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Swiss Pass vs Bernese Oberland Pass and Other Recommendations

Posted by (Switzerland) on

Hello All,
My wife and I are planning a Europe trip. I wanted some input on our leg from Paris to Switzerland.
July 2nd - Paris to Interlaken to Grindelwald
July 2-July5 - Stay in Grindelwald (explore and go to Grindelwald First and Jungfraujoch - I know this is additional to Swiss Pass and BO pass; also travel back to Interlaken one day for Harder Klum)
July 5- Travel from Grindelwald to Lucerne to Vitznau (Golden Pass Line Interlaken to Lucerne - I think both swiss pass and BO pass include this) How to get to Vitznau from Lucern train station.
July 5-7 - Stay in Vitznau (explore Mt. Pilatus, maybe rigi )
July 7th - Morning from Vitznau to Zurich Airport - Flight out of Zurich to US 10:55 am. Hotel states there is a shuttle to Risch-Rotkruez then Train at 7am to Zurich Airport reaching at 8 am.

My questions
1. Should I consider getting a ticket Paris to Basel then a 4 Day Swiss Pass (valid July 2-July5) and July 7th separate ticket to Zurich Airport. Swiss Pass 4 day for 2 people 2nd class 562. 1st - 894
2. Should I consider getting Paris to Bern, 6 day Bernese Oberland Pass (Valid July2-July7) and July 7th ticket to Zurich Airport
BO regional pass 6day for 2 people 2nd class 620; 1st 744.
3. Is 1st class worth the extra. we will be Travelling with luggage. 2 bags.

Would love some input on this. I am swaying towards the BO regional pass. Any other recommendations, suggestions and tips more than welcome.

Sincerely
chinp1500

Posted by
5 posts

Check out MySwissAlps.com where they have lots of good info to help answer questions like yours. Also seat61.com for all things rail travel in Europe.

Posted by
32752 posts

question 3 - probably not. Many couples travel with 2 moderate or smaller sized bags between them. When I travel with my wife, I do. 2 bags, 2 people, no problem - as long as they are reasonable size and weight (the bags, and maybe the people), and in decent shape (the people and the bags).

I'd never travel in First unless somebody else is paying. You are talking about short journeys.

Posted by
16893 posts

Without having done all the math myself, I would choose option 1, in 2nd class. See also https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes. Differences include:

  • The Swiss Travel Pass fully covers Mt. Rigi and Mt. Schilthorn (if you go), and a good portion of Mt. Pilatus, Lucerne lake boats, and some Lucerne museums, all of which the B. O. Pass does not.
  • However, the B.O. covers Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg and/or Wengen, which the STP only discounts 25%.

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