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Swiss Rail Pass Advice Needed

Hello friends! We are planning a trip to Switzerland for July/August 2023 and I was wondering which rail pass(es) would best fit our itinerary. (We are also wondering when to buy a pass and when to just pay for the routes as we go.)

We are planning on traveling via train from:
ZRH to Luzern
Luzern to Mürren
Mürren to Zermatt
Zermatt to Bern
Bern back to ZRH

Our trip is 13 days total and we plan to do as many "scenic route" rail options as possible.
Thanks in advance for any wisdom on putting this transportation puzzle together!

Posted by
12 posts

Here's our detailed itinerary:
two nights Luzern
five nights Mürren
four nights Zermatt
one night Bern

thanks!

Posted by
21142 posts

Two strategies that may be a toss up. Assuming 2 adults over 25 yo.
1. Buy a 15-day Swiss Travel Pass for 429 CHF per adult.
2. Buy a Half Fare Card for 120 CHF per adult plus a 6-day Berner Oberland Pass for 220 CHF (with the HFC discount)

Advantage of #1 is easy and gives full coverage for all transportation to your lodging locations, plus certain journeys in Luzern like lake boats and mountain rides like to Rigi and Stanzerhorn. Disadvantage is reduced coverage for certain mountain rides in the Berner Oberland, especially going to the Jungfrauoch. It only gives a 25% discount above Wengen.

Advantage of #2 is better coverage in the Berner Oberland, fully covering above Wengen to Eigergletcher and 50% with the HFC to Jungfraujoch. Disadvantage is you will have to buy some journeys with the HFC, like Zurich airport to Luzern (15 CHF), Brig to Zermatt (19 CHF), Zermatt to Bern (45 CHF), Bern to Zurich airport (28 CH), and any excursions in Luzern. You will also have to take a slower route from Spiez to Brig on the way to Zermatt since only this route is covered by the BOP. But it is a lot more scenic.

I'd go with #2 if you definitely want to go to the Jungfraujoch, otherwise #1. #2 saves 78 CHF per person on the Jungfraujoch.

PS. You could spend a day cruising Lake Luzern and doing Rigi and Stanzerhorn by buying a Saver Day Pass with the HFC for 44 CHF per person. You have to buy this 60 days before your date of use to get the 44 CHF price, as the price goes up as you get closer to your use date.

Posted by
12 posts

One question if you don't mind: can you explain precisely how to get to Zermatt from Mürren via train? city by city perhaps? (I am unclear about the route...)

Posted by
21142 posts

Just go to www.sbb.ch/en and put in Muerren to Zermatt via Kandersteg (when using a BOP). If you want to go the fast route with the STP, leave out the via Kandersteg.