Transportation within Bernese Oberland

The various passes offered in Switzerland are tough to figure out; there are lots of variables. Where are you coming from and going to after Lauterbrunnen? Do you plan on short daytrips around the area by train, and/or boats, or high mountain lifts an dtrains like the Schilthorn and the Jongfraujoch trip? Hiking or mainly sightseeing?

Thanks Lola for your response! We are flying into Zurich from India. Our desire is to do much sight seeing in the Lauterbrunnen Valley: Wengen, Gimmelwald and Stechelberg for sure. We would also like to go to the Top of Jungfrau and some other high mountain locations. I'm sure that we would want to experience the beauty of Switzerland in gondolas, funiculars and mountain trains, as well. I have read the various transportation options but don't have a good grasp of the best way to go. Any suggestions that you might offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I understand your situation- too well. We leave in 1 week, will be staying in Murren for 4 nights and then in Lucern at the end or our trip for 2 nights. I have been looking at the best pass type to get. I have added up the PTP ticket cost vs. the pass cost and we decided on the 1/2 pass, which you purchase upon arrival. This will allow us 50% off all the scenic and private train (as far as i can tell from my research) it does not include free museums, but we really plan on visiting the mountains in Ch and will do museums in France and Italy :) The 1/2 pass is 110 CHF from what I have uncovered and as I have read from one person that it basically pays for itself with one trip to Jungfrau. Good luck!

Ted, I would offer the contrary view on where to stay. Lauterbrunnen is a wonderful place to stay. It gives easy access to both sides of the valley. There are wonderful views up at the mountains. You will have all day to look across and down. If you do decide to stay up, out of the valley, be aware that there is next to nothing in Gimmelwald and Grimelwald is a ways from the other sites. I would say that of the high mountain places to stay, Mueren and Wengen would be the best choices.

We just returned from Switzerland and loved staying in Wengen-had perfect views of the alps. The only reason to stay in Lauterbrunnen would be if you have a car and it sounds like you will use the trains. We had the Swiss Rail Pass which covered our entire week and half off up to the Schiltorn.

To answer the question: Allison is referring to the Half Fare Card and it may be the best choice for Ted as well, especially if they are going up the Jungfraujoch. It will give 50%off that trip, while most other passes only cover 25% of the cost above The last village. You can buy the Half Fare Card at the train station in the Zürich airport before your first train ride.

It is best to get one there when you arrive. Weather can squash a lot of plans. We were there in July and we could not do the Jungfrau as it was totally fogged in. Savedus alot of Swiss francs by not buying ahead. WWeather is not predicatble, there are live cameras everywhere tho so you can make a decsion quickly.