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Wengen area itinerary review + travel pass question

Hi, we're planning a 9 days trip to Switzerland at the middle of September (Me, my husband and our 8 months old baby)
We'll land in Zurich and take a train to the hotel in Wengen.

The itinerary:

  1. From Zurich airport to Wengen by train.
  2. Scenic trail GRÜTSCHALP - MÜRREN then go to Birg Thrill Walk.
  3. Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg hike.
  4. Grindelwald, Pfingstegg, First cliff walk, bachsee hike
  5. Harder Kulm
  6. ---
  7. ---
  8. From Wengen to Zurich
  9. Zurich
  10. Flight back home

what do you think of such itinerary? (We have an 8 months old baby with us)
Do you have ideas for days 6-7?

I tried calculating the costs for the trains for this specific itinerary. it's about CHF 240 per person. The Swiss Travel Pass costs CHF 389 per person for 8 days (meaning the train from Zurich to Zurich airport will not be covered)
Am I missing something? does the travel pass have any added value that it costs CHF 150 more?

Thanks!

Posted by
465 posts

When you were calculating the costs of trains with no pass, did you take into account that on the sbb website, the prices that show up are half-price fares? They assume you possess the half price card. If you are trying to calculate costs with no pass at all, you have override the half price default and click the full fare box, or just double every ticket price.

Posted by
6 posts

OMG Vickie, thank you so much!!!! didn't know that, I see it now.

Posted by
275 posts

Look at Berner Oberland pass in combination with half fare card and with both the cost is same as Swiss Pass and all your listed cable car excursions are included vs 50% off with Swiss Travel pass.

Posted by
75 posts

Schynige Platte is much nicer than Harder Kulm; better views, less crowded.

You could go for a boat cruise on Lake Brienz, too.

Or, travel from Wengen to Lucerne via Brünig (Lucerne Interlaken Express), a scenic train line. And stay in Lucerne for 2-3 days. If your flight leaves later in the morning / day, you could travel from Lucerne to Zurich Airport directly. We do have direct trains connecting Lucerne and the airport.

Posted by
11697 posts

When you get there you will find many places to fill in your two days without pre-planning. There are some little hikes around Wengen that are quite nice. Get a Map at the TI and look for the walks to Staubbachbänki and Mönchblick.

My gut reaction is you need a Half-Fare Card plus a Berner Oberland Regional Pass for 8 days, which will cost CHF 120 with the HFC. See info here https://www.regionalpass-berneroberland.ch/de/all-in-1-ticket/. With the BO Pass you can decide to hop on almost any train, lift, or bus without worrying about tickets.

You can also take the little train from Wengen up to https://allmend-bergrestaurant.ch/ for lunch. It’s a gorgeous view and good food.

Posted by
5487 posts

Would you consider Wengen to Lucerne, which is charming, instead of Zurich? Many of us then take the train from Lucerne to the Zurich airport, as it's an easy direct 70 minute train.
Have a wonderful time in this beautiful country!

Posted by
768 posts

For days 6 and 7 I'd recommend:

Walk south from Lauterbrunnen down the valley to Trummelbach Falls. If you have a stroller, it is level and fairly smooth.

Might be able to do this after the Bachalpsee walk: walk from First over to Grosse Scheidegg and take the bus there back down to Grindelwald.

Walk from Murren up to Spielbodenalp. About half the time there are smooth paths/roads where you could use a stroller.

Posted by
2442 posts

I you spend a week here you will almost certainly hit one day where it rains most of the day. If you get to Berner Oberland Pass know that it is valid till Bern, so you could do a day trip to Bern and explore the old town. Because of the arcades in the old town this makes a great bad weather excursion.

Do not plan to much in detail in advance. Get up early, look at the weather, and then decide what you do.