Trains with Swiss Travel Pass or renting a car?

Hello,

I planned to travel Switzerland from 1-7 November and I will stay in Interlaken and plan to go sight seeing around that area like Grindenward and small villages like that and maybe come to Bern and Lucern for a day but my base is still in Interlaken. Should I buy a Swiss Pass or Half fare card or just rent a car?

Thank you

Hi lkninh and welcome to MySwissAlps.com!

I would recommend definitely the trains with a rail pass. Many villages are carfree in the Jungfrau area and also you can see much more while you are traveling by train, not to mention the parking hassle. At www.myswissalps.com/carversustrain you can read more about trains vs cars.

To be able to choose a rail pass you should first know your itinerary - then you can compare your options. We have a useful guide with a calculation spreadsheet that helps you to choose your rail at www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass. The downloadable spreadsheet also includes links to the “Where it's valid" page for all available passes, be sure to study it carefully.

Usually, travelers choose the Swiss Travel Pass (www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass) as this is the best and most convenient solution for trains in Switzerland. But Swiss Half Fare Card (www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard) can be also a good option for you, or the Regional Pass - Bernese Oberland but unfortunately it's not available in November: www.myswissalps.com/regionalpassberneseoberland.

But as I've said, calculations are required to know which one's the cheapest option for you.

Note, that some cable cars may be out of operation in November, like:

• Wengen - Kleine Scheidegg does not operate 01.11.2021 - 03.12.2021
• Services on the route Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp-Mürren aren't available from 3 May to 12 May 2021, and from 18 October to 5 November 2021 (www.myswissalps.com/schilthorn/gettingthere)
• Eiger Express (from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher) will be also closed: 01.11.2021 - 05.11.2021

But there are many-many other funiculars, so you can spend your time in the Jungfrau region still easily: www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauregion/activities Just make sure to check the operating times before you travel.

Let us know if you have further questions,
Take care,
Ildiko

Thank you very much for your reply. And I want to ask that I noticed the Gricer Express is closed in this period, so is the Swiss Pass still worth it or the Half fare card is enough? Note that I plan to go for some short hike in the area around Grindenward and Interlaken

Thank you

Hi Lkninh,

You definitely do not need a SwissPass, that's for Swiss residents only: www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/swisspass. The choice is between Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card. If you make short trips with a bit of hiking, then the Swiss Half Fare Card is likely enough for you. In order to be 100% sure, please see Ildiko's second link.

I used Swiss Travel Pass. It was very convenient and cost effective since we travelled a lot for 8 days

But you can do a comparison

www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass

Certainly Swiss Trains are an attraction in itself I shall prefer trains over renting a car in Switzerland

Cheers and bon voyage

Thank you very much for that info, so do you recommend any sightseeing train beside the Gracier as I notice it’s closed, I mean the train with big windows and going slow so we can look around or some cable I can use?

thank you

Thank you very much, can you give me some suggestions for seeing cheese making factories, small or big is all ok and how to get there

thank you

Hi lkninh,

Instead of the Glacier Express, you probably should consider riding on the Golden Pass train. You can travel from Interlaken to Zweisimmen, then from Zweisimmen to Montreux. More details here: www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass

For other scenic train options, have a look here: www.myswissalps.com/activities/scenictrips

If you're curious about cheese-making, I recommend the cheese factory in Gruyeres. There's also one in Emmental near Bern (check out this optional guided tour for ideas). Both are open all year round. But do check out the links as the opening times may be limited in winter. You might also be interested to explore other similar options here: www.myswissalps.com/activities/culinary

Regards,

Anna