We are traveling to Europe as a family of 5 (2 adults and kids 15, 13 and 11). Day 1 for the Swiss portion we'll be traveling from the Garmisch area of Germany all the way to Grindelwald. We'll be staying in Grindelwald for 4 nights and then Lucerne for 2 nights. Flying out the following day from Zurich. We're planning to do some excursions such as Rigi (or Pilatus) First Walk, possibly Schilthorn. I'm thinking we'll buy the Swiss Half Fare card for my husband and I, and from what I understand the kids will be free for train rides but not excursions. I was also told the day we travel from Germany to buy the portion of our journey from Germany to the Swiss border separately bc once we hit Switzerland we can use our half fare cards. Is this accurate and the best for our budget? This is our first trip to Switzerland. Would this cover all our train travel in areas we'll be in? Do I need to book anything other than the Swiss border order to Zurich, and Lucerne to Grindelwald and back in advance? TIA!
Posted by
Wengen
3850 posts
The Swiss Half Fare Card comes with the Family Card, which gives you kids free travel, also on excursions like the Pilatus or the Rigi, so it is very good value for a family with 3 kids...
You do not need to book anything in advance. However booking Garmisch to Grindelwald in advance will be cheaper. For Grindelwald - Luzern and Luzern - Zurich Airport advance booking is not needed.
For Gamrisch - Grindelwald you can indeed split the ticket at the border. The usual route is via Munich, and your border station in that case is St. Margrethen.
Posted by
OP
37 posts
Should I look into the BO pass as well? Would it provide benefits for any excursions?
Posted by
Switzerland
413 posts
For Gamrisch - Grindelwald you can indeed split the ticket at the border.
I am not sure why you would split the ticket - when we go to Germany we always buy a ticket for the entire journey from Deutsche Bahn. When giving passenger details choose that you have a Half Fare Card and it will be applied to the Swiss portion of the trip.
Under the “Travellers, discounts” drop down menu you will see “Other Discounts” and “HalbtaxAbo”, this is Half Fare card (called ‘Halbtax’ here).
Posted by
OP
37 posts
That would be much easier- thank you!
Posted by
Green Bay
23363 posts
If you do that, since the kids travel free in Switzerland, you should list their discount as "CH General Abonnement (1st or 2nd class)" according to the class of tickets you are buying from Deutsche Bahn.
Posted by
OP
37 posts
Thank you Sam. Is it worth adding the BO pass in addition to the Half Fare Pass?
Posted by
Switzerland
413 posts
I hadn't considered the tickets for your kids, perhaps it will be more effort than it is worth to do it the way I suggested. My husband and I travel this route on our own (to visit out grown kids :-)
For the BO pass you will have to do some calculations. You can use SBB to see the cost of going up different mountains. It is often pointed out on the forum that when you have a pass you tend to do a bit more - go up somewhere just spontaneously, even for a short time, and there is a sense of freedom that comes with that. I have found it to be so myself. "Why not go up just to have a drink and enjoy the view since it is included in what we have already paid" type of thing.