If one wants to buy a ticket from Basel to Lucerne and on the way back to Basel stop over in Zurich for a couple of hours, doe you need to buy three separate tickets, i.e., Basel to Lucerne, Lucerne to Zurich and Zurich to Basel? Is there a special day ticket you can get that allows stop overs?
Posted by
Green Bay
22581 posts
There is a Saver Day Pass. These go on sale for a particular date 6 months in advance and start low. As time goes by, the price increases gradually until close to the date, the price is high enough to make it impractical for a relatively short itinerary. The SDP is nonrefundable and only valid for the chosen date, so you better be sure.
PS if this is for your son per your previous post, it may already be too late to get a good price for the SDP.
The trains from Basel to Luzern do not pass through Zurich, as that would be a significant detour. So you really need 3 separate tickets. The 2nd class fares are 36 CHF for Basel to Luzern and Zurich to Basel, and 27 CHF Luzern to Zurich. So that is 99 CHF. What is the travel date?
Posted by
OP
Gulf Coast, usa
1234 posts
Thanks Sam. Looks like separate tickets are the easiest and most flexible. Travel date this Saturday the 6th leaving Basel as early as necessary to get a good day in.
Posted by
Green Bay
22581 posts
Bought now, the Saver Day Pass is 119 CHF, 20 CHF more than purchased tickets. However, it might still be a good deal if he wants to take a boat ride on the lake and take the train to the top of Rigi and return. It is all included, as well as public transport in Luzern and Zurich.
Posted by
Wengen
3368 posts
If you buy a normal ticket you are allowed to stop over en route, and then continue. However, Basel to Luzern does not go via Zurich, so that would not work on a Basel - Luzern and back ticket.
What you can do of course is for example buy a Basel - Luzern - Zurich - Basel ticket, and that would let you do this. Or as others have suggested, a Saver Day Pass, if that ends up cheaper.
Do not buy separate tickets, as that will end up more expensive. Normal train ticket prices are based no distance, and the price table is regressive. So a Basel - Basel via Luzern and Zurich will be cheaper than if you buy each segment separately.
Posted by
OP
Gulf Coast, usa
1234 posts
Wow, thanks so much for the pricing info. Makes sense, and I would have lost out on $$ doing it how I was considering.
Posted by
Green Bay
22581 posts
SBB will not let me purchase Basel-Luzern-Zurich-Basel. You can purchase Basel-Luzern for 36 CHF, then Luzern-Zurich-Basel for 56 CHF. This does save 7 CHF over the 3 ticket plan.
Posted by
Wengen
3368 posts
SBB will let you buy such complicated round trip tickets if you buy them at the ticket office. It used to be that this was possible via the app as well, but it looks like you can't anymore. I guess SBB expect people to use EasyRide for that.