Wouter
Traveller
102 comments
Posted 9 years ago
So, the route it self should be ok since this isn't a new one, but I need some tips.
Day (night) 0,5 Arnhem (NL) - Basel by CNL
I'm planning to get a 4p couchette (60euro) but since the difference between a 2p sleep cabin (80euro) isn't that huge, should I pay that 20 euro more for a bed and a breakfast? Is that breakfast worth it? And is it served for 7 o' clock since thats the arrival on Basel?
Day 1,
ICN to Genevè by Delémont and Biel/Bielle, be there some hours and getting a sleep in Lausanne.
Day 2,
Lausanne - Montreux - GoldenPass route - Zweisimmen.
For the Goldenpass route are there some VIP tickets availible when I book in front! Does the experience cover that VIP ticket + 1 class price? Otherwise it will be the normal regional.
Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost - Lauterbrunnen.
Now. [b]Lauterbrunnen[/b] offers a lot of trains and I can't find out what. Can somebody help me out here! There should be a round riding train, mountain trains.......
Day 3,
Lauterbrunnen - Lugano should the route be.
Many sites mention Wilhelm Tell Express by the SBB. I sadly can't find anything good info about it.. Yea, they run a boat to Fluëlen, and you need a firstclass ticket for this 'express'.
My idea was to get a train to Luzern, see some, to Zurich, spot some trains, and back down to Lugano. Somehow, the route from Zurich to Lugano needs to be back trough Luzern and change in Arth-Goldau? Is this day to long to travel?
Day 4,
Some mention to take a bus-reservation from Lugano to Tirano. They say the route is worth it..
The other option is to travel by train to Milaan (be there some time?) and go to Tirano to get the Bernina regio to St Moritz
Day 5,
Get the Glacier express, or Regional, not sure, to Visp. Stay 2 nights by friends in Saas.
Day 7 Get to Brig via Visp and take the Lötschberger change to Basel and the ICE to Arnhem (NL).
If I missed some spots let me know!
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
Which Swiss pass do you want to buy? If you want to support us, you can buy it via our partner link at [ux]https://rail.shop/acprail/switzerland[/ux] :)
What are the couchette and sleeper fares you are reffering to?
Personally I would take the sleeper. You will get coffee/tea plus a breakfast box usually including a roll and pastry, orange juice, butter, jam and a meat-based spread. You will get it whenever you want - half an hour or an hour before arrival or you can also get it as take away.
I have travelled the Zweisimmen - Lausanne part of the Golden Pass route just once and sat in a 2nd class panoramic car for which no reservation is required.
The VIP accomodation probably is quite interesting but I am not sure if I wanted to spend that extra money on a 1st class ticket plus reservation..
Railways around Lauterbrunnen: BOB (Berner Oberland Bahn) operates from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald and is included in the Swiss Pass.
WAB (Wengeralpbahn) runs from Lauterbrunnen via Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg as well as from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg. Swiss Pass is valid on Lauterbrunnen - Wengen, on the remainder you get 25% discount.
JB (Jungfraubahn) runs from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch, 25% discount
SPB (Schynige Platte Bahn) runs from Wilderswil on BOB to Schynige Platte, 50% discount
BLM (Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen Mürren) is a combination of aerial cableway plus railway from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp and Mürren, included in Swiss Pass
I havent been there yet, but if possible I would try to include the trip to Jungfraujoch, even though it is not exactly cheap.At least you should do the round trip via Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg - Wengen.
Wilhelm Tell Express is a combined offer of ship+train on the route from Luzern to Flüelen, then across Gotthard. These are no special services, so IMO you could do just fine travelling with your (2nd class) Swiss Pass on a ship on Lake Lucerne, then on the Gotthard line.
If you have time, include a trip up to Mount Rigi. :)
Zürich - Lugano would operate many direct trains, however every two hours on the IR services you would have to change in Arth Goldau but this is no big deal.
Just one or two years ago every IR train on the Gotthard route used to have at least one old Bpm car with windows that could be opened, however nowadays these seem to be very rare...
I dont know the Bernina Express Bus from Lugano to Tirano; I would rather take the train via Chiasso - Monza - Tirano; the part in Italy costs about 13€ or so.
I think there are so many great lines in Switzerland and it is impossible to cover all of them in just one week so I think your schedule is just fine, covering most of the highlights already. :)
Flo 8)
Wouter
Traveller
102 comments
Bought all the tickets!
If I'm lucky, the first row on the Golden Pass is mine!
For Lauterbrunnen via Mürren will be included in the trip, and the the Round trip will be optional but the Jongfraujoch, as nice it should be, is me to much money, about 100 euro's..
Mount Rigi, I just read the blog, To make my way up I probably not going to Zürich but directly to Arth-Goldau from Luzern.
I have to admit that these 5 days are a bit short but I'm planning it strict and full so I hope to see everything!