Good to know

Tips for
your stay.

Practical notes from our Swiss-American family to help you travel easily, shop locally and enjoy a few Swiss favorites at home.

01

Getting around

Train or car?

Both renting a car and traveling exclusively by public transportation are good options. The right choice depends on your group and itinerary.

When a car makes sense

For a large group—particularly with young children or elderly grandparents—we recommend renting a car. It is often more economical and convenient for visitors who cannot walk very far. The house is a 12–15 minute walk from Brienz station, with a short but steep hill at the end.

Zurich Airport is generally the most economical place to rent a car. Interlaken is the closest nearby rental location. There is ample parking at the villa.

Traveling by public transport

If everyone is fit and enjoys walking, you can comfortably travel without a car. Trains, ferries, buses and gondolas reach nearly every major city and nearby destination. Swiss trains are clean and comfortable, and the journey itself is part of the vacation experience.

A Brienz taxi can help with luggage when arriving or departing. A ride for four passengers and their luggage is approximately CHF 40.

Choosing a rail pass

Berner Oberland Pass

Best when you will stay primarily in the Bernese Oberland and use trains, ferries and gondolas heavily each day. Compare its coverage map with your itinerary.

View pass and coverage ↗

Swiss Half Fare Card

A flexible choice for a more leisurely trip, hiking along the way or traveling beyond the region. It lets you buy most individual tickets at half price.

View the Half Fare Card ↗

With either option, children under 16 can use a Junior Card—usually around CHF 30—to travel free when accompanied by a parent. For extensive travel throughout Switzerland, also consider the Swiss Travel Pass; note that some Jungfrau-region mountain railways and gondolas receive only a 25% discount.

02

Groceries & essentials

Shopping

From Monday through Saturday, groceries are easy to find within Brienz.

Migros Brienz

Approximately five minutes from the house. Migros does not sell alcohol.

Open in Google Maps ↗

Coop Brienz

Located near the train station and sells beer, wine and spirits.

Open in Google Maps ↗

Arriving on Sunday

Regular Swiss shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays. If you arrive through the airport and have room in your car, shop at the large Migros or Coop inside the airport before driving to Brienz.

If you prefer to unload at the house first, we recommend the Migros near Interlaken. It is open until 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Sunday Migros near Interlaken ↗

03

Eat like a local

How to Swiss

A Swiss-American family’s take on enjoying Swiss specialties.

Raclette

The villa includes a raclette oven for eight people. If you love cheese, this is a must.

What you need

  • Pre-sliced raclette cheese from Migros or Coop
  • Cornichons and cocktail onions
  • Small potatoes or white bread
  • Optional mushrooms, salami, smoked bacon, peppers, tomatoes, onions, pineapple, cooked apples or pears
  • Tea, apple juice or white wine

How to prepare and enjoy

  1. Boil or steam the potatoes.
  2. Place the raclette oven on the table and set it to maximum heat.
  3. Put a cheese slice in a small pan and heat until melted or bubbling brown.
  4. Use the scraper to pour the cheese over your potatoes.

Fondue

The villa includes an electric fondue pot for an easy version of this quintessential Swiss meal.

What you need

  • Ready-made fondue mixture from Migros or Coop
  • One or more baguettes
  • Optional cherry tomatoes, broccoli and white wine—Swiss Fendant is traditional
  • Optional cherry schnapps; remember that Migros does not sell alcohol

How to prepare and enjoy

  1. Cut the bread into bite-sized cubes.
  2. Briefly boil bite-sized pieces of broccoli, if using.
  3. Heat the cheese mixture in the electric pot, stirring with a wooden spoon until it bubbles.
  4. Place bread, tomatoes or broccoli on a fondue fork and stir through the melted cheese.

Swiss sausages

Sausages make an easy, typical Swiss dinner when paired with bread and a salad. The villa’s grill is well suited to cooking them.

Useful Swiss apps

SwitzerlandMobility mobile app reference

SwitzerlandMobility

Essential for planning hikes and staying on the correct trail while you are out.

Get the app ↗
MeteoSwiss mobile app reference

MeteoSwiss

Switzerland’s detailed weather app—particularly helpful when choosing the best day for an expensive mountain excursion.

Get the app ↗

SBB Mobile

Plan public transport journeys, check live platform information and buy tickets throughout Switzerland.

Get the app ↗