We leave for Switzerland next month. Our plan is to purchase the Half Fare Card and the Berner Oberland Pass at the Zurich Airport. Are both of these sold at the same counter, or will I need to go to different counters? Also, at some point in our trip, we will be traveling from Lucerne to Wengen. Is there a specific train we need to take? Is a reservation necessary? Which side of the train will provides the best views for the journey? We would welcome any other suggestions for restaurants in both places. Thank you!
Posted by
Green Bay
20977 posts
Both the Half Fare Cards and B.O. Passes are sold at the Zurich airport train station. From the Berner Oberland Pass site.
Buy ticket at the counter
In addition to the digital options for obtaining the Berner Oberland Pass, you can also buy it at ticket offices in railway stations and in most tourist offices as well as at Zurich and Geneva airport stations. In Europe, the Berner Oberland Pass is available at most Swiss Travel System sales points.
There is only one rail line between Luzern and Interlaken Ost where you get a train to Lauterbrunnen, then Wengen. Trains from Luzern go every hour at 6 past the hour. Sit on the right hand side departing Luzern. The train will change directions at Meireringen, then you will be on the left and side which is also preferred. At Interlaken Ost, be sure to board carriages going to Lauterbrunnen as the train splits along the way. They will be marked.
Posted by
4811 posts
I don't know about BO card, but it was easy to purchase the half fare car in advance via the sbb website and have it handy in phone. There are tons of kiosks at Zurich airport train station, but sometimes it's nice to just hit the road (tracks) and not have to stop.
The staffed counter had a very long line, so I'd want to do as much in advance as possible.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33513 posts
from Luzern to Interlaken Ost sit on the right facing forward. At Meiringen turn around but stay on the same side. From Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and Lauterbrunnen to Wengen I don't think it matters much.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
589 posts
I would recommend buying them both online the night before your flight so that you have them already loaded onto your phone and ready to go. Spending time at the airport dealing with this isn’t that fun. You can choose the validity date online. All your train options are on SBB.ch and if you have the BO pass you don’t need to purchase a ticket for Luzern to Wengen, just get on the train. That’s the beauty of the pass.