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bhilden
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA/Boulder, CO
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Sep 18, 2015 - 12:13am PT
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I have traveled on the trains in Switzerland, Italy, and France extensively. You can get pretty much get wherever you want to go and in pretty quick time to boot. The InterCity(IC) trains make fewer stops and are much faster to cover long distances especially if you are going from one large city to another.
I have never bought a Eurail pass, but given how expensive everything is in Switzerland(and right now it is very, very, very expensive compared to the US) that might be a good deal.
BTW, if you are in the Interlaken area you should think of taking the train from Grindelwald up through the Eiger. It is about $150-$200 depending on what time you depart and, I believe, it is not covered by a Eurail pass. But, if the weather is good it is a stunning journey!
ps- I think most of the train schedules are online these days.
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The Chief
climber
Down the hill & across the Valley from......
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Sep 18, 2015 - 04:33am PT
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I would add to this but it was almost 40 years ago when I did just as ^^^^ Hilden shares. Did so in Italy and Spain as well on a regular basis except back in the 70's, it was cheaper than shet. Being active US Military with an ID card got ya a bigass discount. Seems them Euro's were more appreciative of us active duty dudes than they were back home. Ironic to the max.
Oh, and on time regularly....
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crankster
Trad climber
No. Tahoe
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Sep 18, 2015 - 05:40am PT
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Hmmm, trains in Italy are pretty cheap, so I'd lean towards the Swiss Pass and just buying tickets in Italy. Ride 2nd class.
Use this for train schedules (no prices): http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
Estimate point-point $$ in Switzerland:
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Norwegian
Trad climber
dancin on the tip of god's middle finger
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Sep 18, 2015 - 05:53am PT
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has enyone ever crashed
someone else's honeymoon?
the crashees being a complete
stranger to the crasher?
strider can i tote along.
i got tons of cash
and i'm chivalrish,
with bountiful charisma.
though i'm ugly as hell
and a filthy alcoholic,
i dress in ladies clothing,
so i pose no threat to
you and your's young union.
i love trains.
so much.
i lived on the tracks all through college,
drinking jug wine with the hobos.
somenights i'd scoot my bed
nearer to the tracks, just
cause i like sonic and
seismic arrousement from rest.
and switchzerland looks cool.
big 'ol 'ills and fine foods.
they drink beer in switzerland?
do they swear?
bitchen plan, man.
in all seriousness
congratulations on
your marriage and
you two have chosen
an absolutely adorable
way to kick off a lifetime
together.
don't ever come back.
stay wayward and
turn over stones
and when you run out
of stones get out
your kiln and give
the bellows to your wife
and melt elements
into new matrix,
symbolic of your marriage,
and then turn those over
and that, too.
because beneath your marriage
are the two beautiful
individuals whom
made peanut butter
and jellies alone,
once upon a time.
now you can make
sandwich together.
and that is lovely.
cheers strider
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Sep 18, 2015 - 06:31am PT
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Eurorail is awesome. The more you pay the better the ride.
I have only traveled in Italy but two times and went everywhere I wanted by train, no problem.
If you are on a tight budget, the local trains are super cheap. Dirty, grafitti covered, but they get you there with lots of stops.
Travel first class with your new bride. Dress well and feel like you are in a James Bond movie. The fast Eurorail trains get you there in no time.
More unsolicited tips:
If you go to Venice and want to save about $300 a night stay just outside in Mestre
http://www.hoteltrieste.com
or
http://www.hotelplazavenice.com
Walk across the street to the train station. For 30E get a bus pass that takes you into Venice in 15 minutes then the same pass works all day on the water buses in the lagoon. Totally worth it.
If you go to Merano in the Sud Tyrol this hotel is the perfect honeymoon spot:
http://www.hotel-miramonti.com
The view from your window is like out of an airplane. The neighborhood is like a forest from fairytales and the place just drips with historic significance.
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matty
Trad climber
under the sea
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Sep 18, 2015 - 07:35am PT
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Was there last summer. We had a eurorail pas and it did not cover many of the swiss trains. Getting a swiss pass is probably best if you'll be moving around a lot in switzerland. There are many travel forums that have beta so search around and check restrictions on the eurorail carefully so you dont get surprised. The rail system in switzerland is great, always on time and clean and the passengers are very quiet and respectful. Be aware that some swiss trains are private and may not be covered by the Swiss rail pass (though it may give a discount).
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Sep 18, 2015 - 07:42am PT
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nice post Norweeg:-)
congratulation too...
and bon voyage!
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pocoloco1
Social climber
The Chihuahua Desert
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Sep 18, 2015 - 08:05am PT
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Congratulations!
I think consulting a travel agency is a good idea;it's your Honeymoon,relax let someone else do the work.Pack light,multiple bags for train travel is a drag.
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clarkolator
climber
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Sep 18, 2015 - 10:02am PT
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Keep your feet off the uphostelry. When I was a kid I was on one of these trains, and there was a Swiss kid who was maybe 5 years old in the other booth. The conductor saw him put his foot on the seat and just freaking lit into him, just verbally wailing on him in German while he cowered in the corner. The kid's Mom just sat there reading, like everything was totally normal. Whatever you do, keep the feet off the seat.
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bhilden
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA/Boulder, CO
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Sep 18, 2015 - 10:44am PT
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As Crankster pointed out, the 2nd class coaches are more than adequate. No need to pay extra for 1st class tickets unless that's the way you usually roll.
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squishy
Mountain climber
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Sep 18, 2015 - 11:06am PT
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I had the swiss pass and loved it but I traveled around a lot and used it at museums and such after climbing in the jung. It was very convenient to not have to worry about getting on any train or bus when plans changed because of storms or towns shutting down for unforeseen festivals, lol..
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squishy
Mountain climber
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Sep 18, 2015 - 11:19am PT
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I highly recommend going up the Grindelwald side, and then returning via Wegen and staying there if you can. OMG don't tell anyone...hostels and co-ops abound for cheap travel..
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jaaan
Trad climber
Chamonix, France
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Sep 18, 2015 - 12:38pm PT
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Oh, and on time regularly....
No they're not. They are ALWAYS on time. You won't be allowed into Switzerland if you continue with this subversive and imflammatory nonsense.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Sep 18, 2015 - 03:20pm PT
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I can't give you the details needed on train passes. But I will say this: on my wife's and my 10 year anniversary we did a 3+ week trip in Europe. London, Paris, Chateaus near Paris, French Riviera, Florence, Rome, and Venice. Then we got to Interlaken (by the Eiger) and scrapped the rest of our plans for more travel and just stayed there. It was beautiful, there was plenty to see in that one place, and we needed to relax a little before we headed home.
So I'd say:
1. Figure out how to spend more time on your trip. You'll spend a lot of time and money getting there. Take advantage of it. No one ever regretted a vacation that was too long. 10 days. meh. Try to double it.
2. Don't spend a part of one day at each place and rush to the next place. You'll spend more time traveling than enjoying each place. If needed pare down to just your top priorities and allow at least 1-2 full days at each place.
3. I didn't see the other places in Switzerland but the Intelaken/Eiger/Jungfrau region was amazing. We did that instead of the Matterhorn because we only had time for one and there was more variety and things to see there.
4. Be prepared for a little culture shock when crossing the border, Swiss is much cleaner that Italy.
5. If you just stay in No. Italy this doesn't apply, but Rome was amazing to see, the Coliseum, St. Peters, Roman Forum, the Pantheon. Of course it's all what your interests are but the ancient architecture that has survived hundreds or thousands or years was really impressive to me.
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cadelsheim
Trad climber
davis, ca
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Sep 18, 2015 - 03:36pm PT
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No idea about the passes, but, thought I should point out that there is an iPhone app (I assume there is one for Android too) called "SBB Mobile" that makes getting from anywhere in Switzerland to anywhere else in Switzerland very easy. It will figure out the best route, and even give you directions when you are switching between trains, or between trains and buses, etc.
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squishy
Mountain climber
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Sep 18, 2015 - 03:49pm PT
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the switches between trains and buses and such in those large train stations or transpo hubs was the hardest part, navigating the actual platforms and multiple stories of trains coming and going and such. I would seek help with such an app before hand, that's a great idea. We simply don't have anything like it in the states and it's not like an airport but just as large.
And I second what others have said about trying to see that place to fast, there's too much there. I want to go back and see more ahead of lot of other places I wanted to see.
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Sep 18, 2015 - 07:32pm PT
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Strider: I agree that all the options are confusing. If I remember correctly we purchased a Swiss Travel Pass and took the train from Zurich to St Moritz and then down to Vicosoprano on bus. After climbing in the Val Bregaglia, we took the bus back to St Moritz and a train to Grindelwald via Zurich.
Take the train schedules seriously. We were on the platform in the Zurich train station loading our gear on to a train headed for Grindelwald and the train doors closed suddenly and the train took off with our gear while we were still standing on the platform. Fortunately we were able to work with the railway security to retrieve our gear later that day.
I would recommend going to Grindelwald and taking the Swiss Cog Railway train through the Eiger up to the Jungfraujoch railway station and the Sphinx Observatory. Unfortunately the Swiss Railway Pass does not cover the Cog Railway. When we were there in 2008 it cost ~ $100 swiss francs.
You can walk out on to the Grosser Aletschgletscher from the Jungfraujoch railway station.
Also check out Lauterbrunnen
and Trummelbach falls
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Al_Smith
climber
Oahu
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Sep 18, 2015 - 08:16pm PT
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I traveled to every location on your itinerary by rental car (including Grindelwald) and would not for one second change that experience. I lived in Europe and used trains frequently, but the freedom and experience of driving through Switzerland and the Alps was unforgettable. Might want to give driving a second thought.
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SalNichols
Big Wall climber
Richmond, CA
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Sep 19, 2015 - 01:21am PT
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Take a bottle of wine with you. That trip from Zurich through Visp and Brig to Zermatt is a long day for such a small country. The train to Zermatt used to be a funicular...back in the 70's. The grades were kind of steep. Definitely worth the trip.
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SuperTopo on the Web
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Arrive in Zuirch and travel to Zermatt (via Otlen>Bern>Brig>Zermatt)
Let us know!