On upcoming trip, we've only three nights in Switzerland, with three rail trips likely: Basel > Luzern > Titlis (return) > Zurich. I've been pricing point-to-point tickets, and reading Man in Seat 61, SBB, etc., but don't see any discount pass, or other local offer that would provide reduced costs. The trip is too short for the half-price card to be worth it. Am I missing some alternative? Thanks.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
The half price card IS a discount card. If you are not doing enough trips to justify it, then you have to pay full fare.
If you are staying in a hotel in Luzern, you will get a pass for transport within the town, but not outside. The same applies to other Swiss cities, for example Basel.
Posted by
OP
The Heartland USA
8440 posts
Chris, yes I recognize that the Half-Price card at 185 CHF costs more than the full-fare tickets for those three trips, therefore not worth it. I was hoping there was some short-term pass that would work.
Posted by
Green Bay
20085 posts
That is for the 1-year Half Fare Card. The tourist 30-day Half Fare Card is 120 CHF. It is simple, if your per person undiscounted train/lift tickets are over 240 CHF, then the Half Fare Card will save at least something.
You might also look at the Tell Pass, which includes Titlis and any trains, boats, lifts in the Luzern district.
http://www.luzern.com/en/tell-pass
Posted by
OP
The Heartland USA
8440 posts
Thanks Sam. I did not see the tourist half-fare card option. Also did not see the Tell pass. That sounds like what I was looking for.
Posted by
1 posts
Hi Stan
I just did a little research and from what it looks like, if you do the exact itinerary you lined out, buying full fare tickets as you go works out cheapest. The half fare card for visitors is valid for one month and costs 120.-. So if I did the maths right, travelling from Basel to Lucerne, to Titlis, back to Lucerne and to Zurich without a half fare card is 190.- Swiss Francs. With the half fare card, it would be 215.-
So if you take any more trips within the cities, it might pay off to get a half fare card but otherwise, for this short amount of time you're staying, you're better off just buying tickets as you go. For the day you're going to Titlis I recommend looking into buying a Saver Day Pass. But these are limited, so buy them ahead of time.
Seraina