Nuremberg for business, Murren for fun - rail pass question

Posted by rcjwhiting on 04/16/14 06:08 PM

I'll be visiting a trade show in Nuremberg in late May, flying from US to Munich. After the show, I will be visiting Murren for 4 days, then back to Munich for the flight home. I want to avoid renting any cars and take trains and other public transportation instead.

While in Murren, I would like to have as much flexibility as possible to take cable cars, local trains etc. to see as much of the area as possible in the few days I have there.

After reading up on the various passes, it seems pretty obvious (to me) that a Germany/Switzerland Eurail Pass is a good option, but will it give me the best bang for the buck in the Berner Oberland? Should I also consider a local pass of some kind?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Rich

Posted by Larry

Elk Grove, CA, USA

04/16/14 06:19 PM

6898 posts

Rich, I disagree that the Eurail pass is a good option for the Berner Oberland area of Switzerland. Once you pass Interlaken Ost and travel into the valley and up to Muerren, your Eurail pass only covers 25% of the fare. You pay 75% of the fare. If you choose to go to the Jungfraujoch, note that the regular fare is about $180 round trip. You would pay $135 of that fare.

You may be just fine with no pass for Germany. Round trip from Munich to Basel SBB is about 49E-79E depending on the run. I see the fares on www.bahn.de which is the German train website. At Basel SBB, I suggest that you consider the Swiss Transfer Ticket. This ticket is for the traveler that arrives a specified Swiss entry/exit points (Basel SBB is one), travels to one permanent location in Switzerland and then exits Switzerland through a specified Swiss entry/exit point. Your train fare to and from Muerren is completely covered. Regular fare is about 160CHF for this roundtrip.

The optional alternative is the Swiss 1/2 fare card. It's good for 30 days and costs 120CHF. It does what its name implies. 1/2 fare on all Swiss transportation.

Posted by rcjwhiting OP

04/16/14 06:27 PM

5 posts

Wow! Fast reply and very useful info - thanks Larry! I will definitely look at the Swiss pass you mention and run the numbers again!

Thanks again,
Rich

Posted by rcjwhiting OP

04/16/14 07:02 PM

5 posts

One more question if I could Larry. The swiss transfer ticket only covers to/from swiss border to Murren and back - not any rail, cable cars, local trains etc. while in the Berner Oberland, correct?
Thanks,
Rich

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

04/16/14 09:45 PM

16893 posts

The Swiss Transfer ticket only covers the train rides in and out of your central destination. The one that also acts as a half-fare card during your stay is the Swiss Card for $233.

Posted by Larry

Elk Grove, CA, USA

04/17/14 02:40 AM

6898 posts

Close. The Swiss Transfer Ticket does cover you fully from Zurich to and from Muerren. That would include the secondary train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen (Berner Oberland Bahn), the gondola from Lauterbrunnen up to Grutshalp and the short cog train ride into Muerren. The gondola station is a short walk across the street from the train station. It's supposed to be a complete trip to and from your destination. If should also cover you fully when you exit. While you are there, the ticket acts as a 1/2 fare card.

There is also a separate 1/2 fare card that you can purchase for 120CHF when you arrive at Zurich. It's good for 30 days and does what its name implies. 1/2 fare on all Swiss transportation. Trains, buses, boats, gondolas, etc.

Or, as Laura describes above, you can purchase the Swiss Card which provides the 2 days of travel to and from your single destination and acts as a 1/2 fare card while you are there.