My wife and I will be staying in Lauterbrunnen the first week in August and planning day trips to the Schilthorn and Jungfrau. There are a variety of discounts out there- half fare passes, swiss travel pass, etc. I am trying to avoid doing the math and complex research on this! Can anyone tell me what the cheapest options are for both day trips? Also- please let me know where we can get tickets (at our hotel? local travel agency?) Thanks!
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
I think it depends on how you are getting to Lauterbrunnen and your other plans for your vacation. Schilthorn is 100% included in the Swiss Travel Pass. But the pass is quite expensive. I used the pass to travel between Buchs, Luzern, Bern, Berner Oberland, Montreaux and Geneva and we were up and down the Berner Oberland gondolas a lot. We also did a Mt. Rigi trip in Luzern as well as a number of museums which were also 100% included. We didn't do Jungfrau, it was never clear enough. Jungfrau is only covered at 25 % of the Swiss Pass. I believe I broke even on the Swiss Pass, or came close, and also there is the convenience of it. It also allows for more carefree days not feeling like you are constantly paying out money all day long.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"I am trying to avoid doing the math and complex research on this!"
Unfortunately, there is no way to do that and still get the best deal for you individual needs.
One "shortcut" to the research is to remember that the Half Fare Card costs 120 CHF, so if you are doing at least 240 CHF of travel within Switzerland, you can't lose. Full fare on the Jungfraujoch is 201.60 CHF and on the Schilthornbahn is 105 CHF (assuming you start and end in Lauterbrunnen), so even if that's all you're doing, a Half Fare Card is worthwhile. But is it the best deal? Only further math and research for your individual travels will answer that.
"please let me know where we can get tickets (at our hotel? local travel agency?) "
Neither. Just go to the ticket booth at the train station in Lauterbrunnen, and they'll sell you the whole trip. If you have a Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass, Berner Oberland Pass, etc, show it when you buy the ticket; they'll calculate the appropriate reduction.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
js,
As Harold mentioned, there's really no way around doing all the "math and complex research" as which pass will be best will depend to some extent on which trains and mountain lifts you'll be using. Some on the forum have resorted to formatting Excel worksheets to figure out the best value. Are you only going to be visiting the Schilthorn and Jungraujoch? This website may provide some answers - https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes .