Did the math for my 2 teens and I to Eurostar from London to Paris then 2nd class trains to Interlaken (Murren) to Freiburg to Zurich next month. 4 days in each city (except Zurich) Eurail select plus Eurostar is $1760, individual tickets $1350. would it still be worth it for 1st class, and for the other discounts? Will be taking lots of pricy gondolas in the alps and Eurail gives you a discount. Also, if ind. tickets, buy them in US in advance? What web site? Kinda stressing about all the arrangements--not much time left!
Many thanks!!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I don't think first class is ever worth it. I have traveled 1st class with reservations on business (someone else paying for it) and 2nd class without reservations when I'm paying. There is some small advantages in 1st but I doubt I'd pay even an additional $5 for an upgrade.
Even with the fuel prices driving air rates up, you can still get much cheaper and quicker travel using air. Depending on your plans, it may be worth considering.
Ordering ahead to get discounts isn't a bad idea depending on how much of a discount you can get. It sounds like you have a firm itinerary, so flexibility isn't a concern.
Rail passes are sometimes a good deal but you can often do better with point to point, especially on the shorter distances. The discounts associated with Rail passes, at least for Gondolas or other transportation, are probably only effective when you are using a rail day. On other days you may still have to pay full price.
Other people on this site may have more specifics on that.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Hi Neighbor. Please note that if you are planning train travel and especially train and gondola travel into the high Swiss Alps, a Swiss pass of some type is better than the Eurail pass for Switzerland. For example, a Eurail pass in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, including the runs up to the Jungfrau and Schilthorn, will only get you a 25% discount. With the retail price up to the Jungfraujoch being about $177 per person, a 25% discount is not much.
What you can do when you reach Zurich is to buy a Swiss 1/2-fare card for CHF99. It's good for 30 days and provides a 50% discount on all public transportation in Switzerland including the trips up the the Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn. It will almost pay for itself on the trip to the Jungfraujoch alone.
If you choose to do this and want to purchase tickets in advance, I suggest that you buy your ticket from Paris to Zurich. You can then go online with www.sbb.ch and buy the pass and your tickets to Murren on the Swiss website.
Also note that I don't think Raileurope will sell you a ticket all the way through to Murren. Interlaken Ost - yes. Murren - No. The reason is that the Swiss want to be paid in Swiss Francs for travel on the Schilthornbahn and Jungfraubahn railways which run from Interlaken into the Lauterbrunnen Valley and up the mountains. However, the Swiss will on their website. Crazy stuff.
Posted by
OP
sacramento, ca
6 posts
Thanks, Larry! We are actually flying into London then heading south, ending up in Zurich. Yes, decided to get some sort of swiss pass or card. Which one??? Plan on 4 nights in Berner Oberland. Shilthorn or Jungfrau excursion, Interlaken 1/2 day, biking Lauberbraten Valley, hikes by Murren (where we stay) and hikes at Mannlichen Kline Scheidegg. We will arrive from Paris via Basel or Bern-so a Swiss pass/card with a train discount? Just don't know how to book a ticket with that.
Thanks, all!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Suzanne, CLICK HERE to see information on the 1/2-fare Swiss Pass. Again, it costs CHF99 per person and you get a 50% discount on all Swiss public transportation. If your teens are 15 and under, THEY RIDE FREE with the pass in your possession and you travel together. If they are older, they would need their own pass. (As a side note, I was looking for an exception to the 15 and unders riding totally free up to the Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn but I didn't find any. There may be surcharges there). If you have one or both of your teens 15 and under, this Swiss pass and it's benefits are significantly better than a Eurail pass which I doubt offers what the Swiss do.
You can buy the pass on the website linked above or at any staffed train station in Switzerland.