Revised Swiss Itinerary help

Why did you choose Grindelwald? If you were to choose Wengen or Murren there would be no backtracking to Interlaken to get to Lauterbrunnen...it’s right in the middle of Wengen and Murren. Finding anything open on Christmas Day will be tough.

Hi, I looked in Mureen and Wegen but couldn't find the right hotelaccommodations..unfortunately lots of places are already booked for that time. I read theres a lot to do in Grindlewald and the views are outstanding. ..

Yes I know about the area and have been there many times. It’s a stunning area. What kind of hotel accommodations were you looking for?

Hi, i checked the sbb site but still cant determine if it's better price wise I'd I get a swiss pass or half fare card for this itinerary please help....

Price out routes w/ HFC
Rail: Zurich to Grindlewald
Grindlewald to Jungfraujoch RT
Grindlewald to Schilthorn RT
Grindlewald to Montreux
Montreux to Zermatt RT
Montreux to Gruyeres then to Gstaad
Montreux to Chillon Castle
Montreux to Chamonix RT

You're gonna have a very flat butt with all these all-day train rides.

BTW, Monte Rosa is in Zermatt. If you luck out and are there on a clear day, if you make it up to Trockener Steg, the Matterhorn will be directly west and Monte Rosa will be directly east.

I am trying to wrap my head around going to Chillon, then to Chamonix, then back to Montreux in a day. In December, the Chateau opens at 10. Bus leavers at 11:48 back to Montreux station to get the 12:12 train to Martigny connecting to Chamonix Aiguille du Midi, arriving at 14:17. Sunset will be about 17:00. Last train that will get you back to Montreux is at 18:46.

I agree with Sam. Flat Butt and DVT will be an issue. You will definitely see the countryside with all that train travel. I would cut Zermat and head straight to Montreux.
It is out of your way.

Ok i def sont qant a flatt butt. I will cut out Chamonix. Since ill be in Montreux for 3 nights...I can check the weather to see if zermatt is good to travel into. Otherwise in Montreux besides 15 min rides to Lusanne, Gruyeres, Gstaad and Chillion castle I'll do in a day or 2, I'll have one more day free for Zermatt.

Hey thanks Sam for taking the time to break that down for me. Do you recommend I get a swiss pass or Half fare and pay for the train routes? I'm going up to Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. Hopefully zermatt too from Montreux.

In regards to Grindelwald vs Lauterbrunnen, did u check VRBO or Airbnb? I used Airbnb in lauterbrunnen and was very happy.

OK, I'll take look. It can get complicated, because going from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch and back you only get a 25 % discount with a Swiss Travel Pass on a very expensive ticket, but it covers the Schilthornbahn at 100 %.

Edit -
Ok, if you get an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass it will cost 398 CHF and the r/t to Jungfraujoch will cost you 123 CHF with the 25% discount.

You'll spend 120 CHF for the Half Fare Card and 356 CHF of train tickets, not counting a trip to Chamonix. Also, since the Grindelwald-Zermatt-Montreux is 83.60 CHF with a Half Fare Card, instead, you can buy a one-day Travel Pass with Half Fare Card for 75 CHF.

So using the Half Fare Card is the lower cost option, but if you do something on that day you were going to Chamonix, the gap will narrow. And every time you travel, you still have to buy a ticket, so there is a convenience factor as well.

Chillon is included with the Swiss pass. Be careful with Schillthorn and Jungfrau. Schillthorn is included in the pass and might still be interesting to you (James bond stuff) in poor weather. Jungfrau is expensive even with the discount and I would think not much fun when it’s cloudy. There are cameras at the top of each so you can check out the weather to help you decide

Thank you.

I didnt realize the train Grindlewald to Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn would be quite expensive. I have a hotel booked as back up in Lauterbrunnen but I preferred Grindlewald for the location, mountain activites...I will reevaluate this.

Thanks jules!

Hi Sam, ok I see what you mean about the as activities and train routes. I will buy the half pass card for the acitivites and routes below..

Half fare pass $125
Schilthorn fron Wengen $44
Matterhorn paradise $53
Glacier 3k $43
Jungfraujoch $86.50
Sledding in grindlewald
Cliff walk...Grindlewald

Routes w/ HFC
Rail: Zurich to Grindlewald
Grindlewald to Jungfraujoch RT
Grindlewald to Schilthorn RT
Grindlewald to Montreux
Montreux to Zermatt RT
Montreux to Gruyeres then to Gstaad
Montreux to Chillon Castle

It seems like a lot but Sam you're right i may drop some things depending on weather or general tiredness.

For Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen is indeed more central with lower costs in both money and time. Since I get my prices from SBB, I use CHF, the local currency. It is close to the USD, but since that is the money you will be using, CHF is best. Get used to it.

Besides Chillon being free with a Swiss Travel Pass, all local transport, like city trams in Zurich will be free. The Half Fare card has no museum discounts, but for city transit, it gives 50%. So buying a Zurich tram ticket out of the machine, you just indicate you have a Half Fare Card and you get charged 50%. If a fare inspector checks you, show your ticket, Half Fare Card, and passport. With a Swiss travel Pass, you just show the pass and passport. You can buy either of these products at the Zurich airport train station, and decline to be charged in any currency other than CHF. Let your credit card company do the foreign currency exchange. It will cost you less.

Oh, and remember, those mountain excursion prices are 1-way, so double them unless you intend to ski down. Make sure the prices you get are for "return" tickets.