I am a little confused(doesn't take much) . Thinking that the 8 day Flex travel is best for us . When reading about the trip to Mt. Rigi it says it is free with the Swiss Travel Card. Does that mean I still have to pay 1/2 the fare. Also I am unclear if, with this card I still have to book each leg of the train in Switzerland and pay flex fare as well.
Take pity on this ole gal in your replies lol.
Posted by
San Diego, California
7196 posts
This pass completely covers the route to Mt Rigi, including the boat , cogwheel train, and lift ( if you come down on the other side.)
You do not book anything with this pass- just jump on! The convenience is great!
Of course, not all routes are covered, but Rigi and Stanserhorn are.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Chicago
4511 posts
Make sure you understand that the Swiss Travel Pass Flex requires a little extra work in picking all your travel days, until the “regular” Swiss Travel Pass where you just need to pick you start date.
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass-flex/
Most of us just get the Swiss Travel Pass, not the Flex version.
Posted by
San Diego, California
7196 posts
And do note that if you merely show your pass, to obtain a discount, that counts as a use day.
I agree with Carrie on the convenience factor!
Posted by
Green Bay
23705 posts
How many days will you be in Switzerland? If you compare the 15-day continuous pass with the 8-day flex, you will see the continuous pass is only 40 CHF more. Then you can be a little more flexible and take some spur-of-the-moment trips.
Posted by
Wengen
4086 posts
The problem with the Flex pass, and why I believe it is not good value is that it does not offer any ancillary benefits on the days it is not active.
The STP also works as a Half Fare Card, so with the STP you pay half price on mountain excursions that are not covered by the pass itself. The Flex pass only works as a Half Fare Card on those days that you have activated it. This leads to people sometimes activating a day, and not using any free travel benefits at all.
If you plan to stay in the same places for longer, and do lots of excursions, you may think that have the Flex pass, and only using it for the big trips is the best solution. In practice however in those cases getting the Half Fare Card, and combining it with local passes, and saver day passes for your big trip is often the best solution. That does require a bit of planning and organizing though. If you do not want that, just get the Swiss Travel Pass. Convenience is worth something too after all...
Posted by
OP
Ontario Canada
724 posts
Thank you all for your input. We will be in Switzerland for 8 days
Following is and uncompleted Itinerary.(subject to change as far as venues)
Arrive Geneva 11.20 from Lisbon
Train to Montreux- stay 1 night
Train (Golden Pass Express) to Interlakken Ost **** I think I have to pay extra for this train??
Train up to Murren or Gimmelwald * 3 nights
Train up to the Jungfrau and back to Gimmelwald
Train to Wengen and back
Train-Gimmelwald to Luzern - 3 nights - boat, train and lift Mt Rigi
Luzern to Colmar France
Does the Travel Pass good for the trains to Gimmelwald and Wengen
Should I still get the 8 or 15 day Swiss Travel card and forget about the flex.
Posted by
Green Bay
23705 posts
Train (Golden Pass Express) to Interlakken Ost **** I think I have to pay extra for this train??
Not unless you want seat reservations, which are not required.
Does the Travel Pass good for the trains to Gimmelwald and Wengen
Yes, although to Gimmelwald you need a bus and a cable car (covered by the STP), or Muerren, which could either be though Gimme;wald with an extra cable car leg, or through Gruetchalp with one cable car leg (all covered by the STP).
Since you are staying 7 overnights in Switzerland, the 8-day continuous Swiss Travel Pass is the way to go. You do have to pay extra for Wengen to the Jungfraujoch, and the train from Basel to Colmar is in France, so you have to pay for that.