My wife and I will be finishing up our 23 day backpacking trip in Switzerland 8/20-23 (Flying out of Zurich in the pm). Staying 3 or 4 nights. Just looking for good recommendations on budget places ($100-125/night) to stay in the Berner Oberland and 1-2 nice day hikes.
Also how do the trains work in that region w/ a global rail pass. (prices,etc) Is it worth the price for the Jungfraujoch ride?
Danke!
At a regular price of about $200 roundtrip, Jungfraujoch is not worth doing unless the weather is clear; note that travel time is a couple of hours each way. A Global pass gives you 25% discounts on trains from Interlaken into the Berner Oberland area, including to Jungfraujoch. Always show the pass when you buy a ticket. On the days that you are counting for train travel, e.g., arriving or departing Interlaken with a flexipass, or if you have a consecutive pass, you are covered for boat rides on the lake, too. See also Rail Europe's Eurail bonus list.
Switzerland is not renowned for being the least expensive country in Europe, and your budget of around $100 for hotel nights will be very very hard to meet. That's only CHF88 today. Are you up for sleeping in a hostel or on straw in a barn, or in a very simple guesthouse?
My choice would be Muerren, because I love it lots and the walks are fab.. You might be able to find a small room at Denise's Chalet Fontana - no private bathrooms but a lovely hostess, comfortable and towards the low end of cost, but you will have to increase your budget.
We are staying at the Rugenpark B&B in Interlaken next week and it is highly
rated, 5 minutes from Interlaken West train station and definitely in your budget
if you book with restroom down the hall. It's a short train ride to Lauterbrunnen
valley or other places you'd like to visit. From Lauterbrunnen take the gondola
to Murren and nice path down to Gimmelwald or furnicular up above Murren &
nice easy hike back down. Boat rides, restaurants & supermarket a few minutes
walk from the Rugenpark....Ryne
