Please help with (potential) trip to Bernese Oberland
 

Hi, I have very little time to do the planning for this one. If I go I'll leave in about two weeks, possibly in a week, and I haven't done anything.

I was in Bernese Oberland ten years ago. I stayed in Muerren at that time. The weather was not nice, but I went to Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, took the cable car rides and went to that famous waterfall (I forget what it's called).

I have time constraints.

(1) What do you think is the minimum amount of time required for a trip to the Bernese Oberland? If I take a redeye, I think that I need to have at least three days, not counting travel time reqiured to get back or to other places. I'll need one day to travel to the region from say, Zurich, after I arrive in the morning, and then one day each for Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn. I am not planning to do any hiking.

(2) Should I stay in Wengen or perhaps another town? Maybe Interlaken? It looks like Wengen is more convenient for the train to Jungfraujoch, but Muerren is more convenient for the cable car ride to Schilthorn.

(3) How would you prioritize the sights in the region, if you had to rank them? I know they are subjective, but with my time constraints, I'll have to pick and choose.

Thanks.

Hi 111op,
We spent 8 days in Lauterbrunnen and were busy every day, but we did a lot of hiking. You have to remember that the trip to the Jungfrau is dependent on the weather if you want good views from the top. So you will hopefully have one good clear day out of the three for the trip to the top. Go first thing in the morning and you can have the afternoon for another activity.

The Jungfrau was great and we really enjoyed Trummelbach falls in Lauterbrunnen. Roaming around Wengen and Murren can be done in a few hours each. We also spent the morning walking around Interlaken.

We enjoyed staying in Lauterbrunnen but others favor Wengen. IMO Interlaken is too far. You will spend time on the train just getting to the area each day.

If you only have a few days it is better than not going at all. It is a stunning area to visit, not to be missed.

Have fun,
Michele

Thanks. I didn't have any good luck with the weather ten years ago, and honestly I didn't really enjoy it because of that. Every day I'd watch the TV in my hotel room to see what it was like on top. There was never a good day.

By contrast, I liked the Engadine region a lot when I was there a few years ago because I simply lucked out with the weather!

Can someone comment on the passes? I am getting confused by the Swiss Pass vs. a pass for the Bernese Oberland. Is one "better" than the other? Obviously I know that I'll actually have to add up the fares and check the fine print, but if there are some rules of thumb, let me know.

To be honest, I'm actually not sure now if I can actually spare three days or that I can even go. I may only have two days. I have a number of constraints to deal with.

But if I am actually going to go, I need to start thinking about this. I am encouraged that access to that area is not as difficult as I seem to remember. For example, Zurich-Wengen takes about three hours, and Wengen-Jungfraujoch takes 1.5 hours. The cable car runs from Wengen to Mannlichen to Grindewald. So it does seem like staying in Wengen makes a lot of sense.

I think if I have to skip something, I'll skip Schilthorn. As I mentioned, I'm not planning to do any real hiking.

Hi 111op,
We did not need the Swiss pass because we had a car so we only needed the BO pass.

This is from the BO pass website http://www.malconet.me.uk/bo

If you are staying for only 3 or 4 days then we suggest the 7 day regional pass which costs 230chf *, only a little more than the normal return fare to the top of the Jungfraujoch.

This pass provides 3 days unlimited free travel on most routes, and 50% discount on the remaining 4 days.

There is also a 50% discount on the last sections to the Jungfrau and the Schilthorn, which are privately owned.
You can to choose any 3 of the 7 days to travel free of charge


Compare the fares for your planned trips and then see if the BO pass will work for you. The transportation in the area is great. Very reliable and always on time.

Have fun,
Michele

Thanks! I'll have to see how things go. I'll have a better idea next week.

Ok, I've decided to leave next Friday and come back following Tuesday. I am flying directly to Zurich and back.

(A) After I arrive, I plan to go to Art Basel and then take a train to Wengen from Basel.

(B) I'll have two full days in Wengen.

(C) On the day of departure, I plan to take an early train to Zurich, spend probably two hours there and then go to the airport.

Questions:

1. What's better? The Berner Oberland pass or the Swiss Pass? I think with the latter most of the train travel is free, but then the Jungfrau excursion and the cable car are 25% off? Whereas with the former it's 50% off, I think?

2. Where would you stay in Wengen?

3. How would you prioritize the attractions? I think that with two full days in Wengen, I should be able to do more than Jungfrau and the Mannlichen cable car. Maybe Schilthorn again?

Thanks.

Do I want a room facing south or north in Wengen? Thanks!

A Swiss Pass is only available for 4 or 8 days. With 5 days you'd need to buy the 8-day pass which would be a waste. The Berner Oberland Pass wouldn't give you reduction for Zürich - Basel, Basel - Bern and Bern - Zürich Airport. So that's not recommended either.

Your most economic choice is IMO the Swiss Half Fare Card for one month which costs 99 Sfr. It offers 50% off for all the rides you'll take, even Jungfraujoch.

I suggest you take the cable car from Wengen to Männlichen in the morning, hike from there to Kleine Scheidegg, take the cog-train to Jungfraujoch from there. Back to Wengen from Jungfraujoch by cog-train.

The other day I'd do a boat trip on Lake Thun. Very enjoyable. Buy a day ticket for the ferry so you can hop on/off in Merligen (great sunny terrace for lunch or coffee), Oberhofen (castle/garden) or Spiez (church, castle).

I stayed at the hotel Silberhorn in Wengen, had a single room to the south side which offered fantastic views of the Jungfrau and the Lauterbrunnen valley. It's conveniently located right vis-a-vis the train station. The cable car to Männlichen takes off right behind the hotel. The hotel is ok for a four star, nothing super special. I would stay there again.

I.

Thanks! By the way, I am taking off from NYC on Friday, so I won't arrive until Saturday. And Tuesday is basically a travel day. So it will be four days, but I'm planning to leave Bernese Oberland on Tuesday, the day I am flying back to the US. I am not sure if that makes the calculations any different, but I'll be able to use the four-day pass.

I am travelling with my mom actually. Are there any special discounts for two people travelling together?

Would you stay in Muerren? I stayed there ten years ago, as I mentioned. Wengen does seem more convenient.

The Half Fare Card is still more economic IMO if you go to the Jungfraujoch because with the Swiss pass you only get a 25% discount. But it is almost the same in the end because with two persons travelling together you get a discount on the Swiss Pass. The cost for 4 days is 221 Sfr. each vs. 260 Sfr. (normal price). And the Swiss Pass also includes trams and buses in the cities (Zürich, Basel) and museums (just in case you're interested).

So, if you prefer convenience then go for the 4-day Swiss Pass because you can just jump on the trains (not to Jungfraujoch, of course), buses, boats and don't need to bother with buying discounted tickets.

Funny coincidence, I also travelled with my mom, btw. ;-)

I personally like Wengen better because it has the lovelier views (Mürren has more dramatic views) and is a bit larger - more opps for dining/shopping etc. It's a bit livelier (we travelled in Sept.). And getting to/from means one less change than Mürren.

Enjoy your trip!

I.

Great, thanks! I think you helped me with my 2007 trip to Engadine as well. :)

I think so. Your screen name was somehow familiar to me ;-)

I think you helped me with Dresden as well. :)

Hotel Silberhorn is booked by the way. I think it's part of the Best Western chain, and the Swiss Pass might have given a discount. Maybe next time!

I think I can get the Swiss Pass when I arrive in Switzerland, right?

I am thinking more about the excursions. I don't think we'll do any hiking.

(1) Jungfraujoch excursion: It looks like I can combine this with the cable car ride from Wengen to Grindelwald on the way up or on the way back to Wengen.

Is one better than the other, or should I do the cable car rides separately or combine it with something else?

(2) What's at Schynigge Platte? Should I plan to visit? It seems like the train rides go via Wilderswil, whether I go from Wengen or from Grindelwald (which I can get to via cable cars), and this trip takes two hours one way. So this is quite time consuming.

(3) Schilthorn excursion: Wengen-Lauterbrunnen by train, cable car to Grutschalp, train to Murren, cable car to Schilthorn, cable car to Stechelberg, bus to Lauterbrunnen.

Any issues with this?

(4) Lake Thun excursion: It looks like Interlaken-Oberhofen takes close to two hours, so a round-trip takes four and with stops, this can easily turn into a one-day event (I think the boats run hourly?). Is it possible to make this a half-day excursion? Are there trains or buses that can be combined with the boat trip to shorten this excursion?

Thanks!

Also, how does the Swiss Pass work? I think it covers everything up to Murren. Can I just get on any train or do I need to get reservations ahead of time at a ticket counter? Thanks again!

Hello 111op :)

(1) Jungfraujoch excursion: The cable car from Wengen does not go to Grindelwald. It goes to Mannlichen. From Mannlichen, you would take the wonderful 1 hr (approx) hike (mostly flat) which ends in Kleine Scheidegg. This is one of those not-to-be-missed hikes. From KS, you board the train up to the Jungfraujoch. After your time up top and having taken the train back to KS, you can then board a train back to Wengen. If time permits, I'd recommend hiking down to Wengen.

You can also do this in reverse: train (or hike) Wengen to KS, then the Jungfraujoch round-trip; hike KS to Mannlichen; cable car Mannlichen to Wengen.

Depending on how early a start you get, this is all certainly doable in one day.

(2) Schynigge Platte: one of my favorite spots, but certainly takes most of a day. The train up is definitely slow, but spectacular rewards await you when you reach the summit. You have breathtaking views across the valley towards Lauterbrunnen and the whole BO region, and once you take the hike from the summit station up the hill, you will see the Interlaken region below, with the blue glacial waters of the lakes. Wow. And stopping at the outdoor restaurant, cliffside of course!, for a sundae -- well, it doesn't get better than that!

This trip is VERY popular with the locals. On clear days, the trains will be packed. But the views here are so spectacular, it's worth it. There is also a lovely flower garden well worth your time. They used to charge a few francs to go thru it, but last year it was free.

(3) Schilthorn excursion: you've done your research!

If you don't feel like taking up a whole day for the Schynigge Platte, you can always explore the "First" region of Grindelwald. Take the lift up, hike to the lake, then over to Grosse Scheidegg, bus back to town. Head over to the Pfingstegg tram, hike around that area for awhile, have fun on the alpine slide. Whatever you choose, it's all good!

With only a couple days, you're rather pressed for time. Pray for clear skies for all your outings!

Happy travels!

Lake Thun excursion: It looks like Interlaken-Oberhofen takes close to two hours, so a round-trip takes four and with stops, this can easily turn into a one-day event (I think the boats run hourly?). Is it possible to make this a half-day excursion? Are there trains or buses that can be combined with the boat trip to shorten this excursion?

Yes, there's a bus which is quicker.

Good luck with the weather.

Thanks! Yes, I'll just hope for clear skies. If not, I'll just go again in ten years. :)

Regarding the cable car from Wengen to Grindelwald, it looks like it's in two sections (change in Mannlichen)?

http://www.maennlichen.ch/fahrplan_tarife/karte/

If you want to go down to Grindelwald Grund, then yes, it is two parts. The first part from Wengen to Mannlichen is a tram (where you stand, holds many people), takes about 5 minutes to get up to Mannlichen. Then you walk a hundred yards or so and catch a 4-person sit-down bucket style doohicky down to Grindelwald (this portion alone is about 30 minutes).

But if your plan is to do the Jungfraujoch from Wengen, you won't need to go all the way down to Grindelwald Grund (unless, of course, you want to take another train back up to KS from there).

You need to get to Kleine Scheidegg to catch the Jungfraujoch train.

Following up on the Lake Thun excursion:

Ingo suggested Merligen, Spiez, Oberhofen am Thunersee. The last will take the longest, a two-hour boat ride or one-hour boat ride.

Spiez takes an extra 20 minutes on the boat, but it looks like there's a train connection (20 minutes) whereas there's only a bus for Merligen, which takes 20 minutes longer than the train for Spiez (so 40 minutes).

Which of these three is best for a short excursion? If I go, I think that I'd go for either Merligen or Spiez, which takes about two hours of travel time.

I'll just do the research at this stage to see how long these trips take and then see what we can fit in when we get there.

Thanks again!

Hi swiss,

Yes I was thinking of combining the cable car rides with the Jungfraujoch excursion. Is Grindelwald Grund the same as Grindelwald?

On my way up (or down) I was thinking of using the train between Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg and then use the cable cars between Wengen and Grindelwald.