How to take the fantastic journey by train from Basel to the Bernese-Oberland

Typical of most multi-train routes in Switzerland, making the connections required to make this journey couldn't be simpler.
There are 1 or 2 direct trains per hour between Basel and Interlaken Ost and 2 x trains per hour on both the Interlaken> Grindelwald and Grindelwald > Kleine Scheidegg routes.

Optimum onward connections at Interlaken Ost:

The timetabling of the trains from Basel to Interlaken doesn't follow a set pattern.
Trains depart from Basel at either 31 or 59 mins past each hour; in some hours there are departures at both these times.
Typically it is the trains which depart Basel at 59 mins past each hour during the day have the optimum connections with the other trains on from Interlaken Ost.

So if you will be travelling on from Interlaken try to target the trains which leave Basel at 59 mins past the hour, particularly if you will be travelling with a ticket valid for the end-to-end journey.

Though if on arrival on in Interlaken, if you'll need to buy a ticket for your onward connection, you won't have to purchase it against the clock, if you can take the trains which depart Basel at 31 mins past the hour.

The timetabling of the trains from Basel to Interlaken doesn't follow a set pattern.
Trains depart from Basel at either 28 or 56 mins past each hour; in some hours there are departures at both these times.

The trains which depart Basel at 56 mins past each hour during the day have the optimum connections with the trains on from Interlaken Ost.
The train to Grindelwald is usually scheduled to depart nine minutes after the arrival from Basel.

So if you will be travelling on from Interlaken try to target the trains which leave Basel at 56 mins past the hour, particularly if you will be travelling with a ticket valid for the end-to-end journey.

Though if on arrival on in Interlaken, you'll need to buy a ticket for your onward connection, you won't have to purchase it against the clock, if you can take the trains which depart Basel at 28 mins past the hour.

From Interlaken Ost to Kleine Scheidegg:

You can make connections at either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen stations when travelling by train between Interlaken Ost and Kleine Scheidegg stations.
Tickets will be valid on either route, though the SBB (Swiss national railways) journey planner will direct you via Laueterbrunnen, but we opted to travel via Grindelwald, hence its inclusion here.

Perhaps because the SBB journey planner suggests making the journey via Lauterbrunnen, the trains via Grindelwald can be quieter; and making the connection at Grindelwald can be less frantic.

Both of the routes via Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are staggeringly beautiful, but if we were forced to choose, our pick would be the route via Grindelwald.
Though in good weather the best option is to travel up to Kleine Scheidegg via Grindelwald and then return via Lauterbrunnen

Book early and save: Yes

If you book 'Supersaver tickets' - see the SBB guide for advice on how to book these tickets.

Online bookings open: up to six months ahead of the travel date

You may need to search through the departures to find these 'Supersaver' tickets using the ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ button. so try and be flexible with your departure and arrival times.

'Supersaver Tickets' are placed on sale for the end-to-end journey from Basel to Kleine Scheidegg; though only the SBB train between Basel and Interlaken will be discounted.

Using rail passes on this route:

Saver Day Passes are worth considering for this journey, particularly if you also want to take the JB trains on from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch.

Book a Saver Day Pass and it will include the SBB train between Basel and Interlaken and the BOB train on to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.
On arrival at Interlaken Ost station you can go into its ticket office amd claim a 25% discount on tickets for the trains between Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnenand Kleine Scheidegg/Jungfraujoch.

If you will be making a return day trip, it's also likely that Saver Day Passes will be cheaper than tickets, you also won't be tied to specific trains so will be free to return to Basel at a time which suits you.

Though they need to be booked at least a day ahead of your travel date, so won't be an option if you book tickets at the station on arrival in Switzerland.
They're also cheaper the further ahead that you book.

The same 25% discount for the section of the journey between Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg or Jungfraujoch, is also available to users of Eurail and InterRail passes valid in Switzerland and users of Swiss Travel Passes.