On best of Switzerland tour; does anyone know if they give you a transportation pass …

I'll be doing this tour in a few weeks, so don't know for certain, but a pass is not mentioned in the What's Included section.
On the Scandinavia tour I took last year, the Oslo pass was mentioned as included.

Hi disneyfreak67!

I have not taken this tour. In checking the "What's Included" section of the tour description I do not see a Berner Oberland Pass listed. I guess I would be surprised if it was included. Would be extra nice if it was.

When reading the itinerary description I do not think there is enough time in the Bernese Oberland area for the cost of the pass to be justified as an included part of the tour. The free time in the tour does not, it seems to me, provide enough time to make good use of the pass. My understanding is the minimum number of days for a BOP is three at a cost of $240 full fare, less if you have purchased a half fare card. I may be wrong.

I would suggest you contact the Rick Steves tour office to get a more definitive answer.

Hopefully, someone who has taken this tour can report if it was included in their tour.

If you get to Switzerland on this tour, another tour, or independently you should have a wonderful experience!

Traveler Girl

Thank you. I’m already here as I came 8 nights before our tour. I have the Swiss 1/2 price card and got the Berner oberland card 1/2 off. I’m assuming they pay our way up to mürren and to Jungfraujoch for the tour. On our Berlin, Prague Vienna trip transportation was included for Berlin but we had already bought a monthly psss as that was the cheapest option. I do think normally they would only buy tickets as needed but at that time they had a special deal going. Then for Prague and Vienna we only took the subway once in Prague. The rest of the time we walked.

Thanks for the clarification. Seems to me your tour will include some transport which would also be covered by the BOP. What do you think of Switzerland so far? I'm a little jealous.

Traveler Girl

Now that I’m here I’m curious how the transportation would work. On every train we have been on we have had to show our tickets. It is well enforced. So far I haven’t seen them issue tickets for people confused on what tickets to buy, they just make you buy a ticket. I was just wondering how the free time would work without an all day pass after visiting jungfraudoch region.. definitely down load the SBB app as you can buy tickets on there using your 1/2 fare card. But when the train person comes round you have to show both tickets. Half fare and your destination ticket. The berner oberland pass makes it easier to just wander from place to place as you don’t need to rebuy a ticket.

Right now the weather is overcast but still beautiful. We are just amazed how far the trains go up the mountains. Amazing transportation.

My caution is that I took this tour several years ago and things may have changed.

At that time when the group took the train there was a group ticket managed by tour leader. When we arrived for Murren we were given a 2 day pass on the cable car between the valley floor and Murren to use as we pleased. I can’t remember if it also covered lift from Lauterbrunnen.

Thanks for this thread! We are booked on this tour next year. We plan on staying in the Berner Oberland for 3 days post tour as 2 nights wasn't enough for us :).
Enjoy! Would love to hear your thoughts on the tour after it's over.

We did this tour last year. They give you a multiday ticket for the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Murren. I think we paid for the bus when we went down to wander Lauterbrunnen ourselves. One morning on the tour they take you to the top of the Shilthorn - unfortunately it got foggy on the day we went as a group. In several other cities on the tour you are given a local transportation pass for free.

The Berner Oberland pass is definitely NOT included. We purchased the Swiss 1/2 fare card before we left the US to use on our travel from Venice to Lucern for the start of the trip. The 1/2 fare card also worked for a day trip we took in Lucern to Mt. Rigi (boat/train/cable car).

We wanted to spend more time in the Berner Oberland and went back to Murren after the tour. The day before the trip ended in Bern, we purchased a 4 day Berner Oberland card at the train station using the 1/2 fare card for the discount. It was still 175 CHF/pp at 1/2 off.
I was only asked to show the 1/2 fare card (in my apple wallet) on the train when we returned to Zurich to fly home. If you download the Swiss rail app and upload a credit card, you can purchase tickets on the fly for areas outside the BO.

I'm back.

You are given one 3 day pass that goes from Stecheilberg to Murren (transfer at Gimmelwald). Then you are given one time ticket to go up to Schilthorn from Murren and back for the brunch.

You are not given any bus passes for the Lauterbrunnen valley. Also, you do not get a pass to ride from the train station via Gondola and cogwheel to Murren. It is faster than taking the bus to the Stecheilberg and going up that way.

Thank goodness we were in Lauterbrunnen 7 nights prior the tour and had bought an 8 day berner oberland ticket that I bought with my Swiss 1/2 fare pass. The 1/2 fare pass was good for 30 days so, I was able to continue to use it. Saved us a bit of money.

Any other questions please let me know.