Our trip is as follows
land in Zurich and take train same day to murren for 4 nights, travel by train to Vareena on Lake Como for 4 nights then again the train to Cinqua Terra for 4 nights. My question is should I buy a Swiss pass since it is not usable in Italy and we do not plan on visiting the Schilthorn or the juangfrau railway. We will be taking cable cars and boat rides and doing day trips to other small swiss towns. We will be hiking a lot. Is it more cost effective to buy a swiss pass or just pay from point to point. Jay
You should be OK without a Swiss pass or card. The fare from the Zurich Flughafen (airport) is about 86CHF ($90). Daily ups and down on the gondola and possibly the a ride or two on the local bus is very reasonable (about 6-7CHF each time). Departing Muerren for Italy, the fare would be about 80CHF. You need to be up around 220CHF in total ticket fares to break even with the least expensive Swiss pass or card.
I love your trip, wished I were going. Any particular reason you are not stopping in Lucerne? These are three of my most favorite places I've traveled to.
When are you going? If in September, the 4-day Swiss passes are two-for-one, which makes them cost effective. This will cover trains and boats, and give you 50% off the mountain lifts and cablecars. But for August, Larry's advice is sound.
Thanks for that info Lola We will be leaving september 25 so just may be able to get in for the two for one deal you tell me about. I've had the pleasure of going to lucerne several times so we are bypassing that in favor of areas we haven't been to before. Would you recommend buying the ticket here or in switzerland??
thanks so much for your help Jay