[Anonymous]

15 May 2022 at 18:32:47 #827189

We are 4 USA senior citizens that will be in Switzerland this September. I am overwhelmed with train and cable car arrangements. We will have 1st class Swiss Travel Pass. We are staying at the Belvedere. Would appreciate advice on one full day (say 8:00 to 18:00). Here is where I am now: depart Belvedere and take cable car to Eigergletscher then cogwheel to Jungfraujoch. Departing Jungfraujoch, travel to Lauterbrunnen/Wengen for lunch (visit to Trummelbach Falls). Then hightail it back to Belvedere. Certainly, I am hoping for good weather. I understand that some/all of this 10-hour day is not included in the Swiss Travel Pass – but rather includes some discount (e.g., 50%). The actual mechanics are daunting.

1. What tickets do we need to purchase ahead of time? Are the cable car tickets and the cogwheel tickets separate or on the same ticket? Where do we purchase these tickets and should we purchase then before departing the US?

2. What is the name of the train (or gondola etc.) to Lauterbrunnen or Wengen? How do we see their schedule? Does it go to Lauterbrunnen or Wengen? How do we get from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen (or vise versa)? How do we get from Lauterbrunnen to Trummelbach Falls?

3. Returning to Grindelwald: What is the name of the train, cogwheel, gondola that is easiest / fastest way back to hotel in Grindelwald? Anything suggestions about purchasing these homeward bound tickets?

Thanks for helping overwhelmed visitors!

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[User]

Reply 1 of 3 • 15 May 2022 at 23:22:13 #941904

I have been travelling in Switzerland for 60 years so I hope I can help

Three very important points to start:

1) There are many many ‘Belvedere’ (means ‘good view’) hotels across Europe. I assume from the rest of your post that you are based at the Belvedere Grindelwald (there is a Belvedere in Wengen too for example!)

2) the main transport links in the Jungfrau area are in fact essentially based on a simple network of railway with additional cable cars/gondola lifts to certain points (use as ski lifts in winter). Map here: http://www.walkingswitzerland.com/maps/images/jungfrau_transport.gif

The main towns are linked by ‘Jungfrau railways’ group comprising:

Berner Oberland Bahn (BOB) (blue & yellow livery trains): Interlaken – Grindelwald and Interlaken – Lauterbrunnen

Wengernalp Bahn (WAB) [green & yellow livery trains): Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg and Lauterbrunnen – Wengen – Kleine Scheidegg

Bergbahn Lauterbrunnrn – Murren (brown trains): Lauterbrunnen Grutschalp [cable car link] – Grutschalp – Winteregg – Murren

3) Swiss travel pass give unlimited ‘free’ travel on the main line transport network linking all major cities and any towns / villages with the legal status of ‘commune’ aka ‘real places’. Free travel does not generally extend to cable cars etc to mountain summits and other points which are accessed purely for tourism. Mountain railways and cable cars are generally 50% off, but the Jungfrau lines above Wengen and Grindelwald are only 25% discount (it is too popular with overseas tourists so they know they can rake in the cash…)

Relating to the 3 points above to your plan as it stands, here is the basic information you need for your planned circuit:

Grindelwald – Jungfraujoch: I recommend you take the ‘old fashioned’ (but much nicer) traditional route – ie WAB train from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg (KS), JB train KS – Jungfraujoch – 25% off full fare with STP

Then: JB train Jungfraujoch – Kleine Scheidegg; WAB train Kleine Scheidegg – Wengen – 25% discount with STP

Wengen – Lauterbrunnen – free with STP

Lauterbrunnen – Trummelbach falls and back: local bus (8 mins journey) or walk. – free with STP – bus timetable here: http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_pdf_fields/2022/31.141.pdf

Lauterbrunnen – Zweilutschienen (BOB train) – free with STP

Zweilutschinen – Grindelwald (BOB train) – free with STP

[Anna]

Reply 2 of 3 • 16 May 2022 at 4:18:22 #941905

Hi Duck,

You can find the specific details on how to travel to Jungfraujoch here: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch/gettingthere

1. With the Swiss Travel Pass, if you take the cogwheel train all the way up all you need is a ticket (discounted 25%) from Grindelwald or Wengen to Jungfraujoch. You can also travel via the cable car from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher (also discounted). You can choose to travel on a different route back, the price is the same and it’s all included in 1 ticket (no need to get separate tickets for the train and cable cars). You can purchase the return ticket online here: shop.switzerlandtravelcentre.com/en/product/excursionJungfraujoch.
2. On the way down from Jungfraujoch, if you travel via Wengen, the same train from Kleine Scheidegg will take you all the way to . From Lauterbrunnen to Trummelbach Falls, you can either do a short hike or take a bus. You can use the SBB timetable to plan your journeys. Just enter a departure and destination point to display trains schedules and find suitable connections.
3. Returning to Grindelwald, you can use the same SBB timetable for plan your journey. From Lauterbrunnen, the fastest route would be to travel via Zweilutschinen as mentioned by 1960man.

Hope this helps somewhat in planning your excursion.

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 3 of 3 • 16 May 2022 at 13:12:38 #941906

THANKS X 2.

Look forward to studying wealth of great information. With your indulgence – I will get back to you with further questions.

YES Is Hotel Belvedere in Grindelwald. Sorry about that – and I learned something.