Another Swiss Card vs Swiss Pass Question

Good job on the Faulhorn overnight! It is a beautiful place and something I would love to do, but we have only been there mid-day.

Are you hiking there from First? Or Schynige Platte? If the latter I suggest you return via First, past the lovely Bachalpsee, and take the Gondolbahn down to Grindelwald, rather than hike the Panoramaweg between Schynige platte and Faulhorn twice. It is pretty rugged, and nice to do a through-hike rather than return the way you came.

To answer your pass question, there is no one right answer if you consider all the factors (cost, convenience, Jungfraujoch). the Half Fare Card does give you the best discount on the Jungfraujoch but that has never driven our decision. We like the 3-day Flex Pass with the 50% discount on non-pass days. Maybe that would work for you.

For the Family Card, note that a 16-year-old is not free. The age is "up to" 16.

For Zermatt, there is no lift that takes you up onto the Matterhorn. There is one to Klein Matterhorn. but the best views of this beautiful mountain are from the Gornergrat railway points, or the trails accessed by the Sunnega funicular (annoying because it runs underground and is very noisy and uncomfortable). Klein Mattterhorn gets up "up close and personal" with th3 Matterhorn but it is more beautiful from farther away.

I get a slightly higher full fare estimate than you, 360 chf and change. First, toss the Swiss Card. It is 79 chf more than the 120 chf Half Fare Card. Your first day is 26 chf full fare and last day about 90 chf full fare. That is less than 2 times 79 chf, so the Half Fare Card beats it. In fact, the Half Fare Card is apt to be the best deal.

One more thought...if you and your family are always traveling together then you'll get a discount with a Saver Swiss Pass. Ask for the free family card for kids 6-16 years old (available with a pass)...they will be able to travel for free on most of the Swiss Rail system (but not up to Jungfraujoch above Wengen).
http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/swisstravelsystem.html

If you don't get the passes, there is also a 1/2 fare junior card for 30 CHF:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/children.html

The Swiss Family Card also works with the Half Fare Card.

Yes, Jer, the kids <16 travel free with a Swiss Family Card even all the way to the top of the Jungfrau if they're traveling with a parent.

Either offer can be a fine choice and costs are similar. There are trade-offs with both products and your plans are subject to change, so you'll never get an exact calculation. The Half-Fare Card gives you half off all transportation (not musuems) and you stop to buy tickets separately for each trip (120 + half of 360 = about 300 CHF spent for main trains). A Swiss Flexipass, such as 4 days within 2 months for $323, gives you more hop-on freedom for lower-altitude transportation (and museums) on your 4 longer travel days and then the same 50% discount in between those days (except for Jungfraujoch train).

Laura and everyone, thanks for your advice. The Half Price card sounds like the most flexible option. We will probably roll with that.