Feedback/Advice on Itinerary and Half Fare Cards

Posted by megan.bellwoar on 05/12/24 01:25 AM

Hello!
My husband and I are traveling to Austria and Switzerland with our 19-year-old daughter this summer. We are both 60+. Will the Half Fare Card save us money on train tickets, etc, over and above the senior discount we seem eligible for?

Our current itinerary is:
-Fly into Vienna, 2 overnights
-Train to Salzburg, 2 overnights
-Train to Luzerne, 2 overnights
-Train/bus to Grindelwald, 2 overnights
-Bus/train to Bern, 1 overnight
-Train to Zurich, 2 overnights
-Home

Wish we had more time, but are we shortchanging ourselves anywhere here?

Many thanks for any thoughts!

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

05/12/24 02:26 AM

5493 posts

Ok, so 11 nights, correct? You are moving around way too much, with basically one full day in each location. You will see trains and train stations.
Use the SBB and OBB apps to compute train times. It takes time to check out, get to the train station, get orientated, and repeat in the next location. And sometimes you just get tired, have a cold, and need a slow-down day. This schedule assumes your teen can be up and out of the hotel early.

I'd suggest deleting Zurich and Bern. Lucerne is much more charming, and it's only one- plus hour from Lucerne to the Zurich airport. Maximize your time IN the Alps, ( Murren or Wengen) -no one is ever ready to leave. Most of your locations are cities- again, be IN the Alps.
Can you add a day or two?
You are also late to be booking accommodations. Since Covid, folks are booking 8-9 months in advance.
I'm not aware of senior discounts in Switzerland for non- residents, but I could be wrong.
I'd suggest deleting a few destinations and come back here with further questions.
So glad you'll have this family time for adventure. Safe travels!

Posted by WengenK

Wengen

05/12/24 07:38 AM

2448 posts

There are no senior discounts in Switzerland. Als there is no bus involved in getting to/from Grindelwald. So I guess you have only started to investigate the details.

My suggestion:
- Stick to one, or at most two bases in Switzerland.
- Bern is an easy day trip from Luzern, no need to stay overnight. No need to say overnight in Zurich either.

Posted by wanderweg

Nashville, TN

05/12/24 12:31 PM

601 posts

As shared above, you’re trying to fit way too much in and are going to see more of trains than anything. Simplify and rearrange your bases + yes, you’ll need the half fare card.

Vienna - 2 nights
Innsbruck - 2 nights (you can stop in Salzburg on the way, store your luggage and explore the city before moving on)
Wengen - 4 nights (allow extra time here to slow down a bit + buffer for weather not always being perfect in the mountain. You’re going to want a stop that’s longer than 2 nights and Wengen is perfect for that, so much to do and see in the area)
Luzern - 3 Nights (can take Day Trips to Bern and Zurich if you’d like + you can get to the airport from Luzern without having to move again)

You’ll find lodging fairly picked over by now so you’ll want to get hotels booked ASAP.