Alpabzug and cow parade in Plaffeien – how to get there from Bern?
Erika Goodell is planning a trip to Switzerland with her husband, aiming to experience the Alpine Descent of the Cows in Plaffeien on September 21. They seek advice on arrival times and transport logistics from Bern to Plaffeien, as well as onward travel to Grindelwald later that day.
- Arrive in Plaffeien by 9 AM to catch the cow parade; take a train from Bern to Fribourg, then a bus to Plaffeien.
- Leave your luggage in a locker at Bern station while attending the event to ease your travel.
- Your ticket from Bern to Plaffeien will cover both the train and bus; no need for a separate ticket.
AI-generated summary-
Guten Abend!
We hope this message finds you well!
I spent my youth in Bern – from 1960 to 1973 while my father worked in the embassy.
My husband is very interested to see Switzerland where I lived!
We are very hopeful to see the Alpine Descent of the Cows on September 21 in the village of Plaffeien on our day of travel from Bern to Grindelwald!
Do you know at what time we should arrive from Bern and where we should go in the village of Plaffeien to view the parade? I think I see 0900 in the morning?
SBB ap says The Plaffeien, Dorf stop has been moved due to an event which I assume is the parade. Could you tell us where we can find out how to get there from Bern? I assume the train and perhaps a bus?
Also, this is the day we go to Grindelwald and check into our hotel there. I will need to find out from where in the village of Plaffeien we can travel to Grindelwald.
I have also sent an email asking this to the Schwarzsee Tourism office.
Thank you very much for your assistance!
Erika Goodell
-
Hello Erika
A quick look at my paper map of Switzerland told me that Plaffeien is about 20 miles (30-35 kms) south of Bern, and a few miles east of Fribourg. A quick glance at electronic timetables revealed buses twice an hour from Fribourg, hourly from Dudingen, and less frequently from Schwarzenburg. I would personally always go via Fribourg, another sizeable and very historic city. (Did you visit Fribourg while you lived in Bern?)
For your journey on to Grindelwald, you will have to go back to Bern by bus and then train. and then on to Grindelwald changing trains at Interlaken Ost. I would therefore suggest leaving your luggage in a locker at Bern station.
(I cannot help with the key questions regarding the parade itself.)
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Erika,
The cattle descent or cow parade usually takes place in the morning (the program starts at 9 AM) so I would aim to arrive before noon. You can reach Plaffeien by taking a train from Bern to Fribourg then change to a bus to Plaffeien, Dorf (about 1 hr journey). On the day of the event, the bus will drop you off outside the village. A shuttle bus will then take you to the event venue or you can get there on foot.
Return the same way to get back to Bern and continue to Grindelwald. Please consult the Swiss timetable for possible connections: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
Regards,
Anna
Many thanks to both of you! This is great information. I have one last question – when I go to SBB ap to look at tickets, I assume it includes the bus since it is listed as the second leg of the journey. Do I just show the ticket to the bus driver when we board?
Thank you again – I am excited that my husband will be able to see this special event!
By the way, yes I have been to Fribourg. I used to know some students that went to what was a boys’ boarding school there back in the day. On a visit once we saw the rock group The Kinks in the school auditorium before they became famous!
Best regards,
Erika
Hello Erika
Note that the bus station at Fribourg for the out of town buses to places such as Plaffeien is nowadays underground on the west side of the train station, that is the side opposite the exit to the city centre. Follow the signs in the station subway.
I am not sure what the practice is at this bus station regarding showing of tickets. But you may well be able to get on the bus without showing your ticket. If asked by the driver or a uniformed or plain clothes inspector to show your ticket, then obviously you do so. I first visited Switzerland in 1971, and this ‘honesty’ system was already in use on many city (trolley)buses and trams. It was certainly in use in Bern in 1972. This honesty system now also operates on many rural buses!
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Erika,
Your ticket Bern – Plaffeien will cover the train and bus journey. There’s no need to purchase separate ticket. You might want to consider getting a Saver Day Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/) to cover your journey for the whole day.
Please see here for useful and practical tips on travelling on Swiss public transport: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/how-it-works/
Regards,
Anna
- The thread ‘Alpabzug and cow parade in Plaffeien – how to get there from Bern?’ is closed to new replies.
