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Help with train passes please

Booked airfare and hotels, now I need to decide on train passes and I am not sure what is most cost effective. I don't have any activities planned yet, but i expect my husband and I will go on a bunch of cogs, funiculars and boats - obviously depending upon weather. Traveling October 1 - October 16, 2024.

Itinerary:
Land in Milan
Milan to Locarno - 2 nights
Locarno to Zermatt- 2 nights
Zermatt to Montreux - 2 nights
Montreux to Wengen - 6 nights
Wengen to Lucerne - 3 nights
Lucerne to Zurich for flight home

Are the Oberland pass and 1/2 fare better than swiss pass? Also how many days should I buy the passes for?

Also any recommendations for stops along the train routes for a few hours of sightseeing.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

Posted by
5407 posts

There is no shortcut for just penciling it all out. However, you need to have an idea of what all you'll be doing, beyond train travel.
Generally, folks do ok with the half-fare card and maybe a BO Pass, if you don't want to pencil it out. Note that on the SBB app, it is assumed one has at least the half-fare card, so double those costs. But you'll still need to purchase tickets.
However, I like the convenience of the STP, as one just steps on a train without buying a ticket. (Obviously, this doesn't cover all the lifts.)
But you haven't discussed what else you might be doing that would involve a Pass, like the boat and cogwheel to Mt Rigi or Mt Stanserhorn, the transportation Museum (all covered by the STP) outside of Lucerne, or maybe Chillon Castle (outside Montreaux).
Perhaps see what else you'll be interested in, once you get off the train. Review the Searches attached.
Enjoy this beautiful country. Safe travels!

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Swiss+travel+pass&utf8=%E2%9C%93

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Half+fare+card&utf8=%E2%9C%93

Posted by
6 posts

Based on your itinerary the BO pass wouldn't cover some of the biggest travel days on your trip. I would suggest getting the Swiss Travel pass, which covers all trains and buses, boats 1/2 price for other cable cars in the area with the travel pass.

When looking at the SBB website all the prices listed are the half card fares ( so if you see CHF 50, the cost is actually CHF 100, its just assuming you have the half card fare). Your trip is going to get pretty pricy. But with the swiss travel pass, with long distances it pays for itself, also you dont have to worry about purchasing tickets in advanced or at the station. So less stress on vacation and also more flexibility.

Go to SBB website to purchase or type Get Your Guide, into Google Browser, enter in the search, swiss travel pass and it will give you some options, the price is the same on the SBB site and the one I provided. I have used both in the past and have also loved the swiss travel pass.

If you really want to make sure you are getting a deal, total up the cost of the trains via the swiss travel site SBB (again note you are seeing 1/2 card fare, double what you see and thats the price) then you can see if it truly is cost efficient for you to buy swiss pass