Murren, Switzerland for three days...Do I need a Swiss pass?

Not exactly sure what the Swiss pass costs, but here are pretty good numbers on what we spent last September traveling in the Bernese Oberland, for comparison: Each segment was for 2 tickets... For routes like the first one, you can double it because you'll need to get back to Interlaken. Interlaken -> Lauterbrunnen: 20.80 chf (train) Lauterbrunnen -> Trummelbach falls: 18.15 chf (bus) Lauterbrunnen -> Grutschalp: 16.50 chf (gondola) Murren -> Almendhubbel: 14.40 chf (funicular) Murren -> Lauterbrunnen: 14.40 chf (train/gondola) RT from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch: 323.75 chf (train)
Wengen -> Mannlichen: 48.00 chf (gondola) I haven't included prices for the gondola to the Schilthorn, as we didn't do it on this particular trip, but I know its around half the cost of going to the Jungfrau "Top of Europe" (from Lauterbrunnen). Paying for single segments or multiple segments is the same (no discounts for round trip or all-the-way to the top). In other words, it's convenient to pay all the way to the top if you know that's your immediate destination, however if you aren't sure what your plans are, just pay at the counter for each segment as you go. Use the current exchange rate for Swiss fancs (chf) to US Dollars to determine your costs. You are asking about the Swiss pass, but haven't mentioned whether you might have a Eurail pass of some kind - well those will net you a 25% discount on the above $$$. Hope this helps

Re: the above ... we were in Lauterbrunnen for 3 days (4 nights), one of which was raining and cloudy so we didn't ascend very far (i.e., didn't spend much on transportation).

Thanks Marshall, good info. We are driving in. Then parking the at the Schilthornbahn and taking the lift to Murren.

A Swiss Pass is Switzerland's premium visitor travel pass. If you're just staying in one place like the Lautberbrunnen Valley area you probably don't need such a high cost premium pass. You might possibly be better off with the Half Fare card, but again, only if you're going to be using public transport more than once or twice. If you plan on traveling to the expensive Jungfrau then the %50 savings you'll be granted by using the Half Fare card might help you decide on which product to buy.

Thanks Tim, where would you get a Half Fare Card and about what is the cost of it? We are going to the Schilthorn from Murren and I think it is about 72 CHF. Then lifts up and down from the valley several times. QUESTION : Which way is best to get to Murren? Via Lauterburren/ lift to Grutschald then train to Murren or the Lift from Schilthorn bahn, that goes to Grimmelwald then to Murren? Is one quicker, cheaper, betterviews, better parking, less crowded, price, etc? Thanks Again!

More details on the Half Fare Card: http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/content/offer/tickets/swiss-half-fare-card/ It costs 110Chf and is valid for 1 month. You can buy most any Swiss Train Station. Yes, there are 2 different ways to get up to Mürren: 1) Lauterbrunnen, Stechelberg, Gimmelwald, Mürren
2) Lauterbrunnen, Grutschalp, Mürren Hopefully you will travel both paths because they are both spectacular with different scenery. There is a car park in Lauterbrunnen and another car park in Stechelberg.

If you will be carrying any luggage from your car onto the lifts then parking in Stechelberg would be easier. In Lauterbrunnen, you'll be walking across or around the train station and up a small hill to get to the gondola from the car park. In Stechelberg, the gondola lift is surrounded by open parking lots.

Thanks again Marshall, we will be bring a few bags with us so we will go to the Schilthornbahn.

Hope the trip goes well. The Lauterbrunnen Valley is absolutely my favorite place on Earth. I've been twice and hope to return several more times in my life.