I plan to fly from LA to Zurich, then take the train directly to the Berner Oberland and stay there for 5 nights, making a hostel there my home base for 3 full days of hiking (I will probably be riding quite a few trains and lifts) and 1 day to go see the Matterhorn. Then on the morning following my fifth night, I'll take the train back to Zurich to catch my afternoon flight back to LA. The Swiss Pass, Swiss Card, and regional pass options have my head swimming. Can someone please just tell me which pass(es) will get me the most bang for the buck for what I want to do? Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17442 posts
Most of us who travel to Switzerland to hike have swimming head over this. I have been there for four two week trips and still don't have the answer. People will tell you to " do the math" and figure itnout. But then you would have to know what exactly you will do each day, which ignores the weather question if you are a hiker. Adressing your question, the BO Regional Pass is unlikely to be of use as it will not get you to and from the BO, and will not cover much of the day trip to Zermatt. Swiss Card covers two trips, in and out from the destination, and half off everything else. Swiss Pass covers everything, but comes in denominations that don't really match your plans 4 day or 8 day). I have found that the best compromise is often the 3day Flex pass, which covers your travel in and out , plus one more day ( the trip to Zermatt). Everything else is half price.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
One other option is the 1/2-fare card. I believe it now costs 110CH. It's good for 30 days and provides a 50% discount on anything in the Berner Oberland or to/from Zermatt. It works on all trains and almost all buses. If you intend to go up to either the top of the Jungfrau or Schilthorn, it works there as well. www.rail.ch will tell you the fares to get to and from Zermatt as well as your daily travels in the BO. It will also tell you the fares to/from Zurich. This will be useful to determine if the 110CH is warranted especially if you are not going to the two mountain tops mentioned above.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Like Lola, I've also been several times and, my gut instinct would be the Half Fare Card. Hopefully when you say you'll be staying in the Berner Oberland you mean you will be staying in the Alps, right? Not Interlaken, right? PS - you might be disappointed in Zermatt after visiting the Berner Oberland. I know it was a let down for me.
Posted by
OP
Clovis, CA, USA
41 posts
Thanks for the tips. I believe a 3-day Swiss flex pass will work best for me. The point-to-point rail fares from Lauterbrunnen (where I'm planning to stay) to Zermatt and to Zurich are quite pricey, even with the fare half off. I am aware that the Berner Oberland beats Zermatt, but I would enjoy a physically relaxing day by watching the scenery go by on the way to see the Matterhorn, especially as a break from strenuous (but fun) hiking in the BO.