Swiss Alps in Bernese Oberland and Beyond: the ways to tackle the
Apr 12th, 2019, 01:58 PM
#461
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Niesen Funicular does look awesome!
https://www.google.com/search?q=nies...w=1280&bih=625
But seems to me you want to pack as much as possible into each day - like Niesen you want to do more than the funicular and won't know how much time you'll want to stay there - seems you may think just to go up and back? Less can be more. Leave some things in flux. Don't plan every second on a tight schedule.
https://www.google.com/search?q=nies...w=1280&bih=625
But seems to me you want to pack as much as possible into each day - like Niesen you want to do more than the funicular and won't know how much time you'll want to stay there - seems you may think just to go up and back? Less can be more. Leave some things in flux. Don't plan every second on a tight schedule.
Apr 12th, 2019, 07:11 PM
#462
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“Panramic trains are modern trains with large windows.
Belle epoque trains are belle epoque wagons, as their name says. The journey time is longer.”
"For this option I would take the modern panoramic train with the large windows leaving Montreux at 7:44 arriving Spiez at 9:44.”
“The Belle epoque train has 26 stops vs the Panoramic which has only 11 stops. The panorama train arrives Spiez 2 hrs before the B E train. There is a downhill walk/bus ride from the train station to the schiffstation"
************************************************** **
There was a mess up when I tried to compare Panoramic with Belle époque, looking at sbb.ch. Somehow thought the Panoramic one does not stop at Spiez, only one change at Zweisimmen, it actually does stop at Spiez.
So 7:44 train for two excursions or 9:44 train (Panoramic) - if just do the niesenbahn and around Spiez - with best views of golden pass route.
Belle epoque trains are belle epoque wagons, as their name says. The journey time is longer.”
"For this option I would take the modern panoramic train with the large windows leaving Montreux at 7:44 arriving Spiez at 9:44.”
“The Belle epoque train has 26 stops vs the Panoramic which has only 11 stops. The panorama train arrives Spiez 2 hrs before the B E train. There is a downhill walk/bus ride from the train station to the schiffstation"
************************************************** **
There was a mess up when I tried to compare Panoramic with Belle époque, looking at sbb.ch. Somehow thought the Panoramic one does not stop at Spiez, only one change at Zweisimmen, it actually does stop at Spiez.
So 7:44 train for two excursions or 9:44 train (Panoramic) - if just do the niesenbahn and around Spiez - with best views of golden pass route.
Apr 12th, 2019, 07:28 PM
#463
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Niesen Funicular does look awesome!
https://www.google.com/search?q=nies...w=1280&bih=625
But seems to me you want to pack as much as possible into each day - like Niesen you want to do more than the funicular and won't know how much time you'll want to stay there - seems you may think just to go up and back? Less can be more. Leave some things in flux. Don't plan every second on a tight schedule.
https://www.google.com/search?q=nies...w=1280&bih=625
But seems to me you want to pack as much as possible into each day - like Niesen you want to do more than the funicular and won't know how much time you'll want to stay there - seems you may think just to go up and back? Less can be more. Leave some things in flux. Don't plan every second on a tight schedule.
The ride will be 50% rate with Swiss travel card, it it is correct.
Apr 12th, 2019, 07:48 PM
#464
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Please advice, with Swiss travel pass, do you still need to pay part of the fare on board of train or boat, like half fare card? or it is completely free to take train or boat?
Thank you
Thank you
Apr 13th, 2019, 01:10 AM
#465
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Once again (for the last time!): https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/...om-abroad.html
Apr 13th, 2019, 08:47 AM
#466
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Yes all regular trains and boats are totally free - only exceptions are some special scenic trains like Glacier Express and some boats that are dinner boats going no where. Passes also valid on city transports and free entry at hundreds of museums. 1/2 off most gondolas though some like to Murren from Lauterbrunnen are free because they link two cities - 50% discount on trains and lifts that only go to mountain tops, etc.
Apr 13th, 2019, 01:00 PM
#467
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Thank you both for your confirmation and info.
It looks like ether 15 day's Swiss travel pass alone (we will be there for exactly 15 days, not including the day of departure) or Swiss travel pass flexy with Bernese oberland regional pass will work for us. The latter is somewhat cheaper, there are 4 free days (day 1, 2, 5, 6). Is this correct?
It looks like ether 15 day's Swiss travel pass alone (we will be there for exactly 15 days, not including the day of departure) or Swiss travel pass flexy with Bernese oberland regional pass will work for us. The latter is somewhat cheaper, there are 4 free days (day 1, 2, 5, 6). Is this correct?
Apr 13th, 2019, 01:08 PM
#468
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Berner Oberland covers a lot more than Swiss Travel Pass - like going to Jungfraujoch - 50% off vs 25% with pass and covers many mountain conveyances in full vs 50% for Swiss pass. And you can just buy it at any station in coverage area. But it does not seem to cover most boats on Lake Lucerne.
Apr 13th, 2019, 01:10 PM
#469
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Re- posting the previous analysis for the 4 saving pass/card by neckervd for those who may be interested:
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
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
HALF FARE CARD + SAVER DAY 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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
HALF FARE CARD + SAVER DAY 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
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
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
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
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.
Apr 13th, 2019, 02:26 PM
#471
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jumping into this never-ending thread (from which I have derived alot of info, even if only to page 12) So.....if purchase a flex pass 2nd class and want to do the Gothard Panoramic express (which is all 1st class?) what will I have to pay - I understand there is a reservation fee but will I have to pay an additonal price differential 1st class / 2nd class. Are the day saver passes all 2nd class?
Apr 13th, 2019, 02:35 PM
#472
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Are day savers valid on that train which I think includes a boat portion? With a 2nd class pass you must pay the upgrade - the difference between normal first and second class fares plus reservation fee.
Not sure if day passes are all 2nd class but neckervd and others will.
Not sure if day passes are all 2nd class but neckervd and others will.
Apr 14th, 2019, 02:45 AM
#474
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" For the panoramic train from Montreux to Spiez, will seat reservation for 2nd class be needed? "
It depends on train, date, and weather. 2 days ago (the weather was fine), I went fom Les Avants to Montreux in the afternoon and about every 6th seat (in 2nd class) was occupied. The VIP seats in first class were completely empty. Same occupation rate for the Montreux dp 15.44 train we crossed at Chamby.
But the Montreux dp 9.44 get's often full, especially during weekends and holidays
It depends on train, date, and weather. 2 days ago (the weather was fine), I went fom Les Avants to Montreux in the afternoon and about every 6th seat (in 2nd class) was occupied. The VIP seats in first class were completely empty. Same occupation rate for the Montreux dp 15.44 train we crossed at Chamby.
But the Montreux dp 9.44 get's often full, especially during weekends and holidays
Apr 14th, 2019, 05:10 AM
#475
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TO SUEC1
For the Gotthard panorama Express you may buy a first class uprade ticket (CHF 17.50/pax for the train ride only, resp. CHF 29.--/pax for boat and train) together with your seat reservation (CH 16.--).
https://www.sbb.ch/en/freizeit-ferie...ss/kaufen.html
For the Gotthard panorama Express you may buy a first class uprade ticket (CHF 17.50/pax for the train ride only, resp. CHF 29.--/pax for boat and train) together with your seat reservation (CH 16.--).
https://www.sbb.ch/en/freizeit-ferie...ss/kaufen.html
Apr 14th, 2019, 09:52 AM
#476
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If you've done the boat float on Lake Lucerne already just take train to Fluelen and join the fancy train there or take local trains over same route for nothing above pass - I think boat may include some food and or drink?
Apr 14th, 2019, 10:26 AM
#477
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"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"
a little confused: Is the price of $ 323 of Swiss Travel Flex for how many days? 15 days Swiss travel Flex would be $ 564, base on the website provided. So that plus BO pass should be $874?
Thanks
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"
a little confused: Is the price of $ 323 of Swiss Travel Flex for how many days? 15 days Swiss travel Flex would be $ 564, base on the website provided. So that plus BO pass should be $874?
Thanks
Last edited by jane86; Apr 14th, 2019 at 10:31 AM.
Apr 14th, 2019, 10:30 AM
#478
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" For the panoramic train from Montreux to Spiez, will seat reservation for 2nd class be needed? "
It depends on train, date, and weather. 2 days ago (the weather was fine), I went fom Les Avants to Montreux in the afternoon and about every 6th seat (in 2nd class) was occupied. The VIP seats in first class were completely empty. Same occupation rate for the Montreux dp 15.44 train we crossed at Chamby.
But the Montreux dp 9.44 get's often full, especially during weekends and holidays
It depends on train, date, and weather. 2 days ago (the weather was fine), I went fom Les Avants to Montreux in the afternoon and about every 6th seat (in 2nd class) was occupied. The VIP seats in first class were completely empty. Same occupation rate for the Montreux dp 15.44 train we crossed at Chamby.
But the Montreux dp 9.44 get's often full, especially during weekends and holidays
Could you advice how many days ahead should reservation be made? or no need for reservation, just go on board, if no space, request upgrade to 1st class?
Thank you
