Best way to travel from Fussen to Interlaken

We drove from Interlaken to the Fuessen area in 2006. It took around 5 1/2 hours. I looked into taking the train this spring. I am no expert at European rail but it seemed very complicated (IIRC lots of stops and changes) and expensive to travel between those particular areas. I would think it would be cheaper for 4 adults to split the cost of a rental car even with the drop-off fee (for dropping-off in a different country).

Thank you Lisa. That certainly seems to be the best option in terms of timing and to reduce the confusion of changing trains often. Would you recommend renting the car and using it while in Fussen to see the sights, as we plan on visiting the castles?

It will take longer, about 8 hours, by train, but that time is yours. You can watch scenery, sleep, work on your journal, eat, etc. You can do it with only two changes of trains, in Buchloe Germany, about an hour from Fuessen, and again at Zuerich HB. If you book in advance, you can get fares from the Bahn for as low as €39 per person. ViaMichelin estimates the cost of fuel and tolls at €75, about 1/2 the cost of the rail fare; that doesn't include the cost of renting the car.

Patti,

I'd probably take the train, even though it's longer trip. As Lee mentioned, time on the train is "yours" and it will also likely be much more relaxing, as no worries with cost of fuel, CDW, tolls, highway permits (which I believe are required in Switzerland and perhaps other countries) or parking. I believe an International Driver's Permit may be required as well, and each driver would need to have their own permit.

The shortest time I found on that route with the fewest changes is 08H:11M with 4 changes (departs at 05:46, arrives 13:57). Of course these times might be different at the time you're travelling.

Another route you might consider (it's a bit more time though) would be Fussen to Chur, Glacier Express to Brig and then Brig to Interlaken. The Glacier Express is bit "pricey" but features some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland. Here are the approximate times:

• Fussen-Chur / depart 05:46, arrive 11:38 (5H:52M, 3 changes)
• Chur-Brig / depart 12:14, arrive 16:24 (4H:10M)
• Brig-Interlaken Ost / depart 16:49, arrive 17:57 (1H:08M, 1 change in Spiez)

Those are some alternatives. Just a thought.....

Happy travels!

According to the Swiss Rail site (http://rail.ch) there is a 10:55am departure with only three changes: Buchloe, Zurich, and Bern. Total travel time: 8 hours.

Michael,

Good point! I was using the bahn.de site to check but forgot to check the Swiss rail site.

Even with a travel time of 8 hours, I'd probably still use the train as it would be less of a hassle. However, I should point out that car rental is not much of a bargain for me, as I travel solo these days.

Cheers!

That 10:55 connection through Buchloe, Zuerich, and Bern IS shown on the Bahn website.

I do agree that rail travel is much more relaxing in terms of being able to read, watch the scenery etc. I was initially put off by the amount of train changes we would be making with our luggage, but will revisit the website again for the routes suggested. I hadn't factored in the "extras" associated with car travel either. Thanks everyone for your ideas and comments!

If you can, break up the trip with a stop in Zurich. That is what I did last year. We went from Fussen to Zurich, spent a day there, then on to Grindelwald (near Interlaken). You do have to change trains at least once.