Spending just a couple of days in Interlaken, and will be headed from there directly to the airport in Munich. Trying find the most scenic route (within a reasonable timeframe and with no more than 4 connections, hopefully) I came up with these two (from the sbb website) I've gotten a lot of input, and have narrowed it down (I think) :), to two options for my son's trip from Interlaken to Munich: I'd love input on which would provide the best scenery, connections, etc. for him. He's in a study abroad program and doesn't have time to research this before he leaves for Switzerland, and has very sketchy internet connection at his hostel (in case you're wondering why I'm the one looking it up) :). The cities listed below are the one's where we'd need to change trains. Also, most have only a 10 minute or so connection (particularly Zurich). Will that be an issue with a big bag(with wheels), and if so, what kind of ticket does he need to make sure he won't have to pay if he misses the connection and needs to get on another train? Interlaken, Bern, Zurich, Innsbrook, Munich or Interlaken, Bern, Luzern, Zurich, Munich Doing both Luzern and Innsbrook would be too long, time-wise. Any recommendations which would be the most scenic and/or best route for someone who hasn't been to Switzerland before, would be really appreciated. I think both routes had 3 connections. (plus the extra s1/s8 train to the airport in Munich) Didn't even look at the cost yet :) Also, is 10 minutes between connections okay in Zurich? Any suggestions? I heard that the Bern route wasn't as nice, but it seemed they all went through Bern when I searched.......
Thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Hopefully, your son will have an opportunity to ride the Jungfraubahn and Schilthornbahn train systems inside the Lauterbrunnen valley. Lauterbrunnen is a 25-minute train ride from the Interlaken Ost train station. The shortest journey time from Interlaken to Munich is a 6hr28min run departing Interlaken Ost at 7:00am. 2 train changes at Bern and Zurich HB. No routing via Lucerne or Innsbruck. You are correct that if you route via Lucerne, you're son will most likely visit Innsbruck and the journey will take 9.0hrs. Don't worry about the short train transfer times. The Swiss are masters at this and the trains, for the most part, are insanely ontime. We can make the transfers and we're seniors.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
If you only post a question once, you'll get better answers.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Theresa, You might want to delete your duplicate Thread on this subject in the "To The West" section. It will be easier to keep track of replies if they're all in the same place. Since the travel time on that route is fairly lengthy even with the best connections, I'd put more emphasis on getting to Munich as quickly and easily as possible. I'm sure the scenery will be great even on the faster routes. My preference would be a train departing Interlaken Ost at 08:00, arriving Munich Hbf at 15:14 (time 7H:14M, one change at Karlsruhe). There are trains that are slightly faster by about half an hour, but they have two or more changes. Some of the trains on that route have FIVE changes. The disadvantage of taking the train listed above, is that it's more expensive than some of the others (€109). Hopefully Lee or one of the others can suggest a method to get a discounted fare. Upon arrival in Munich, take the S-Bahn to the airport. Cheers!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17439 posts
The real question is what time does he need to be at the airport? And does he really want to spend extra time on the way to take a "scenic" route? Your choice of Interlaken-Bern-Luzern-Zurich -Munich is confused as that involves backtracking. One can go from Interlaken to Zurich through Either Bern or Luzern ( the longer scenic route) but not both without backtracking. From Zurich one can go to Munich via Innsbruck, via boat at Romanshorn, or by direct train with no changes. Or he could skip Zurich and go through Karlsruhe. There are so many options it is probably best to let him talk to the station agent in Interlaken cand figure it out. People here can only guess at what he might want to do.
Posted by
OP
145 posts
Thanks everyone. I think he was buying his tickets today, and I have a feeling he'll buy whichever is the best price (it's been a pretty expensive trip for him!) :) He actually doesn't fly out until 7am on the 12th - I think he's just planning on hanging out at the airport overnight...... (he doesn't want to try to find a hostel that can get him to the airport that early, and like I said, he's spent a lot already, having been in a study abroad program for a month and travelling every weekend) The routes I posted are what came up on the swiss train site - I didn't come up with them, except to put in Luzerne. Not sure why it routes you so far out of the way......... As for the double posting, sorry about that! I posted one and my computer acted up, so I posted again - I didn't realize the first actually went through. Again - thanks for your help! Wish it was me over there! :)