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Forum replies
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in reply to: Bernese Oberland, which pass to choose
Hello Krister,
Which pass is most suitable for your holidays, depends on several factors. If you intend to travel almost every day and if you would like to make some longer journeys outside of the Bernese Oberland, a Swiss Pass may be a good choice. Another advantage of the Swiss Pass is that you don’t have to buy regular train tickets for each journey. You can simply board almost any train, bus or boat.
If, on the other hand, your trips will mostly take place within the Bernese Oberland, the Regional-Pass may be the best option. The Regional-Pass comes in handy if you want to concentrate on exploring mountain railways and viewing points in this area.
Which pass is best, ultimately depends on your plans. You may try to make a list of your plans and follow our tips to calculate the most economical option.
in reply to: Viewpoint Grymsbiel(?)
Dear Krister Johanson, I think the viewing point you mean is Girmschbiel. This is a small hill, just west of the railway station of Wengernalp (on the train route between Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg). It can be reached by a simple foot path from Wengernalp, which first crosses the railway by a small tunnel. The path gradually vanishes, until you mount the small hill passing green meadows. You will end up at the top of the hill with trees on one hand and meadows on the other. It offers wonderful views of large parts of the Jungfrau region, and it’s entirely for free! Some pictures can be found at our Bernese Oberland picture page (look for ‘Wengernalp’).
in reply to: Boat trip lake Brienz
Dear Mr Edwards, I would agree with Thomas: in high season 2nd class decks on the boats at lake Brienz and lake Thun can be very crowded. If you want to enjoy your boat trip and if don’t want to worry about finding a seat, upgrading your ticket would be a good option. You can purchase such an upgrade ticket before boarding. If you show your Swiss Saver Pass, you will only have to pay for the price difference between 1st and 2nd class. More information can be found at the BLS website. Enjoy your stay in Switzerland!
in reply to: Rhine gorge
Dear Alessandra, it’s possible to take short hikes in the Rhine Gorge. You could get out at railway station Versam-Safien and follow a gentle, easy path along the river. You’re litterally within the gorge there, which is beautiful. Longer hiking routes are available as well, partly on the slopes along the gorge and offering views downwards. Tips are available at the Rhine Gorge website.
in reply to: Zurich airport to city centre
Hello Julia, welcome to our forum! From Zurich airport it’s a 10 minute train ride to the main railway station in Zurich city centre.
From the main station, you have plenty of options to discover the city.
– You may purchase a Zurich Card, which offers free use of public transport and free access to museums during one day.
– A beautiful viewing point which can be reached with this card is the Uetliberg (tram line 10), offering views of the city, the lake and (in clear weather) the Alps.
– You could also visit the Swiss national museum right across the main railway station.
– Another tip: stroll along the old part of the city, take a rest break at park Lindenhof with views of the river Limmat and end up along the lake shore. You could take a boat trip here or enjoy the park-like garden.Zurich is a large city which has lots to offer for a 1 day stay. Good luck on making your choice!
in reply to: Swiss pass question
Both first and second class train travelling are comfortable in Switzerland. First class offers larger seats, more luggage storage options and (sometimes) larger or even panoramic windows. In rush hours, first class can be less crowded than second class. Please note though that buses and mountain transportation don’t offer first class sections. So the choice for 1st or 2nd class depends on your wishes.
in reply to: Kid”s activities Saas Grund
Hi Hammer8, I’m not that familiar with kid’s activities myself, but I do know that Saas Grund pays lots of attention to children. You could take a look at this web page on kid’s activities. You can search for family excursions and even read a PDF brochure on events for kids. I’m convinced that they will enjoy their time in Saas Grund!
in reply to: How to travel from Basel to Saas Grund
If your inbound and outbound journey are the only longer train journeys of your stay, you shouldn’t buy a Swiss Pass. You may consider a 3 day Swiss Flexi Pass, which would offer you an extra day of free travelling. The price difference between a 3 day Swiss Flexi Pass and a Swiss Card is CHF 67,-, so if you would make one trip that would cost CHF 67,- less with your Swiss Flexi Pass during your stay this would be worth the extra money you’d spend. Prices of regular journeys can be checked by filling out the trip in the online timetable.
in reply to: Which pass to choose
This depends on the season of your travel. In high season post bus trips may be a bit crowded, but in general there are enough seats left if you book a few days in advance (please visit a local railway station for more information.) If you want to be absolutely sure though, booking well in advance is a good option.
in reply to: Swiss pass question
That’s correct Atmer-60, thank you for your useful addition. The Swiss Pass offers free travelling on most train, bus and boat routes and discounted travelling on mountain transportation. Another tip: you should reserve seats for your Glacier Express trip.
in reply to: Hikes St. Moritz
Thank you, Atmer-60! The route Piz Nair – Bever would be on my list too. Similar hikes starting at viewing points are Muottas Muragl – Alp Languard, Murtel – Pontresina, Furtschellas – Val Fex – Sils Maria and Muottas Muragl – Val Champagna – Samedan. The last route is wonderful, but note that the last part to Samedan, once you reach the valley bottom, is rather long and dull. The rest of the trail makes up for this though!
in reply to: Swiss pass question
Hello Sanjay. Yes, the Swiss pass is valid on all trips you mention. A map showing the area of validity can be seen by clicking the link ‘overview on which the Swiss Pass is valid’ at the Swiss Pass page. You would have to buy one Swiss Saver Pass for you and your wife. Your children travel along for free if you order a free STS family card along with your Swiss Saver Pass. A price list is available as well.
You can either order online by following the links at the Swiss Pass page or purchase your pass at any manned Swiss railway station. An advantage of ordering online in advance is that you don’t have to spend time buying your passes in Switzerland, and that you can start using them right after your arrival.
in reply to: How to travel from Basel to Saas Grund
Dear Hammer8, both routes can be completed within one day, but if you use the Swiss Card, this requires you to take the shortest route (the one offered to you by the Swiss time table). This would be the first route via Bern and Spiez (the train doesn’t pass Interlaken), taking about 3 hours.
The second route is actually a detour. Just as with the first route, you will eventually end up in Spiez as well and take the same route from there. The section between Lucerne and Interlaken, via Brienz, indeed includes a beautiful ride over the Brünig Pass along several lakes. This route would take 5h31 and can still be completed within one day (in Swiss Card terms, this is one date and not 24 hours). If you’d prefer this option, you would need either a Swiss Pass or a Swiss Flexi Pass, which doesn’t require you to take the shortest route.
in reply to: Which pass to choose
Hello Edna, welcome to our forum. I would agree with Jules, as the Swiss Pass offers more free travelling and/or discounts for the trips you mention than the Eurail Select Pass. For example, urban transportation in many cities is included in the Swiss Pass, but it is not in the Eurail Select Pass. There are more discounts for the mountain transportation trips you mention with a Swiss Pass (for example, the Schilthorn isn’t included in the Eurail Select Pass at all). Bus transportation isn’t covered by the Eurail Select Pass, but is by the Swiss Pass. (Please note though that you should pay a reservation fee for such a post bus tour, the so-called ‘Alpine Ticket’. More information, including online reservation options, is available at http://www.postauto.ch.) Over all, the Eurail Select Pass is suited for a rather superficial exploration of the country, but as you have detailed travel plans I would recommend that you consider a 15 day Swiss Pass.
