Planning a trip for August. Will be in Milan and then head to Lauterbrunen. So confusing. Is a eurorail pass better than Swiss Pass? Do they work the same in Switzerland? Will be in Lauterbrunen for 4 nights. So will be doing alot of exploring in the region. Will then travel back to Italy to Lake Comom and Venice. So is the Eurorail 2 country pass the best? I can't seem to see on line where the Eurorail pass works same as Swiss pass. Any help is appreciated regarding the train travel.
thanks
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
If you are going to be in Lauterbrunnen and using the trains and cable cars there, I'd get a Berner Oberland Pass. It will cover all transportation there (tho just discounts on the 2 highest mountains peaks), and will cover trains from Italian border (but not the fastest train, just the standard) up thru Spiez over to Lauterbrunnen.
https://www.regionalpass-berneroberland.ch/en/pass-and-infos/area-of-validity/
So if it were me, I'd get a regular train ticket from Milan to the border, then buy the Berner Oberland Pass.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Question: Does the 2 country Eurorail pass have same benefits as Swiss pass? And would it be worth it for when we travel in Italy?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Those Italian train tickets are cheap, so I would just get the Swiss Travel Pass that best fits your time there. It works to/from the official border crossing points, such as Domodossola, Chiasso, or Tirano. Unfortunately, the pass choices jump from 4 days to 8 and it sounds like your Swiss travel will take place over a period of 5 days. See our list with many comparison points for the differences in pass coverage in Switzerland.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
ok thanks. For the 5th day what options are there, if any? Would just need to travel out of the country to Italy
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11778 posts
So if it were me, I'd get a regular train ticket from Milan to the border, then buy the Berner Oberland Pass.
That is what I would do. Buy your ticket to Brig then the pass picks up from there. Buy a 4-day pass and just pay for the 5th day when you depart.