I have been trying to determine the best way to travel from Paris to Interlaken for three day stay in the Bernese Oberland before going onto Zurich in July. The three days in the BO will include Jungfraujoch train, the Schilthorn Tram, and travel around the area.
Am I better off to get a EurRail pass for four days or a SwissRail pass for three days? I know the SwissRail pass gets me a discount on the Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn. Advice greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Just get a train from Paris to Interlaken. There is a train every 2 hours, you have to change at Basel, except for one train per day which goes all the way to Interlaken without changing. For times, prices and booking see: www.sncf.com
If you are just travelling around the Berner Oberland I would recommend a local pass for that area as that has the best coverage of the mountain railways.
Posted by
Rick Steves Europe
353 posts
Hi bbecp,
To get the best price, you should buy the Paris-Basel train ahead through the SNCF website Chris provided or www.capitainetrain.com (which is more user friendly). Most tickets are available up to 90 days ahead (some even further out). Cheaper tickets are non-refundable, non-exchaneable, so be ready to commit at the time of purchase.
For the travel within Switzerland, I recommend buying either a Swiss Transfer Ticket + Half-fare Card or just a Half-fare Card. The cost is pretty close for what you have mentioned, but I recommend doing the math yourself. You can find Swiss train schedules and ticket prices on the Swiss Rail website.
The Swiss Transfer Ticket gets you from any border or airport to anyplace in Switzerland and out again, as long as you travel the most direct route. In your case, from Basel to Interlaken and then to Zurich when you leave. If you buy the half-fare card at the same time you purchase the Transfer Ticket, you get it for half price. The Half-fare card gives you half-price on any trains, boats, buses and lifts you take while in Switzerland, including the Jungfrau and Schilthorn. See Rick's Swiss Pass webpage for details.