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First 2 Nights/Train Pass or Half Fare Card

Posted by (Portland, OR) on

Hello everyone!

My partner and I will be traveling to the Alps both Switzerland and Austria this summer. We have not booked our flights yet but made sure and made reservations in some places we know we want to stay, mostly Gimmelwald and Halstatt. We were considering flights in to Zurich and leaving from Vienna, but also noted that Geneva may work. Does anyone have any suggestions? We'll be there or some intermediate area (if suggested) between there and Gimmelwald for the first 2 nights, then moving on to Gimmelwald before heading to Austria for the remainder of the trip.

Also, as noted in the guidebook the high mountain lifts are fairly expensive, I'm wondering if we wouldn't be better off buying a rail pass or half fare card for this purpose plus the train to Interlaken from the earlier destination. We'll have 4 nights in Gimmelwald and would like to visit Schilthorn and Jungfrau. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks,

Charlie

Posted by
11288 posts

The high mountain lifts are indeed expensive. A Swiss half-fare card will be of benefit for any trips to/from the area (i.e., Zurich or Geneva all the way to Gimmelwald) but you may also benefit from a Regional Pass. We found that the combo of BO Regional Pass and 1/2 fare card made teh add-on for the Jungfrau much lower. You have to do the math to determine the best combo. I build a spreadsheet with my plans so I am sure. The advantage of the regional pass is that if you spontaneously decide to do something, you don't have to think about the added cost.

If you are committed to Gimmelwald, then spend at least 2 nights in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen. Gimmelwald works well enough for the Schilthorn, but leaving for the Jungfrau, you would be better off in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen.

Posted by
20 posts

Half fare card is 120CHF for a month and as Laurel said, a spreadsheet is a good idea, tedious but worth working out what you want to do. Also good to get an early start (7am) each day to avoid the tour groups at the train station in Lauterbrunnen. Staying in LAuterbrunnen will give you more flexibility and speed in the mornings to get out wallking.
Month half fare card from SBB

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