MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Swiss 2 weeks in July – what trips to prioritize
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I’m visiting the Bernese Oberland with my daughter (just 16) , son (24) and wife from 30 June to 12 July, staying in Beatenberg, Nr Interlaken, and hiring a car. I have a long list of trips which I want to do, but can’t do them all, and could do with some help prioritizing them and then to decide what pass to get? I’m very keen to do both Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn and also the Grindelwald/Mannlichen/Wengen cable car. As we are staying in Beatenberg we will no doubt want to do Neiderhornbahn and we have been told to visit Kandersteg. We also want to do a day trip by train to Luzerne. We want to do a cog railway (either Schynige Platte or Brienz Rothurn Bahn – which is recommended? – and possible Harder Kuhn as we are nearby. My daughter likes the look of Gelmerbahn! There’s also First which I remember doing in a chair lift as a child in the 1970’s – I haven’t been back to the region since! We will want to throw in a boat trip or two as well. Unless I’m missing something I’m guessing the Bernese Oberland Pass is the obvious option (even though I think I need a full adult pass for my daughter who was 16 last week which was most inconvenient!) – but are these the ‘right’ trip options, which ones should I prioritize and have I missed anything? Love this site by the way; it’s really useful. Thanks. Phil
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Hi Phil and welcome to MySwissAlps!
I think you have plenty of time to do everything on your list. Certainly none stand out as “don’t bother”. 🙂
Personally, I’d be sure to try the Gelmerbahn (I must do it this summer myself). Schynige Platte has the more impressive views (I’d say) but the train to Brienzer Rothorn is cool…Kandersteg, Oeschinensee and Blausee are worth trips as well and cloby eachother. Everything can be done in your 13 days.
https://www.myswissalp s.com/schynigeplatte
https://www.myswissalp s.com/brienzerrothornThe best rail pass will depend on how much driving you plan to do. If you are parking the car in Beatenberg for the 2 weeks then either the Regional Pass – Bernese Oberland or the Swiss Half Fare Card could work. If you plan to drive as far as you can before taking a cable car or train etc to the mountain, the Swiss Half Fare Card is probably the better option.
https://www.myswissalp s.com/regionalpassbern eseoberland
https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisshalffarecar dBe sure to click on the “where it’s valid” tabs on those rail pass pages to see PDF maps of what routes they cover.
Have a look at our page here on how to choose the best rail pass (you’ll have needed to basically finalize your daily itineraries first): https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/ticketspas ses/practical/choosera ilpass
Lastly, be sure to use our search box on the site and look for trip reports forum for comments from other members about what they did and what they liked most etc from their own trips.
https://www.myswissalp s.com/forum/tripreport sThanks Lucas. We are not close to public transport in Beatenberg – and over 1mile from the furnicular – so I was thinking of using the car to get us to Interlaken or Wilderswill train stations. Do you know what parking is like and cost? Is it easier /cheaper to drive andapark at base of mountains/trip start points? I do like the thought of using trains as much as possible though. Are there are discounted passes for my 16 year old? Thanks.
Hi Phil,
Parking at Interlaken Ost is 10chf per day. I’d park and use trains from there. Great connections around the region. You can use the timetable from Swiss railways to plan out all trips from there: https://www.myswissalp s.com/timetable
Unfortunately 15 is the cut off for kids on rail passes in Switzerland. So she’ll have to get a regular rail pass (whichever of the 2 you choose for your trip).
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