We are staying in Grindelwald from 12/22 and leaving on 12/26 to go to Paris. The one-way fare for us 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) was approximately $750USD. Is that a "normal" fare? Should I buy a Swiss Pass? If so, can I use that for the train to Paris? Or is it only travel within Switzerland? Confused!!!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
As I understand it, a Swiss Pass will only get you to the Swiss border. Interlaken to Paris on December 26 looks to be in the price range you indicated -- and several trains appear to be full.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Jamie, This is what you get for booking late for one of the busiest days of the year, the absolute top price. ~CHF 190 per person. Sorry.
a Swiss pass will cover your fare only to the Swiss border (Basel station in this case, where you will probably change trains). It will make very little difference to the overall price.
I just did a quick check on http://voyages-sncf.com/ for 26th December
Some trains are fully booked, but for those that aren't I see a few seats only left at prices CHF 140 to CHF 170.
Posted by
Green Bay
20096 posts
By "kids", what are their ages? That is an important factor in pricing. Often, greatly discounted when traveling with parents, depending on the ages. Also, the fact that you quote in USD might indicate you are using Rail Europe and you will not find the best price there.
Right now, if "kids" are 4 to 11 yo, you can get Supersaver tickets from Grindelwald to Basel for 131.20 CHF on the 9:49 departure, and TGV tickets from Basel for 403.20 EUR on the 14:34 TGV departure. That will give you 2 hours change time in Basel, and is the equivalent to $560USD. Buy them now on line. The prices will only go up from here.
TGV http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers
Swiss Rail https://www.sbb.ch/ticketshop/b2c/adw.do?sprache=en&artikelnummer=4004&WT.ac=sparbillette-11-en
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
And don't forget the "catch" with a pass, you still need to buy a seat on a TGV train and since there are a limited number for passholders they're probably gone already.