Hi,

I am going to Basel for a few days in September

I wanted to go to Bern for the One day while I am in Basel

I looked at the Train - It's very quick (around 1hr)
the only thing it is quite Expensive
Its 39 CHF Each way so for the Return Trip it would be 78 CHF

I heard about this one Bus Company Called " PostBus Switzerland "
Do they Maybe have Buses that go From Basel To Bern that would maybe be cheaper than the Train ?
I don't mind if taking the Bus adds some time to my Journey if it is cheaper
Where would I be able to buy a Bus Ticket from them - Do they have a Branch somewhere in Basel ?

Or is there any other Bus that I can catch from Basel to Bern ?

Regards,
Mani

Go here: http://www.postauto.ch/en/pag-starts...ienverkehr.htm

I'm not sure there are buses on that route - I think the post buses are more for smaller towns. But there do appear to be discount train tickets for 19.5 francs.

Its a pity the buses are for the smaller towns
I don't think I qualify for the Discounted train tickets

Thanks For Your Help

Regards,
Mani

It's possible to go from Basel to Berne by bus, but with changes at Liestal, Reigoldswil, Waldenburg, Langenbruck, Haegendorf, Kappel, Wolfwil, Oftringen, Zofingen, St. Urban, Altbueron, Langenthal, Herzogenbuchsee, Solothurn, Bueren, Zollikofen.
It takes about 12 hrs and costs way more than the train.

I don't think I qualify for the Discounted train tickets>

Why not? Just curious.

Hi,

I thought you had to be a Student
or a Senior Citizen to Qualify for a Discounted Train Ticket
- I'm 41 yrs Old

Regards,
Mani

Where are you getting that price you mentioned? I just checked for prices between the two in September and they are HALF of what you are saying they are.

What am I missing here?

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong

I looked on the "SBB Train" webpage

Then either the IC Train (0:57min)
Or the IR Train (1:17)

I choose the Drop Down Arrow that says "No Reduction"
& it says CHF 39

Almost everyone in Switzerland has a Halftax-Abo (people know why) hence the SBB website shows the 50% prices by default. So the fares sound right.

There is no market for buses on these major routes, though, which the trains do better, faster and independent from road traffic. Postbuses cover those routes which are not covered by trains.

ok -

Thank You for all your help

Regards,
Mani

Mani:

SBB does offer discounted tickets up to 14 days in advance. These tickets are only valid on the trains they were booked for. Here how to get these tickets:

On the SBB website choose the English version (click on "en" in the top menu)

then

open the drop down menu under "travel cards and tickets"

then

in the drop down menu section "Tickets for Switzerland" select "Supesaver tickets"

then

fill in the dialog box with date, origin an destination, select the appropriate trains and carry on along the website's instructions.

Prices for Basel-Bern return can be as low as CHF39.20

Hope this helps, enjoy your trip.

Phil.

Oh Great - Thanks