Berner Oberland Pass with Swiss Half Fare Card
A traveler named Willsss is planning a trip to Switzerland, staying in Bern for three days. They want to know if purchasing a Bernese Oberland Pass with a half fare card is worth it for their day trips to Interlaken and Lucerne, and they seek advice about their itinerary including multiple destinations like Mürren and Harder Kulm.
- Consider using a Swiss Half Fare Card to purchase discounted tickets and a Saver Day Pass instead of the Bernese Oberland Pass for a one-day trip.
- For Day 1, take the route from Bern to Brienz, then a boat to Iseltwald, and finally to Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen, while keeping Mürren optional based on your time.
- If you're choosing between bus and boat to Iseltwald, the bus is quicker, taking only 18 minutes compared to 55 minutes by boat.
- The funicular to Harder Kulm is not included in the Saver Day Pass, so check ticket options.
- Be mindful that planning too many stops may limit your sightseeing, so focus on fewer destinations to enjoy your trip more.
AI-generated summary-
Hi,
I just want to get anyone’s opinion if getting a Bernese Oberland Pass on a half fare card so i wont be buying individual ticket will be worth it if ill be going to interlaken area’s for 1 day and 1 day to lucern. My base will be at Bern.
So like Day 1:
Bern -> Interlaken -> lauterbrunnen -> Wengen -> Murren (if possible) -> Iseltwald -> Bern
Day 2
Bern -> Lucern -> Bern
(Here will be heading to Mt. Pilatus)
Day 3
Bern -> Zurich Airport
I will be buying half fare card for sure. And also for day 1, Is including Murren a bit rush or even possible? And if we remove Murren from our itinerary can possible to include Harder Klum? Is going to Iseltwald better by boat or bus?
Thank you.
-
I think BO pass starting 3 days so if you will only be there for one day , May be not !
Hi Willsss,
Based on your plans, you might be better off just getting a Swiss Half Fare Card and use it to purchase cheaper Saver Day Pass (for day trip to Iseltwald, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen et al), and point-to-point tickets to Lucerne and Zurich Airport. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, you can also purchase discounted tickets to Pilatus. If you want to be sure this is the best and most cost effective option, I suggest you do the math as explained here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass
Regarding your day trip on Day 2, a possible and feasible route would be: Bern – train to Brienz – boat to Iseltwald – boat to Interlaken Ost – Harder Kulm – Lauterbrunnen. I would keep Wengen and Mürren optional, depending on how much time you have. You can check train and boat schedules on http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Hope this helps.
regards,
Anna
Hi Willsss,
As far as prices go, I will defer to the experts/moderators.
Are you planning to go to Schilthorn when in Murren?
You can reach Interlaken (west and Ost) from Bern in just about an hour. You will need to go to Ost to get to Lauterbrunnen, as that is where the switch will take place. From there, it’s about 20 min to Lauterbrunnen. To get to Murren, you can either bus it from the train station to Stechelberg and take the cable cars up from there, or take the Grutschalp cable car (directly across from the train station), and either walk/hike into Murren from there, (or take the train). The walk/hike parallels the train in a meandering sort of way, but the scenery is fantastic the whole time. If not planning on the Schilthorn, you can still go in either direction and have more time for the lake cruises. Going to Harder Kulm later is better since it runs later, and one can see a beautiful sunset from there. (Personally, I would scrap Iseltwald if anything from your itinerary. Just my opinion, though).
One thing to keep in mind is that boat/cruises are nice, but they do take up much more time than the trains, obviously. Though you have a short amount of time, these are things that you may want to consider. Also, that it is about an hour from Bern to either Lucerne or to Interlaken, as far as planning goes. It’s sooo very easy to want to plan so much, but only so much can be done/seen. Either way, have a great trip.
Regards,
Danielsan
Hi Anna, Thank you for your insights. I probably will take your suggestion:
Bern – train to Brienz – boat to Iseltwald – bus to Interlaken Ost – Lauterbrunnen – Harder Kulm
Im thinking of taking a bus to Interlaken rather than boat would be faster and more frequents? And is furnicular to harder kulm included on saver day pass, might not be? I read that sunset at Harder Kulm is nice would you happen to know when is their closing time? As for Wengen to be optional, is it because theres nothing much to do? Just wondering or maybe time constraint?
Thank you DanielSan, Yes i do take your advice of so much to see and so little time. I havent been to Iseltwald but looks good on pics and i know its the only 1 thats out of the way, whats your opinion on taking it out on itinerary? I wouldnt go to schilthorn so might head for wengen instead if time permits.
Hello Willsss,
With the Saver Day Pass, the funicular to Harder Kulm is not included. Here’s the validity link to the Saver Day Pass, you will also be able to read a summary of the more popular routes that are also included: https://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass/validity
The last descent from Harder Kulm will depend on when you will be visiting. For example till 24 September, the last descent is at 21:40, thereon till 22 October, the last descent is 21:10.
The bus, yes from Iseltwald to Interlaken would be much quicker 18 minutes vs 55 minutes on a boat.
Depending on your interests, there is quite a lot to do in Wengen. Take a look at our handy link:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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