In September my husband and I will be staying in Bern. My husband loves funiculars. We are willing to give up a whole day to ride the funiculars in STOOS or the funicular called.Gelmerbahn. What are the pros and cons if we can only ride one of them. We are traveling with Swiss Half Cards.
Posted by
205 posts
Check your train transit time on bahn.ch/en.
Funiculars in the area are ubiqitous!
Some cost much more than others and are a lot further.
Gelmerhorn was overhyped on Social media.
-Rothornbahn in Brienz is a favorite.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32481 posts
Although it's classed as a "mountain railway", the Pilatusbahn is very similar to a Funicular, and uses a unique cog system so you might enjoy that too. It's apparently the steepest rack railway in the world, with a maximum gradient of 48% and has been in operation since 1889.
It's nice to do a round trip, using boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, Pilatusbahn to the top of Mt. Pilatus and then cable cars down the other side to Kriens. There are hotels and restaurants at the top, so you can have a fine hot meal and enjoy the view before heading down. You can buy a round trip ticket at the T.I. office in the Lucerne station.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1042 posts
To the above comment, Brienzer Rothornbahn isn't a funicular.
The benefit of Stoos is that you can then ride the cable cars up to the ridge viewpoints where you get beautiful mountain and lake views with an outdoor restaurant to eat at. I also love the little tiny village of Stoos. It has a lovely little chapel and is a nice spot to walk around.
Posted by
Wengen
3196 posts
There are two funiculars right in Bern. The Gurtenbahn, and the Märzilibahn. And when you stay in Bern you get a pass good for all public transit, that allows you free travel on those as well.
If you do not want to have a to complicated travel day I would suggest you visit the Niessen funicular, less than an hour from Bern. You can buy a return ticket Bern - Niesen Kulm easily at the station, on line or on the app. HFC is accepted.
Other funiculars in the are are the Harder near Interlaken, and the Beatenberg. The latter can be nicely combined with a boat ride on Lake Thun.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35277 posts
The ancient funicular Giessbach at the hotel and waterfall of the same name, a stop on the lake boat on Lake Brienz.
The funicunicular up the Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen beyond the end of lake Brienz.
Both excellent funiculars and with fab views. Both very easy with public transport, train and boat
Posted by
Switzerland
277 posts
The Niesen, already mentioned above, is such a great choice because it is only 42 minutes by train from Bern to the station in Mülenen, and then a half an hour up the mountain by funicular.
Stunning mountain and lake views from the top. Great outdoor/indoor restaurant.
Here is all the info about the funicular itself since your husband is interested in that
https://www.niesen.ch/en/niesenbahn/technology/
the 3,499 m long line (approximately 2.17 miles) is divided into two sections
The maximum gradient is 66% on the first section and even 68% on the second.