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Switzerland for the 3rd time but do we need any type pass for this trip

Posted by (Trussville, Al) on

Having made 2 trips to Switzerland without any type pass, staying only in Interlaken & Zurich I'm having great difficulty figuring out if I need any sort of pass, etc for my trip in June 2016. I am now planning a "girls trip" for 6 of us total visiting Switzerland, Germany & Austria traveling by train. The exact dates are not set yet.

I have totally planned 2 other European trips (different countries) with some help on this forum, with this same group but for the life of me I can't figure out the Switzerland "Pass" part.

Itinerary: Day 1 - Arrive Zurich in the am from Atlanta & travelling to Murren for 3 nights - want to experience a real Swiss village & the beauty of staying in the Alps haven't booked rooms yet

We will NOT be going to the Schiltorn or Jungfraujoch. We will do 2 easy hikes from Murren to Gimmelwald & Grutschalp to Murren & would need to take whatever transport to get back to Murren & to Grutschalp. We may want to travel to a few other villages in the area - any suggestions? I would like for us to take the boat trip at Lake Brienz if time permits. Other than that mainly just a relaxing few days in the Berner Oberland

Day 4 - leave Switzerland & travel by train to Bacharach, Germany via Bern & Basel (I assume)
The rest of our trip will be in Germany & Austria. Any advice, help or thoughts are appreciated.

Posted by
4388 posts

I found Rail Europe is pretty good about talking you through the options, even if you don't end up buying a pass from the. Just see if they're wiling to give advice.

And don't forget, there are multi-country, regional and pan-Europe passes too. Since you'll be doing 3 countries it's become even more complicated.

Posted by
16893 posts

The relevant math usually involves laying out the whole, multi-country travel plan. Pass options could change significantly before next June, so don't spend a lot of time on this until December or January, when news is published and your trip plan is fleshed out. If Austria just means traveling from Munich to Salzburg, then that's covered by a German-Switzerland pass and other options that cover Germany, since Salzburg is the designated railroad border point. Currently, the next step up is a 4-country pass (no 3-country option).

See also: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes

and http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/germany-rail-passes.

Posted by
20067 posts

Wouldn't touch Raileurope with a 10 foot pole. They usually show only the most expensive options, and tack on commission fees.
You will not have enough trips in Switzerland to justify any kind of pass. If you book through Deutsche Bahn, I see that Sparpreiss tickets (nonrefundable nonchangeble) 90 days out, Muerren to Bacharach for 49 euro per person. That is less than what SBB charges for Muerren to Basel.
Swiss rail: www.sbb.ch
German rail (Deutsche Bahn): www.bahn.com
Austrian rail: oebb.at

Posted by
8363 posts

The mt. railways are not very expensive from Lauterbrunnen up to Murren. I can't imagine that a swiss pass would pay for itself. You will want to consider multi-country passes a little later.

I would like to suggest Hotel Jungfrau in Murren. We stayed there 3 nights last July and wished we could have stayed much longer. Ask for a balcony view room.

Posted by
187 posts

Thank all of you for the info/advice you have provided. I may be back for more questions/help

Posted by
31 posts

I would add Schynige Platte to your list. Interesting cog-wheel train ride, great views, and a wildflower garden.

Posted by
16 posts

We spent 6 nights in Murren last July. The mountain travel can add up You might want to consider the half fare pass if still offered next summer. Another option would be to purchase a 3 day Bernese Overland pass that would cover travel throughout the area.

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