Berner Oberland Pass and SBB app

BJR

We will purchasing the Swiss Half Fare Pass and the Berner Oberland Pass. We understand how to add the SHF pass to the SBB app. However, it looks like we can’t add the Berner Oberland pass. Most of our main train rides over 8 days in Switzerland will be in the Berner Oberland region: Zurich airport to Luzern, Luzern to Interlaken and Interlaken to Milan. How do we get train tickets when we have the Berner Oberland and the Swiss Half Fare passes? We will probably want to get reserved seats. Is the Berner Oberland Pass our actual train ticket for that area?
Thank you.

FatimaH

Hello BJR

You can find the area of validity of the Berner Oberland Pass here: https://www.berneseoberlandpass.ch/maps-bernese-oberland/
For the routes where this pass is not valid, you need an additional ticket. Further information can be found at the website.

I wish you a pleasant stay within Switzerland.

Kind regards,
FatimaH

RolandP

Hello BJR

In addition to, and to complete my dear colleague @FatimaH ’s advice, I would like to point out:

The Berner Oberland Pass

cannot be added to the SBB Mobile app, ss it is a private offer, not from SBB
is your ticket within its area of validity in the respective travel class
is not valid on the Spiez-Visp-Brig route through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. To benefit fom the BOP, you must travel via Kandersteg-Goppenstein to Brig.

Seat reservations, if doable at all, must be made separately.

Kindly note, the Swiss Half Fare Card is not a pass, it does not grant free travel yet disconts on routes where the BOP is not valid. However, I personally find the combination of BOP and Swis ms Half Fare Card a great fit.

Kind regards,
Roland

BJR

Thank you! Appreciate your help.

BJR

RolandP
Hello RolandP,
Thank you for your information. It’s very helpful. You mentioned the BOP does not cover the Spiez-Visp-Brig route through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. We were looking at taking that route on September 5th. How do we know which route goes through Kandersteg-Goppenstein to Brig (covered by BOP)? We want to leave around 07:30 on the morning of September 5th from Interlaken West and go to Varenna-Esino. What train ticket do you suggest we get? We will have the Swiss Half Fare card and the BOP.
Thank you again.
BJR

RolandP

Hello BJR

If you want to use the Berner Oberland Pass: You have to enter in the SBB trip planner: Interlaken West to Brig via Kandersteg.

We want to leave around 07:30 on the morning of September 5th from Interlaken West and go to Varenna-Esino.

You could also book a ticket from Spiez to Varenna-Esino, while declaring the Swiss Half Fare Card. You can book it with SBB or with Trenitalia. With such a ticket you can travel trough the Lötschberg Base Tunnel.

Keep in mind, due to engineering works, there are no direct train services between Spiez and Milan. You will have to use the replacement bus from Domodossola, as suggested by the SBB trip planner.

Kind regards,
Roland

BJR

Thank you for the great information.