We'll be mostly driving in the week we're in Switzerland, going from Geneva to Zurich, except for our last leg, Luzern to Zurich, where we're taking the train. However, we will be spending 3 days in Grindelwald, taking various cablecars, gondolas etc., and one in Luzern, going up Mt. Pilatus. We will also take a couple of boat trips and maybe take in 1 or 2 museums. We're thinking that the Swiss Travel Pass won't really benefit us, and likewise the Half fare card. Wondering what others may think?
Posted by
Green Bay
20080 posts
It would benefit you more if you did not have a car. Where are you going that you need a car?
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
The key word in your inquiry is "various". Without knowing where you might go each day, it is hard for folks to do the math.
I will offer this, though: from Grindelwald, the most popular lifts/trains are to Mannlichen, First, Kleine Scheidegg, and those average about $30 EACH way. The Swiss Travel Pass costs about $70 a day, so if you did 3 roundtrip trips in a day ($60 each X 3 X .5 ), you'd be "ahead". The Swiss Travel Pass only pays 50% for those 3 routes.
Personally, I usually buy a pass when I get there and see it is not several days of rain ("occasional thunderstorms" doesn't count--that's the usual mountain forecast). I get the Berner Oberland Pass because it COMPLETELY covers those 3 I mentioned above, while the Swiss Travel Pass only pays 50%.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
What you say about Mannlichen is v. helpful. Our plan in Grindelwald is the Kleine Scheidegg hike one day, part of the First - Schynige hike (starting at First) another day, and maybe ? First cliff walk a third? Also Mt. Pilatus and maybe Mt. Rigi on subsequent, non-consecutive days. I wasn't familiar w/ the Berner Oberland pass so thank you!
Re: car - we are tight on time, and figure it would take us about 5 hours to go from Geneva to Grindelwald via train, and half that w/ car. Also, want to go to chocolate factory (and not Gruyeres) - seems quite convoluted w/o a car.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8438 posts
Just do the math. You can look up the costs for the specific train trips you know you're going to do - full fare Luzern to Zurich is about €35. The Pilatus trip is (I think) around €100. We have a similar 3-day trip in the works and I found no pass or discount advantage that would benefit for that short time.
Posted by
Green Bay
20080 posts
People like the idea of a pass, even if it is more expensive. For the 3 hikes you mentioned, just buying tickets as you go would cost about 193 CHF. The 4-day Berner Oberland Pass is 250 CHF. Now you could also use one of those days to go to Luzern, a 44 CHF ticket, that is included with the pass, meaning you would drop the car in Interlaken on arrival and take the train to Grindelwald, an 11 CHF ticket. Now you will have just about gotten full value from that 4-day B. O. Pass.
But now you are in Luzern, and wanting to do both Pilatus and Rigi, plus get to Zurich airport. A Rigi round trip can be 130 CHF depending on how you go. Pilatus, 80 CHF. And the airport trip is 30 CHF.
A 30-day Half Fare card will pay off if you have over 240 CHF worth of full fare tickets. It seems like you have well over that, and that is the most cost effective product.
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
It's certainly worth looking up fares and times on www.sbb.ch/en to see if renting a car is worth it. Note that the first fare shown assumes the half-fare card, so double it for "retail price". Also, you'll almost certainly need to pay for parking in Luzern and Grindelwald.
As for saving time long distance, I rather doubt it. Geneva to Grindelwald is around 3:50 by train. By car, around 3 hrs, but that doesn't include picking it up, dropping it off, signing papers, finding parking, etc. And, that doesn't take into account the stress of driving in unfamiliar territory and the driver missing out on much of the scenery.
You mention taking the Kleine Scheidegg hike (I assume to Mannlichen), and First to Schynige Platte. May I humbly suggest you are walking the least scenic way? Reverse those and you will be looking AT the snow capped mt range as you walk. I'll send you our dozen fav hikes in the area, which mentions that very thing. Click on My Account/TravelForum/My Private Msgs in the upper right of this page to read your forum private mail. On my link I also have the prices for the various lifts and trains.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
I know I shouldn't add on to a posted question, but could you share a few of your favorite hikes in the region ?
I am gathering hikes using the search bar, but would love your input !
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16239 posts
Carla, it is much better to start your own post, as it will show up on the opening page for awhile, and also will stay at the top of the Switzerland forum. And also if Shoe sees it you will get a nice private message with a list of favorites.