Hello, all. My wife and I are going to be in Switzerland for 10 days { 11 actually, but that day is just flying home from Zurich). We will be traveling to and spending time in the BO for 6 of those days. The other days are Lucerne and Zurich. I had planned to buy the Half Fare and BOPass but wondering if the Swiss Travel Pass sale would be a better option?
If I do buy that, do I still need a BOP?
Which is the better deal?
Thanks so much!!!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1416 posts
Take a look at the video produced by the Alpins, an American couple living in Switzerland. Their YouTube video titled “ The Ultimate Swiss Train Pass Guide” as part of their series called “ Alpins in the Alps.”
is a comprehensive take on the topic. Knowing if you plan on riding the pricey Jungfraujoch scenic train, going to the Schilthorn etc. will help you figure out what train pass to buy. If you don’t know what you want to do— you’re still going to be confused even after watching the video.
BTW: SBB will be putting on sale the 4-day Swiss Travel Pass and the 8-day Swiss Travel Pass for validity between April 15 and November 17, 2023. The sale will give 1 extra day to the 4-day Pass and 2 extra days on the 8-day pass. That means you can have 10-days of coverage for the US$401 price of an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass. The sale will end on May 14, 2023..
Posted by
USA
291 posts
My vote is for the Swiss Travel Pass. It is so convenient to be able to hop on any form of transportation without having to go to the ticket window first, which I think is what is needed with the Half Fare card. The Pass also allows for free entrance into museums, such as the wonderful Rosengart in Luzern and the Kunsthaus in Zurich, and discounted boat rides on the lakes in both cities.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16241 posts
You should consider which lifts you might want to ride while in the BO. The BO pass offers better coverage for the lifts—-full coverage on many such as the First lift at Grindelwald. Pretty much all but the Schilthorn and the Jungfrau train, which are discounted.
https://www.berneseoberlandpass.ch/assets/Uploads/BLS-BO-Pass-M-23-WEB.pdf
Compare with coverage on the Swiss Pass, which 50% on lifts above the villages, and 25% on the Jungfrau train
https://www.swissrailways.com/sites/default/files/sts-gb-m-15-web_vorlage_0.pdf
If you have the BO pass you will just get on the train or lift; no need to buy tickets if the ride is fully covered.
Posted by
Chicago
2669 posts
Hi Brent, you really have to do the math, estimating your costs under both options. I’m a big fan of the Swiss Travel Pass, but my trips always involve lots of travel outside of the BO. Will you be using much transportation while in Lucerne and Zurich? If so, the Swiss Travel Pass might be the better option. If not, the Half Fare and BO Pass will probably be your best option.
I don’t think you could go wrong with either option. Switzerland really makes traveling in the county a breeze. If you have a smart phone, download the SBB app and get familiar with that. That’s what you want to use to purchase tickets and/or check for train and lift times, which platforms the trains will be, where to board for 1st and 2nd class, etc.