A friend recently told me about someone they knew who went on an “organized hiking tour” of Switzerland that cost over $2000 each for one week not including airfare! What this “tour” actually consisted of was they booked the hotels, gave you a map and hiking itinerary, gave you the regional transport pass, and organized having your luggage shipped ahead to the next hotel. <BR> <BR>When I heard that, I was shocked that someone would pay so much when hiking in Switzerland is so easy with a little bit of planning! Here are some money-saving tips on hiking in Switzerland that I have learned while living here. <BR> <BR>For illustration purposes I will use a hiking route across the Alps Pass from Engelberg to Meirignen (Joch Pass), Meirignen to Grindelwald (Grosse Scheidegg), and Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen (Kleine Scheidegg) as an example hiking itinerary. <BR> <BR>1. A Circuit Ticket (Rundfahrt Billet) may work out cheaper then a Regional Pass if you plan on hiking a certain route and not going on so many “tourist scenic rides”. For example you could specify a circuit ticket for a train ticket from Zurich Airport to Engelberg, gondola to Truebsee, cablecar from Hasliberg Reuti to Meiringen, Postbus to Rosenlaui, train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, train back to Zurich Airport. Circuit tickets will usually give you a 20% discount over purchasing the tickets separately and you have 30-days to travel. <BR>2. It is possible to send your luggage ahead of you to the next manned train station or proper post office. Saving you from having to carry all your belongings with you and giving you the freedom to hike from hotel to hotel (or campground to campground, etc.). The cost is 10chf per item by train if you have a valid ticket (circuit, regional pass) 12chf by Postbus. Example: send luggage from Engelberg to Meirignen train station, Meirignen to Grindelwald, Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen. Of course you should allow plenty of time for your luggage to arrive (and make sure when the stations are open) and inquire about the validity of your ticket-though it is possible to send an item without a ticket for about 40chf. This might be good for someone who just wants to hike a few days and don’t feel like backtracking or carrying 2-weeks of clothes with them. See http://www.sbb.ch/pv/baggage_e.htm and <BR>3. The Swiss transport system is awesome. No where else in the world is it so easy to do one-way hikes. Use it to your advantage to explore lesser known and out of the way villages. Or to shorten that hike if you are tired or the weather turns inclement. Study timetables and routes before you go. The fully integrated website offers times for trains, busses, boats, and many mountain transport. http://www.sbb.ch/pv/index_e.htm <BR>

A friend recently told me about someone they knew who went on an “organized hiking tour” of Switzerland that cost over $2000 each for one week not including airfare! What this “tour” actually consisted of was they booked the hotels, gave you a map and hiking itinerary, gave you the regional transport pass, and organized having your luggage shipped ahead to the next hotel. <BR> <BR>When I heard that, I was shocked that someone would pay so much when hiking in Switzerland is so easy with a little bit of planning! Here are some money-saving tips on hiking in Switzerland that I have learned while living here. <BR> <BR>For illustration purposes I will use a hiking route across the Alps Pass from Engelberg to Meirignen (Joch Pass), Meirignen to Grindelwald (Grosse Scheidegg), and Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen (Kleine Scheidegg) as an example hiking itinerary. <BR> <BR>1. A Circuit Ticket (Rundfahrt Billet) may work out cheaper then a Regional Pass if you plan on hiking a certain route and not going on so many “tourist scenic rides”. For example you could specify a circuit ticket for a train ticket from Zurich Airport to Engelberg, gondola to Truebsee, cablecar from Hasliberg Reuti to Meiringen, Postbus to Rosenlaui, train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, train back to Zurich Airport. Circuit tickets will usually give you a 20% discount over purchasing the tickets separately and you have 30-days to travel. <BR>

geez, I wish I could edit posts... <BR> <BR> <BR>4. Most hiking routes do not require a guide. A good map and the ability to recognize the obvious red/white/red route (blue/white means high technical route that most hikers should probably avoid) markings are all you need. There are also signs (usually yellow) posted everywhere that tell you where to go and at the beginning of most routes how long it will take you. A good book is essential too since that way you can preplan the route and know how long it will take/standard. If you’re hiking alone it probably wouldn’t hurt to let someone know where you are going. <BR>5. Take a picnic. Shop at Migros or Coop. Those mountain restaurant terraces look inviting but they can be hard on a budget. I only stop for the occasional drink. To me a picnic is more satisfying anyway. <BR>6. Children between ages of 6-16 can travel free (and discounted on many private mountain transport) with an adult with the Junior Card-available for 20chf at any train station, good for one-year. I have also heard that you can get this card for free from Swiss tourist offices abroad. <BR> <BR>Anyone have any other tips? <BR>

Chris: For travellers interested in information about Switzerland, I suggest they go to the official website: <BR> <BR>www.myswitzerland.com <BR> <BR>They will find links (mostly as well in English) to almost all places, towns, hotels, train infos, weather info, etc. <BR>

Chris wrotegt;&gt;&gt;The Swiss transport system is awesome. No where else in the world is it so easy to do one-way hikes. Use it to your advantage to explore lesser known and out of the way villages&lt;&lt;&lt; <BR> <BR> <BR>The Swiss have done an excellent job in creating a user friendly rail system that allows the hiker to walk from one point. Then take the cable back to another point <BR> <BR>I guess a hiking guide with many years of hiking experience could show newbies where to go to see the great views. But with careful planning, you can do it yourself. <BR> <BR>Here are some web sites that might help the newbie hiker in Switzerland. Copy and paste them into the url window to go there. Aol members, I know you know this already. heh heh heh <BR> <BR>http://www.wengen-muerren.ch/flash/intro.html <BR> <BR>http://home.sunrise.ch/avong/gimmelwald/ <BR> <BR>http://www.ski-zermatt.com/zermatt.html <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Another very important tip. <BR> <BR>I think it is very important for anyone spending any amount of time in the mountains to consider becoming a patron of the Swiss Air Rescue. This will be your insurance against any mountain search and rescue costs. At only 30 Swiss Franken per year it really should not be dismissed. http://www.rega.com