[Anagan]

15 April 2022 at 19:07:15 #826883

TENTATIVE ITINEARY for 2 adults and 1 child(13). Only one base: Interlaken. Using RPBO pass(8 days) and swiss half pass.( $800). So far! I can still change my itinerary according to pass or vice versa.

JULY 6TH ARRIVE BY 7 PM TO INTERLAKEN FROM ZURICH AIRPORT. Saver pass/SHFC . NO ACTIVITIES.

July 7TH:

GRINDELWALD TOWN(WALKING),GRIN DEWALD FIRST ACTIVITIES(1-2), VISIT FIRST CLIFF, BACHALPSEE LAKE. Take Eiger express gondola to mannlichen. Hike Mannichen to Klein Scheidegg. Get down to Wengen. Back to Interlaken.

JULY 8: GO TO LAUTERBRUNNEN AND murren, Schilthorn ($100 for two adults RT)

JULY 9 INTERLAKEN TO LUCERNE . SPEND DAY IN LUCERNE. No mountain excursion.

JULY 10: Interlaken to Brienz by boat

Brienzer Rothorn Bahn (return trip)

Brienz to Interlaken Ost by train

Harder Kulm trip in evening.

JULY 11: SPEND DAY IN INTERLAKEN MAY BE CRUISE TO THUN AND STAY LOCAL IN INTERLAKEN
JULY 12: OPEN DAY NO PLAN YET

JULY 13: LEAVE INTERLAKEN TO LUCERNE FREE WITH PASS. LUCERNE TO ZURICH AIRPORT, SWISS HALF PASS AGAIN. DROP LUGGAGE AT AIRPORT NEAR HOTEL AND SPEND HALF DAY IN ZURICH CITY.

JULY 14. LEAVE FOR USA BACK.

please advice on two open days on what to do and also pass is $800! anyway to bring pass cost down!

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 13 • 15 April 2022 at 19:51:17 #940606

Hi Anagan,

Glad to know you’re finalising your trip. This current itinerary looks good and reasonably doable. On your free day (July 12), I suggest making a day trip to Bern. The RPBO is valid on this route. Or if you prefer nature and mountain views, I recommend an excursion to Oeschinensee in Kandersteg (also free travel with the RPBO). Be sure to download the RPBO validity map. You can find more sightseeing options from the map.

Here are some useful tips on how to keep cost down while travelling in Switzerland: http://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/doityourself/savemoney

Enjoy your trip!

regards,

Anna

[Anagan]

Reply 2 of 13 • 15 April 2022 at 20:12:19 #940607

Thanks I will look into day trip to bern.

I have 2 full days! Can I add chocolate train or day to guyrere ? Or zermatt?

is transportation museum worthy?

csn I bring pass price down somehow? What you suggest?

6 days of travel and day 1 and day 7 is only for train rides?

[Anna]

Reply 3 of 13 • 15 April 2022 at 20:34:05 #940608

Hi Anagan,

Yes, if you have time in Lucerne you should definitely visit the Museum of Transport. I think your child will enjoy the interactive activities tremendously. It is also possible to make day trip to Zermatt from Interlaken. You should plan to take the earliest train so you’ll have time to go up the Gornergrat and explore the lovely village too. Planning a day trip on the Chocolate Train from Interlaken is slightly difficult though as the train leaves from Montreux in the morning about 9.30am. This means you will have to travel to Montreux from Interlaken very early in order not to miss the chocolate train excursion. More info here: http://www.myswissalps.com/chocolatetrain. Please be aware that the RPBO is not valid in Zermatt and Montreux so these will incur additional expenses. However you can use the Swiss Half Fare Card to get discounted tickets.

Regarding the railpass, perhaps opting for a 6-day RPBO you might be able to the bring the cost down. If you have your dates set, you can book your Saver Day Pass early. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, you might be able to get even cheaper deals if you book early.

Regards,

Anna

[Anagan]

Reply 4 of 13 • 15 April 2022 at 21:18:57 #940609

Thanks Anna for your input. I will have day trip for Lucerne plan with transportation museum and will share with you in detail? Is museum included in regional pass?

More and more I plan my trips, I will have better idea on which pass will be better. I know it will be either Rpbo or Swiss but still going back and forth.

I still have one day open and beside Bern I will look into something else soon!

my dates are set for sure! July 6th reaching airport from Italy at 4:30 pm and going back from interlaken to Lucerne on July 13th leaving at 12 pm in afternoon. As soon as 60 days are up I will book saver day pass.

is it make sense to have 6 days Swiss pass and last day first day Swiss half card ? I am just brainstorming here.

[Anna]

Reply 5 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 3:53:58 #940610

Hi Anagan,

Unfortunately the Regional Pass Bernerse Oberland does not include the Swiss Museum of Transport. But if you have the Swiss Travel Pass, you get 50% discount on the entrance ticket.

I think the Swiss Travel Pass is certainly more practical if you’re planning various day trips to multiple regions. For the first and last day, consider getting Saver Day Passes. You probably don’t even need the Swiss Half Fare Card. I recommend doing all the sums again on a spreadsheet once you are set on your itinerary. Be sure to read this: How to choose a rail pass in 5 steps

Regards,

Anna

[Anagan]

Reply 6 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 10:16:34 #940611

Ok I first I will finish working on my itinerary and then do math.

Difference between 8 days Swiss pass and 6 days Swiss pass in only $66 difference. Buying saver day pass for 2 adults and 1child(13) from Zurich airport to interlaken will be more than $66 anyway so no point for buying save pass for first and last day.

so for me it is either 8 days Rpbo plus hfcard or 8 days Swiss card.

[taurus0515]

Reply 7 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 13:38:56 #940612

GRINDELWALD TOWN(WALKING),GRIN DEWALD FIRST ACTIVITIES(1-2), VISIT FIRST CLIFF, BACHALPSEE LAKE. Take Eiger express gondola to mannlichen. Hike Mannichen to Klein Scheidegg. Get down to Wengen. Back to Interlaken.

This would mean about 2 hrs hike in the morning, and another 2 hrs hike in the afternoon.

http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/bachsee

http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/maennlichen-kleinescheidegg

[Anagan]

Reply 8 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 14:06:14 #940613

Ok thanks . I am loving feedback so I can fix it now rather than being there! How is other days? If I have too much I can always change here and there.

[taurus0515]

Reply 9 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 14:18:13 #940614

Other days are fine.

I urge you to consider a day trip to Kandersteg/Oeschinensee. This is nearer than Zermatt. You can watch some videos on Youtube.

Scenic route from Interlaken via Spiez. From Interlaken, it takes 1 hr 10 min with one change in Spiez. Trains every hour: 8:30, 9:30…..

From Kandersteg take a gondola up, and then a easy walk (similar to Bachalapsee) to Oeschinensee, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Details – connection 1

Station/stop Time Travel with Information

Interlaken Ost

dep 08:30

Spiez

arr 08:52
Pl. 2

Spiez

dep 09:12

Kandersteg

arr 09:40
Pl. 1

Duration: 1 h 10 min

[Anagan]

Reply 10 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 14:33:44 #940615

Thanks I will look into it

[Annika]

Reply 11 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 18:02:43 #940616

Hi Anagan,

Maybe these numbers help a bit:

• The combination of a Swiss Half Fare Card, a 50% discounted ticket Zurich Airport-Lucerne on July 6 (between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost your Regional-Pass takes 0ver), a 50% discounted ticket Lucerne-Zurich Airport on July 13 and a 35% discounted 8-day Regional-Pass Bernese Oberland would amount to around CHF 390 per person in 2nd class (excluding additional tickets for non-fully covered excursions of course). This is an estimate. You may find cheaper Supersaver tickets for July 6 and 13, and I’m not sure how you’ll be traveling back and forth between your hotel and the main railway station of Zurich on July 13. Note that a regular 50% discounted ticket Zurich Airport-Lucerne or the other way around costs CHF 15. This is cheaper than the lowest possible fare of a 50% discounted Saver Day Pass, which would be CHF 29.
• An 8-day Swiss Travel Pass costs CHF 389 in 2nd class. This too excludes additional tickets for non-fully covered (mountain) trips.

If you’re sure you’ll stick to the Bernese Oberland, the Regional-Pass Bernese Oberland is an excellent choice with great coverage. If you prefer the freedom to make trips/excursions to places outside its coverage area, an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass makes more sense.

If you want to be sure which option is cheapest, you should first know your exact plans and then (re-)calculate. If you rather keep your plans flexible, you can go with the pass that best fits your overall needs. You’ll definitely save a lot of money compared to buying full-fare tickets, whether you opt for the Regional-Pass or the Swiss Travel Pass!

[Anagan]

Reply 12 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 18:38:47 #940617

Thanks again. I am so thankful to you all that whenever I need help, feedback this groups put their hearts into it! Love it!

“Note that a regular 50% discounted ticket Zurich Airport-Lucerne or the other way around costs CHF 15.”

abovr tickets can I buy 60 days in advance just like save day pass? Are this super saver tickets?

I am definitely buying super saver day tickets from Lucerne to Zurich airport because I know exactly what time I am leaving interlaken and will catch Lucerne to Zurich airport tickets, when coming to Zurich airport and going to Lucerne, I can’t buy super saver tickets just in case plane is delay and I miss connecting train.

my goal is to have itinerary “almost finalize” so I can buy pass accordingly and as soon as 60 days are up, I am buying my super day passes!

Thanks again. I will have day to day trip ready and of course will change accordingly to weather but I like things plan way in advance. Again very greatful to all you!

[Anna]

Reply 13 of 13 • 16 April 2022 at 20:02:18 #940618

Hi Anagan,

Point-to-point ticket from Zurich Airport to Lucerne cost CHF15 one way after 50% discount if you have the Swiss Half Fare Card. So you don’t need a Saver Day Pass for this journey (SDP will cost more) and you can buy the ticket in advance or just before your trip.

Regards,

Anna