SWITZERLAND
INFORMATION
TRANSPORT
• SWISS •
HALF FARE CARD
120CHF / month
50% discount on unlimited tickets to regular and premium trains, buses, and boats
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Buying tickets at any information station or ticket machines
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Suitable if you are planning to have a panoramic rides such as
Eiger express, Panoramic train, Ferry boats, Funicular ride
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You'll have to show your Half Fare card (from your mobile phone) whenever you buy any ticket or ride the train
• JUNGFRAUJOCH •
EIGER EXPRESS
95CHF / person
One of the particular panoramic ride, only available at Jungfraujoch.
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The price attached is Round-Trip from-to Grindelwald Terminal, and it has been deducted by 50% with Half Fare Card
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You DON'T have to do the round trip route. Alternatively, go down to Kleine Scheidegg which is nearby Lauterbrunnen
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Purchasing the ticket on the day of your departure is
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
No booking required
• SWISS •
CITY BUSES
FREE
The hotel will gave you free buses pass within the city you're staying.
You might have to pay for buses outside the city, but the driver never checked :P
Bus station is nearby almost everywhere and the timetable for each bus can be asked from your hotel receptionist.
However, you'll have to pay for Tourist-Tax upon leaving thou it's not too much
( prices are varied depends on which hotel and city you're staying )
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The fact that we didn't purchase SWISS TRAVEL PASS is because it didn't cover Jungfraujoch's Eiger Express, while the price is 2 times higher and 20% less discount for Eiger with SWISS TRAVEL PASS
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Moreover, bus free privilege was already included from our hotel stays yet
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we will still have to pay for the tourist tax
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PS : We strongly suggest you to CHECK your desired activities ( that related with any particular rides ) in Switzerland, to make it more accurate whether you should BUY ANY passes or NOT :)
INFORMATION
DINE
BOOKING
Booking is not mandatory, but pay attention for meal you've craving on Google, especially its date ( less than a month post means higher chance that menu was still listed )
PRICING
Estimated cost to eat every proper meal
( 1 entree and 1 main )
about 50 CHF / person
LUNCH / DINNER
Opening hours also important for you to check.
Some restaurants only serve soups and salads during evening.
SUNDAY
In contrary with Paris, most RESTAURANTS closed on weekdays, while most STORES are closed on Sunday
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OUR MEAL HIGHLIGHTS [ SORRY WE ARE NOT A CHEESE FANS ]
ITINERARY
D-05
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EURAIL TRIP
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GRINDELWALD ARRIVAL
EURAIL
1
TRAIN
1
BUS
2
STEPS
5K
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Arrival at Basel Sbb Station 13:26
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Arrival at Interlaken OST Train station 15:58
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Arrival at Grindelwald train station 17:15
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Upon arrival, nothing much to see because it was dark already
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But the food that night was literally the best we had, during our Switzerland visit
ITINERARY
D-06
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JUNGFRAUJOCH
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LAUTERBRUNNEN
CABLE C
2
TRAIN
4
BUS
2
STEPS
11k
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Breakfast at Hotel 08:30
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Arrival at Bus Stop ahead to Grindelwald's Terminal 09:30
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Purchasing the Eiger Express ticket on Terminal 10:00
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Cost 95 CHF / Round Trip
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Visiting the Ice palast, Lindt Chocolate Shop, Museum and Jungfraujoch's Top
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It was a great mistake ( ⌣́_⌣̀ ) since Jungfraujoch that time is way too cloudy and windy ( check the LIVE-CAM )
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Quick lunch buying frozen and bread items at COOP 12:00
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Arrival at train platform to visit Lauterbrunnen 12:52
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Cost 8 CHF / Round Trip
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Change train at Bahnhof Zweilütschinen
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Arrived at Lauterbrunnen 14:30
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Arrived at Grindelwald train station and it is snowing 16:30
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Note that most stores closed on 07:00 PM, applied for other cities around Switzerland
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The experience of Eiger Express ride is surely unforgettable and unbeatable :), compared to Grindelwald First and Dolomiti's Cortina d'Ampezzo.
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We have more spare time to relax and rest earlier since we have to cancel one of our activities this day,
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which is Glacier Canyon Walk, due to winter ( only open during April - November )
ITINERARY
D-07
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GRINDELWALD FIRST
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INTERLAKEN - BRIENZ
CABLE C
2
TRAIN
3
BUS
2
STEPS
11k
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Checking out from our hotel but keep the luggage there 09:40
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Buying Grindelwald's First Cliff Walk Ticket on site 10:10
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[ Cost 32 CHF / Round Trip ] price already include the cable car ride
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Arriving at hotel, leaving this beautiful city ♥ 12:46
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Arriving at Interlaken Ost via Train 14:40
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Check in and having quick lunch afterwards 15:38
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Heading to Brienz via Train 16:00
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The initial itinerary was supposed to be a Ferry ride to Bern, but due to winter, the Ferry is not operated (︶︹︺)
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Arriving at Brienz and view the Brienz Lake not far from train station 17:00
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Heading back to Interlaken Ost 17:45
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The city has more varieties of food and shops compared to Grindelwald,
which makes this city considered more "convenience" than other nearby cities.
The most convenient part is that this city located in the middle of some beautiful cities such as
Grindelwald, Thun, Bern and so on, with only 45 - 60 minutes ride from here.
But aside of its lifestyle options and centralized train station,
the city has nothing more to offer during winter.
ITINERARY
D-08
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EURAIL trip to SPIEZ
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EURAIL trip to MILANO
EURAIL
2
TRAIN
0
BUS
0
STEPS
2K
SEAT RESERVATION
20 - 39 US$ / person
To ensure you are seated together with your relatives, always reserve under 1 account
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TICKET not always meant to be printed
If printing required, you can input the reservation code at any SNCF machine
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VOITURE = Carriage number
PLACE = Seat Number
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Reservation can only be made from website
[ not applicable through apps ]
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Ensure your pass linked with your email address, because website login only accept email login
Wake up and have a breakfast 09:00
Leaving our stay 09:50
Arriving at the train platform 10:00
EURAIL Train heading to Spiez
Arriving at Spiez and taking pictures of lake Thun just 5 minutes outside the train station 11:30
Arriving at the train platform 11:55
EURAIL Train heading to Milano Centrale - Italy
There are two main stations in Interlaken, one at the East side ( called Interlaken Ost ), the other is on the west side.
Main cities revolves nearby the west station, but to access cities like Grindelwald or taking a ferry ride,
it would be nearer from Interlaken Ost.
There is one place that also closed during winter,
but you might want to check it out if you're travelling in between April - November
INFORMATION
VAT REFUND
FRANCE
Thou most popular brands are originally came from here, doesn't mean this country is the cheapest place to buy
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If you buy the item from any OFFICIAL STORE, the price with any EURO currencies will be the same like websites
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VAT refund is varied depend on how much you've spent.
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You can claim any other countries purchases as long as it was under the same European Union
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However, the VAT from other countries will can only be given to you by cash
101€ - 8.000€
12%
ITALY
The highest VAT refund country that we've visited
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Stores in Milan are not as crowded as Paris with no que line
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Some people inform that there's cheaper place in Florence city which has a lot of branded items, but we are not having enough time to have a visit.
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Purchases above 8.000 € will get 15% VAT refund
101€ - 8.000€
13.3%
SWITZERLAND
We are not recommend you to bought stuffs from either Switzerland or United Kingdom
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Aside of its low percentage with high minimum transaction, the currencies are higher compared to Euro
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Some information from locals, the VAT purchases and refund is not valid to be done outside Switzerland, because it is an independent country aside from European Union.
However this information is cannot be confirmed, because we didn't claim for VAT on any
Switzerland's purchases
265€ / 300 CHF
3.8%
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Always ask the store's Cashier to make yourself a VAT receipt ( you will need to show your passport )
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You can choose to claim the VAT via cash or credit cards
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At the airport, bring along the item you purchase ( > 1.000 Euro ) to show it to the VAT refund officer