MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Regional-Pass Bernese Oberland, no pass, or drive?
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Hello all,
Thank you in advance for your help, my head is beginning to spin trying to choose a pass(es) or not to at all or to just drive to get the best bang for my buck. After my stay in Lucerne, I’d like to stay up in Murren but if I drive I know that is not possible and would then want to stay in Lauterbrunnen. I may also spend 3 nights instead of 2 in Murren to accommodate more sightseeing.All the cable cars, train transfers etc have got me a bit overwhelmed as to which is best for my trip.
Renting car for 6 days comes out to <400 USD.
The 4x Day Bernese Oberland Pass = ~260 USD.
What would you recommend for the itinerary below? Should I drive and pay as I go? I don’t think the swiss-pass is worth it for me.
It seems as though I am I better off buying point to point tickets & the Benese Oberland Regional Pass but would like some additional oversight.
Day 1 – 8/24/2018 Arrive in Zurich –> Lucerne
Day 1 & 2 – 8/24/18 & 8/25/18 Lucerne
- Chapel Bridge
- Lion Monument
- “Old Town” Museggmauer / 9 Towers / Wall
- Church of St. Leodegar
- Harder Kulm
Day 3 – 8/26/2018 Lucerne –> Murren or Lauterbrunnen Area
Day 3 & 4 – 8/26/18 & 8/27/18 Bernese Oberland
- Bachalpsee
- Schilthorn
- Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
- Boat Tour Lake Brienz
Day 5 – 8/28/2018 Murren or Lauterbrunnen Area –> Lausanne
Day 5-6 8/28/2018 Lausanne
- Activities still to be planned
Day 6 8/29/2018 Lausanne –> Geneva Fly Out of Geneva
Thank you!
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Hello DillySwiss and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
First off forget about driving. The public transport network in Switzerland is THE BEST. Also http://www.myswissalps.com/ca rversustrain
Second, consider Wengen over Mürren. It is slightly larger therefore has more amenities such as food stores, restaurants, shopping. It’s easier to get in and out of then Mürren so is better as a base. Also the views are to die for compared to Lauterbrunnen which is down in the valley. Read http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim for tons of detail.
You might find this interesting http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/trip-report-part-7-grindelwald-firstbachalpsee.
Third, stay in Montreux not Lausanne. Trust me on that one. And travel from Interlaken Ost via Zweisimmen to Montreux on the Golden Pass Line (http://www.myswissalps.com/go ldenpass).
ps Harder Kulm is at Interlaken not Lucerne. But with a Swiss Travel Pass (which you should consider as an alternative to the BO Pass) you can visit Rigi (http://www.myswissalps.com/ri gi) for free. Also note for Wengen, Schilthorrn is free with STP in 2018.
There is plenty to do in Lucerne. You will cover your list in half a day (apart from Harder Kulm/Rigi). See http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne.
@Rockoyster
Greatly appreciate the reply! Have a few follow up questions for you regarding the points you mentioned, specifically on point 4.
1 – Got it. Don’t drive, take the trains! 😉
2 – Will research Wengen vs Murren. Thank you for the recommendation, convenience as the base camp would be ideal!
3 – Will research Montreux vs Lausanne. Thank you for the recommendation!
4 – It appears they do not have a 6-day STP, only 3,4, 8 or 15. So 8 days would be what I would require for the length of my trip.
Follow up questions:
Q1: The STP does not cover the gondola/funicular/cable cars up/down from Wengen & Murren correct? It only just provides a discounted rate? Could you help me calculate the estimated cost for a roundtrip visit from Wengen to Murren up to the Schilthorn and back? What exactly will I need to pay for that wouldn’t be included in the STP?
Q2: Let’s say I purchase the 8 day STP, will I need to purchase any PTP tickets for the duration of my trip? My understanding is: NO – is that correct?
Hi DIllySwiss18,
Sorry, my 6-day STP idea was a brain-snap. I had already edited the post. 8-day STP should work well for you.
Q1. See vailidity map you can download at http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity. You can get to Schynigge Platte, Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren AND Schilthorn for free. Cable cars Wengen across to Mannlichen and Grindelwald are 50% discount. Jungfraujoch 25% from Wengen or Grindelwald. Harder Kulm is 50%.
Q2. Yes correct for trains. Only ticket you would need would be for Jungfraujoch and cable cars above that are 50%. Also STP will get you into any amount of museums and art galleries in Lucerne if that is your bag.
If you get a print-at-home STP before leaving home you just step on the train at Zurich Airport and off you go.
Thanks a ton rockoyster, extremely helpful.
Any other recommendations, things to see, places to eat etc you’d recommend that fit into our itinerary?
About to begin research into Montreux! Thanks for recommending Wengen, definitely appears to be better place to make our “base”.
Just search the MySwissAlps site for the locations you are visiting. You will find tons of ideas. 😎
Schynige Platte was free in 2017 but is 50% discounted in 2018
Maggie
Schynige Platte still showing as free on 2018 map, Maggie.
Hmmmm. I have 2 maps both dated 12.2017 giving different coverage. The one on MySwissAlps shows 50% only. My bad, or maybe not. Arno we need a referee – see http://www.mystsnet.com/filea dmin/doc/02_Produkte_S ervices/03_Verkauf_und _Vertrieb/Broschueren/ EN_Swiss_Travel_System _Map_2018.pdf
>> I have 2 maps both dated 12.2017 giving different coverage.
Yes, I have those too. The 2018 Swiss Travel Pass validity map I downloaded from the SBB in mid-November shows Schynige Platte as free. The one I downloaded towards the end of December shows it as 50% discount.
I guess it was either a last-minute change, or a mistake was made on the initial version of the 2018 map. I have also seen it expressed in words that Schynige Platte is no longer free with the Swiss Travel Pass in 2018, but can’t find the site again. It was a news site for travel agents.
Alpenrose
Hi Alpenrose,
The map I linked to above I downloaded today from mystsnet. I guess there could be a few confused tourist agents using that map.
Arno reported the change to Schynigge Platte here http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/swiss-travel-system-changes-in-2018.
But see Discount with Swiss Travel Pass here http://www.myswitzerland.com/ en-au/schynige-platte-sets-the-stage-for-the-eiger-moench-and-jungfrau.html.
The plot thickens. 🧐
Hi everyone, the page http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity offers the latest map. As Maggie says, Schynige Platte is back to 50% off but was free in 2017.
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