Is it so difficult to buy a ticket from Paris to Basle or to Porntarlier (if you take a Berne bound TGV)? But if you wish to pay more, you are free to do so. Have a nice trip!

Bookmarking

> Is it so difficult to buy a ticket from Paris to Basle or to Porntarlier (if you take a Berne bound TGV)?

Ok i was writing based on the direct TGV Paris - Interlaken ( as OP wrote "TGV Lyria Paris - Interlaken) that has been running on certain days of the week this winter. When OP will travel, probably this will not be running any more. Then the tickets to buy should be TGV Paris - Basel ( try online discount) and Basel - Interlaken is naturally possible with one of the Swiss railway passes.

To OP,
> I have already looked into trains Paris-Interlaken and, yes, there is a single price with no options.

How do you know there is only a single price? The TGV reservation opens 3 months ahead so you can see the price offers today only until 03July while you are travelling in SEP/OCT? Maybe you saw only a normal price and not the discounted ones that are available later.

Bookmarking... we too were going to attempt Gimmelwald, Murren, Wengen but now think we'll just do Wengen, and only if clear, if not, we'll stay in Interlaken and head over to Bern. Didnt think the journeys up would take that long, but we expected to spend 8-4:00 for same... We are seniors and happily just walk around a bit, no serious hiking for sure.

I was looking at the prices for July, yes, just to get an idea in advance what sort of price I'd be paying if I booked when the window opened for Sept/Oct.

I think I'd be better off (maybe it's just all too hard) to buy the direct ticket on the TGV as soon as that 3-month window opens and pay the 10.80 euro ticket Interlaken-Grindelwald. That is, if the trains are running to Interlaken!

Yet to sort out what passes, if any, to use for the 3 days we're in Grindelwald and the 4th day which is the trip to Italy.

Thanks for info on Swiss pass, I'll have a look at those websites (scuse ignorance, what does IMO stand for?)>

IMO - In My Opinion.

Thanks, PalenQ! Had since googled it and felt like a dunce!

What do you guys think of this:

HALF FARE CARD (approx. US$120, available only in Switz)
2 x JUNIOR CARDS (CHF30 each) - entitles the boys to FREE TRAVEL including JUNGFRAUJOCH?

SInce we're based in Grindelwald and weather plays a significant part in activities, I'm not sure either the Swiss Pass or Swiss Flexi Pass is worth it.

And this way the cards can be used for inbound and outbound journeys.

Thoughts, experts??

Thanks!

In order to make it clear:
Swiss Pass holders who take the direct TGV Paris dp 17.57 - Interlaken ar 23.53 buy a ticket Paris - Ponterlier (costs actually 34 EUR for the random date of June 4th)
Swiss Pass holders who travel by TGV up to Basel and change there do a domestic train to Interlaken buy a ticket Paris - Basel (fares start actually at 40 EUR for the random date of June 4th)

The junior cards can got free if you apply for them together with the Half fare Card.

The Half Fare card can be bought in the web. You must do so if you leave Paris in late afternoon, as there will be no possibility to buy it at Basel when you will arrive. For the direct train via Pontarlier, there will be no possibility to buy it at the border anyway.

I can't wait to read your trip report upon your return.

Sitting on pins and needles.

Tschuss

Thanks, neckervd, as always! You must get impatient with these repetitive Qs...

It does say that the Half Fare card is only available in Switzerland. So my next question was going to be: will we have time to purchase these cards in Basel?

We will not be doing the evening train. Planning on early morning departure (either 06:15 or 08:23).

Would it be a good option in your opinion? i.e. Half Fare card and Junior Cards? Good news that the Junior Cards are free – are you sure? Because this would mean they don't pay anything (not even the 60CHF) for Jungfraujoch. Seems like an amazingly good deal!

What's the problem?
http://shop.swissrailways.com/swissh...ffiliateid=101

Basle railway station counters: opening times
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service....posid.10.html

Right, point taken! Thanks. I can buy it and have it posted to Oz (30CHF) or buy it at Basel.

Seems there would be time to do this at Basel station.

The kids would travel free with a Family Card going with the Half Fare Card, but here's the thing:
this would entitle them to only 50% off Jungfraujoch, whereas if I bought 2 x Junior Cards @ 30CHF each, they would travel to Jungfraujoch for FREE! Is this too simple? Have I missed something?

60CHF as opposed to 177CHF. Why wouldn't everyone do this? Or do they?

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/swis...y-card-en.html
89 CHF/pax is the standard round trip fare for a kid (6-16 years) travelling alone from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch and back. You don't need any pass or family card for that.
Junior cards can be got by everybody (for 30 CHF/kid) whereas the family card is for foreign travellers with Swiss Passes or half Fare Cards only.

I pay for Swiss Pass, Family Card is free and they get to travel for free.>

Yes free even on things you only get a discount on, like Junfraujoch trains.

Right. But isn't that terrific? If the weather's good and we decide to go Jungfraujoch all I need to do is buy 2 Junior Cards on the day and that'll cover them. I was just wondering if most people would realise this. Or if I somehow got it wrong.

What do you think of the Half Fare card as best choice for my trip out of the plethora of passes?!

Thanks again, neckverd.

Oops. Neckervd.

PalenQ, I think the kids only get 50% off Jungfraujoch with Family Card.

smm - where did u end up booking for grindelwald? we are heading there in august with our 2 boys 10 and 13. Im still looking for where to stay.

Hi MBM, I booked the Hotel Bellary

http://www.bellary.ch/

Triple room 195CHF including breakfast, 10 mins from centre, room facing mountains. Sounds like a smallish family-run place. I was actually going to book the youth hostel, but changed my mind! It would have meant paying for the extra unused bed, and check-in wasn't until 4pm and I really think my hostelling days are over!

Everyone's budget and requirements are different, so this may or may not be what you're after.

Have fun!

book the youth hostel, but changed my mind! It would have meant paying for the extra unused bed, and check-in wasn't until 4pm and I really think my hostelling days are over!>

for others the Nature Friends Houses in Grindelwald and other hiking/skiing resorts is a place where all ages will feel comfy - I've stayed in the one in Grindelwald - an all ages hiking crowd with a commune kitchen to fix your own food, etc. Some private rooms too. And yes cheap.