I know I need to do the math but...

This is always a challenge with these passes- calculating the benefit. However, sometimes convenience is a factor, which I tend to lean towards- if it's close, I buy the STP.
When you get your pencil out, make sure to include all modes of your transportation in your figures. The boat and cogwheel to Rigi are completely covered with the STP, Pilatus is only discounted. Mt Stanserhorn, with the open air cable car, is also completely covered with the STP. The latter isn't mentioned in the guide books, but is a great way to view the sunset , and is a rather short trip.
STP covers transport up to Wengen and Murren. Beyond these points, there is a discount. Depending on weather, an additional pass for the lifts to Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn may or may not make sense. Even if cloudy, the area is a wonder and great for hiking, altho the summits may be hidden in clouds. There are also boat rides in the Berner Oberland that are covered by the STP. I often finding myself taking advantage of more activities since they are already included in the STP.
I vote for convenience! Have a great trip in this fantastic country!

The real question here is what do you value most, convenience of use or saving every last penny? Some travelers need (or want) to save every penny they can and doing the calculations for this would be essential to know which is the best deal. Others look at the price of the Swiss Travel Pass and think, "I can afford that" and value the convenience they experience when using it. Before you grab your calculator, decide which of these two you are.

I am trying to figure out a similar scenario. If I am in BO for several days, would I need both the STP and the BO pass? Or does the STP cover the funiculars, lifts etc

Brent, the Swiss Travel Pass covers you up to Wengen and Murren. Everything higher than that is a discount with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Here’s a detailed list of what is included with the Swiss Travel Pass:

https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity

Here is the map of validity. Solid lines are covered 100%; Dotted lines are discounted.

https://cdn-doc.myswissalps.com/docs/default-source/rail-network-maps/swisstravelpass.pdf?sfvrsn=7788603a_62&_gl=1*nfxkat*_ga*OTAwMzQ5MzE3LjE2NzEzNzA1Mjc.*_ga_CRB95SX1EF*MTY3NzQzNTM3OS44LjEuMTY3NzQzNTM4NS4wLjAuMA..

Carol makes a great point above. If you’re super concerned about money, you will have to do the math on all your pass options. We can’t do the math for you because only you know what transportation you plan to use on a daily basis. And you’ll probably end up using more once you see how easy it is to get around.

If spending an extra $50 or whatever, is not a big deal, just get the Swiss Travel Pass as it’s the easiest to use. The fact that you get 2 extra days with the 8-day Pass tells me the Swiss Travel Pass is probably the best option for you rrice1464 and brent.

The Swiss Travel Pass will cover the majority of your transportation needs. For any mountain excursions, you will just have to pay extra unless the particular excursion is covered 100%. Take a look at the links I provided above to see what’s covered. When I have the Pass, I try to fit in as many things that are covered to get the full benefit of the Pass.

I think I am, perhaps, a little confused. You don't have to buy tickets with Swiss Travel Pass, but are you all saying that you do buy tickets with a Berner Oberland pass?

Jeanine, for everything not covered 100% with the Berner Oberland Pass or another Pass, you need to buy tickets. For things that are covered at 100% with a Pass, whichever one you have, the Pass is your ticket, no need to buy anything.

This website gives a detailed list of what’s covered with the BERNER OBERLAND PASS:

HTTPS://WWW.MYSWISSALPS.COM/REGIONALPASSBERNESEOBERLAND/VALIDITY

MAP OF VALIDITY:

HTTPS://CDN-DOC.MYSWISSALPS.COM/DOCS/DEFAULT-SOURCE/RAIL-NETWORK-MAPS/REGIONALPASSBERNESEOBERLAND.PDF?SFVRSN=E7EA8ECA_46&_GL=1*1Y85M5*_GA*OTAWMZQ5MZE3LJE2NZEZNZA1MJC.*_GA_CRB95SX1EF*MTY3NZQZNZQYNY45LJEUMTY3NZQZNZQ0NS4WLJAUMA

I think your decision to buy the Swiss Travel Pass is a sound one both dollarwise and because it takes a lot of the hassle out of your vacation. The Berner Oberland (BO) Pass is not going to cover the pricey train ride to Zermatt and then your train ride back to Interlaaken. The Swiss Travel pass makes that excursion and the one to the summit of Lucerne’s Mt. Rigi 100% free. Even with the BO Pass the cost of the Jungfraujoch is 99CHF. Keep in mind that Jungfraujoch tickets for at least the first morning train (sometimes the first 2 trains) is CHF 165. It is called “The Good Morning Ticket” and it costs about 165CHF without any type of pass whatsoever.
The least expensive way for you to go on the Jungfraujoch train ride is to begin the ride at Kleine Scheidegg. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can get from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen for free. Then you take the 22-minute private train from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg for about $20 with the 25% discount provided by the Swiss Travel Pass. At Kleine Scheidegg, you board the Jungfraujoch train for its ascent.

To confuse you even further, SBB has a “Top of Europe” Pass which covers the Jungfraujoch train journey 100%
and costs 250CHF-350CHF for 3-8 days. But it won’t help you with the costs of getting to Zermatt and it won’t give you a free trip to Mt. Rigi. Stick with the Swiss Travel Pass.

I’m convinced SBB has confused the train pass situation and ticket pricing beyond what most travelers can wrap their heads around. SBB now even has intercity “Supersaver” fares available 60 days before travel. The complexity of SBB train passes, discounts and pricing for gondolas, cogwheel trains and private trains makes the situation about as clear as the view from the Jungfrau on a cloudy day.

(*** Before heading up to any mountain summit, be sure to check the weather cameras at the base station so you’ll know you can see the spectacular views everyone wants to see!)

Have a great trip!

Thanks so much everyone, especially Carrie. Looks like with the discount, I will get the STP and the BO pass. To be clear, I don’t need to buy any train tickets in advance with the STP? Just show up at the right station and it is covered? And when traveling from Salzburg to Wengen, I just pay for the Austria train ticket portion until I get to Switzerland, when I just show the STP for that part of the journey? Or does the STP pay for all of that?

Also, if we buy the STP, is it still worthwhile to buy the BO pass? It looks like from Carries links, there isn’t anything unique the STP doesn’t cover. But maybe I’m missing something? We will stay in Wengen and do Schilthorn, Grindelwald First and possibly Jungfrau. Otherwise, just nice pleasant hikes/walks enjoying the area (Gimmelwald, Lautterbrunen etc.

Finally, what about the global or Euro Rail Pass? We will be in Germany and Austria before Switzerland. Most of those days we have guided tours so probably won’t fit, but I’m curious if it works the same was as the STP in all 3 countries?
So sorry. I really am not an idiot, but feel like one with these passes. I feel like I’m caught in the middle of an Abbott and Costello routine. Lol.

Thank you so much for all the replies and help. I am not too concerned about saving a few bucks to be honest. I do like getting the best deal but it's really just habit not financial need. I am set on buying the swiss travel pass. My main question at this point is: with the swiss travel pass do I really need any additional passes in the jungfrau region. I need to look at the cost of the cogwheel trains that are not covered by stp and see how they add up.

Thanks again. I will be sure to post any information I find out in my research.

The STP gives you 25% off the Jungfraujoch and (I think) the Schilthorn. Unless you're going up to these summits more than once, IMHO you wouldn't need the BO Pass. We see if others agree. Visiting this country is an incredible adventure!

Brent and rrice1464, getting both the Swiss Travel Pass and the BO is not the best way to go. Your homework is figuring out which of those 2 is the better option. You will not have 100% coverage on everything with either Pass. So, you need to figure out, if you have the Swiss Travel Pass, what are the things that are not covered and how much will those cost. If you have the BO Pass, what are the things that are not covered and how much will those cost. Those additional expenses will hopefully be less than the cost of a second Pass.

rrice1464 , since you are spending a good amount of time outside of the BO, my guess is the Swiss Travel Pass will be the better option for you. But again, see what things will not be covered and how much will that cost.

Brent, I don’t recall if you said where else you will be in Switzerland besides Wengen. Where are you coming from and going to after Wengen? Are you spending any other nights in Switzerland?

Plus, you both need to figure the 10-day Swiss Pass is only costing you the cost for the 8-day Pass. A 10-day BO Pass will cost you whatever the cost is for the 10-day Pass. So, with the Swiss Pass, you already have 2 days of savings built in.

It sounds more complicated than it is. Make a list of every leg of transportation you expect to use—Train from Zurich to X; Cable car from murren to Schilthorn, etc. Then make 3 columns. First column is the full price with no Pass. Second column is the price with the Swiss Travel Pass. Third column is the price with the BO Pass.

You guys work on that and once we have a clearer picture of what all you’ll be doing, we can offer some additional advice.

Hi Carrie- thank you! I was never looking at buying the BO pass. I was looking at the jungfrau pass or the top of Europe pass in addition to the swiss travel pass. I listed in my original post all that I want to see and do.

Thanks!

Carrie, you are the bomb diggity!
Here is my 10 day plan in Switzerland:
Fri 26 Train from Salzburg to Wengen via Zurich/Interlaken etc. long day of travel. Stop in Bern for a bit?
Sat 27 Wengen. hike from Wengen to Lautterbrunen, Trummelbach falls? Visit fall 1 and 2, then elevator to top and see others on the way down.
Sun 28 Wengen. jungfruajoch and ice cave? Or just another easy hike
Mon 29 Wengen. Schilthorn breakfast piz Gloria
Tues 30 Wengen. Grindelwald First-mountain carts at Bachalpsee back down the mountain
Wed 31 Wengen. mannlichen-Klein Scheidegg hike or to Gimmelwald if not open yet
Thur 1 travel to Lucerne. Hotel central Luzerne. Relax
Fri 2 Lucerne. Train and boat to Mt Rigi? See Carrie notes
Sat 3 Lucerne/Engleberg-monastery in Engelsburg, cheese factory? travel to Zurich in eve
Sun 4 Zurich . 1030 am Lindt chocolate factory conf 469883 old town/ rennweg street, lindenhof for view and pics,
Mon 5 Zurich home early am

I haven’t yet figured out lifts, funiculars etc required, but hopefully this helps quite a bit.
I don’t mind spending a little more for convenience, but want to make sure I’m making a good choice
Thanks again!

Brent, good start. Now you have to figure out the prices. I’ll get you started.

Keep in mind when you first go to the SBB website, it will show you ½ price (it assumes most have the ½ card). So, you need to either double the price or click on the full price option.

Wengen to Schilthorn with no Pass CHF 74.20

Price with Swiss Travel Pass and BO Pass CHF 42.80. The price with brunch CHF 74 for both Passes. I got these prices from the Schilthorn website here:

https://schilthorn.ch/en/Infos/Timetable__and__Tariff

So, no difference on this route with STP or BO Pass.

You'll need to do this for all your journeys. I'm back at work today so you're own your own. 😊 Unless someone else wants to help you out. Good luck!!

@Brent
I feel like you probably only need the Bernese oberland pass and the half fare card. Look at the difference in cost especially since after April 15 you can purchase an 8 day swiss travel pass and get two free days. You absolutely don't need both STP and BOP because they are too similar. The STP I think covers the chocolate museum.

https://www.myswissalps.com/regionalpassberneseoberland/validity

https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity

rrice1464, are you confusing the Swiss Travel Pass and the BO Pass? It’s the Swiss Travel Pass that will give you an extra 2 days, not the BO Pass.

Neither Pass covers the Lindt museum in Zurich. The cost for that is CHF 15.

https://www.lindt-home-of-chocolate.com/de/tickets-und-preise/

@Carrie
Read my answer again.. I said Swiss travel pass has two free days. Thank you for clarifying the lindt museum.

rrice1464, I was confused because you seemed to state Brent would probably only need the BO Pass and ½ card because he could get and 8-day swiss travel pass and get 2 free days. The discount for the swiss travel pass has nothing to do with the BO Pass or ½ card. Apologies if I misread your response.

Yes I suppose I could've been more clear. I think for Brent the 1/2 fare card in combination with BO pass is the best bet because Brent is not traveling much out of the region that BO pass covers.
For us I think the STP with the two free days is the best. I am waiting to hear if the top of europe pass will be available for the summer as it includes a free trip to jungfraujoch. I would buy this in addition to my stp. If not, then I think just the STP is the best for us. Still. need to plug in all of my planned trips and see what they cost.

Thanks everyone. I will keep working on it. I feel like there are a large number of sites to refer to make this one decision. I’ll get there. Thanks again for weighing in. Much appreciated.

rrice1464, I wanted to make sure you saw this post

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/top-of-europe-pass-discontinued

The top of Europe pass has been discontinued.

Carrie- thank you so. much. Very helpful!