We are staying in Lauterbrunnen for one night and two in Gimmelwald.
Can we only get the Early Bird price for Schilthorn if we depart from
Lauterbrunnen or hike up to Murren from Gimmelwald? Trying to decide the best way
to take since Schilthorn is pricey. After arriving on first day perhaps by train,
we want to go to Wengen and then go up to hike Mannlichen- then back to
Lauterbrunnen for the first night. Thanks!
TC
Hi TC--I'm not sure I understand your full question, but the breakfast ticket deal is available form Gimmelwald and Murren too.
From what I could see online it appears that the Early Bird Price for
morning departures to Schilthorn is from Lauterbrunnen or Murren?
TC
cannon,
Have a look at THIS website as it provides good information on the costs. You may also want to have a look at RICK'S information on Passes. AFAIK, the Early Bird special is available for the entire four leg journey from Stechelberg, however the costs will vary depending on which Cable Car station you depart from. I wouldn't bother hiking from Gimmelwald to Mürren just to save a few bucks, when you can take the cable car in about five minutes (remember also, the hike is all uphill).
One other important point to mention - Switzerland is an expensive place to travel, regardless of whether you're using transit, hotels, meals or whatever. Budget accordingly!!!
I know that I have purchased the Good Morning ticket at Gimmelwald lift station, even if it's not big enough to be recognized on some price lists. They're all very computerized and agents are familiar with the drill.
I wouldn't bother spending ANY nights in Gimmelwald. It's a fine place to see and will take you about an hour to see it all. If you just absolutely must change hotel destinations after 1 night in Lauterbrunnen (I wouldn't) then move on up to Murren. It sits just above Gimmelwald and is a bit larger. Gimmelwald is a farming family town...lots of barns and cows and horses and chickens and such, but not much in the way of restaurants and hotels. yes, there are a few B&Bs, but Murren is much more equipped to handle over night tourists and provide a nice easy downhill stroll to sightsee in Gimmelwald. Then hop on the gondola for 5 minutes back up to Murren.
Agree with Chris & Tim. Gimmelwald is charming, but there is nothing to see or do there, and you'll end up eating and spending your time in Mürren anyway. RS makes it sound utterly unspoiled and isolated, but its really full of tourists and, with a cable car station, easy to get to for a short visit. Its a short walk, not really a hike.
cannon,
I wouldn't bother staying one night in one location, and two nights in another. As you're planning to visit both sides of the valley (Gimmelwald / Mürren / Schilthorn on one side and Wengen on the other), staying 3 nights in Lauterbrunnen would probably be the easiest solution, especially as you appear to be concerned about costs. While the trip from Mürren to Lauterbrunnen is relatively short (~30M), the cost will be ~US$11.25 PP (CHF 10.80) each way. Of course, this could be less if using one of the Swiss Passes.
Dear Swiss Travelers,
Thanks for all your insights and suggestions. We
have switched our two night stay in Gimmelwald to
two nights in Murren.
If we opted to do train, it would be only from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen
and back, and then from Zurich to Konstanz, Germany. Do not believe
Swiss Pass cost would be worth that. Not sure train for those routes would be that much
cheaper than renting a car for those stints.
Thanks again!
TC
cannon,
"Do not believe Swiss Pass cost would be worth that."
Keep in mind that something like the Swiss Card will also provide 50% discount on some of the mountain lifts and other transportation. If you're planning to take a lot of lifts in that area, some kind of pass may be worthwhile. You may find it helpful to have a look at Rick's Swiss Railpass page.
Your trip from Zürich to Mürren will all be via public transit. If you need further detailed information on the route you'll be taking from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren, post another note. You'll also be using trains from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen on the other side of the valley.
"If we opted to do train, it would be only from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen
and back, and then from Zurich to Konstanz, Germany. Do not believe
Swiss Pass cost would be worth that."
Just to emphasize and amplify Ken's correction. Unless you are walking everywhere from Lauterbrunnen, you will be taking trains, buses, lifts, and funiculars to get around the region. The Swiss Pass covers all fares on these as high as Mürren on one side of the valley and Wengen on the other. It also gets you half off everything higher than these towns, with the exception of the train up to the Jungfraujoch (only 25% off that run above Wengen; when I went in September 2014, it was about 130 CHF with the Swiss Pass). As an added bonus, for fully covered rides there's no need to buy tickets; you just hop on and show your pass, which saves time.
If the Swiss Pass doesn't suit, the Half Fare Card may. It gets you half off on anything that moves in the country, but you do have to buy tickets before boarding.
Another bonus of either the Swiss Pass or the Half Fare Card is that you are not restricted to the Early Bird departures, but can go when you like. The weather is usually best early in the morning, but in case it isn't, you aren't stuck. You also aren't stuck if you oversleep and miss the discounted departures.
If the weather is iffy or if you don't want to spend the money on the Schilthorn, by the way, the Allmendhubel is a good alternative. It's not nearly as impressive as the Schilthorn/Birg combo, but it's also far cheaper, and still very worthwhile.
Investigate prices on the Swiss rail site link given by Chris, and remember that the default prices shown on that site are WITH a Half Fare card. Once you start adding up your definite trips, it's highly likely that some form of pass will pay off. The Half Fare card is easy; if your total travel adds up to more than twice the cost of the Card, get it, since you can't go wrong. The Swiss Pass is harder to calculate.
Ken and Murren Lovers,
You convinced me to switch from Gimmelwald to Murren.
Thanks for your help and input. Grateful for the insights!
TOM
cannon,
It sounds like your trip plans are falling into place. One point to mention - are you clear on the route you'll need to take from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren? There are two routes you can use.
Yes Ken, that did confuse me as well. Don't know why they have the 2 ways but they do.
However the decision was made for me, by consulting the official Schilthorn site (which is a must-do) I learned that only the gondolas up to Murren were running from Stechelberg so I bused across the valley from the Lauterbrunnen train station.
OK Swiss Trip Consultants,
I understand Murren on one side of the valley and Wengen on the other. I
also understand train from Lauterbrunnen to go up to Wengen. When
come down we cross the street and go upward for Murren and then take
a train across the rim overlooking the valley until we get to Murren?
Am I correct? What tips or details do I need to know? We will have
luggage. Staying at Eiger Guesthouse and Hotel Baeren. i believe
I can take advantage of the Early Bird rate to go up to Schilthorn from
Murren then while up there?
Since we are only going from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen and back AND
by train from Zurich to Konstanz, Germany; I am not using rail enough
to warrant a Swiss Pass. I can revisit the price comparison within
three months of our July departure when train schedules are
available and costs. Not sure rail costs is that much cheaper than car
from Zurich-Lauterbrunnen and back and either way train from
Zurich to Konstanz. i realize I would pay for parking in Lauterbrunnen
while up above in Wengen and Murren.
Tom
cannon,
This is the most direct way to get to Mürren (you'll have to change trains at Interlaken Ost, so I'll start there). If you're starting from Zürich Airport, buy your tickets at the rail station there direct to Mürren via BLM. The tickets will include all modes of transport.
For the trip to Wengen, you'll need to retrace your steps to Lauterbrunnen and then take the small Wengernalp Bahn cog-wheel railway up the hill. As I recall THIS is the train you'll be using. That train runs as far as Kleine Scheidegg, which is where the trip up to the Jungfraujoch departs from.
You may also enjoy watching THIS short video which shows much of the route you'll be taking. Ignore that Jungfraujoch part at the end, unless you're planning to travel there.
" Not sure rail costs is that much cheaper than car from Zurich-Lauterbrunnen and back and either way train from Zurich to Konstanz."
I haven't checked the cost difference between rail and rental car, but IMO travel by rail will be much faster, more relaxing and a more efficient use of valuable holiday time.
