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Berner Oberland pass options December

I thought I had the whole pass thing worked out, but I've hit a glitch and now I'm confused again.

I am arriving in Zurich on Dec 6, heading straight to Basel for two nights.
While in Basel, I'll have a local transit pass from the hotel, so will only need train tickets if I decide to take a side trip.

On the 8th, going to Grindlewald until the 12th (4 nights). Then I am heading to Luzern for one night before flying back from Zurich on the 13th.

I was going to get the half fare pass and the BO pass, but now I see the Berner Oberland is only available in summer.

I have always gotten a Swiss Pass when I am there, enjoying the ability to go almost anywhere. I would love that flexibility for this trip, however I had envisioned lots of gondola and train rides around the area, very casual and flexible, and I know many of those are not covered.

So now I am wondering if the Jungfrau hiking/sledging pass is the way to go? I don't see that it is discounted with the half-fare pass, so I wonder if I should go without a pass for the rest of the trip.

The Schilthorn and Jungfrau are not a high priority for me, but everything below them is.

Thoughts?

Posted by
2493 posts

The Berner Oberland Regional Pass is not available in Winter because half of the stuff it covers is not operating. No lake steamers. No Brienzer Rothorn. No Niessen... etc...

Firstbahn in Grindelwald will only start operating on the 16th, so you may just miss that. The Männlichen will be open on the 9th though. You are coming just when things start to open again. So a lot of the winter hiking paths will not be prepared yet.

If I were in your position I would get the Half Fare Card and just buy tickets as you go, but I would also spend less time in Grindelwald and more in Luzern.