I am in my initial planning and the 4 scenic rail journeys, Lucern, Andermatt to Grindelward by postbus, 1 - 2 free days at the Bernese Oberland for excursions and hikings; are my must do/visits. Can anyone please advise what's the minimum days required to do them in a whirlwind tour and which pass shall I opt for if I don't have a Eurail Pass ? All the variations of the Swiss Passes are too confusing to me. I will be travelling between mid July to Sept.
Alternatively, please let me know just the minimum required days to take the 4 journeys alone and I will add in the others.
Thank you.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The Swiss Pass will indeed be the pass you need, probably for 8 consecutive days, if that fits your visit. Review it in the Spring, since features will change a bit in January. Allow one day for each of the popular scenic train routes; some of them take 8 hours travel time. See also their own web sites, such as http://www.goldenpass.ch/ and https://www.rhb.ch/en/home.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Thanks Laura,
I will add 1 day for Lucerne, 2 near Jungfrau, 1/2 day each for Bern and Zurich, 1 for Zematt, and spare day for bad weather or Montreux. I will allocate 10 days for Switzerland.