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Is Eurail Global Pass valid/works for public and ferries transportation in Switzerland?

  • 30 November 2023
  • 8 replies
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Hi, we will be staying at Switzerland mainly in Bern. Is Eurail Global Pass valid/works for public train, ferries, bus in Basel, Zurich, Interlaken? We would like to ride a bus and ferry going to Lake Brienz and hop in to ride at Harder Kulm (Funicular).  Will cable cars be also included or has a discount only? Thank you

https://www.interrail.eu/en/plan-your-trip/tips-and-tricks/trains-europe/railway-companies

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Best answer by thibcabe 30 November 2023, 18:03

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Userlevel 7
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Have a look at :

https://benefitsportal.eurail.com/benefits/swiss-private-boat-benefits/

https://benefitsportal.eurail.com/benefits/swiss-private-trains-benefits/

Buses are not included. You do not need to take a bus to get to Lake Brienz, there's a railway on one side (unless you wish to visit Iseltwald).

Ferries on Lake Thun and Brienz are included but there's no service on Lake Brienz in winter.

You've got a 25% discount on Harder Kulm (no need to use a pass day). Same thing for trains from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and above.

Userlevel 7
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If you stay in a hotel in Bern, or other city in Switzerland,  you will most likely get a card that gives you free public transportation within the city during your stay. 

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Thank you for your response. 

Yes, we wish to visit Iseltwald. Maybe you can recommend some places since Lake Brienz and Harder Kulm are not operating during the winter.

We’ve been to Zurich, Lucerne, Mt. Titlis, and Zermatt and visited Bern too four years ago but all of those places were arranged by travel tour packages. This December, we were planning to visit on our own.

We will be staying in Bern and Basel.

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How do I get free public transportation within the city during our stay?

How do I get free public transportation within the city during our stay?

You just need to stay in the specific city. In general, all hotels participate.

Here is the information for Basel: BaselCard (free guest card) | exclusive advantages | basel.com

And here for Bern: Bern Ticket - Bern Welcome

Userlevel 7
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How do I get free public transportation within the city during our stay?

It’s given to you by your hotel. You can contact them and see if they offer it.

Info here, for Bern:  https://www.bern.com/en/bern-ticket

Edit: hah! Beaten to it by @Hektor 

Thank you for your response. 

Yes, we wish to visit Iseltwald. Maybe you can recommend some places since Lake Brienz and Harder Kulm are not operating during the winter.

We’ve been to Zurich, Lucerne, Mt. Titlis, and Zermatt and visited Bern too four years ago but all of those places were arranged by travel tour packages. This December, we were planning to visit on our own.

We will be staying in Bern and Basel.

It’s possible to visit Iseltwald even in winter. You just need to go by bus (will cost you 6 CHF one way per person).

It’s also possible to do a boat trip on Lake Thun even in winter (but timetable depends on your specific travel dates). 

Here are some ideas for winter excursions in Interlaken Winter excursions (interlaken.ch), Basel Winter in Basel [Schweiz] | basel.com | basel.com and Bern Winter Activities in Bern - Bern Welcome.

Userlevel 7
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If the weather's not really good or you prefer to stay on trains : you could take the Golden Pass scenic route. Trains run at least hourly.

- Bern - Zweisimmen - Montreux - Lausanne - Bern

Feel free to stop along the way.

Another rainy day trip idea would be the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc (now accessible by direct train from Bern !).

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