up into the Swiss alps

[Haley]

Has anyone taken the railway/cogwheels/gondolas up into the Switz alsp at Jungfrau or Mt. Pilatus or anything other mtns in the Interlaken/Lucerne area? Is there any way to get better deals on them? (So expensive!!) Were they worth the money? Any sharing of experience would be helpful, thanks!

[monique]

When I was in Switzerland, it rained the whole time so I didn't take any high lifts. I hear it is quite an experience, so I shall return to try again!! Some of the Swiss rail passes offer discounts on some of the lifts. Also, I believe the first ride up to the Shilthorn (or maybe it was the Jungfrau?) is discounted. Check ricksteves.com. He has it pretty well figured out.

[jennifer]

It's expensive all right! But totally worth it.
I was in Gimmelwald and took the cable car up to Schilthorn, what a view!
Stunning, breathtaking!
It's hard to describe, I got my best pictures of my trip up there!
I suggest splurging if you really like mountain scenery, it's worth it.
If you have a eurail pass valid in Switzerland, you get 25% off, it does make a difference!
xoxo
jen

[aglassonion]

I took a gondola up Mt. Pilatus two summers ago...It was a little overcast, but once up there, it was fantastic. I would recommend it. I don't, however, remember the pass, but I could probably get it for you from my guide if it's really important.

Randy

[madam trash heap]

It doesn't matter which mountain you go up, the views all look like the front of a chocolate box! IMHO, go up as many as you can! If you can only chose one, then the Jungfrau is amazing; you change trains halfway up (keep a lookout for the St Bernard that sometimes hangs around the station) and continue through the clouds to the summit. Up the top is an ice cave (inside the glacier) and great views, weather of course permitting. It is the highest in the region, view wise, so you find yourself looking down on the other mountains a bit. If it's Summer, they open the ski run (!) and have free disc-thingys to slide around on. The ski run is a bit short and won't impress skiers, but is fun nonetheless. Schilthorn is also amazing and you can see if they still offer a pass that covers Schilthorn and Murren (a cograil accessed from Lauterbrunnen). Mt Pilatus is fun if you want to go up the cable car and down the cog rail (or vice versa) for a couple of hours sightseeing. They have trains and a dragon cave to see once up there and a wicked Irish Coffee!If you can afford a real treat and get away from it all, stay up there in one of the hotels and eat in the restaurant for great Swiss food and lovely people. If you want to stay in a great village and access mountains, try either Lauterbrunnen (Jungfrau, Murren, Schilthorn) or Engelberg (Mt Titlis). Both are beautiful and offer access to mountains as well as a variety of other activities, depending on the time of year.

It's worth asking at any mountain if they have a deal going as they very occasionally do deals with other sites/mountains, although don't be surprised if they look at you strangely when you ask as the mountains are generally privately-run.

Have fun whatever you choose!

[CuriousToronto]

I was in Switzerland this summer and took the gondola up to the Schilthorn. LOVED IT! ;D

Previous posters are right. The first couple of rides are discounted. They start at 7am or something (from Gimmelwald) and they take you to the top but you have to return by noon. Even though they don't check.

My boyfriend and I took the cable car at 7:30 or something like that. For the cable car and something called the James Bond breakfast we paid in the morning what you would just pay for a regular ticket to go up during the day.

Let me tell you this James Bond breakfast was huge and totally impressive!! You got eggs, Swiss German cold cuts and sausages, cheeses, pickled veggies, fresh baked breads, orange juice, coffee tea or hot chocolate, and a glass of champagne! We barely finished the thing. It was SUCH a treat though - the restaurant has big ass glass windows and it rotates. It was simply incredible!

Now there is also another breakfast which is simpler but this was like 6 SFR more and totally worth it. Alternately you can take the lift up without the breakfast.

Another fantastic thing about the early bird passes is when you get up there you are basically the only one there. Simply amazing!

It was a splurge but totally worth it - trust me on this one!

Just one caveat though - don't go up if it's a foggy day. What looks like a couple of clouds at the bottom will be a wall of fog when you get to the top.

Let us know if you go and how you like it!

Oh and in terms of a place to stay in the area: GIMMELWALD all the way!

[new traveler]

This message board was very helpful as i'm trying to figure out where to go in Switezerland for a trip of 2 days, esp. since I am intereste din the mountains. I'm confused about the breakdown... Are Gimmelwald and Lauterbrunnen villages in Swit. in which the Jungfaru and Schitthorn mountains are located? And what city are they in...Interlaken??

[CuriousToronto]

Gimmelwald and Lauterbrunnen are places onto themselves. Totally separate from Interlaken although they are close to each other. Lauterbrunnen is a valley located a VERY short (and somewhat old) train ride away from Interlaken. It's much less touristy but still has a lot of the restaurants and sleeping accomodations that you would hope for.
Gimmelwald on the other hand is in the mountains right above the Lauterbrunnen valley. To get there you take the post bus to the gondola station and get off at the first stop. Gimmelwald doesn't really have grocery stores or ATMs or anything like that. There are some places to stay at and the pension which doubles as a restaurant. It is not an exageration to say it is a village. From there though you are only a short hike away to the next town up the village (Murren) which is a lot more equipped. Having said that it is cheaper to stay in Gimmelwald than Murren.

So I guess where you go depends on what you want. I still recommend Gimmelwald but I loved it there and am clearly biased!