I have read many posts about this and am still confused. My wife and I ( in our sixties and in good shape) are flying to Zurich, staying one night and then will take the train to Luzern for two nights-we plan to do a boat ride and trip to Mt Rigi or Pilatus. Then we take the train to Lauterbrunnen and the cogwheel/ train up to Murren where we are three nights. We want to do Schilthorn, maybe Jungfrau (any others?). Then the train to Murten for two nights and on to Zermatt for two nights and the Matterhorn. We then pick up a car and drive to Italy. What is the best value to do all this in Switzerland? Does Rail Europe have any thing to do with a Swiss Pass? You guys are awesome and thanks.
Posted by
Green Bay
21141 posts
Rail Europe is a travel agency and they do sell the Swiss Travel products, but why not go direct?
http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/swisstravelsystem.html
As far as picking the best value, you really need to price everything you plan to do and see what works best. At this point, most people just through up their hands and pick one.
The 30 day Half Fare Card is almost always the best value, but you still have to buy a ticket for each and every ride.
You are staying 10 nights and 11 days, so you would need to get the 15 day Travel Pass to be fully covered. It does include free museum entries and free use of urban transport systems.
Next would be a Flex Travel Pass with a Half fare adder.
Good luck, No matter which product you choose, it will be a lot of money, Its Switzerland.
Posted by
Florida
1450 posts
Rail Europe has nothing to do with the various Swiss rail passes. You can buy them here on Rick Steves' site.
The Half Fare card is probably more economical, but I usually prefer the Travel Pass for the convenience. The former gives you a great discount but you still have to buy your point-to-point tickets at the station. Since you're staying in Murren you will be using the cable car quite a bit. The Travel Pass gives you a free ride on all such cable cars and trains (and boats and buses) without having to get a ticket; the Travel Pass itself is the ticket. The exceptions are trains/cars to special attractions such as the Jungfraujoch or the Schilthorn. You will still have to buy a separate ticket for those, but you get a steep discount.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Jeff, The others have answered your pass questions - make a spreadsheet and add up the different options. And always get prices and buy from Swiss Railways ( www.sbb.ch ) not a reseller in a different continent. There is no price advantage for advance purchase, and train booking are never necessary.
But, two points:
1) I would not recommend overnighting in Zürich, go direct to Luzern. It is only 1 hour from Zürich airport to Luzern, with 2 trains per hour, price CHF 29 per person full fare, or CHF 14.50 if you have a half price card..
2) Where are you returning your hire car? If hire a car in one country (Switzerland) and return it in another (Italy) there is a large surcharge.