ualauren

We booked a 4 day Swiss pass and plan to activate it on the day we are traveling from Colmar, France to Grindelwald. We are looking up a train and it has us going from Colmar > Basel > Interlaken > Grindelwald. Once we are at the Basel train station, do we need to purchase any sort of ticket, or do we just board the train? I'm not quite sure how the Swiss pass works in terms of seating reservations, etc.

The main reason I ask is our changes are not very long. Basel > Interlaken is a 20 minute change, and Interlaken > Grindelwald is only a 7 minute change.

Thanks for your input!

PalenQ

Just activate your pass at Basel station and then jump on any train to Bern and then Interlaken and beyond - no seat reservations required nor needed on Swiss trains - boarding first in Basel you will find many empty seats - you could make optional seat reservations at few francs but most say they never have trouble finding seats.

At Interlaken-Ost - the Grindelwald train will probably be waiting on adjacent platform and if you miss connection there will be another train shortly. Again most seats on that BOB train to Grindelwald will not be reserved and no problem getting seats everyone says. For lots on Swiss trains and using them check www.sbb.ch; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

Note that BOB (Berner Oberland Bahn) trains to Grindelwald split halfway up with one half going to Grindelwald and the other trundling up a different valley to Lauterbrunnen - just check at Interlaken-Ost that you are on the half going to Grindelwald and each car should be marked "Grindelwald" on outside and inside.

Trains above Grindelwald (and Wengen) to Kl Scheidegg only give 25% off with Swiss Passes and most lifts 50% off.

ualauren

Thank you so much for the reply - that really helps!

PalenQ

IMO one of the best things to do in Jungfrau Region is to take train to Lauterbrunnen then cable cart straight up cliffs to Grutschalp then train along cliff's edge to Murren - hop the long long aerial gondola to The Schilthorn - remote icy outpost in middle of nowhere - then back to Murren and cable down to Gimmelwald (famous farming hamlet surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenes and then plunge back down to Lauterbrunnen Valley gorge at Stechelberg and hop postal bus back to Lauterbrunnen - all 100% covered by Swiss Pass except 50% off Murren to Schilthorn.

Throw in some easy walks like Grutschalp to Murren and Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen if you want. Way different than Jungfraujocjh train and summit (also awesome) the rotating circular restaurant building at Schilthorn was scene of much of James Bond film On Her Majesty's
Secret Service long ago when the building was under construction.