Is it possible to get into the mountains from Basel for a day trip and some hiking, via train or bus? I would appreciate any recommendations. An overnight would be ok if the lodging were not too expensive.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Very easy with an early start. There are frequent direct trains (travel time 2 hours) from Basel to Interlaken, which is the gateway to the Berner Oberland region of the alps. From Interlaken it's 20 minutes via narrow gauge train to Lauterbrunnen. From there you can take trains and cable cars right up to the peaks of Jungfrau and Schiltorn, and lots of hiking opportunities. All the details can be found in Rick excellent and informative Switzerland guidebook.
Here are some videos of the region:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xbYCZNmY5k&list=PLDC6587B05A2DF5CC&feature=share&index=49
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ru9JguLrY&feature=share&list=PLDC6587B05A2DF5CC&index=50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUD5a0y7Q3E&list=PLDC6587B05A2DF5CC&feature=share&index=51
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thank you so much. As far as those trains, would we need to reserve in advance, or could we just purchase tickets the day of travel? We will have a Select Pass with us, so would hopefully be able to use that for the first leg of the journey.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The Select Pass will cover you between Basel and Interlaken (value of 58 Swiss francs each way in 2nd class); reservations are not necessary, so just jump on the first train. The pass also gives you a 25% discount on Jungfrau-region mountain trains, so stop to buy discounted tickets at Interlaken and as you go (show your pass, discount does not require use of a counted travel day, e.g., if you stay overnight). How to Look Up Train Schedules Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it (but not Swiss ticket prices).
The more time you have to explore, the better. Waking up in Gimmelwald or Meurren with the mountains right "in your face" is great; a couple of cheaper accommodations there have doubles for 100 chf /night with shared baths.
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
1043 posts
Hi there,
Assuming that you are in Basel during the summer or early autumn the days should be plenty long for a trip to the mountains and a spot of walking or even an overnight. Throughout the year the local train system in Basel offers many reduced fare packages which might suit you and the train station in Basel has an excellent travel advice center, so I would suggest you pay them a visit when you get there and see what they have to offer.
The English link for the Swiss train system is: http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html