Train Pass Switzerland/Munich/Prague

You can just buy 1st class tickets for the Zurich-Munich EC train. Same with the Munich-Prague train, which is surprisingly expensive.

Looks like you will be spending $2331 for 1st class Eurail Pass for 2 adults and 2 teenagers. It would take a bit of number crunching to decide what is best for you.

We do exactly as Sam suggested when our trip includes Germany or Italy plus Switzerland: a pass for Switzerland and point-to-point tickets for the rest. I buy those tickets 3 months in advance to get the discounts offered on the German and Italian tickets, and the Sparpreis Europa price offered on the cross-border tickets. Those can be significant, especially for First Class. for example, on the Munich to Zurich ticket I am seeing 67 euro instead of the regular price of 160 euro for the direct train.

For Prague to Munich, I cannot se any Sparpreis Europa tickets offered on the direct train (which has a Normalpreis Europa price of 146,90€. However, if you are willing to make 3 quick train changes on the wa, making a journey of 6h 16 minutes instead of 5:33, you can get the price down to 41,90-46,90 €.

For Switzerland, a BernerOberland Pass will give you far better coverage than a Global Pass, as it includes most of the lifts in the area (all but the Schilthorn and the Jungfrau train above Eigergletscher). You and your teens will enjoy the opportunity to ride all those other lifts—-First, Mannlichen, Eigergletscher, etc. for free. I know we did last summer. My “tween” grandsons especially loved the activities at the First gondola—-they did the Trotti bikes, but the First Flyer (zip line) might also appeal to your teens.

https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/grindelwaldfirst/

(Note that these activities themselves are not covered with the BO Pass, but the ride up the First lift to the starting point is free)_.

Wow, thank you both. This is very helpful. Does the Berner Oberland Pass cover the train from Luzern to Interlaken or from Interlaken to Zurich? I assume it doesn't and we will just buy point to point tickets while we are there for those trips.

Another question, should I look into the Swiss Half Fare card? I am not sure of that is helpful if I am getting the Berner Oberland pass.

I read a lot about the Swiss passes but I am not sure I really understand how to make the best use of them given we will only be in Switzerland for 6 days.

The BO Pass covers all the way to Luzern and Bern. So Luzern to Interlaken is included. For getting back to Zurich, it will cover the journey as far as Bern. You just need to buy Bern to Zurich (our the airport of going directly).

Here is the validity map in case you haven’t seen it:

https://www.berneseoberlandpass.ch/assets/Uploads/Geltungsbereich-Berner-Oberland-Pass-2024.pdf

I just read some more and I believe the train from Luzern to Interlaken is included but Interlaken to Zurich is not covered by the BO pass. So assume that means all of our travel in the region including Wengen, Grindelwald etc is included in the BO pass but we will need to buy a separate ticket from Interlaken to Zurich. Am I understanding this correctly? Perhaps I should be asking this on the Switzerland forum. Thanks for any info!!

Thanks Lola! We were typing simultaneously so I hadn't seen your response yet when I just posted. You're very helpful!!

How many days are you spending in the Berner Oberland, and how old are the teens? I ask because for stays of 6 days or more, the discount on the BO Pass with a Half Fare Card almost covers the cost of the HFC. The advantages of the addition of the HFC:

(1). for teens under 16, you can get a free Family Card with the HFC, and then the kids will be free on ALL trains, boats and lifts—-they do not need their own passes at all. Without the Family Card, the kids under 16 would need their own Junior Cards, costing 30 CHF each. If either of the kids is 16 or over, then this benefit goes away; a “Youth” needs his or her own BO Pass, but gets a reduced price.

(2). The Half Fare card will give you a slightly better price on the Jungfrau trip than the BO Pass alone. You mix and match, using the BO Pass to go as far as Eigergletscher for free, then the Half Fare card for the 50% discount on tickets the rest of the way.

(3). The Half Fare card will take 50% off the cost of the tickets from Bern to Zurich needed for the adults and youths (remember younger kids are free because you have the Family Card).

just read some more and I believe the train from Luzern to Interlaken is included but Interlaken to Zurich is not covered by the BO pass. So assume that means all of our travel in the region including Wengen, Grindelwald etc is included in the BO pass but we will need to buy a separate ticket from Interlaken to Zurich. Am I understanding this correctly?

You just need a separate ticket from Bern to Zurich.

They are over 16. We will be in the BO for 5 days and then one night in Zurich before heading to Munich.

We prefer first class travel for the Zurich-Munich and Munich Prague trips.

The cheapest tickets for Munich-Prague are available on the Czech railway website (www.cd). Train-specific 2nd fares for May start at 550 czk = approx. 22€ in 2nd class and at 1300 czk = approx. 51€ in first class. From my point of view, booking first class on these trains (refurbished Czech and Italian UIC coaches from the 80s and 90s) is not worth it. Normally these are the same 6-person compartments as in 2nd class, except that the distance between the seats is about 10cm wider. In addition, the train normally only carries half a first class carriage (4 compartments of 6 seats), in which all those American tourists congregate who are fearing that they would have to travel on wooden benches and without air conditioning in 2nd class ;).

I looked at the website and I see what you mean about the 1st class car. Yes, makes more sense to book 2nd class on that trip. Thanks!