Help With Train Traveling

We had addded one more country when we were there, but I asked a similar questions recently. Pay attention to any responses you get from Chris F from Basel.

Here are the responses to my thread:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/italy-to-switzerland-to-germany-another-eurail-question

Don't assume a rail pass is an attractive offer. It mostly is not.
In your case first check at www.seat61.com/Swiss-trains.htm#Swiss_travel_pass_&_Swiss_transfer_tickets for what's on offer for Switzerland. Then check the ticket prices for your intended travelling in Italy. Regionale trains are very cheap; long-distance trains come cheap with advance buying.

Italian trains are cheap, and you are not spending much time on the Italian rails, so I think you'll be far better off with some form of Swiss pass. There are at least three, so you'll need to start out with a list of the trips you know you will take and a list of others you're considering. Then go to the SBB website to see what you'd pay at full fare. That's your baseline for figuring out which pass would be best.

One important thing: The fares initially shown by the SBB assume you hold the half-fare card (which is one of the options for you). To see the full fare, choose one of the departure times and change the pull-down box on the next screen to "No Reductions".

Making the calculations for Switzerland is a bit tricky because so much of a typical tourist's transportation expense is for the high-cost-per-mile mountain railways, etc., and for any given pass those may be covered, not covered, or discounted. When discounts are offered, I believe they are sometimes 25% and sometimes 50%.

If most of your time is in Switzerland, then you'll probably prefer a Swiss Travel Pass. I'd consider the version for 15 consecutive days if you want maximum hop-on coverage. It only costs a bit more than the version for 8 travel days within a month. Or, a Half-Fare Card is a smaller up-front investment, but you continue to pay as you go.

The separate ticket from Milan to the border at Domodossola is only about $20 one way and a Swiss pass kicks in from there (but you don't have to get off the train).

Thanks everyone for your response. I'll look into all this information now. Does the swiss pass include or give good deals on traveling to SCHILTHORN Observation and JUNGFRAUJOCH Observation decks?

It provides 50% off from Muerren to Schilthorn and 25% off from Wengen or Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch. See more coverage notes on my earlier link.

Some people who spent a lot of time in the Berner Oberland (and not so much in the rest of Switzerland) have found the Berner Oberland Pass to be their best choice. I think some have even combined that pass with a half-fare card. It matters a lot how many high-mountain trips you plan to take.

I travelled from Milan to Berner Oberland without a Swiss rail pass, but was only there for about 6 days.

Prices for me
Milano Centrale - Spiez 40 Euros (2 hours)
Spiez - Interlaken 8 Francs (equal to USD) (10 minutes)
Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen 7 Francs (15 minutes)
Lauterbrunnen - Stechelburg (short bus ride) - 2 Francs (5 minutes)
Stechelburg to Gimmelwald (gondola) - 9 Francs (the most scenic 5 minutes possible)

Remember this is all one-way so it adds up fast over time, especially if you are moving place to place.

Since I wasn't in Switzerland long, I didn't look into a Rail Pass. For you, I'd assume it'll be worth it.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with Gimmelwald, Murren, and the Lauterbrunnen valley, but it is the most amazing place on earth. I have been to 18 countries, and Gimmelwald is my favorite place I've ever been to.

Hope this helps
Have fun

We were only in Switzerland for five days (first and last largely transit from/to Paris) but broke even buying a CHF120 Half Fare Card which included 50% off the pricey trip up Schilthorn. Run the numbers!

Plan your specific itinerary and then figure out your transportation logistics.

Thanks for all the information. It has been very helpful. I'm working on an itinerary right now. I should have that done shortly and then all the prices should fall together. I'll be traveling the tail end of March into April. I really appreciate all the information you all have shared!!