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-   -   Swiss Alps in Bernese Oberland and Beyond: the ways to tackle the (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/swiss-alps-in-bernese-oberland-and-beyond-the-ways-to-tackle-the-1663420/)

dugi_otok Mar 8th, 2019 11:54 AM

7 Attachment(s)
I believe a 15 day Swiss Travel Pass($513) June 8 thru June 22 and a 6 day Jungfrau Travel Pass($135) June 15 thru June 20 is the best deal for you.

The Jungfrau Travel Pass will cover roughly the area between Interlaken, Murren, Junfraujoch, and Grindelwald.

Schynige Platte Bahn(SPB)-free, Jungfrau Bahn $69 round trip, Junfrau Bahn to Eigergletscher-free, Wengernalp Bahn(WAB)-free(Grindelwald-Kleine Scheidegg-Wengen-Lauterbrunnen)-free, Harder Bahn-free, Gondolabahn Grindelwald-First-free, Luftseilbahn Wengen-Mannlichen-free, buses (AVG) around Grindelwald-free, Bergbahnen Lauterbrunnen- murren-free, etc.

Swiss Travel Pass available at Zurich Airport Station. Jungfrau pass available at Interlaken, Grindelwald, etc,
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/swiss-alps-in-bernese-oberland-and-beyond-the-ways-to-tackle-the-1663420/page11/

dugi_otok Mar 8th, 2019 12:46 PM

Ding Dong School of Trains in Jungfrau area

1.Bernese Oberland Bahn (BOB)
Runs from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
At Zweilütschen the first section of the train goes to Lauterbrunnen and the rear section goes to Grindelwald. Make sure you are in the correct car for your destination when leaving
Interlaken Ost.Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald (33 min)
Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen (20 min)
Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen (36 min)
There is a stop at Wilderswil ( 4 min from Interlaken) from which to connect to another mountain train, the Schynige Platte Bahn (SPB) which takes you to the top at Schynige Platte (52 min).

2. Wengernalp Bahn (WAB)
This mountain train takes you up to Kleine Scheidegg from both Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg (32 min).
There is a stop at Alpiglen which is at the end of the Eiger Trail.
Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg (42 min)
There is a stop at Wengen.
Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg (25 min)
Lauterbrunnen to Wengen (12 min)
Wengen to Lauterbrunnen (17 min)

3. Jungfrau Bahn (JB)
Runs from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch station (40 min) (11,333 ft) (top of Europe).
Train makes a stop-10 min from Kleine Scheidegg, at Eigergletscher which is also the start of the Eiger Trail.

4. Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Murren (BLM)
The first part of the ride takes you from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp on a cable car ( 6 min). Then a single car train to Murren (14 min). Sit on the left side for a spectacular view of the mountains. From here you can continue to Shilthorn via 2 stages of the cableway Luftseilbahn Stechelberg-Murren-Schilthorn.

PalenQ Mar 8th, 2019 01:12 PM

The day Grindelwald-Lauterbrunen-Grutscalp-Murren-Gimmelwald-Back down to Lauterbrunnen Valley-bus to Lauterbrunnen - that is all 100% covered by Swiss Travel Pass - Muren-Schilthorn 50% off.

If use 6-day Berner Oberland Pass then check out flexipasses for Swiss Travel Pass for about 9 days or whatever. Swiss Travel Pass covers free entry to many sights, like Ballenberg and gives 50% off all lifts not covered in full.

Check price of Berner Oberland Pass vs 15-day Swiss Pass and see how much you'd save either way - Rigi is 100% covered by Swiss Pass including boats on Lake Lucerne. Pilatus was 100% covered but I think it is 50% now but check that out.

I'd suspect 15-day Swiss Pass could be the cheapest deal but it all depends on exactly what transports you are taking. And check prices thru U.S. agents too - sometimes same pass is cheaper here than there - sometimes significantly so due to Swiss franc going up or down as it takes time for passes to be readjusted, etc. So always check Swiss Pass prices here too. If not cheaper just buy yes at Zurich Airport train station. I've bought passes thru BETS-European Rail Experts - Byron there is an expert on Swiss trains, passes, etc - will answer any question if you want to talk to someone about passes. www.ricksteves.com is also a good source.

Hambagahle Mar 9th, 2019 12:43 AM

I have to say that I have found Rick Steves travel guides to give inaccurate (and sometimes outdated) information.

Before buying a 15 day Swiss Travel pass compare the average daily cost to that of a Saver Day Pass bought online from SBB 60 days i advance. The Saver Day Pass covers travel by any means to all inhabited places in Switzerland. It gives no discounts on travel above those. But to travel, say from Luzern to Montreux on the Golden pass line an SDP can cost as little as 52frs (2nd class without a Half Fare card) compared to an av. cost of the STP at 65-70frs...

neckervd Mar 9th, 2019 02:46 AM

" I have to say that I have found Rick Steves travel guides to give inaccurate (and sometimes outdated) information"

Most experienced European travellers agree, me too!
But most Americans love the Rick Steves guidebooks. It's just a cultural question.

neckervd Mar 9th, 2019 04:41 AM

SWISS TRAVEL PASS
Swiss Travel Pass for 15 days: 513 CHF/USD
Grindelwald - Maennlichen and Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald: 34 CHF/USD
Grindelwald - First RT: 30 CHF
Wilderswil - Schwynige Platte RT: 32 CHF
Brienz - Rothorn RT: 46 CHF:
Lucerne - ZRH: 30 CHF
Total: 685 CHF/USD

neckervd Mar 9th, 2019 04:57 AM

SWISS TRAVEL PASS FLEXY AND BERNESE OBERLAND PASS:
Swiss Travel Pass Flex with 4 free days (for days 1, 2, 5, 6): 323 CHF/USD
Bernese Oberland Pass for 4 days: 310 CHF/USD
Montreux - Saanen: 12 CHF/USD
Grindelwald - Maennlichen and Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald: free
Grindelwald - First RT: free
Wilderswil - Schwynige Platte RT: free
Brienz - Rothorn RT: free
Lucerne - ZRH: 30 CHF
Total: 675 CHF/USD

neckervd Mar 9th, 2019 04:59 AM

SAVER DAY PASS
It would make sense to replace the Swiss Travel Pass Flex by Saver Day Passes.

jane86 Mar 9th, 2019 06:17 AM

It seems a simple but complicated question to answer. So what is the best one? How much is the difference between these choices? With Swiss travel pass or day saver pass how to buy the ticket? Is that you go on the train and pay for partial ticket on each ride?
Thank you all for your responses and information, thank you @PalenQ, dugi_otock, Hambagahle and neckervd

jane86 Mar 9th, 2019 06:23 AM


Originally Posted by neckervd (Post 16884743)
SWISS TRAVEL PASS
Swiss Travel Pass for 15 days: 513 CHF/USD
Grindelwald - Maennlichen and Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald: 34 CHF/USD
Grindelwald - First RT: 30 CHF
Wilderswil - Schwynige Platte RT: 32 CHF
Brienz - Rothorn RT: 46 CHF:
Lucerne - ZRH: 30 CHF
Total: 685 CHF/USD

@neckervd, are the numbers you give after each site the discounted fees with Swiss Travel Pass? What does the total $ 685 come from? don't quite get it.

jane86 Mar 9th, 2019 06:24 AM


Originally Posted by neckervd (Post 16884752)
SAVER DAY PASS
It would make sense to replace the Swiss Travel Pass Flex by Saver Day Passes.

Could you explain a little more ?

Thank you







PalenQ Mar 9th, 2019 08:24 AM

Maybe buy a Half-Fare Card for around $130 - especially if taking the Jungfrau Train to go along with a pass.

neckervd Mar 9th, 2019 09:11 AM

" Could you explain a little more ?"

Read post 204.

PalenQ Mar 9th, 2019 09:28 AM

Saver Day Passes cost about 55 euros and gives you unlimited use of most railways. Use for long trips - just an option.

Hambagahle Mar 9th, 2019 11:50 PM

IF you have a Half Fare card the Saver Day pass starts at 29frs. ($29 and not €55) You buy these online, 60 days out to get the lowest price. Once they go on sale price rises as date of travel nears. SDP acts precisely like a Swiss Travel pass: provides unlimited travel all over the country to all inhabited places. BUT unlike the STP it gives no additional discount above those. You can only buy the SDP online from the SBB. Nowhere else. What people are trying to tell you is that for your longer days of travel which do not involve mountains the HFC + SDP will be economical. If mountains are involved you still have to buy tickets in addition to the SDP and your HFC gives you 50% off those (except for the Jungfrajoch).

Saver Day Pass will cover you, on the day of arrival, from ZRH airport to Martigny. Next day to go to Chamonix just buy point to point with your HFC. (HFC extends to the Swiss border at le Ch telard/Vallorcine and after that it is full fare on the French train). Coming back to CH and travelling on to Grindelwald (?if that is where you are going - I can't remember) a Saver Day pass will be economical but you will still have to pay to get to Vallorcine or le Ch telard. (I am not sure where the tarrif frontier is...) IF you buy a Swiss Travel pass it will get you to and from Chamonix but is of zero value in Chamonix itself. Understandably.

My advice to you is to make a couple of spread sheets. Calculate the exact costs of ALL train fares at FULL fare to get a "baseline". then compare Swiss Travel Pass plus the supplements you will have to pay, the Half Fare Card plus 50% of all tickets, and the HFC plus Saver Day passes and any "mountain supplement" on that day. Pick whichever is more economical UNLESS - and a big point this - you plan to visit museums in which case the Swiss Travel Pass can save you 20-40frs or more per day of museum visits...

neckervd Mar 10th, 2019 12:40 AM

In clear, that means:
Day 1: Half Fare Card 120 CHF + Saver Day pass 29 CHF, total: 149 CHF
Day 2: OW ticket (CH Half Fare): 24 CHF
Day 5: Chamonix - Montreux (CH Half Fare): 33 CHF
Day 6: Lake Geneva, Geneva: 29 CHF
Montreux - Gstaad - Grindelwald: 29 CHF
Grindelwald - Maennlichen and Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald: 36 CHF
Grindelwald - First RT: 30 CHF
Grindelwald - Schwynige Platte RT: 42 CHF
Grindelwald - Brienz - Rothorn RT: 66 CHF
Grindelwald - Lucerne with Ballenberg/Aar Gorge: 29 CHF
Lucerne - ZRH: 15 CHF
Total: 482 CHF

neckervd Mar 10th, 2019 12:51 AM

The same with Bernese Oberland Pass:

In clear, that means:
Day 1: Half Fare Card 120 CHF + Saver Day pass 29 CHF, total: 149 CHF
Day 2: OW ticket (CH Half Fare): 24 CHF
Day 5: Chamonix - Montreux (CH Half Fare): 33 CHF
Day 6: Lake Geneva, Geneva: 29 CHF
Bernese Oberland Pass for 4 days: 235 CHF
Montreux - Saanen: 12 CHF
Saanen - Gstaad - Grindelwald: free
Grindelwald - Maennlichen and Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald: free
Grindelwald - First RT: free
Grindelwald - Schwynige Platte RT: free
Grindelwald - Brienz - Rothorn RT: free
Grindelwald - Lucerne with Ballenberg/Aar Gorge: free
Lucerne - ZRH: 15 CHF
Total: 497 CHF

neckervd Mar 10th, 2019 01:07 AM

CONCLUSION

There isn't a big difference between all 4 solutions.
All will depend on your sidetrips from Montreux, Grindelwald and Lucerne.
If you plan to do more rides in the Bernese Oberland, a combination with the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland might be better.
If you plan to visit a lot of museums, the Swiss Travel Pass could be the best solution.
The solutions with Saver Day Passes depend on the fact that you will really be able to get them for 29 CHF.

You may check and recheck all fares with
https://www.sbb.ch/en/
https://www.regionalpass-berneroberl...infos/pricing/
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tickets/bergbahn
https://www.ter.sncf.com/auvergne-rhone-alpes
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/...stem-mice.html

neckervd Mar 10th, 2019 01:12 AM

CONCLUSION

There isn't a big difference between all 4 solutions.
All will depend on your sidetrips from Montreux, Grindelwald and Lucerne.
If you plan to do more rides in the Bernese Oberland, a combination with the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland might be better.
If you plan to visit a lot of museums, the Swiss Travel Pass could be the best solution.
The solutions with Saver Day Passes depend on the fact that you will really be able to get them for 29 CHF.

You may check and recheck all fares with
https://www.sbb.ch/en/
https://www.regionalpass-berneroberl...infos/pricing/
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tickets/bergbahn
https://www.ter.sncf.com/auvergne-rhone-alpes
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/...stem-mice.html

....and don't forget that passes are more handy because there is (almost) no need to buy tickets at counters or ticket machines and because you can easily change your itinerary on the spot.

jane86 Mar 10th, 2019 06:07 PM


Originally Posted by neckervd (Post 16885148)
CONCLUSION

There isn't a big difference between all 4 solutions.
All will depend on your sidetrips from Montreux, Grindelwald and Lucerne.
If you plan to do more rides in the Bernese Oberland, a combination with the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland might be better.
If you plan to visit a lot of museums, the Swiss Travel Pass could be the best solution.
The solutions with Saver Day Passes depend on the fact that you will really be able to get them for 29 CHF.

You may check and recheck all fares with
https://www.sbb.ch/en/
https://www.regionalpass-berneroberl...infos/pricing/
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tickets/bergbahn
https://www.ter.sncf.com/auvergne-rhone-alpes
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/...stem-mice.html

....and don't forget that passes are more handy because there is (almost) no need to buy tickets at counters or ticket machines and because you can easily change your itinerary on the spot.

Thank you all for your inputs, wonderful analysis and info, @ PalenQ, Hambagahle, dugi_otok, neckervd.

With the pros and cons of each passe, and the similar savings, Swiss Travel Pass is the most likely one to get, since it provides the convenience of hopping on and off a train without the need of buying a ticket. And will probably need to add BO regional pass. For the last day, probably a saver day pass which is only available online two months prior to the day of use.


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