From Grindelwald to Schilthorn or Bachalpsee
A traveler is visiting Switzerland in the second week of May for business in Geneva and plans to spend a night in Interlaken with activities like paragliding, harder Kulm, and kayaking. They seek advice on whether to buy a Swiss Travel Pass or individual tickets, if they need to book paragliding in advance, and suggestions for their itinerary in Grindelwald.
- For short visits, the 3-day Swiss Travel Pass is a convenient and cost-effective option.
- You should book paragliding in advance due to time constraints on your tight schedule.
- Consider visiting Schilthorn first and then Grindelwald for the best views, especially if the weather is clear.
AI-generated summary-
I will be visiting Switzerland in 2nd week of May for some business in Geneva along with my friend. I plan to take early morning train to Interlaken with one night stay there & do paragliding & harder culm & Kayaking ( will it be possible to do all three in one day ) . Next morning I plan to take early morning train around 8 am to Grindalward & spend some time at Grindalward & either go to First & Bachalpsee or Schiltron & evening train from interlaken to Geneva …… Already been to jungfrau , Titlis , Bern & Lucerne , Montreux , Zurich on my earlier visits
I Need suggestions from the forum members
- Should I buy swiss rail pass or destination wise tickets as I will be using pass only for two days
- Do I need to book paragliding in advance
- Schilthorn or hiking to Lake Bachalpsee or any other thing to do which esteemed members can suggest
…. regards
-
Welcome to MySwissAlps Satvinder5!
All 3 activities in one day would be difficult I think. You’ll have to find an operator for the paragliding in the morning, kayaking in the afternoon and then fit in Harder Kulm in between or early evening. It may work but you’ll need to plan this in detail.
As for your other questions:
- You will probably save (a bit) with a Swiss Half Fare Card: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isshalffarecard.
- Normally yes, and I’d recommend that with a tight schedule like yours. I don’t know whether it is possible to just walk into one of the operator offices in Interlaken and book for the same day.
- Schilthorn is wonderful if the weather cooperates: http://www.myswissalps.com/sc hilthorn. The walk to the Bachsee may not be possible due to snow, but you can check when there or ask the Grindelwald tourist office a few days ahead of time. http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/bachsee. Other peaks to consider are Niesen and Niederhorn.
Hi Arno,
I would contend that a 3-day Swiss Travel Pass is actually better value than a Swiss Half-fare Card for a short visit.
The minimum real cost of a Swiss Half Fare Card is CHF240 before you save anything. That’s CHF120 up front plus CHF120 half-fare tickets. At that point you haven’t actually saved anything. The 3-day Swiss Travel Pass at CHF225 is actually cheaper (although it doesn’t appear so at first glance) and you don’t need to buy tickets.
That being said full fare tickets or Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/on edaytravelpass/details) plus price for Schilthorn may be the best deal.
Hi Rockoyster,
Good point, it’s worth it to compare both options: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass. In any case Swiss Travel Pass is more convenient. My rough estimation is that regular tickets would be around CHF 250, but it ultimately depends on the exact trips.
Thanks a lot Arno .
Yes , combining three will be difficult. We will skip Kayaking & try to fit in one boat cruise to Thun or Brienz , which comes free with swiss rail pass
We can skip lake Bacalpsee . We can spend some time to get views in Grindalward & First or perhaps still better other way round …..can proceed to schilthron straight away from Interlaken & later spend some time in Grindalward. What do you recommend!!
Hi Satvinder5! The exact order of your plans in Grindelwald (not Grindalward ;-)) doesn’t have to be fixed I think. it’s most important to keep an eye on the weather forecasts and visit the mountain tops such as Schilthorn and First when skies are clear. If this doesn’t seem to make a great difference, my personal preference would be to visit Schilthorn first (it’s free with the Swiss Travel Pass mentioned by Rockoyster and Arno by the way), then proceed to First and Grindelwald. You can plan your trips with the aid of the timetable.
Ah yes indeed, Schilthorn is free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Satvinder5, if you plan to include Schilthorn then a 3-day Swiss Travel Pass is very likely to be the cheapest option and for sure the most convenient option. You can print it at home through various websites: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/price.
Hi Satvinder
I would say the scenery and views from Schilthorn versus Bachalpsee are equally impressive but different. If you prefer minimal walking and a more passive experience, then Schilthorn is a good choice. But if a short, fairly flat and easy hike suits you ( approximately 1:40 hrs ) then you would enjoy the First to Bachalpsee hike. There is stunning scenery all along the hike. As stated previously be sure it’s open by checking the local tourist office if that is your choice. Mark
Thanks Annika for correcting me ….. I will remember it’s Grindelwald !! 🙂 & For Your useful reply . I have planned to take train from Interlaken Ost to Schilthorn around 8 am & spending some time at top & Murren & return to OST around 1 pm & take train from there to Grindelwald & & take gondola & do Cliff walk & return via trottibikes / ziplines / carts.
Please help in my two queries
. By what reasonable time I will be able to return to Ost …. From Grindelwald… as I have to take a train for Geneva
2. What are prices for these activities ( carts etc ) we have to choose one or we can do all , if we have to do one ( because of short time ) which will you recommend.
Thanks & regards
Hi Satvinders,
- Please use the Swiss railways timetable (see Annika’s post) to plan your trip: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable. If you fill in the desired arrival time, the timetable will let you know what time you have to leave.
- The timetable will give you the prices for trains, cable cars etc. You’ll have to double the price to get full fare. Prices shown are based on the Swiss Half Fare Card. For the specific activities you’re planning to do please visit their website: http://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/tag/grindelwald-first.
Using that timetable makes sure you’ll take the quickest routes. Going back to Interlaken to reach Grindelwald is a detour, for example. You would change trains in Zweilütschinen in this case.
Have fun!
Thanks a lot dear Chantal , those were very useful links !! 🙂 & Answered most of my queries !!
Thanks Arno for the reply . Do you mean from Schilthorn I can reach Grindelwald without going back to Interlaken , via Zweilutschinen. (But that’s a tongue twister for me 😉 ) Oh that will be great !!
>> Do you mean from Schilthorn I can reach Grindelwald without going back to Interlaken , via Zweilutschinen.
Yes. The attached diagram might help you visualise the route. The Schilthorn is not marked, but Mürren is.
>> Zweilutschinen … that’s a tongue twister for me
Yes, and for most people 🙂
Four syllables: Zwei-lüt-schin-en
Rough pronunciation: Tsvy-loot-sheen-en
- Zwei means two
- Lütschinen is the plural of Lütschine, referring to the two Lütschine Rivers that converge at Zweilütschinen.
From Wikipedia:
The Lütschine is a river in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The Lütschine proper runs from Zweilütschinen, where its two tribututaries join, to Lake Brienz at Bönigen. The Schwarze Lütschine, or Black Lütschine, flows from Grindelwald to Zweilütschinen. The Weisse Lütschine, or White Lütschine, flows from the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Zweilütschinen.
Alpenrose
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Thanks a lot dear Alpenrose for detailed response & giving me some insight of the local geography & making it interesting. Really Appreciate !!
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