SWITZERLAND - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1510

buying a regional map, as good mini-versions of the map are included in various free trans-
portation and hiking brochures.
Arrival in Interlaken
Interlaken has two train stations: Ost (East) and West. All trains coming from western
Switzerland stop at both stations. If heading for higher-altitude villages, get off at Ost Sta-
tion. For hotels in Interlaken, get off at West Station, which has a helpful and friendly in-
formation center for in-depth rail questions (Mon-Fri 9:00-12:00 & 13:30-18:20, Sat until
17:00, closed Sun, tel. [phone], www.bls.ch ; ticket windows open daily 6:40-19:00).
Ask about discount passes, special fares, railpass discounts, and schedules for the scenic
mountain trains. There's an exchange booth next to the ticket windows and a very pricey
Internet-access computer. A post office with a cluster of phone booths is a few blocks away.
It's a pleasant 20-minute walk between the West and Ost train stations; an easy, frequent
trainconnection(2-3/hour,3.40SF);oraquicktriponthebus(2/hour,10minutes,3.40SF).
From Ost Station, private trains take you deep into the mountainous Jungfrau region (see
“Interlaken Connections,” on here ) .
Helpful Hints
Baggage Storage: Both stations have lockers (small locker-4 SF, large-5 SF) as well as
left-luggage counters (5 SF, West Station—daily 9:00-12:00 & 13:30-18:00, Ost Sta-
tion—daily 7:00-18:30).
Laundry: Friendly Helen Schmocker's Wäscherei has a change machine, soap, English
instructions, and a delightful riverside location (self-service daily 7:00-22:00—wash-6
SF/load, dry-about 5 SF/load; full service Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00 & 13:30-18:00, Sat until
16:00, closed Sun, drop off in the morning and pick up that afternoon—12 SF/load;
from the main street take Marktgasse over two bridges to Beatenbergstrasse 5, tel.
033-822-1566).
Bike Rental: You can rent bikes (both regular and electric) at West Station (11.50 SF/2
hours, 25 SF/half-day, 33 SF/day, 5 SF less with Eurail Pass or Swiss Pass, daily
9:00-18:00, www.rentabike.ch ).
Flying Wheels, a short walk from Ost Station, is a hip, well-organized, family-
friendly outfit that specializes in electric bikes and guided bike tours of the area. Its
amiable English-speaking staff can help you pick the right bike and give tips on where
to go (electric or hard-core mountain bikes—35 SF/half-day, 50 SF/day; normal moun-
tain bikes—25 SF/half-day, 33 SF/day; 5 SF cheaper with Swiss Pass, no discount
with Eurail Pass, tandem electric bikes available, daily 9:00-19:00, across street from
the northeast corner of Höhematte Park at Höheweg 133, tel. [phone],
www.flyingwheels.ch ) . For info on their tours, see “Adventure Sports,” later.