8 Day Swiss Itinerary Help - Need a once over

Instead of an 8-day Flex Pass, get a 15-day Continuous Pass. The price differences is only 20 CHF 2nd class, and the ticket from Bern to Zurich airport is 59 CHF. So by getting the continuous pass, you save 39 CHF per person, plus the young'n would normally have to pay 29.50 CHF, but now is free because your Family Card is still valid.

You do know that Mt Rigi train, and Stanserhorn cable car are free with the STP, whereas Pilatus you only get half fare.

So you did see my post before the whole thing disappeared?

For others reading here, what I suggested was the 8-day consecutive day pass for 419 CHF instead of the more expensive 8-day Flex pass for 439 CHF. Then buy SuperSaver tickets (available now for July) for either the first or last day, with a caveat about the difficulty of timing a SuperSaver ticket to a specific train on the day of arrival at ZRH.

I also assured them that Bern is “worth the trouble”. Actual;l;y is it no trouble at all, and makes a good place to spend the night before flying out of ZRH.

Critiquing your plan Lola, I don't like the idea of having a SuperSaver Ticket on arrival at the airport. SuperSaver tickets are train specific and you don't know if your plane will be late, there is a delay with your luggage, a delay at immigration, etc. Leave enough time for contingencies and every thing goes smooth and now you are hanging out in Zurich airport waiting for your assigned train, when you could have been on your way an hour ago. It also precludes boat rides if jetlag has not hit you. You'll be paying full fare for these.

Sam, I did say in my original post that the uncertainty of arrival time was a problem with a SuperSaver ticket, and thus not the best idea. But just paying the 31 CHF for regular tickets that day is not a bad choice. Save the boat ride for the following day when it is covered with the pass.

I also suggested they consider the Rigi excursion, which is fully covered on the Swiss Pass, instead of Mt. Pilatus.

I was pretty frustrated that my original post disappeared along with the original thread, and not feel like re-writing the whole thing—since the OP apparently saw it.

Thanks both. Before my previous post was removed, Lola did reply the following (if it helps anyone):

Bern is definitely “worth the trouble”. It is a lovely city and a great place to spend the night before going to tha airport.

I suggest you get the 8-day consecutive day pass for 419 CHF rather than the 8-day Flex for 439. Then leave off either the first or last day. ZRH to Luzern is only 32 CHF, so not worth covering with a “pass day”. Actually only 15.60 if you get SuperSaver tickets now—-they are available now for 15.60 CHF. No need for a boat ride this day as you will be taking a boat the following day for Mt. Pilatus. Or—-choose the Rigi round trip instead of Pilatus—-it is fully covered with the Swiss Travel Pass.

The problem here is you are committed to a specific train, and that is not al that easy to time with your arrival at the airport.

Or you could leave off the last day, and get a SuperSaver ticket for
Bern to ZRH—-29 CHF each instead of the regular fare of 59. That would
be easier to time, since you can chose your time to depart Bern.

Just remember that what every you choose for the day your leave off
the pass, your daughter will need a ticket as well.

Blockquote

Apologies for the hack block quoting job in the last reply.

How does my itinerary sound? Does it look good/doable? Should I pull one day and add a day to either Lake Geneva or Bern?

Your itinerary looks fine to me, and I agree with Sam that the 15-day continuous pass is your best option, in terms of cost, convenience, and flexibility.

How old is your daughter? Depending on her age, I may be offer specific suggestions for your time in the Berner Oberland.

Thank you. It’s actually my son- he is 10 years old.

I’m a little worried he may fear heights on the cable cars. I’ll have to see if it’s something he feels comfortable doing.