4-Day Spring Getaway in Switzerland: Explore with the Berner Oberland Pass
Want to optimize your travel in Switzerland? The key is finding the right pass. For long stays, consider the half-fare card. For short trips, like our recent 4-day spring adventure in the Bernese Oberland, we used the 4-day Berner Oberland Pass, costing 280 CHF. This pass grants access to trains, boats, and gondolas, covering diverse attractions. Our itinerary included:
Day 1: Luzern and Brienz
Day 2: Lauterbrunnen Valley
Day 3: Oeschinensee
Day 4: Niederhorn
Experience a relaxed yet adventurous trip with this convenient pass. You can check out the pictures that we took here. The Berner Oberland pass completely covered all the travel involved in the our itinerary. Once you purchase the pass all that you need to do is show the QR code associated to the ticket inspector and viola ! For planning our journeys I used the SBB app on mobile. Lets go a little bit into the details of what the trip was all about.
Day 1: Luzern and Brienz
Imagine a scenic train ride through breathtaking landscapes on one of Switzerland's most iconic routes. This was our first day on the Interlaken-Luzern Golden Pass Panorama Express. Starting with an intercity train from Bern to Interlaken, we then boarded the PE train. With comfortable seating and stunning views of numerous lakes, the 2.5-hour journey took us to the charming town of Luzern. Just across the train station, the famous bridge leads to the old city, perfect for an afternoon stroll with cafes and shops.
Luzern -the chapel bridge
On our way back to Bern we stopped at Brienz and took a mini cruise on the lake from Brienz to Interlaken. The deep turquoise water of the lake is very unique in all kinds of weather.
Views from the Brienz lake cruise.
Day 2: Lauterbrunnen Valley
If there's one place that epitomizes spring, it's Lauterbrunnen. This valley comes alive in the warmer months. Upon arrival from Interlaken, you're greeted by a stunning waterfall. You can walk up close to it or explore the valley with numerous waterfalls along the way. Lauterbrunnen is a perfect base for accessing alpine towns like Mürren and Wengen, easily reachable with the Berner Oberland Pass. We visited Mürren and enjoyed the breathtaking alpine beauty.
Lauterbrunnen
Day 3: Oeschinensee
One of the most iconic alpine lakes in Switzerland is the Oeschinensee. It takes about 2 hours to reach from Bern and the mini hike to the lake once you get down the gondola is totally worth it. From Bern you need to get to Kandersteg, Then take short walk of about 1 km to reach the gondola base to get to Oeschinen (Bergstation). Once you reach the top there is a 20-30 minute walk to the lake. Do take your time to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature around you as you reach take this journey. There is alos a fun tobogan ride that we did at the Bergstation that was super fun.
Oeschinensee lake
Day 4: Niederhorn
Niederhorn is one of Switzerland's most underrated viewpoints, offering less crowded, stunning vistas of the Bernese Alps. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Thun on one side and majestic valleys on the other. The area boasts numerous hiking trails. To reach Niederhorn, take a train to Interlaken West, followed by a picturesque bus ride to Beatenberg, and then a gondola up to Niederhorn. This journey combines scenic beauty and adventure, making it a must-visit spot for nature lovers and hikers.
View from Niederhorn
