Help with some rail pass questions

I wouldn’t second guess your decision. The Swiss Travel Pass makes things so easy and I believe you even got yours at a discount. So, a great choice.

Have a great trip!!!! Focus on all the fun you’ll have. 😊

Also, make sure to check before you buy your ticket up to Mannlichen that the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail is open.

It typically opens mid June. I was there last year and it was not open the first time I went up to Mannlichen, which I think was June 11tth. It was open when i went back a couple of days later. From the date stamp on my photos, it was open on June 13th.

You can check that here:

https://www.maennlichen.ch/en/summer/experiences/panorama-trail.html

I just looked at the live cam and see a lot of snow up there. Hopefully, that will all melt in the next couple of weeks.

https://www.maennlichen.ch/en/live.html

I should also add that the cable car up to Männlichen starts operating on May 27th. So, you can still go up there if even if the trail is closed. It is still a nice place to walk around with great views.

"If I buy point to point ticket from Zurich Airport to Lucerne for a specific time and I MISS the train, can I take the next train with the same ticket? or do I have to buy another one?"

That is not how it works. A point-to-point ticket is for travel from one point to another, and is valid on all trains on the route for the day you bought it for, not just the one you selected during the purchasing process.

You also do not need a ticket for each train separately. You can do quite complicated itineraries, involving multiple trains, trams, buses, cable cars etc... all on one ticket.

I was happy with my decision to purchase the STP. I probably broke even on it, or maybe even lost a bit of money, but it was so convenient. We also enjoyed some of the museums/attractions that are included on it.

At this point, don’t try to over think it. You have the STP, so just use it and enjoy. It’s so very convenient!
I used the STP and my daughter decided on the half fare card. She figured we came out about even, but she had to pay as we went along. If you want to save a little money, buy groceries for some of your meals.

Thank you everyone.
I am DONE overthinking this like you said. I will enjoy my trip and not worry about spending little more if we decide to do more lifts that are not covered!

Any advice on which day I should visit Iseltwald?
Had no idea it was going to take 3 hrs from Lucerne (😵‍💫) so I have to fit it in while staying in Wengen.

Thank you!

I think the main reason why you're second guessing the Swiss Pass is that it doesn't fully cover most of the things you're doing during your stay in Lauterbrunnen. It's reasonable to just be done over thinking it and move on, but it's also not unreasonable to look into the Berner Oberland pass because basically everything you do while in the Berner Oberland with the Swiss Pass is going to be discounted but you're still going to have to buy tickets, so you're not going to enjoy all the flexibility of a pass where you get to just walk on/off trains/cables without having to purchase tickets. It's ok to keep what you have, just know that going in Wengen to Mannlichen, Jungfraujoch, Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen, Murren to Schilthorn and Grindelwald to First are going to be discounted but not fully covered by your pass so they’ll all need tickets.

Suggestions for your BO itinerary

JUNE 7
The Panorama Trail may not be open yet. The Mannlichen cable car will be open but many years the trail doesn’t open until mid June. I haven’t heard an update on how it’s looking this year, but it’s not a guarantee. IF it’s open, I highly recommend the walk. If it’s not, something you could consider is doing Lauterbrunnen > Wengen > Kleine Scheidegg > optional Jungfraujoch > Eiger Express to Grindelwald > option to add on First/Bachalpsee to this if you didn’t do Jungfraujoch > return “home” via Grindelwald OR if the Panorama Trail is not open and you decide not to do Jungfraujoch, just train to Grindelwald and do First/Bachalpsee.

JUNE 8
Murren Via Ferrata

JUNE 9
The Allmendhubel is closed for maintenance until June 9, so you need to switch this day with June 10 if you want to do the North Face hike via the Allmendhubel. Also, if you’re going to do the North Face hike, instead of cutting off to go back to Murren just continue on to Gimmelwald via the North Face trail. Otherwise you’re kind of backtracking in a weird way if you want to go down to Gimmelwald.

JUNE 10
Switch this day with June 9 if you want to use the Allmendhubel as I mentioned above. I’d recommend just doing the Lake Brienz boat tour. Harder Kulm is insanely touristy with selfie sticks crowded on a tiny platform. If you want a high point view over the lakes I’d recommend Brienzer Rothorn. Do the boat tour from Interlaken to Brienz. You can stop at Iseltwald and Giessbach Falls. Then when you get off in Brienz you can either do the Brienzer Rothorn or walk around town a bit before training back "home" from Brienz.

is Iseltwald just a photo stop? Might you see what you want from the boat? Watch on the right hand side as the boat then approaches and docks at Giessbach and its falls and its seriously antique funicular.

Thank you for your advice! I will take note of all the details mentioned above and adjust our itinerary as necessary.
I’m sure this trip will turn out fine. My daughter and I just returned from our Spain trip and thanks to this forum, we had a great time!
Thank you again!

Kristyn - Have a question about this part of your response - Also, if you’re going to do the North Face hike, instead of cutting off to go back to Murren just continue on to Gimmelwald via the North Face trail.

Will there be signs for us follow to continue to Grimmelwald instead of going back to Murren? We want to do what you suggested.

Also, I read that instead of taking the Allmendhubel up to start the North Face trail, you can hike up and it offers a great view? Do you have any suggestions about this?

Carrie- I really do hope that the Panorama Trail is open by June 11. We will check the website daily for updated information.
Thank you.

While on the North Face Trail, once you're near Spielbodenalp look and you should start to see signs for Gimmelwald. There are so many intersecting trails out there but everything is really well marked and there isn't always just one way to go.

This may add to your confusion, but the Sprutz waterfall is a common "detour" on the North Face trail. Look at this link for a hike that loops the Sprutz waterfall with Murren. It's intersecting the North Face trail. Look at the map of this waterfall trail and see the section on the map in between what's labeled "Bryndlii" & "Eschen" -- that's the part of the trail that intersects with the North Face and takes you down to Gimmelwald instead of back to Murren. https://jungfrauregion.swiss/en/summer/tracks/waterfall-sprutz-loop-3h30/

You can start the hike from Murren and hike up to the Allmendhubel, as you said. It's a decent amount of elevation gain. If the Allmendhubel isn't open on the day you want to do the hike, I'd recommend following signs in Murren that point to getting to Hotel Restaurant Sonnenberg and hiking up through to catch the North Face trail there. It's still a decent amount of elevation gain but I don't think it's quite as steep as hiking up to the Allmendhubel. If you can't find the hiking signs that show Sonnenberg, ask a local, they'll know. It's a mountain hut/hotel/restaurant in the valley behind Murren that intersects with the North Face trail. I believe there is a sign for it near the Allmendhubel starting point.

For many years we had an active contributor here called shoe.

They wrote an excellent blog with loads of pictures and great commentary, a real guide to hiking in the whole area, which can be found at:

https://lauterbrunnenhiking.wordpress.com/

An excellent small book on easy hikes - for those who like me are a bit less energetic - is on Amazon by another long time contributor Laurel called "Walking in Switzerland's Berner Oberland: Easy Walks in the Jungfrau Region" which is available in both print and Kindle format.

Nigel and Kristyn,
Thank you. Wow, what a wealth of information!
I can't believe we are near our trip and about to actually hike these trails that we've only seen in pictures! I'm sure you will hear from me soon, again.