MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial July: 4 days – Zermatt-Wengen. Car + rail pass?
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Hi we are travelling to Zermatt from Italy on a trip around Europe. I have booked two nights in Zermatt in July. We will have a car which we will park at Tasch and train to Zermatt. We intend to do the Gornergrat Cogwheel train. So am wondering how much time to allow and what other activities we should try and fit in. We then after our two nights in Zermatt want to travel back to Tasch and then drive on the road that goes over the Grimselpass around to Interlaken and then onto Lauterbrunnen where we will leave our car. We then have two nights booked in Wengen. Will this road trip take a long time and are there lots of stops that we should look at on the way. In Wengen we intend to do The Jungrau top of Europe trip. As there are so many options how to do it I am confused as to how and which way to do it re train and cable cars. We also are a bit confused as to what passes we should buy. I was thinking the Swiss Half Fare Pass would be a good idea. Was also wondering whether two nights in Wengen is plenty or would one night be enough. Then we are travelling back to Paris. If you could advise on this itinerary and offer any hints please.
Thanking you.
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Hello Mpast
In July it may be advisable to reserve parking in Täsch. In Zermatt, I can recommend the trip up the Gornergrat and the Klein Matterhorn (beware: due to the altitude of 3500 metres above sea level, the air is very thin) and the visit to the Gorner Gorge. A trip to the Rothorn mountain and the 5 Lakes Hike is also recommended. The drive from Täsch to Lauterbrunnen should take about 3.5 hours. On the way it is worth visiting the Aare Gorge and/or the Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen.
From Wengen, in addition to the Jungfraujoch, I would also do Lauterbrunnen, the Trümmelbach Falls and a trip to Mürren and the Schlithorn.
Have a great trip!
Martin
Hello Mpast,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Thank you for sharing your plans.
Yes, July is peak season and it can get quite busy. Best to book parking at Täsch as per Martin’s suggestion above. There are several parking facilities in Täsch but the Matterhorn Terminal is probably the most convenient. Car park tickets can be booked online. More details are available here:
Just so you have an idea, we would recommend at least an hour to visit the Gornergrat. This does not include the time to get there. The whole round trip from Zermatt takes at least 2.5 hours. More information can be found here: https://www.myswissalps.com/gornergrat
In regard to other activities, that may interest you: https://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt/activities. Perhaps a hike or visit to Klein Matterhorn?
Your drive via the Grimsel Pass to reach Lauterbrunnen would take approximately three to three and half hours without stops. If you wanted to take a break, a worthwhile stop, would be a visit to the Reichenbach falls at Meiringen. You also mentioned Interlaken, suggested activities can be found here: https://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/activities
More about driving in Switzerland: https://www.myswissalps.com/car
An alternative driving route which is the most direct route from Täsch would be by car train, taking around 2 hours. You would drive to Goppenstein, load your car on the train, stay in the car until the train reaches Kandersteg at the other end of the Lötschberg Tunnel. This is the route suggested by Google Maps if you select “travel by car”. There is no motorable road crossing the Bernese Alps at that location.
For those combining driving and taking public transportation whilst in Switzerland. Typically a Swiss Half Fare Card would be sensible choice or if you are planning extensive travel in the Jungfrau area, the Jungfrau Travel Pass may make sense – some of the cable car travel is also included or discounted with this pass.
Many members find it useful to carry out calculations so the best options are presented to them. You can do this, via this link: https://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass
In regard to the number of nights in Wengen, it really depends on what your plans are? Take a look at the suggested activities in the area below, perhaps that will help you decide on how much or how little you would like to do.
I hope this helps, feel free to reach out with any further questions.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thankyou very much Martin and Yolanda for your replies. This has helped me so much with my planning. I think I will purchase the Swiss half fare pass and then probably will purchase the Jungfrau travel pass as we will probably do more than go up to the Jungfrau. we will try to see as much as we can in our limited time.
Half Fare card is normally the best when you have a car as well.
The Jungfraujoch is very expensive, and there is a debate between two camps: the ‘must do’ and ‘it’s too much like a theme park – go Elsewhere’
I am in the latter camp. In the past before it got too commercialised it was awesome many now believe the uniqueness has been lost somewhat. As you have a car and intend to drive via the Grimsel Pass – you might decide that this give you enough incredible* views – you can also access the Rhone glacier although this is melting fast…
There is a side road off the Grimsel pass to , which takes you to Oberaarsee, a view as good as Jungfrau – at ‘no extra cost’
Thanks very much for your advice. We also wondered if a Berner oberland Pass would be better than the Jungrau pass ? what do you think. We thought while we were in the area we would like to use the cablecars to other villages and see other things other than just go up to Jungfraujoch.
Hello again Mpast,
You can read more about the Berner Oberland Pass, where it covers, what is covered, price etc:
In terms of this pass vs the Jungfrau Travel Pass, as you can appreciate, it really depends on your daily activities and places you are planning do and visit. I do, encourage you to carry out some maths via the “How to choose a rail pass” link I provided earlier. That way you can be sure which pass is best for your trip.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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