I will be travelling from Zurich to stay in Mureen from 5/24 to 5/28. I have not decided whether or not to pruchase a train pass or any other pass. No itineary is set. I just want to relax in the area before heading to Italy, specifically Milan. My question is whether or not to get a Swiss pass or a Berner Oberland pass? I did some checking and right now it looks like the cost to get from Zurich to Mureen is about $80. To get from Mureen to Milan is about $110. Tickets just for travelling in Switzerland would be around $170.00 roughly. Assuming I'm right, should I get a Swiss pass, flexi pass, individual tickets, or what? I know part of it depends on what I want to do, but I want flexibiity at the cheapest cost. If it is advantageous to get a pass just for travelling and it allows me to get a discount for something else or to do soemthing else, which pass should I get? I was leaning either towards a Swiss pass or a flexi pass. Are there free walking or hiking trails in the Bernes Oberland area?
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Having a Swiss Transit Pass is the "mother of all Swiss Passes". Sometimes is just vast overkill and you would be much better off financially with just the standard old Swiss Half Fare Card that gives you a 50% discount all over Switzerland. While in Murren if you plan to do the expensive Jungfrau trip then the savings with a HFC will almost pay for the purchase of the card.
The Swiss Transit Pass gives you added ease of simply stepping on any train any time any where without purchasing tickets along the way...but it costs twice as much for a 4 day STP than for a 1 month HFC.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Zürich HB (main station) to Mürren costs CHF 87.60. Zürich airport to Mürren costs CHF 91.60. These prices don't change, there is no advance purchase discount like in other countries. All prices in Switzerland are in Swiss Franks (CHF), not '$'.
For the Mürren to Milan leg I would book in advance, as Italian long distance trains require a reservation and give a discount for early purchase. But, when you buy the ticket it locks you in to a specific train. Different railway companies, totally different pricing policies!
If this is all you are doing, then a pass would not pay off. A half price card may pay off. But, you will want to get up the mountains (for example the Schilthorn or the Jungfrau), and that involves trains cable cars. The half price card gives a discount on the mountain railways. Or you could buy a "Berner Oberland pass". You will have to estimate how many mountain railways you will take, over how many days, and do the arithmetic yourself.
"Are there free walking or hiking trails in the Bernes Oberland area" - why would they not be free? These are mountains, it is public land. I have never heard of a hiking train that charges, how would they stop you? You can walk anywhere in the Swiss countryside you like, so long as you don't damage crops or livestock. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam#Switzerland
P.S. I hope you are looking at the official Swiss Railways site for your times and prices: www.sbb.ch