PalenQ

I always advise staying in your departure city the night before -especially with 10:30am departure - yes normally trains would get you there but like my son the other day was on a train home to Orleans from Paris and there was an accident - person run over by the train and all trains were stopped in their tracks for 2 hours -rare but these things happen sometimes at the worst time.

PalenQ

http://www.goldenpass.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=14

Golden Pass trains offer unique awesome VIP seating- where you sit in a compartment next to the driver so can simulate driving the train- book really early as obviously only a few such seats per train.

Book on official site above.

foolforfrance

Pal-regarding the 8 day Swiss Rail Pass, can you refresh me on the reason to do 1st class vs. 2nd. I seem to remember in the Annhig's trip planning post that it was encouraged to do 1st class.

PalenQ

One reason would be on lake boats first class only on the outdoor front seating area - but you can pay an upgrade on board IME between the price difference of the two classes - and on inter-city trains there are more empty seats in first class -that said most folks find 2nd class perfectly adequate.

foolforfrance

I am considering the following for lodging during Oct. 16-19 stay in Berner Oberland. If anyone has feedback regarding a recent stay or has another recommendation, INCLUDING AN APT OR B&B, please share. Two places I was considering, Chalet Rosa and Hotel Schonegg, will be closed during my visit. To recap, I am considering the towns of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald at the lower elevations (passing on the hugely popular Wengen) at the suggestion of a Fodorite that inclement weather will be more likely at this time of year and heading in a different direction will be easier from those locations. SHOULD I BE STARTED A NEW THREAD SPECIFICALLY ON LODGING?

GRINDENWALD: HOTEL BELVEDERE&HOTEL GLETSCHNERGARTEN&ROMANTIK HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF

LAUTERBRUNNEN: HOTEL SILBERHORN

PalenQ

Yes start a new thread- old threads with general titles may not attract Swiss experts always.

Grindelwald vs Lauterbrunnen? I'll take the views from Grindelwald - much more expansive than from Lauterbrunnen, lying in a deep gorge - those views are awesome too but I rather have a wide panorama to savor from my hotel balcony.

Both are utilitarian bases for doing lots of things. And though cars can reach these towns large areas are off-limits to most vehicles so you can have quiet too.

foolforfrance

Pal-Thank you. I did start a new thread.

I will be travelling from Frankfurt to either Lauterbrunnen or Grindenwald. I will probably have my Swiss Rail pass purchased stateside. Can I utilize my pass for the part of the trip in Switzerland and only purchase a ticket from Frankfurt to the Swiss border or closest border town?

PalenQ

Can I utilize my pass for the part of the trip in Switzerland and only purchase a ticket from Frankfurt to the Swiss border or closest border town?>

Yes but sometimes a discounted ticket from say Frankfurt to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald may be cheaper than using a day on the pass-check www.bahn.de/en for prices to Swiss border and for fares also to your ultimate destinations - sometimes not much more - see the difference for the Swiss portion and then decide whether worth it to use pass.

If having questions about passes give Byron at www.budgeteuropetravel.com a call - I've bought various passes from him for years and he will experty IMO answer any questions even if not buying.