Zurich to Bern via Interlaken & Harder Kulm
A traveler named Pjlongy is planning a trip after Christmas from Zurich to Bern, and then on to Geneva. They want to know if they can travel from Zurich to Bern via Interlaken in a day, including a visit to Harder Kulm to see the big three mountains, but they're unsure about the time and frequency of the trains involved.
- Trains run hourly from Luzern to Interlaken, so you can complete this journey in a day and have time for side trips.
- The Harder Kulm funicular does not operate after December 1, so plan accordingly.
- Use the SBB website or SBB Mobile app to check schedules and fares, as it offers smart ticketing options.
- For scenic views, consider traveling on the Golden Pass route from Luzern.
- You can see the Alps from Bern on a clear day, making it a worthwhile stop.
AI-generated summary-
Hi we are traveling after Christmas 2019 from Zurich to Berne using trains and then onto Geneva, which means we miss out on the alps to the south. Is it possible to travel from Zurich to Berne via Interlaken in a day and if so is it possible to include a trip up to Harder Kulm to see the big three? Seeking advice because I’m unsure if the frequency or time to travel to each place.
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Hello Pjlongy and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
Trains run hourly from Luzern to Interlaken. You can easily follow the route you suggest in a day and even have time for a side trip to Wengen or Grindelwald or Mürren. Harder Kulm funicular does not operate after 1 December.
Use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B) or the highly-recommended SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi) to plan your travel, find fares* and buy tickets if required. If you are not familiar with using the timetable it will pay to first read the instructions on this page – http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable. *SBB website shows half-fare prices by default, mobile app allows you to nominate full or half-fare and is also smart enough to offer you the Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sa verdaypass) if that offers the best fare.
Switzerland is a small country, so most things are possible in a day. Harder Kulm is a summer destination though.
Interlaken is not far south of Bern, so the normal route people take on main line trains to get from Zurich to Interlaken would be via Bern (overall journey time usually just over 2 hours).
However, look at a map and you can see you can also travel in a ‘V’ shape Zurich – Luzern – Interlaken – Bern using main line train to Luzern and narrow gauge Luzern – Interlaken Express.
So you have two choices:
1) travel Zurich Interlaken Bern
2) travel Zurich – Bern and go to Interlaken from Bern as a separate trip
Lastly bear in mind you can actually see the Alps from Bern itself on a clear day!
If you travel Zurich to Luzern to Interlaken then from Luzern you will be on the first leg of the so-called Golden Pass route (http://www.myswissalps.com/go ldenpass). From Bern to Geneva you might want to rejoin that route at Speiz. Depends how much time you have available. There are quicker ways of getting from Bern to Geneva as the SBB timetable will reveal. If you want to follow the Golden Pass route then look for Bern to Geneva via Zweisimmen.
Hi Pjlongy
Besides the excellent advice you’ve received on this thread, I’d like to add two links to the destinations on your list where you can see more about what to do at each destination:
- http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich
- http://www.myswissalps.com/in terlaken
- http://www.myswissalps.com/be rn
Have a wonderful trip!
Maria.
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