guidance and encouragement to Gimmelwald please!

rox,

To begin with, my condolences on your father's passing. I can appreciate the experience you had as a caregiver, and why you need a retreat.

You should easily be able to reach Gimmelawald by late afternoon. For example, there's a departure from Zürich airport at 12:40 on 29 May, arriving Gimmelwald at 16:00 (time 3H:20M, 4 changes). You can see all the schedules on the Bahn.de or SBB websites.

There are a few minor points to be aware of when travelling that route. For example, when you transfer to the Berner Oberland-Bahn at Interlaken Ost, be sure to check the digital display on the side of the coach to ensure that coach will be going to Lauterbrunnen (some trains split at Zweilütschinen). The Post Bus is bright yellow, so you'll easily be able to spot that when you disembark at Lauterbrunnen. Finally, be sure to have your camera ready when you depart Interlaken Ost and also for your trip on the Schilthornbahn.

I'm sure you're going to have a fantastic time in Gimmelwald!

Thank you Ken,
Most gracious of you. I feel much more confident and prepared after your practical outline and pointers. Thank you!

My condolences.

Here's the web site for the Swiss transportation system:
www.sbb.ch/en
Load that SBB app to your phone before you leave, so you can refer to it throughout your trip. It makes using the Swiss transportation system easy. It includes the cable cars you'll use, and every other transportation means. It also tells you which platform to use for each connection.

Since you expect to be able to board a train from Zurich airport at 11 a.m. (assuming your flight is on time) you can see from the schedule in the web site that there's a train at 11:18 a.m. which projects your arrival in Gimmelwald 3 hours and 12 minutes later, at 2:30 p.m. (shows as 14:30--what we call "military time") There are similar trains leaving the Zurich airport every hour where you don't have to transfer in the main city of Zurich train station (Zurich HB = Zurich Hauptbahnhof). There are many other trains available, but those require you to change trains at Zurich HB.

Have a beautiful stay in Gimmelwald!

Last gondola from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald departs Stechelberg at 23:45

Thank you Linda L and Tim. I am now looking forward to the trip positively. Like an adventure.! All your responses have shifted the tension in my mind. This is amazing!!!!

rox,

You're very welcome!

The atmosphere in Gimmelwald is somewhat "quieter", especially in the evenings but I think you'll enjoy it. You didn't say where you're staying, but you might stop by the Hotel Pension Gimmelwald in the late afternoon to watch the sun setting over the mountains, while enjoying a "cool one" on the patio. As I recall, the Mountain Hostel has a Bar so you might stop by there in the evenings to have a look also. I'm also in my '60s and always like to chat with other tourists.

During the day you could take the cable car up to Mürren for lunch or whatever, ad then walk back to Gimmelwald on the small path. If your budget will allow, take the cable cars to the Schilthorn and have lunch in the revolving restaurant, while watching the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau glide by the windows. You could also have a "Martini shaken not stirred" in the James Bond bar (Piz Gloria / Schilthorn was used in the filming of the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" many years ago).

Once you arrive in the Berner Oberland, you may wish you had booked more time! Have fun!

Thank you Ken! Your itinerary ideas are definitely in my plan. The underlying dread is replaced with wonder now. You have really helped me . Thank you. I knew the good folks in the forum would dissipate the tension. I really needed the help of fellow travelers.I wish you all good, for your words of support

My condolences on your father's passing. I think the Berner Oberland will be just the kind of place you're looking for.

One important thing to know is that, while the transportation to and around the Berner Oberland all seems very confusing when you're reading about it, it's very easy once you're there. The second thing to know is that tickets in Switzerland (with a very few exceptions) are not for a specific train. If you miss a train for any reason, another one will be along in an hour or less, and your ticket is valid for all trains. Third, if you have any confusion or are lost at any time, don't wait - ask for help right away! Particularly when you get to Lauterbrunnen, ask to make sure you're at the right bus stop for Stechelberg, and where to get off the bus to get the cable car to Gimmelwald.

I agree that you'll definitely be in Gimmelwald before nightfall. And, as you've been told, the cable car from Gimmelwald runs until about 23:00, so you can even have dinner in Lauterbrunnen or Muerren and still get back to Gimmelwald to sleep. You'll probably want to do this at least once, as Gimmelwald has very few dining options.

If you will have internet access, you can use either the Swiss Rail website or the Swiss Rail app. If you put in your exact start and exact end points, it will show ALL the steps, including walking, local buses, etc. For instance, when I went to Bern, I didn't just put in "Bern," but my exact hotel address, and it told me which tram to catch from the station and which stop to get off, then how to walk to my hotel.

Dear Harold,What brilliant suggestion!!.Eating in Lauterbrunnen or Murren is such a practical suggestion. I completely overlooked this necessity to eat because of my tunnel vision. I have been obsesseing about the destination.You have told me to enjoy the journey. I am starting the day with clarity and confidence.Stay safe please in the upcoming storm today and tomorrow

rockawayrox, RS makes Gimmelwald sound like its a remote, isolated village, hidden in the wilderness. The reality is that its a 15 minute walk down a sidewalk from Mürren, and you can see Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg from there, at the bottom of the mountain. So when you get there, you'll see immediately how accessible all these places are to each other. No worries. Transportation serves the people who live there.

Good Morning Stan. Such an important perspective you bring up. I did not realize the walk to Murren was so doable. Thank you for your comforting words

One more question folks,
I will purchase the Swiss Rail pas for 8 days. I read in only one place that this does NOT require activation because the dates are set. Does anyone know if that is correct information? Thanks all!!!! There is a spring in my step and no more heavy heart! Thre are good people everywhere!

I will purchase the Swiss Rail pas for 8 days.

I am not sure this is your most economical option. If you are in Gimmelwald a full week and only going to-from Zurich to fly in-and-out with no additional train trips in Switzerland, the Berner Oberland Regional Pass may make more sense. The area of validity starts at Luzern so you only have to pay for the train between Zurich and Luzern, plus an additional charge for the Jungfrau and Schilthorn trips. I find I always need to "do the math" on Swiss passes, to ensure I get the right product for my trip.

Dear Laurel,
Thank you so much for your reply. I will indeed follow your guidance and " do the math." I think you are absolutely spot on!!!

I will remember you all on my journey and feel your support

Hi Rock,

Condolences on your father’s passing.

Switzerland is amazingly beautiful and the Berner Oberland area is the best of the best.

Don’t be overwhelmed by transportation issues. Stop at SBB office at the Zurich Airport and they will help you figure out exactly how to get to Gimmelwald. Don’t hesitate to ask questions once you’re on the trains. Some of the connections are quick (a few minutes) which is plenty of time but you need to know where to find the next track. Just ask the official on board who checks your tickets (or a local who looks like they know where they’re going!)

There is a Co op (small grocery store) in Murren as well as a number of nice restaurants. Our favorite place was the restaurant/bar below the Hotel Eiger (across from the BLM station). Another nice splurge was brunch at the Schilthorn.

Relax and enjoy your trip.

In addition to the Co-Op in Mürren there is also one next to the cable car up to Mürren via Grütschalp (and very near the Postbus stop) where you get off the train in Lauterbrunnen.

There are ATMs in Lauterbrunnen and one at the post office in Mürren.

Congratulations on taking some decompression time. Having been in a similar situation I understand and empathise. Sympathies for you loss of your father. You mention he was a WWII veteran. Was he in Europe or somewhere else? Army?

Hello Nigel, Thank you so much for your input. I will visit the co op you mentioned in both places during my stay. It will be fun. Father was a pilot in Europe. He did not talk about it and I did not force the issue. Thanks for asking. It brought a tender smile to my face, that someone wanted to know. All the best to you and yours

well if he flew from England he almost certainly flew from less than an hour's drive from me. East Anglia was the best place to put airbases because the land is very flat, rural, and closest to Germany.

My father fought in the war, a British Commando, and hated to talk about it until a couple of years before his death. My brother's father in law was an Eighth Air Force heavy bomber pilot who flew from not far from me. The Eighth Air Force was very big around here.

There are still a few bases used by USAF near here.

Thank You Nigel for sharing. What great , brave and courageous men our fathers and your relative were. Chances are you are correct about from where he flew. They have an amazing nonporfit here called honorflights.org Any WW2 vet they bring to Washington, all expenses paid for a tour of the capital, a lunch and an awards program to honor them. But I did not know about it in time. BBC said we lose 400 per day now. Anyways, really appreciate your communications.