Hi: <BR> <BR>I was advised to purchase a 4 day swiss rail pass (for my 4 day visit). Just wanted to confirm that is the right thing to do? <BR>Based on the prices I saw for zur-interlaken, <BR>or zurich-bern etc, it makes sense. <BR> <BR>I was wondering if anyone had travelled <BR>on the Golden pass panoramic train ride? <BR>Since I was going to be in Interlaken, I <BR>figured I could do the Interlaken-Lucerne section of it and return by the regular <BR>swiss rail. Importantly, while in lucerne <BR>for about half a day, what can I do? Please suggest! <BR> <BR>Similarly, if there are specific suggestions <BR>for things to do while on a half day trip to Bern, please suggest. <BR> <BR>Finally, while in Interlaken, are there any <BR>boat rides or cruises that I can take? <BR>I've heard the one's in the city of zurich <BR>are great. Which would be better. I guess one is scenery and nature, and zurich is city and <BR>churches etc. <BR> <BR>thanks in advance for all the info. <BR>-Shawn. <BR>

Hi Shawn, <BR> <BR>the great advantage using the Swiss Pass is that you get free rides on most of the city transportation system as well as on boats on most of the lakes. So if you intend to travel on all four days of your visit, this is surely the best choice. I think the Swiss Pass also covers the ride from Montreux to Spiez (the part of the Golden pass ride not operated by the federal railways SBB CFF FFS) - although in - if you buy the 2nd class version of it (what I would suggest to do) - regular 2nd class coaches. You will need a 1st class ticket and (maybe or) a supplement for the panorama coaches. It is a wonderful ride (also in regular coaches!) - but if it is too long for you, you - by using the Swiss Pass - can easily do just parts of it. (ie eg Interlaken-Lucerne). <BR>In Lucerne I would suggest to walk around or make a guided sightseeing tour (on foot!).(info www.luzern.org) The same thing in Berne (info www.berne.ch) <BR> <BR>P.S.: I'm a Swiss student living near Basel. Feel free to email.

If you plan on traveling a lot, the swiss rail pass is great! It is good on all the trains and buses, the boats on the lakes around Interlaken, Lucerne and Zurich, and a lot other lifts and such in the area. For example, you can go by train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, then a funicular and another lift thing to Murren or cable cars (2) up to Murren or Gimmelwald. You can go by train all the way to Wengen on one side of the valley or up to Grindelwald on the other on the pass, although you may have to change trains a few times. In addition, the rail pass is good on nearly all city transportation systems, including Lucerne and Zurich. If you take one of the "private" rail lines like to the Junfraujoch or Schilthorn, you only need a ticket from Wengen or Grindelwald, or Murren as the case may be, and you get a 25% discount and kids under 16 are free if you have a Swiss pass. All the trains between Interlaken and Lucerne run on narrow gauge rails, and only a few of them have "panoramic" cars, which means big windows that go up overhead for a great view of the mountains. You can find out from the train schedules, or at the station, which trains are panoramic. You don't have to do anything special, but some seats may be reserved by other people. You don't need to reserve or buy a special ticket. <BR> In both Lucerne and Bern the rail station is in the center of everything (also in Zurich). The best thing to do is go to the "i" tourist office, which is usually only a block away and get a walking tour map of the old town and just take the walk, seeing the sights that are pointed out on the map. In Lucerne, you can walk to the "Dying Lion" monument or to the towers of the old town wall. The transportation museum is great, but it will take all your time on a short trip. Just visiting the old town is plenty. There are fresh food and flower markets along the river and lots of little outdoor cafes. In Bern, just walking from the rail station to the bear pits and back, looking at the sights along the way, including the government buildings, will take up your half day. Don't miss the clock at 5 until the hour. <BR> We enjoyed a 2 hour boat trip from Interlaken West (the boat terminal is right by the rail station) across Lake Thun to the city of Thun, another medieval city with a great old castle and beautiful scenery. On the other side of Interlaken is Lake Brienz, with more nature and fewer cities, but lots of great boat trips too. Email me if you have questions.

Just so you know, we thought the Swiss Pass covered all buses, too. However, it doesn't cover the public buses in Interlaken! No point in you being embarrassed like we were in May.

The web site that describes Golden pass panoramic train ride is at: <BR>http://www.goldenpass.com/e_home.html <BR>The Luzern-Interlaken portion is Brunig Panoramic express. I have done Montreux-Luzern via Zweisimmen and Interlaken. I thought Zweisimmen-Montreux section was prettier. <BR>The pretty portion of Bruenig Panoramic express is Meiringen-Interlaken section, for that, you want to sit on the South side (lake side.) Since the train gets turned around at Meiringen, you sit on the right side of the train leaving Luzern. If this all confuses you, look at the map on the round table (at least we saw them in the 1st class) showing all the stops and lakes and which side of the window you can see them. The map looks weird because of this train turned around at Meiringen. There are lake villages near the Luzern but the ones backdropped by tall mountains near the Interlaken were prettier.

The boats on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun stop often but are worth the ride. From Interlaken Ost train station, take the ferry on Lake Brienz to Giessebach Falls and the Grand Hotel. Hike up to the hotel (or take the funicular) along the falls, and from the hotel, continue to hike up the falls until you go behind the cascade. Its a sight you cannot miss!

4-day Swiss Pass is an excellent value. Covers most trains, buses in 12+ cities as well as most boats. <BR> <BR>Golden Pass a minor trip. Pretty, but hardly among the top 10 rail trips in the country. (The route is a 'regular swiss rail' route, by the way.) <BR> <BR>At Interlaken you'll be within 10 km. of the most scenic area in Europe, the Jungfrau Region. Visit there by train instead. Take a trip up to the Schilthorn, and/or to Schynige Platte. <BR> <BR>Luzern by far the most scenic (most 'Swiss') of Switzerland's cities. See http://twenj.com/swissdest.htm for some ideas for your visit. Much as we enjoy Zuerich, I'd suggest Luzern on a limited visit. <BR> <BR>Boat rides? Brienz and Thun our of Interlaken are both lovely; our preference is Brienz. The lake at Luzern (Vierwaldstaettersee) is perhaps the loveliest in Switzerland in many respects, and quite large. <BR> <BR>How to spend your time on a short visit to the country? See http://twenj.com/swissshort.htm <BR> <BR>Ed

Take a boat on Lake Brienz and stop for a delightful fish lunch at the dock at Iseltwalt.

No, it does not cover the buses. It is a good deal when you consider the expense of the trains in Switzerland. See footloosetravel.com for a neat article on this country. The train tips are also helpful prior to my trip in April.