We are headed from Garmisch to Wengen on Sunday August 28 - we know it will be a long travel day and were originally going to travel through Germany to the Swiss Border as there is the Bayern train discount that will cost our family of 4 (all over 16) only 38 Euro. We were then going to purchase the Swiss Transfer pass to get us from Swiss/German Border to Wengen and us it on return to Zurich Airport. However, it appears the most direct/less changes route to Wengen is from Garmisch to Innsbruck to Wengen. I have tried to find any Austrian rail discount/passes for our family like the Bayern pass, but there doesn't seem to be any. I was on the OBB site tonight tho and I see a 49 Euro ticket from Innsbruck right to Wengen which seems like a great deal and now I'm rethinking all my other region/train passes in Switzerland! Should I jump on this 49 EUro ticket/person or will this be available to purchase on the day of our travel? Other ideas/options to reduce our costs but get us from Garmisch to Wengen in the most direct manner? Thanks
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
The Bayern-Ticket is an all day pass for regional trains in Bavaria. There is an Einfach-Raus ticket for regional train in Austria, but regional trains would not be appropriate for the length of your trip, and the Einfach-Raus ticket would not cover travel in Germany or Switzerland.
I don't know why you think the fastest route goes through Innsbruck, as that route is kind of roundabout, although the scenery through the Tirol is pretty.
The fastest way I see is using a Eurocity (EC) train from Munich to Zürich via Lindau, and Swiss trains from there to Interlaken via Bern. With advance purchase, you can get that ticket for 156€ (total, for all four) from the Bahn.
Posted by
OP
Toronto
25 posts
Hi Lee - thanks for the info - I have been trying to piece it all together using the various country train sites to get pricing, and I do see the 49 Euro ticket from garmisch via Munich, but I also see this involves a rather lengthy bus ride which I'm not that keen on as I prefer to be able to walk around on long trips. What time do you see the 156 Euro ticket for the four of us? We need to arrive in Wengen by ~ 7pm so were planning on leaving Garmisch by 8 or 9am. I agree too, I thought going via Austria might be a prettier trip! I was hoping that Innsbruck to Buchs had a regional pass like the Bayern, but it doesn't appear to. It does look like the 49 Euro tickets whether from Germany or Austria are temporary offers and I should buy them now if I am 100% sure of my dates and times - correct? Thanks
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Yes, the cheaper rates that you're seeing now for the RailJet departing Innsbruck are only available on a limited number of seats and are likely to sell out before you get there. It will lock you into a specific departure but there are only a few departures that you would probably be considering, anyway.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
The bus ride you are talking about is on one of the Bahn's IC buses. They are used in a number of places to supplement train travel. They are usually point-point, with no intermediate stops so they are faster than the train. I understand from people who have used them that they are modern and comfortable over-the-road coaches, with a bathroom, snack bar, and attendant.
There are also pretty good prices, a little more expensive, albeit somewhat longer trips timewise, using a Eurocity (EC) train from Munich to Zurich.