Hi - I have another question. We will be flying into and out of Zurich. From my research, it sounds like we can purchase the train ticket from Zurich to Interlaken online before we travel. And then purchase ticket to Gimmelwald at the Interlaken station. Is this correct? Then we can purchase tickets to Schilthorn later? Thanks in advance for your input.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1036 posts
It may be a good idea to buy your Zurich-Interlaken train ticket ahead of time to save money. Once in Interlaken, there is no price advantage or need to reserve, so you can safely buy it when you arrive. Be aware the connection from Interlaken to Gimmelwald is not direct. Its a train to Lauterbrunnen, a post bus to Stechelberg, and the first leg of the Schilthornbahn to Gimmelwald.
Posted by
Houston, TX
219 posts
If you purchase the super-saver ticket ahead of time to save money, it restricts you to a specified train and time and date. But what if your flight is delayed getting into Zurich? That happens frequently, and would mean your ticket would no longer be valid.
However, if you wait to purchase until you arrive, you can buy a transit ticket at the Zurich airport that will take you all the way from the airport to Gimmelwald, and it's good any time the whole day, and you can get on and off at stops along the way, if you wish (for getting groceries as you mentioned in your earlier thread).
Yes, you can purchase Schilthorn tickets later, from the cable car station in Gimmelwald, which is where you indicate that you plan to stay.
There are 2 ways to reach Gimmelwald from Lauterbrunnen. Darrenblois mentioned one of the ways. The other way is to take a cable car up from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp, and the train from Grutschalp over to Mürren.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
No need to purchase 2 tickets. Just get one ticket from Zürich Flughafen (i.e. the airport station, not the one in the city centre) to Gimmelwald. You will do multiple changes to different companies, but all on the same ticket.
There will be one connection per hour, you can look up times on the SBB website: https://www.sbb.ch/en
It is normally not advisable to buy a discounted ticket after an intercontinental flight because you cannot predict when you will emerge from arrivals. Just buy on the day at Zürich Flughafen.
But, what other rail travel are you doing (like up Schilthorn, and where are you going afterwards)? It may be cheaper to get a ½ price card, or a Swiss Pass. You need to list all your trips and do the arithmetic.
Posted by
OP
36 posts
Thanks everyone for your help! We will be traveling to Schilthorn but other than that, no other rail needed in Switzerland. Although Switzerland is the part of our trip I am most excited about, it is also the part I am most apprehensive about - only because of the travel from Zurich to Gimmelwald. But I can't wait.
Posted by
Houston, TX
219 posts
most apprehensive about - only because of the travel from Zurich to
Gimmelwald.
It will be much easier to use the Swiss transportation system than you think. Signs and announcements in the area where you'll be traveling are always translated into English, and the transit workers can speak good English.
The system's well organized. Great signage and connections move in lockstep with each other. This link will help--It even tells you which platform to use at each station:
www.sbb.ch/en
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
Do not buy your ticket up to the Schilthorn ahead of time.
You can buy it at the Murren cable car station at the base of the Schilthorn, and right there they will show you a TV picture of what it looks like at the top of the mountain. If it's fogged in, you can wait for another time and not waste your money.
Posted by
OP
36 posts
Thank you all very much!