Kandersteg Transportation Tips by travelfrosch Top 5 Page for this destination

Train Connections to Kandersteg

Kandersteg is a local station on the BLS (Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon) Railway, one of the many private railways in Switzerland. (don't worry -- Eurail and Swisspass are valid!) Until recently, it was on the main line between Bern and Brig, with most long haul trains stopping here. Now, however, nearly all of the InterCity and EuroCity trains have been diverted through the new Lötschberg Basis-Tunnel from Spiez to Visp, bypassing Kandersteg entirely. To replace the long-haul trains, BLS now runs "Regio-Express" trains between Brig and Bern, via Kandersteg and the old Lötschberg Tunnel. UPDATE: Many trains departing Bern now split at Spiez, with half of the train going to Zweisimmen, and the other half going to Kandersteg and Brig. Be sure to check the signs and/or video screens onboard to confirm the destination of your car is Brig, not Zweisimmen.

Here are the schedule highlights in a nutshell for 2013:

- The first train to Spiez and Bern departs Kandersteg at 5:54AM. Trains to Spiez then depart hourly at :13 past the hour from 07:13 until 21:13. The final train to Spiez departs at 22:43, where you can transfer to an InterCity train to Bern. Travel time to Bern is just under 70 minutes.

- The first train to Brig departs at 6:42 AM. Trains for Brig depart hourly at :42 past the hour until 22:42. The last train departs at 00:42. Travel time to Brig is about 40 minutes.

Mode: TO

Other Contact: http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm

Phone: +41 33 675 83 84

Type: Train

Website: http://www.bls.ch/e/homepage/index.php

Sunnbuel Cable Car

This cable car departs from Eggenschwand and arrives at the Sunnbuel bergstation. At Sunnbuel, there's a cafe, a Swiss Alpine Club hut, and a number of walking trails. You can take a short panorama walk around the area, or set off towards the Gemmipass. Those who are part mountain goat can take a steeper hiking trail to the Ueschinengrat (not to be confused with the Oeschinensee) and back.

As of July 2012, adult fares are CHF 23 for a one-way journey, CHF 32 for a round trip. Children can ride for CHF 11.50 one-way, CHF 16 round trip. 50% discounts with Swisspass, Swiss Card, and Kandersteg Guest Card.

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: http://sunnbuel.ch (German/Frenc

Phone: +41 (0)33 675 81 41

Type: Other

Website: http://www.kandersteg.ch/en/bahnenBusse/bahnsunnbuel

Gondola to the Oeschinensee

The easy way to get to the Oeschinensee is to take the gondola. The gondola, which replaced the old chairlift (sesselbahn) in 2009, is a favorite for its lovely view of the Kandersteg area. Either take the village bus to the base station, or walk about 10 minutes down the path towards the Bluemlisalp, then follow the signs for the "seilbahn talstation."

The lift runs daily from 08:15 until 18:00 during summer, with shorter hours off-season. Last ride up is 10 minutes before closing.

The cost as of 2012 is CHF 17 per adult one-way, CHF 24 round-trip. 50% discount for Swisspass, "1/2 Abo" holders (e.g., Swiss Card), and Berner Oberland/Wallis Regional Pass. 25% discount with Kandersteg Guestcard.

Mode: AROUND

Phone: +41 33 675 11 18

Type: Other

Website: http://www.kandersteg.ch/en/bahnenBusse/oeschinensee

AFA Bus

Automobilverkehr Frutigen-Adelboden, or AFA (or "The Red Bus" as Minifrosch called it), runs regular bus service between Kandersteg and Adelboden, with stops along the way in small villages such as Kandergrund and Mittholz (home of the Blausee), as well as the district's main town of Frutigen. The first bus for Adelboden departs at 6:00 AM, departing on the hour until 23:00. An additional early bus departs for Frutigen at 5:35 AM weekdays. Travel time is about 30 minutes to Frutigen, 1 hour 5 minutes to Adelboden. Swisspass and half-fare cards are valid on this route. Check at the train station, your hotel, or the tourist office for the latest fares. Also check the blue information placard on the traffic island in front of the Kandersteg train station for updates. NOTE: The red AFA bus is not to be confused with the blue Sunnbuel/Oeschinensee bus, which, while also run by AFA, runs in a different direction and is not fully covered by Swisspass.

Mode: AROUND

Phone: +41 (0)33 673 74 74

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.afabus.ch/

Sunnbuel Bus

If you're not up to the 40-minute walk from Kandersteg to Eggenschwand and the Sunnbuel Gondola, you have the option to take a bus. This blue village bus with the "Sunnbuel" logo departs from several locations in Kandersteg, including the Kandersteg train station, to the Sunnbuel gondola station in Eggenschwand. Passage is free with Kandersteg Guest Card or a valid ski pass. Otherwise, fare is CHF 3 each way, CHF 2 with Swisspass or Swiss Card.

The bus departs hourly from the Kandersteg train station and the Sunnbuel cable car station, generally coinciding with train/cable car arrivals respectively. A few buses also depart from the Kandersteg train station to the Oeschinensee gondola valley station (check the website for details).

Mode: AROUND

Other Contact: info[at]kandersteg[dot]ch

Phone: +41 33 675 80 80

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.kandersteg.ch/en/page.cfm/bahnenBusse/busse/ortsbus