Help in choice of travel pass

We did a very similar itinerary and found that the Swiss Pass was about the same cost as the trains we took if we had paid a la carte. The advantage of the pass is that you don't have to buy tickets every time (which really helped us, as we jumped on the train at the Geneva airport right at it was about to leave and the next one wasn't for an hour). In our case, there were two adults and two kids, so it may have worked out better for us with two free kids as opposed to just one kid.

I would price your trip a la carte and see how it compares to the pass - you may be surprised. Remember on the website they are quoting you as if you already have a half-price card, so double the amount it says. Also your 3-year old would be free with a Swiss Pass.

We did the following train trips - Geneva airport to Bern (day 1). Bern to Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp to Murren - Day 2. Murren to Interlaken to Lucerne (via Glacier express, well worth it to go this direction, which takes about 45 min. longer than the more direct route thru Bern) to Zurich, Day 3. Just those trips was about the price of a Swiss Pass, which was $245USD/pp for 3 days (so $490 for 2 adults, 2 kids free). Yes, it was pricey, BUT the trains are so well-run, clean, and always on time that I felt it was money well spent. We always did 2nd class and it was more than adequate.

We also rode the funicular in Murren and got a discount with our Swiss Passes.

The Jungfruajoch train is only covered with a 25% discount above Wengen. Mt Titlis is only covered at a 50% discount above Engelberg.

You can add up all the individual legs at www.sbb.ch/en. The first price you see will say "1 ticket and 1 Half Fare Card price is XX.XX" means that it assumes you already have a Half Fare Card, so you have to double that price. So to get a real answer, you really have to go through the exercise.

With either the Half Fare Card or the Swiss Travel Pass, you can get a free Family Card so family members under 15 will travel with you for free.

PS Swiss site appears to be down now for Sunday night maintenance, will be back up by morning in Switzerland.

I found the below website helpful. There is an excel spreadsheet link so you can compare different passes, discounts etc. We will be in Switzerland next month for 7 days and the 8 day pass seemed to be the best deal, especially with the Shilhorn, Mt Regi, and ferries included. Throw in a museum or two and well worth it.swiss train passes

freebird,

Unfortunately it's often not easy to determine the best rail pass in Switzerland, so you'll have to spend some time to crunch the numbers and determine which option will be most cost effective for your situation. The spreadsheet mentioned in the previous reply would be a good place to start. The Half Fare card is often a good overall solution. You might get some good tips from this website - https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes .

One important point to mention about Paragliding is that most travel medical insurance policies do not provide coverage for "extreme sports". Should you be injured while doing that you'd be on your own for medical costs. I checked the website of one paragliding operator and one clause in their contract states "The participants have unlimited insurance cover for treatment costs in Switzerland as a result of an accident", but I'm not sure if all operators have that. It's a very safe and well regulated activity so it's not likely there would be a problem, but still something to be aware of.

Are you planning to stay in Geneva on May 20th? If you travel out of the city on that day, then you'd actually have 5 consecutive days of train travel. A child under 6 is already free on all transport without any ticket or pass.

Similar question. With my 12 year old son planning to travel from Strasbourg to Lauterbrunner then spend 4 days in the Jungfrau (Murren, Wengen, Grindelwald, Mt Shilthorn, Wengernalp, Mannlichen, Jungfraujoch), Reichenbach Falls then to Luzern for a couple of days and to Paris. Is the Half Pass is the way to go? I think somone posted I would get a free family pass for my son? But I also think I read we also get discounts on these cable car/cog trains with the pass? I'll check out the link you posted to compare fares but any advice is welcomed. With the pass when we leave Luzern for Paris does that pass get us there or do we get kicked off the train at the border? Hide in the bathroom? Kidding but there has to be some price adjustment to go all the way to Paris?

Thanks..good stuff on these forums. So good to hear from those who have done it before

Jess, You should really post a new thread for your question, so your answers will be specific to your question and situation. Just so the OP doesn't get pestered by answers to your question.

Thanks Sam...will do. New to this