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From Salzburg to Wengen & back

I need some help figuring out how to do this. Should I take the RailJet from Salzburg to Zurich, then IC & ICE to Bern & Interlaken, then the Bernese Overland Railway to Lauterbrunnen & Wengen--about 8 1/2 hours, I figure? Or should I break it into 2 days (one-way) with a stopover in Bern or Lucerne? Oh, and how late in the evening do the Lauterbrunnen-Wengen trains run?

Next question concerns tickets. Would it be better to get a rail pass, and if so which one? There are so many options! I want what is easiest. Something to factor in is that before this leg of my journey I will be coming by train from the Munich Airport to Salzburg.

Posted by
16895 posts

The names/operators of the railways are not terribly important to focus on; it's the timing and route that matter most. But starting with the Rail Jet is part of the fastest timing and puts you on the most modern train for that leg of the trip.

  • From Salzburg to Wengen, the fastest train routes are through Bern and take 8.5 hours, as you mentioned.
  • If you request a route via Luzern, the fastest time is 10 hours, but the Luzern-Interlaken portion of the train ride is more scenic. Even without visiting Luzern, I'd say "in for a penny, in for a pound" and spend the extra train time just for the scenery. Or try it on the return trip.
  • How many days do you have to stay in Wengen or to spread out between Wengen and Luzern?
  • Last Lauterbrunnen-Wengen train is at 23:30 daily.

How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.

Posted by
115 posts

I like your idea to go the scenic route one way. Thank you! I've already booked 3 nights in Wengen because I want 2 full days of leisurely hiking/exploring up there so am inclined not to do a stopover.

What is you advice about a rail pass, given my itinerary?

Posted by
115 posts

Oh, hi Laura, it's me again with another question. Sometimes I get overwhelmed in big train stations trying to find the right track and worry about making the transfer in time. How easy/difficult would you say the stations/tracks are in Zurich, Lucern, & Bern?

Posted by
16895 posts

No one rail pass will cover everything you might do. I think you're a good candidate for an Austria-Switzerland pass, priced at $270 for 4 days of train travel within two months, but it does not cover the Munich-Salzburg leg, and gives you 25% discounts (not full coverage) from Interlaken to Wengen and on most trains, lifts, and boats in that area.

You don't need seat reservations for the Rail Jet or any other train in your plan, if you don't want them. A rail pass can add to that hop-on flexibility, since you could change your mind about the train route or take a later train, still covered as far as Interlaken (with 2-country pass) or as far as Wengen (with Swiss Travel Pass).

When is the trip?

If booking the Rail Jet train leg in advance doesn't sound like a hardship, then you could also look for advance-discount tickets on the Salzburg-Zurich portion at https://ticketing.oebb.at/inet/pub/en/ticket. (For example, I see a September fare at €69 one way, or a late October fare at €39, down from the standard fare of €102. Or, you can pay just to the border crossing at Buchs SG station.)

If you buy that ticket separately to Buchs, then for the rest of Switzerland, a Swiss Travel Pass for 4 consecutive days costs $277 and covers you fully to Wengen, or on the other side of the valley to Muerren, and covers lower-level trains, buses, lake boats, and museums, but still just 50% off Muerren-Schilthorn tickets or 25% off Wengen-Jungfraujoch. There are other options, too, but I assume maximum coverage is meeting your idea of "easiest." This is obviously not a cheaper up-front cost than the Austria-Switzerland pass that I mentioned earlier.

Among all the places I've changed trains, Swiss stations have been among the easiest, with good on-time arrivals, good signage, informative staff, and in some lucky cases, the next train just waiting on the next track. You can also see some station plans/maps at http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/am-bahnhof/railway-stations/trafimage-maps-station-plans.html.

Posted by
115 posts

Laura, This is immensely helpful! You are so clear with specific info--I love it. Thank you! Betty

Posted by
115 posts

Laura,

Still a few questions, sorry. (1) Does the Austria-Switzerland pass cover the Railjet from Salzburg to Zurich? And on through all the way to Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Kleine Schiedegg? If it does, it's a no brainer in terms of saving both money & time.
(2) Also if so, I don't see any advantage to the Swiss Rail Pass. Am I missing something?

I'm planning to leave Salzburg on August 3 on the 11:56am Railjet to Zurich, returning on the 6th. So I've missed any "deals" that might have been available earlier.

I'm pleased to know that a seat reservation isn't necessary or even advisable for ANY of the legs of the trips. Also very pleased to hear that the Swiss stations are clearly signed etc.

Again, thanks for your help. Betty

Posted by
115 posts

OK, I got the austria-swiss rail pass for 4 days with a reservation on the fast train from Salzburg to Zurich. Can I purchase the extra tickets (e.g., Buchs, Lauterbrunnun-Wengen) at the station in Salzburg? I would like to have them ahead of time so as not to have to buy them en route.