PalenQ

If someone is just going to the Jungfrau Region rather than the Berner Oberland Pass or as well as I would investigate the Jungfraubahn Pass - more validities of value in the Jungfrau Region than the more wide-ranging Berner Oberland Pass.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ain-passes.cfm

neckervd

I suppose you mean the Jungfrau VIP Pass for 235 CHF/260 USD?
http://shop.jungfrau.ch/en/tickets/bergbahn/vip-pass

PalenQ

http://www.swisspasses.com/railpass/...rau-unlimited/

Well this Jungfraubahn Pass for 6 days for $290 p.p. adult - think you get a discount with a Swiss Pass.

milaedg

Please allow me to piggy-back on this question. We will be in Varenna for a couple of nights, then take the Bernina Express in Tirano (dep 2:0pm) that arrives in Chur @6:27pm, catch the 7:16pm train that arrives in Wengen at 11:44pm - is this a crazy but doable plan? Thanks.

PalenQ

Doable unless one of the late last connections is missed - the 7:16 pm train that arrives in Wengen actually of courser involves I'd say at least three changes of train - Zurich, Interlaken-Ost, Lauterbrunnen - if you are not stuck on taking the official Bernina Express consider taking an earlier local train over the same scenery and putting more fudge factor time into an otherwise IMO too tight itinerary for that day.

PalenQ

I actually like the local trains - no reservations needed just hop on any one with a ticket - the official Bernina Express IME is often chock full with tour groups - thus you are stuck in your seat - on the local trains there are usually lots of empty seats and you can hop back and forth as the scenery dictates - these regional trains leave about every hour - make it easier for you (milaedog) and take an earlier train - the scenery is the same and the windows large on regional trains - otherwise you may risk getting stuck somewhere if a train is late and you miss the last connection, etc.

Well just a thought.

neckervd

Milaedg:
why do you want to stop over at Chur during 50 min? You can do almost nothing there in such a short time.
I would just board the connecting train Chur dp 18.38 (same platform) - Zurich ar 19.53, leave Zurich at 20.02, Berne at 21.07 (same platform), arrive at Interlaken Ost at 21.57, at Lauterbrunnen at 22.22 and at Wengen at 22.44.

I would rather leave Varenna at 7.24, however, arrive at Tirano at 8.50 and go on either by Bernina Express dp 10.03 or by standard train dp 9.40 and arrive at St. Moritz at 12.17 resp 12.09.
You may also take the standard trains Varenna dp 9.24 - Tirano 10.50/11.27 - St. Moritz ar 14.09.
St. Moritz dp 13.02, 14.37, 15.02, 16.37 - Wengen ar 19.51, 20.44, 21.44, 22.44

PalenQ

If taking the official Bernina Express be sure to make your mandaotry reservation well in advance as those trains, so popular with tour groups, often sell out IME. Regular trains are never a problem boarding - always empty seats IME.

milaedg

@PalenQ and neckervd: Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this overly-ambitiously plan.
@nekervd: My heart is set on taking the Bernina Express all the way to Chur because I really wanted to go thru the Landwasser viaduct. I was not aware of the the 18:38 train from Chur - that sounds better. I think I would rather spend my evening on the train to Wengen than spend the night in Chur - I hope that the trains will arrive and depart like clockwork....
Thanks again!

PalenQ

regular trains too go over the Albula Pass line with the Landwasser viaduct en route to Chur - take the earliest trains whatever type is my suggestion. IME the official Bernina Express is not worth the trouble aiming for if it sets back your itinerary so tight.

The Albula Pass line is a UNESCO World Heritage site for for 1900 or so a prodigious feat of railway engineering.

I stayed in Chur once -not a bad town - an average town for Switzerland which means nice but rather boring at night.

PalenQ

One bit of potentially useful advice - if you're doing the last rail connection from Interlaken-Ost to Wengen not that you first board the Lauterbrunnen train but that train and the one to Grindelwald are hooked together and split half-way up, with one half trundling up to Grindelwald and the other to Lauterbrunnen. Be SURE you are on the right half - with outside of cars marked Luaterbrunnen and not Grindelwald - I've taken these trains many times and there are always flummoxed folks told to scurry off the train at the breaking point and get in the right car - late at night there may not be a conductor to remind folks so get in the Lauterbrunnen wagon so you do not end up over the Mannlichen mountain from Wengen with no way to get back!

milaedg

Thanks for that very important tip! We'll make sure to pay attention to the train car markings!

neckervd

Once again: there is absolutely no need to leave Varenna so late and to arrive at Wengen with the last but one train (the itinerary is scenic and should therefore better be done by daylight).

PalenQ

ditto to what neckervd says!

milaedg

@neckervd and PalenQ: After mulling over your suggestions and reading many reviews, we decided to heed your advice. I really wanted to experience the BE, but the stressful schedule, cars chockfull of people (and windows you can't open (!), I hear), we will take the first non-stop train from Varenna, (then Tirano to Chur on the regional train) and arrive in Wengen before 7pm. Thanks.

PalenQ

right windows on the Panoramic BE cars don't open as they are climate controlled I believe - in summer on local trains there are some that are open-air cars - basically flatbed cars with railings but these which I have ridden are the ultimate panoramic car!

sinoll

Thank you PalenQ and Neckervd for the great insight regarding trains,passes, etc!
Is there urgency in booking or is it doable to get tix just few weeks ahead?
thank you again

sinoll

Neckervd and Palo and all, thx for replies but need some clarification. If buying a SWiss Pass, should I purchase that and use that as my train tix? But that wouldn't apply to Venice/Stresa part of trip, correct? I would need to buy regular tix for that and then just show Swiss Pass for the Stresa/Spiez leg? Sorry for confusion.
Also, any reason to take first class vs. second?
thanks again!

PalenQ

right Swiss Passes only pass on Swiss portions of the train - from Domodossola, Italy all the way to Wengen - just show your pass to the Swisws conductor - you need not get off the train to activate your pass since the rule says that everyone must validate (activate) their pass before boarding their first train but in the case of being on a train coming from another country then, and only then, will the Swiss conductor activate it on the train.

You will need an Italian ticket for Venice Santa Lucia to Domodossola - www.trenitalia.com for full and discounted fares.

PalenQ

Also, any reason to take first class vs. second?>

Well yes - first class always is a more relaxed ride than 2nd class - that said in Switzerland the difference is not nearly as great as in other countries - basically always a lot of empty seats in first class and bigger seats - easy to stow luggage - on an empty seat - 2nd class can always be quite full (or may not).

but where you are going - Wengen - the trains around there has a very tiny first-class section or none at all - so since you are not taking many long-distance trains (where the benefits of first class are more appreciated - I think you'll find 2nd class just dandy.