Getting Together to Get to Gimmelwald

Michael, a couple of things building on Ken's excellent advice: Neither Swiss trains nor German ones, even ICE (except a very few special ones in the north of Germany used by business commuters), require reservations, not even for pass holders. You asked about the arrival at Gimmelwald. No reason to stop in Zuerich as far as I am concerned. You came for the alps, get thee to the Alps. If you are in at 15:20 you can get the 15:32 to Geneva one stop to Bern, a 6 minute connection to the 16:34 to Interlaken getting in to Interlaken 17:28 (or wait half an hour in Bern if you miss or would like a leg stretch and get there just 30 later). That still gives you plenty time to get up the hill, settle in, and get a dinner. You can't believe how beautiful it will be.

Michael, Thanks for the clarification. It appears that you're planning to use the train that departs Wien Westbahnhof at 07:14 (that's probably the one I would use also). That's going to be a LONG day, but it's probably too late to get good prices on budget flights, so I'd carry on with the original plan. Here are a few comments.... > Vienna to Zürich - RJ 160, departs 07:14, arrives 15:20, doesn't appear to require reservations > Zürich to Bern - IC 728, departs 15:32, arrives 16:28, indicates "Please Reserve" (not sure if this is compulsory?) > Bern to Interlaken Ost - IC 1079, departs 16:34, arrives 17:28, no mention of reservations When you arrive at Interlaken Ost, go into the station and buy tickets for the trip to Gimmelwald (tickets will include all modes of transportation). The first part of that trip will be on the Berner Oberland train to Lauterbrunnen (about 20-minutes). When you arrive there, walk across the street and look for the Post Bus (bright yellow, you can't miss it). Board that for the trip to Stechelberg (also about 20-minutes as I recall). When you arrive at the Cable Car station, walk up the stairs and board the Gondola. Have your Camera ready, as it's a steep and spectacular ride! It's even more spectacular hanging from a Paraglider at an altitude of 3000-feet!!! The first stop will be Gimmelwald. Disembark and walk to your Hotel. Where are you staying? By the time you arrive it will be supper time, so after you get settled that will probably be the first order of business. AFAIK, the only restaurant in Gimmelwald is at the Pension, so that's one option (hopefully they still have Rösti). You could also take the short ride up the hill to Mürren, as there are more restaurants there. After dinner, walk back to Gimmelwald on the paved trail. Cheers!

Michael, I've read your post several times, but not clear on the exact sequence of travels. Could you clarify a few points.... > Why are you going to Zurich on the way to Gimmelwald? It would seem more logical for your group to meet at Interlaken Ost. > I'm assuming the "few days" you'll be spending together will be in Gimmelwald? > Why are you taking the train from Zurich to Munich? Again, I'm not seeing the logic in that. > Which dates will you be travelling? Some comments..... You don't need to rent a car! Travel by train is by far the easiest and most efficient method under the circumstances. It would be sitting in the car park at Stechelberg for three days, which doesn't seem overly efficient or cost effective. If you could clarify a few points, it would be easier to offer more detailed suggestions. Cheers!

Ken I appreciate your taking the time to muddle through and assist. We are with family in Vienna, assumed the railjet Vienna to Zurich would get us to Switzerland most efficiently, so that was our "launch" point for decisions. This on Tues 10 July. If not renting a car in Zurich, could certainly continue on with (preferable) smaller carbon footprint, obviously need guidance. Biggest concern is if we arrive in Zurich at 15:20, could we catch rail and bus, plus rendezvous in time to get cable car up to Gimmelwald Tues pm? From Gimmelwald, the group of six is traveling on together to Munich on Friday evening, 13 July. The need for train from Zurich to there is based on previous reservations made by those with Eurail passes. If you strongly recommend another route, perhaps that could be changed.
Again, thanks.

Many thanks, am also investigating cheap flights with tempered hopes that we can heed Nigel's charge to "get thee to the Alps"!