It may be cheaper for my husband and I to get eurail 4 coutry pass for our trip. the only part I am hung up on is should Icount Switzerland as one of my countries on my pass. I am hoping for insight on if I could use eurail pass on most transportation in Switzerland. We will be coming in from paris to Bern then probably going to Zermatt then Laturbrunnen then to Oschien lake and then maybe Lucerne before we head off to Germany. We would like to use train between cities and do some cable cars to viewpoints. I have heard that eurail doesn't cover some specific train rides but offers discount. Just didn't know if anyone had personal experience with it not being very helpful in Switzerland and that we would be better off getting a Swiss 4 day pas or half fare card or something and using eurail for rest of countries we will see. Thanks!
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
On RailEurope they should have a very detailed map with area of validity and discounts for passholders in Switzerland. You do need that map more than anything else. It's a big PDF around 5MB.
Posted by
Green Bay
20017 posts
25% discount on tickets from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald and surrounding rail lines and Schilthornbahn and other lifts.
It is good to Zermatt, but not for any lifts in Zermatt or the Gornergratbahn.
Posted by
Waikikamukau
433 posts
We used Swiss Pass in Switzerland. Free travel nearly everywhere. 1/2 price on Schilthorn and Gornergrat.
Posted by
Green Bay
20017 posts
There is a difference between a Swiss Travel Pass and a Eurail Pass.
Posted by
Schaumburg, IL
262 posts
Swiss Pass is the way to go!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8340 posts
Just a word of warning on the Paris to Bern leg of your journey. You will be required to pay for a reservation on the TGV which can almost be as expensive as purchasing the ticket point to point with an included reservation. There are also limited number of reservations available.
I would encourage you to price out the specific trips you have in mind and then compare with the cost of the rail pass and the added reservation fee to make sure you are getting the cost savings that you are hoping for.