Switzerland Travel Answers

Hi Tea, So far, I'm thinking you'll want to get the Swiss Pass for your train travel. The Bernese Oberland Pass is a regional Pass. Since you will be using the train in other parts of Switzerland, I think the Swiss Pass will serve you better. The Swiss Pass covers all trains, boats and buses, plus admission to most Swiss museums, and offers 50% discounts on lifts. This will come in handy when in the Interlaken area, if you want to see the mountain peaks, and other great sites. You can find more info. here www.sbb.ch/en I'd love to help you with your itinerary, if you can tell me where you plan on leaving from. Hope I helped a little. Todd

Thank you so much for your help Bluedawg1968 and railfan424. Am so grateful for your tips. railfan424 I would definitely have chosen the panoramic train option so am glad to know the alternative is a better way to go. And good to know that the Swiss pass covers Domodossola! Bluedawg1968 in answer to your question we are coming from Australia and arrive in Paris first, for a few unplanned days of relaxing. I know Paris quiet well so we will just get over our jet lag and stroll around for 4 days before catching the train down to Lausanne. We will then have Lausanne as our base for 3 full days (not counting the day we arrive from Paris because that will mostly be spent travelling on the train, strolling around Lausanne and catching up with family). For those 3 days we want to explore the area around Lausanne – I really want to see Gruyere and go for nice walks etc. After Lausanne we will catch a morning train to Interlaken and are hoping to find somewhere to stay for 3 nights (we considered Beatenberg but perhaps its too far away from the main transport hub of Interlaken. We don’t mind somewhere a bit quiet but really want easy access to public transport and perhaps a supermarket etc.). I love flowers so I am hoping there are some flowers out by the time we get here, maybe at Schynige Platte. It looks so beautiful! In the Interlaken area we also want to go to the Geissbach, see one of the lakes, and make day trips in the surrounding area. Not a lot of time I know but its all we have unfortunately! And then we are thinking we will catch the train to Lucerne as I mentioned in my previous post. A question about the train trip from Interlaken to Lucerne – we considered hiring a car from Interlaken and dropping it off in Lucerne the following morning (we can do it with Europcar) just so we could drive through Sarnen and check out the area before continuing on to Lucerne. If we take the train option instead, is it possible to get off the train in Sarnen and leave our bags (we will each have a small suitcase) at Sarnen station so we can explore for half a day on foot before continuing on to Lucerne with the same train ticket? I am a bit confused about the train system even though it sounds amazing and I just didn’t want to be dragging our bags through Sarnen while we retrace my partners memories from childhood. Again, much thanks for your help. I really appreciate it! Tea

Hi Tea I didn't stay in Interlaken (just spent a day). I stayed in Lauterbrunnen, which is only a 30 minute train ride away. I definately recommend you try to go there. There is alot to see and do. There's plenty of transportation options, so you don't have to be worried about being stranded. As far as travelling to Luzern and Sarnen, I'm thinking you could just use Luzern as a base. If you go to myswitzerland.com/en/sarnen.... and click on the Railway Timetable, then plug in From Luzern To Sarnen, it appears it's only a 30 minute ride, or so. That way you could go straight from Interlaken to Luzern, and then one day get up early (or not so early) and spend the day in Sarnen. Hope this helped. Todd