Will rockslides in Brienz impact my September-October 2024 trip?
A traveler is planning a trip to Wengen, Grindelwald, Brienz, and Interlaken from early September to late October 2024. They are seeking advice on how recent floods and landslides in Brienz might affect their itinerary, especially regarding transportation options. They appreciate insights from others on current travel disruptions and alternatives.
- Check for updates on the Brienz railway and available replacement bus services, as they might have limited capacity.
- Consider using the Swiss Travel Pass for more flexibility with travel options during disruptions.
- Ensure to arrive at stations early in case you need assistance or need to board replacement buses.
AI-generated summary-
Help!
I will be traveling to Wengen, Grindelwald, Brienz and Interlaken from Sept 4 to October 25 2024, is it possible considering recent Brienz severe floods and rockslides? Any suggestions to my current itinerary? Would highly appreciated !
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We are already in the area. The railway at Brienz is not expected to be running before 1st Sept. but other transport is now normal. Check with your accomodation though, especially if you have any in Brienz. There is still bustitution between Interlaken Ost and Brienz and Meiringen.
Regards Andrew
Thanks Andrew. That is very useful information
Roger
Was wondering if there are enough buses to carry train passengers from Meiringen to Brienz/Interlaken?
The SBB site displays this alert that says limited spaces on buses: “Wegen des Bahnstreckenunterbruchs gibt es nur begrenzte Plätze in den Ersatzbussen. Wir bitten Fahrgäste, alternative Reisemöglichkeiten zu prüfen und auf Reisen über die unterbrochene Bahnstrecke nach Möglichkeit zu verzichten.” which translated to English says “Due to the disruption to the railway line, there are only limited spaces on the replacement buses. We ask passengers to consider alternative travel options and, if possible, to avoid travelling on the disrupted railway line”.
Nick
Thanks for useful information. I will keep my itinerary! I am all set to go.
much appreciated!
meilin
Hello Everyone.
The key point is the last two sentences, quoted by Nikolaus in his reply 4. Clearly the railway operators want the replacement buses to be used only by passengers whose final destinations are Brienz or Meiringen, Passengers travelling between Lucerne and Interlaken should take the alternative route via Berne. This alternative route takes two hours, only a few minutes longer than the (currently interrupted) Lucerne-via Brunig- Interlaken Zentralbahn trains.
Roger
Hi Meilin, Nick,
Use the alternative routes if you can avoid travelling via Meiringen and Brienz. The rail replacement buses do run on schedule but if there are too many passengers, some may have to wait to board the next bus.
regards,
Anna
Following on from the news of transport disruption around Brienz the Rothornbahn have now announced that the rack railway from Brienz to the Brienzer Rothorn will be closed for the remainder of the season.
You can read their sad announcement at https://brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch/
It includes the news that repairs are estimated at 5 million Swiss francs. Their aim is to resume rail operations in May 2025. Unfortunately, they also have to cease operations at the Rothorn Kulm mountain hut with immediate effect.
Andrew
Hi Andrew
Thanks again for the information. Do you know what the position is regarding the boat landing stage at Brienz?
Regards
Roger
Hi Roger,
BLS Navigation are saying, “Due to storm damage, the Brienz landing stage (Lake Brienz) cannot be operated until and including Tuesday, 20 August 2024. All other services on Lake Brienz will run according to the timetable between Interlaken Ost and Giessbach. The sales point in Brienz will remain closed until further notice.”
Andrew
Attachments:
Many Thanks Andrew
When the landing stage re-opens, there will be an alternative route between Interlaken and Brienz.
KInd regards
Roger
Hi meilin,
Keep tabs on your journeys by using the Swiss timetable. All route information will be up-to-date and current:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Roger says “Passengers travelling between Lucerne and Interlaken should take the alternative route via Berne. This alternative route takes two hours, only a few minutes longer than the (currently interrupted) Lucerne-via Brunig- Interlaken Zentralbahn trains.”
We have tickets from Lucerne to Interlaken on the Interlaken Express for 31 August. Is this route affected?
Hi jmhilde,
You can check the latest update and the rail replacement bus schedule on the Zentralbahn website. You can find the link here under Other Websites of Interest: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/
Based on the timetable, the affected train line will be closed until 20 August, 2024. Hopefully normal operation will resume after.
Regards,
Anna
OK, whew! Thanks, Anna! 🙂
Sorry Anna but Brienz pier seems to have re-opened but local reports are saying September for Brienz station. It really is a mess.
Andrew
Hello JMHilde
Judging by what Andrew has just reported, there could well be problems for you on 31st August. What sort of tickets will you be using on 31st August? Is your journey that day starting from Lucerne?
Regards
Roger
Hi JMhilde,
In the event that the Brienz station is still closed when you arrive, it is still possible to travel on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express from Lucerne up to Meiringen, then continue with the rail replacement bus to Interlaken Ost. Your rail ticket is valid on the rail replacement bus. See attached schedule for example.
By the way, thanks Andrew.
Regards,
Anna
Attachments:
Thanks, all!
Roger, we have tickets for the Lucerne to Interlaken Express, Saturday August 31 @ 11:06 departure
SBB is saying our route “could be affected.” I assume we should just trust that SBB will guide us to whatever we need to do? We don’t need to change our tickets to some other route?
There should be no need to change your tickets. I would aim to be at Lucerne station by 10 50. If the railway companies want you to take a different route, I would expect there to be people at Lucerne station guiding you to that different route. They might ask you to take the 11 00 IR15 to Bern, changing there for Interlaken. (Note that Lucerne station is a ‘dead-end’ station, like a London or Paris terminus. That makes getting to the correct platform a lot easier. No bridges or subways!)
If (as is likely) the blockage at Brienz is still there, you may still be allowed on the 11 06 departure to MEIRINGEN. Now, before reading the rest of what I have got to say, look at the attachment to Anna’s recent post, reply 18.
Fortuitously, she chose a (fictitious) journey (for today) exactly an hour later than the one you are planning. If you are on the 11 06 from Lucerne on 31st the train should get to Meiringen at 12 16. The train will come into platform one alongside the main station building. The bus station is the other side of the station building, a very short walk. There will be other people wanting to make the connection (some of them ‘locals’) and I would expect officials to be present to direct you. That two minute ‘gap’ is undoubtedly a planned connection. Don’t panic!
If you are not able to get on the 12 18 bus, there would be other buses later. (At least two per hour.) (I am assuming your destination on 31st is either Interlaken or somewhere else in the Jungfrau region.)
Best wishes
Roger
Thanks, Roger and all!
Assuming there are still problems on 31 August, would we have the option of going via Bern or via Meiringen? Am I correct that the former would be switching trains in Bern while the latter would be taking a bus from Meiringen?
Yes, our destination is Wengen via Interlaken.
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