Schilthorn and Jungdraujoch

First of all you CAN hike to the Schilthorn if you're healthy and fit enough. Those particular trains/gondolas are private railways so they are more expensive. Lastly you can get a hefty discount if you have something like a Swiss Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card.

Brendon, As Tim mentioned, you can achieve good savings on those trips with a Swiss Pass. As I recall, the first trip in the morning to the Schilthorn and Piz Gloria is discounted. Check the Switzerland Guidebook for information. "Why is it so expensive" - probably because the Schilthornbahn Cable Car and Jungfraubahn were expensive to build and cost money to operate. Also, Switzerland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe. It has an excellent transportation system, and there's a cost associated with that. While you can hike to the Schilthorn, parts of the trail could be "difficult" if there's any snow on the ground (which could be the case in June). That's not a hike I'd want to do, but if you're in good condition it should be feasible. The Jungfrau hike would take considerably longer, as there's a considerable difference in elevation (the top is at ~11,000 feet). I'm not sure it that would be possible without public transport? I plan on returning to that area this year, so will also have to tolerate the costs. Happy travels!

Can we get discounts with a regular Eurail pass??

Brendon, believe me, you do NOT want to ride on a cut-rate cable car.

The Schilthorn rises 1320 meters or more than 4000 feet above Mürren. That is a strenuous hike. And if you hiked up and want to ride down, you still have to pay. As forth Jungfraujoch, there is no trail up there. It is mountain climbers' territory, a land of rock, steep snow and ice. Why is it so expensive? The cost of building and running the equipment. The Jungfraubahn tunnels through the Eiger. The Schilthorn cable car, well, when you see it you willmunderstand. As stated above, you do not want to ride a cheap cable car. You do not need to do both, or even one of them, to enjoy the Berner Oberland.

Is buying a HFC the cheapest and best way to see the Jungfrau and Schilthorn? If seems like it is. How much would it cost for 3 adults to see these two places? Thanks!!

If you purchase three Swiss Half-Fare cards for the three individuals, it will cost you 110CHF each or 330CHF ($365.29). Then, you will need to pay the half-fare from wherever you depart. From Muerren, it will be 41CHF each ($45.38 each). For the Jungfrau, I assume that you will be departing Muerren where you will be staying, the fare will include going down to Lauterbrunnen to catch the Jungfraubahn train up to the Jungfraujoch. That round trip half-fare should be 95.30CHF each ($105.49 each). I did look this all up on www.rail.ch which is the official Swiss rail website. Please note that full fare with no pass is $302 to get to both of these mountain tops. All together with the cost of a Swiss Half-Fare card, it's $261. You save $40 for the two moutain top trips but the pass will save you more money if you use it to get to and from Muerren from your entr/exit points in Switzerland. Note that the above is just the transportation costs. It does not include all of the fun stuff you can buy once you get to these two mountain top locations. For us, it was well worth it.

jungfraujoch and the trins up there are an experience- steep cog train in one section, a train through the mountain in another. Expensive but something worth doing, even if only once in your life. There is a nice (crowded0 restaurant/cafe at the top, you can sit there and just gaze at the surroundings

Yes, they are both damn expensive.....and YES, BOTH are WELL worth it! As Rick always says, you can (and should) try to save on hotels and restaurants when you can, BUT, you are going for the EXPERIENCES that are unique to each place. In some cities, that may be particular museums....and in the Swiss Alps, it is the unmatched Alpine experiences that you will remember (and talk about!) for the rest of your life! The Jungfraujoch is more of a "glacier" experience; up-top, you are in a "world of white" and the train that takes you up there (several hours, going THROUGH the mountains) is great fun. You will literally be "on the top of Europe" when you reach the top. And Schilthorn; although not quite as high as the Jungraujoch, it is equally as stunning, just in a different way. From the observation deck, you will enjoy HEAD-SPINNING alpine vistas that seem to go on forever. One of the most amazing sights I've ever looked out on. Want to save $$; skip the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant (perfect example, in my humble opinion, of a way NOT to waste $$); and just enjoy the observation deck. I loved it so much, I had to be dragged away (!) b/c we had other things to do that day! Of course, everyone's financial situation is different, but TRUST ME, years from now, you'll STILL recall 2 of the most amazing alpine experiences you've ever had....but won't even recall (or care for that matter!) how much they cost. THEY (along with other hiking and mountain experiences) are why one goes to the Swiss Alps! Have a great time in Murren; it's spectacular.

Thanks everyone for the info!! We decided to do both. Would it be a good idea to buy a swiss pass only is we are staying in Switzerland for 3 days and how much does it cost?? Thanks!!!

The Swiss Pass will cover ALL transportation in Switzerland including discounts up to the Jungfrau and Schilthorn. The Half Fare card will cut your traveling cost in half all over Switzerland and the discount offered to the Jungfrau is even more with the Half Fare card than with the Swiss Pass. Swiss Passes are definitely the top of the line way to travel in Switzerland. However, if you're just staying in the Bernese Oberland and not constantly traveling all over the country a Half Fare card might be more economical for you. With the SP you just jump on any train anywhere anytime and go as many times as you want during your validity period (4 day minimum). The HFC requires you to go to the ticket counter and purchase tickets (at half price) for your journeys. A HFC is good for 6 months I think.

If you had to pick one or the other, what would you pick??? Is it 70 dollars one way from Murren to the Schilthorn or round trip? Thanks!!

They're both first-class attractions, but if I had to pick one it would be the Jungfrau. It's more expensive but you get more bang for the buck as there is more to do. In addition to the observation deck with it's commanding views of the glacier valley, you can take the elevator down to the glacier and walk around a bit, and go down even further to go inside the glacier to view the Ice Sculpture gallery. It's also an engineering wonder, it's not often you get to ride a train inside a mountaintop;)

Brendon, the fares I quoted above are all round-trip fares using the Half-Fare card. A full fare, one-way trip from Muerren to the Schilthorn is 37CHF. With a Half-Fare card, it's 18.50CHF. Should you choose a one-way trip, there is a hiking trail to get you back down to Muerren. As a separate matter, is the third person in your travel group 15 years or younger? If yes, you can get a junior card for this youner person and they travel FREE as long as they are traveling with you. This includes free fare to the two mountain tops.

Sorry I am confused? I looked at the prices for the HFC and they were 110CHF per person. Is that 330CHF for all three of us plus 18.50 CHF per person to get up there? Wouldn't it just be better to pay the 37CHF??? Am I dumb??

Unless you are planning on hiking down from the Schilthorn (a steep and strenuous hike, even if it is downhill) you will pay the full fare, not one-way. 74 CHF from Muerren without a Half-Fare Card. And the Jungfraujoch from Muerren is 190.60 CHF, without a half Fare Card. http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/travel-information/tickets-fares/muerren/

Brendon, I fully described and explained the 330CHF in my first message above. At that time, you were looking to travel to both mountain tops. Now, you are asking for a one-way trip to the top of the Schilthorn. You don't need any pass for this and you can simply pay the 37CHF. No Swiss pass or card required. In fact, you don't need a Swiss pass or card anywhere in Switzerland - you'll just pay full fare. I looked at the website shown in the above message and it indicates a single (one-way) 2nd class fare of 44.80CHF. I don't think you have to purchase a "return" (round trip) fare just to travel one-way. But, I'm not sure here. I've always done the round trip.

First of all you CAN hike to the Schilthorn if you're healthy and fit enough. Those particular trains/gondolas are private railways so they are more expensive. Lastly you can get a hefty discount if you have something like a Swiss Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card. Well stated. We did in fact walk down from Schilthorn. One heckuva walk to say the least.