MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial 10 day Swiss train trip tour, fabulous + thanks
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Wife and I came from Chicago for a 10 day Swiss tour via train May 29-June 8 , which we arranged ourselves – with great help from this forum . Thanks Lucas , Alpenrose , others I may be overlooking !
We were in Luzern two nights, Mürren two nights, Montreux two nights, Zermatt one night, St. Moritz two nights , and Zurich one night . We left a few extra days on the table re 1st class 15 day Swiss Travel Pass, but found the pass terrific . Carried extra hard copy , but even via iphone it satisfied conductors .
As a moderator may recall , I was edgy on eve of trip re 10 day “bad weather “ forecast for each day – weather was great. I feel pretty sure there is something about these forecasts that gives a misleading impression .
Traveller’s wifi gadget worked like a charm and was perhaps better than Matterhorn ! The SBB official Swiss train app was fun- I’ll miss fooling with it .
Wife with limited hiking interest/ ability… loved downhill stroll Murren to Gimmelwald for a Swiss dark beer , Schwarze Monche . With easy cable return.
Trip MVP – the Swiss gentleman on our way ( during one of various connections ) from Interlaken to Murren . Alerted us that no , we might think so , but we were not headed to Murren , but to Grindelwald because of some train decoupling issue . So at next stop we got off and boarded the appropriate car !
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Sounds like a great trip Tom – glad to hear all went well!
The weather is crazy in the mountains here. No reason to even look at the forecast until the day before. 🙂
Prost to dark beer!
Hi Tom,
>> Trip MVP – the Swiss gentleman on our way ( during one of various connections ) from Interlaken to Murren . Alerted us that no , we might think so , but we were not headed to Murren , but to Grindelwald because of some train decoupling issue . So at next stop we got off and boarded the appropriate car !
Glad you had a great trip!
For anyone else reading about your mishap in being in the wrong half of the train, the following info might be useful:
- The train from Interlaken Ost to the Jungfrau Region is usually split at Zweilütschinen, with one half continuing to Lauterbrunnen (where you change for the train up to Wengen), and the other half proceeding to Grindelwald.
- So you have to make sure you get into the correct end of the train at Interlaken Ost.
- Carriages bound for Lauterbrunnen are usually at Sector A of Platform 2; those for Grindelwald are usually at Sector B of Platform 2. The platform sectors are denoted by square blue-and-white overhead signs along the platform.
- The destination (Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen) is also clearly marked on each carriage near the doors, and there are staff to direct you.
However, this is clearly not foolproof 😉 It was nice of the Swiss guy to alert you to the fact that you were in the wrong half of the train – they probably see this on a regular basis.
I have also found myself in the wrong half of a train on a couple of occasions. On one occasion I was able to change carriages before the train split, after they made an announcement over the PA; on the other occasion … well, I got to see some pleasant countryside I wasn’t expecting to see!
Alpenrose
Thanks Tom24601 – I am also a “wife with limited hiking interest/ ability” and I was interested in your report of the ‘stroll’ between Murren and Gimmelwald. We will have a week in that area and I will add it to my list of ‘things I might like to do’!
Alpenrose666 – thx for expanding on Tom’s experience with the split train. We will spend a week in Wengen and probably use the route between Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen a few times – I had no idea this was something I needed to be aware of!
I have made a page for it my One Note “Swiss notebook” in the Wengen section (the best app ever for planning a trip, keeping all your notes, bookings and general advice in one spot – and being able to share it with fellow travelers.)
Thanks Tom,
About how many hours did you walk downhill from Murren to Gimmelwald? (am interested in easy hiking routes too).
Best regards,
May
Much thanks Alpenrose. Useful info! Have screenshot this page to my “Grindelwald” album for reference.
By May
Only took us about 45 minutes, several places to stop and enjoy the setting . We took the cable car back up to Murren , but you could take it down further .
Have a great trip .
Hi May,
Glad you found that info useful! Enjoy your trip!
Alpenrose
Hi May ..Did the trek (more like a gentle walk) downhill from Murren to Gimmelwald in about 30 mins ..Noticed a number of families with small kids also walking down ..may take an hour on the outside . It is a nice walk with some flower beds on one side and the valle view on the other …Serious trekkers prefer the “upslope” from Gimmelwald to Murren .
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