHF + 50 CHF if you want to go up to the Jungfraujoch, and it is only good for 6 days.

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/Deskto.../172_read-696/

We had 11 days and wanted to do lake cruises on Thun, Brienz, and Luzern, along with the train up to Rigi plus train/trollies in Zurich which was not covered by the BOB pass. In purchasing the 1/2 card for 99 CHF, I knew I would have to do at least 200 CHF of full fares to just break even. We did a little over 300, so it was worth it to us. ((b))