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-   -   Interlaken, trains and mountains (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/interlaken-trains-and-mountains-976529/)

cferrb May 2nd, 2013 05:34 AM

Interlaken, trains and mountains
 
Hello all. We are stopping in Interlaken for two nights this summer. We are staying in Wilderswil. I hope to have most of the first afternoon and evening and then a full day in the area to explore. I want to be in the mountains, hubby loves trains and the kids (17 and 22) want to ride bikes.

At this point, it looks as though going up the Jungfraujoch is about $200 per person, without any kind of rail pass or half-price card. Since we are in Switzerland for just a couple of days, we don't have any of the above. Am I correct about that?

However, it looks as though getting around Lauterbrunnen, Murren and Grindlewald is much more reasonably priced. What about Kleine Scheidegg? The Eiger? I have looked at maps, travel guides, websites etc. and I am throughly confused.

The kids want to rent bikes and ride around. Where does one do that in the area? Not mountain biking straight down steep hillsides, more flat biking next to lakes is what I am thinking.

Thank you for your collective knowledge and wisdom.

Dukey1 May 2nd, 2013 05:42 AM

Where did you get that $200 figure from?

PalenQ May 2nd, 2013 06:34 AM

Where did you get that $200 figure from?>

yes that is way too low - return fare from Interlaken is 197 Swiss francs or well over $200 p.p.>

If doing that the Jungfraubahnpass costs 250 CH F and covers many many other railways including to Murren and the Schilthorn I believe.

Are you traveling around Switzerland much - then you can get a Swiss Pass which would take you in full to Murren, Wilderswill, Grindelwald, Wengen, etc - with a Swiss Pass you could buy the Jungfraubahn Pass at 50% off, too.

Anyway for lots of great info on Swiss trains, the Interlaken area trains and conveyances, etc check out these IMO fantastic sites - www.swisstraverlsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

neckervd May 2nd, 2013 08:45 AM

How will you arrive at Interlaken? by car or from Berne airport? For any other solution/entry point, have a look at Swiss Passes and Half Fare cards:
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/...-overview.html
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/
http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en
http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/tr...al-travellers/

neckervd May 2nd, 2013 08:47 AM

May be your kids will rent bikes at the railway station and bike around Lake Thun or Lake Brienz whereas you take the cog railway from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte

kappa1 May 2nd, 2013 09:21 AM

> Where did you get that $200 figure from?

You disagree???

> yes that is way too low - return fare from Interlaken is 197 Swiss francs or well over $200 p.p.

She says she will be staying in Wilderswil. From there to Jungfraujoch is CHF 186.20 and that's 199.34 US Dollar by google conversion. 200USD seems pretty accurate to me. (even 197 is about USD210, not that far...

kappa1 May 2nd, 2013 09:24 AM

Hmmm, Wilderswil - Joch return is actually CHF 193.60 = 208USD

mokka4 May 2nd, 2013 09:36 AM

Why not consider a few othe lesser-priced area peaks?

Niesenhorn is 53 CHF per person Roundtrip from Muelenen train stop and
Schilthorn is 77 CHF PP RT from Muerren?
Very nice mountain outlooks!

PalenQ May 2nd, 2013 10:21 AM

Trains right from Wilderswill go up to Schynige Platte, one of the most famous mountain outlook places and one with a Glacier Garden and Teddy-Bear Land!

PalenQ May 2nd, 2013 02:11 PM

https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...=1600&bih=1099

Take a look - you can't go wrong!

cferrb May 2nd, 2013 05:31 PM

Thanks everyone. Necker, your last link was really helpful.

Where is the restaurant that was used in the James Bond movie? I thought it was on the Eiger, but I can't figure out how to get there. Thanks.

marg May 2nd, 2013 05:52 PM

The restaurant you refer to is on Schilthorn, an easy and not too expensive trip from Lauterbrunnen, which is worth a visit in itself.

cferrb May 2nd, 2013 06:10 PM

Thanks Marg. At this point it looks as though we will go through Lauterbrunnen and up to Murren on one day, and then maybe take a trip over to Grindlewald on another day.

PalenQ May 3rd, 2013 07:54 AM

Piz Gloria is the name of the revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn summit - in the film it was still under construction.

TPAYT May 3rd, 2013 08:13 AM

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...land&FORM=IGRE

Piz Gloria is one of our best memories in Europe. Of course, you only want to go on a clear day so don't book ahead of time. We just had a drink at the revolving restaurant but you can have lunch also. The views from the restaurant and the outdoor viewing platform are absolutely stunning.

Getting up there is fun with the train, Lauterbrunnen,a walk thru Murren, and the cable car. Worth every penny. Unfortunately I don't remember the cost.

mokka4 May 3rd, 2013 08:54 AM

As I mentioned above....77 CHF RT to the Schilthorn!
Big cost differerence for a great experience!

http://www.schilthorn.ch/en/schilthorn/

PalenQ May 3rd, 2013 12:06 PM

that's 77 francs retour from Murren - and if you have a Swiss Pass it's 50% off and all travel to Murren - either route via Grutschalp gondolas and train to Murren or Murren gondola down to Gimmelwald and Stecxhelberg, back down in the valley and postal bus to Lauterbrunnen is 100% covered by a Swiss Pass.

And yes Schilthorn to me is remarkable and well worth whatever it takes. Energetic folks can hike back down to Murren though the initial descent from Schilthorn was a bit unnerving for me at least.

PalenQ May 5th, 2013 07:31 AM

http://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/pr...rn-switzerland

cferrb May 5th, 2013 07:40 AM

PalenQ, thanks a bunch for that. I think I just figured out my Mother's Day and birthday gifts for the year:)


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