Please help with Berner Oberland Passes
 

Could someone please tell me the cheapest way of getting passes in B. Oberland for four days for 4 people including a 17 and a 13 year olds. We are also taking the train from Zurich to interlaken. thak you

Could you explain a little more about how you want to use the pass? <BR>It is very hard to pinpoint exactly which pass you would get the most out of unless you can predict with 100% accuracy how you will use it. There are so many passes that a quick answer is not accurate. <BR> <BR>The Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) sells a variety of passes, which are good on the trains operated by the SBB and on SOME of the mountain trains. <BR>On others you get a discount. <BR>For example, the train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald is operated by a private line known as the Berner Oberlandbahn, or the BOB, while the train from Bern to Interlaken Ost is run by the federal rail system. <BR> <BR>The BOB is the same outfit also operates trains to Kleine Scheidegg from Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, but your rail pass on that line does not entitle you to a free ride. You buy a ticket at a discount. <BR>(I am not sure what the discount is at the moment.) <BR>The various mountain cable lifts will also cost you some, but you do buy the ticket at a discount, usually 25%. <BR> <BR>The Berner Oberland Regional Pass is specifically aimed at the mountain region. Although the pass covers a wide range, you get 3 free days (your choice) out of a period of 7 days, with discounts on the other 4 days. There is a diagram that shows you which rides are entirely free on the so-called free days. <BR> <BR>On the other days you receive discounts of either 50% or 25% depending on where you are going. <BR> <BR>The region of the pass reaches to Bern, Zermatt, and to Hergiswils just beyond Sarnen on the route to Luzern. The cost of the Berner pass is 115 Euros, or about $100 at today's rate of exchange. <BR>I figured if you took the 4 most expensive rides and a short one or two(not counting the Jungfrau joch) you would break even, or little more. Anything after that you were ahead of the game. <BR> <BR>Now, is it worth riding all that much? <BR>It was for me, but I like the place and we had a good time doing it. <BR> <BR>Depending on how you intend to use the pass, one of the Swiss Federal Raileay passes may be what you need. <BR> <BR>On a family pass, your 13 year old can travel free; your 17 year old travels as an adult, if I read the info correctly. <BR>And you can buy the passes at a 15% discount off of the single person pass. <BR> <BR>To take a look at the passes offered by the SBB, here is the place to look: <BR>http://www.sbb.ch:80/pv/sts_e.htm <BR>The descriptions are in English. <BR>Hopefully that information will help you make up your mind. <BR> <BR>

At Interlaken Ost train station there is an office which sells all sorts of tailor made tickets and passes to suit your expected needs. They also have TV screens showing you the weather conditions etc. at various points in the Eiger/Jungfrau region. <BR>The only problem is the passes are not particularly cheap I'm afraid, but in clear weather they are great value.

Check out the Rick Steves web site for a rundown of what the various passes do. <BR> <BR>http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/switzerland.htm <BR> <BR>If you or others are confused by the various passes, don't feel bad. They are confusing. <BR> <BR>I usually use the 15 day Swiss pass. It covers trips as far as Wengen, Murren and Grindlewald, but if you want to ride to Kleine Scheidegg or further up to the Jungfrau station, you'll be charged for the ride up the mountain. <BR> <BR>As Bob pointed out, you should get 25& off. The Swiss pass does cover some Post Bus routes such as Lauterbrunnen to Stechleberg, but charges extra for other routes such as Grosse Scheidegg to Grindlewald. Just check with the bus driver. You should get a discount with the Swiss pass on the post bus routes that are not free. <BR> <BR>If confused, don't worry. <BR> <BR>I understand that some passes offer free beer between 5-6 PM om Tuesdays and offer free beer between 1-2 PM on Thursdays. ;-) Just kidding, but I know the rail tickets can be confusing with all the various offers.

If you will be traveling in Switzerland for exactly four days the Swiss Pass and Saver Pass are just the "ticket" for you. Buy them at the Zürich Airport train station for the best price. <BR> <BR>More details on prices, usage and coverage at <BR>http://www.twenj.com/swpasses.htm#Swiss%20Pass

Your 13 year old will travel free even on the expensive trips to Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn with a Swiss Pass Family Card. This really saves a big chunk of money for the family.