Rail passes for Switzerland and Italy and France

G'Day AussieTraveler--I do not have the final answer without running all the various combinations, because it is complicated. But what I know is this: a multi-country country Eurail pass does not work as well within Switzerland as the pure Swiss passes do. And you can get great deals on advance purchase for the cross-border trips, Italy to Lauterbrunnen and there to Paris---much better than spending a day on a Eurailpass.

If you wish to go up,the Jungfrau, a Swiss Half Fare Card will almost pay for itself on that journey, and then you can benefit on other journeys as well. If I were doing this trip, I would book the international journeys in advance on SBB.ch or Trenitalia, and get a Swiss Half-Fare Card for the Swiss travel.

Rail passes rarely make financial sense anymore. Sounds like your travel agent is not giving the most helpful or thoughtful advice that is in your interest. Look at the man in seat 61 website for helpful info on deciding between point to point and passes. Drop the travel agent.

http://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-Eurail-pass-guide.htm#.VrrRdfCkqrU

In particular, you should not listen to anybody who recommends using a rail pass for a long-distance journey in France. Nowadays, the long-distance trains in France have high compulsory seat reservation fees for pass holders, and only a few pass holders are allowed on each train, so you still may end up having to pay a very expensive immediate-travel fare for your journey despite the pass.

Lola is correct in saying the best pass for Switzerland is the Half Fare Card combined with the Free Swiss Family Card. All of your transport within Switzerland is reduced by 50% including the super expensive Jungfrau trip. With the Free Swiss Family Card your kids <16 years old travel everywhere in Switzerland with you for free...including the super expensive Jungfrau trip.

Your Italian rail tickets can be purchased for super discount prices if you purchase ahead at www.trenitalia.com Venezia S. Lucia -> Milano Centrale. Once you arrive at Domodossola your Swiss Half Fare card will kick in and your travels discounted.

Eurail passes in general are senseless especially in France where Eurail Travelers are limited on the high speed trains. Just purchase your ticket from Basel -> Paris at www.sncf.com which again offers discounted advance purchase fares.

There are several options around the 300 USD/CHF price point but none that fully covers all your transportation. In addition, your 5 days traveling within the borders of Switzerland don't quite fit the 4-day consecutive version of the Swiss Travel Pass. On the plus side, the two younger kids are free or nearly free with any rail pass under discussion.

A Berner Oberland Pass for 4 consecutive days (240 per adult in 2nd class) starts from your train connection at Brig and gives slightly more lift coverage during your stay than even a Swiss Travel Pass (but no museum coverage). With this pass, you need a separate ticket for the trip to Basel on your fifth day, where you connect to a reserved TGV to Paris. The 6-day version of the pass (300 per adult) would cover travel from Muerren to Bern (a 50 franc value, and not coverage to Basel), not a perfect match. There is no 6-day consecutive version of the Swiss Travel Pass.

Or a Swiss One-Month Half Fare Card for 125 would give you half off all Swiss tickets, which for practical ease of use, you'd start using from Bern, rather than the border.

The Italian and French reserved train ticket prices are reasonable if purchased three months ahead, from 50 per person per leg in 2nd class, on top of costs above.

[Edited] A Eurail Select Pass gives you 5 or 6 days of 1st class travel in three countries for 375 per adult and 355 youth. You won't be able to use all of these days, of course. Required seat reservation fees for Venice-Milan-Brig are about 20 per person and Basel-Paris about 65 per person, in 1st class, or 35 if you choose to sit in 2nd. It gives you 25% discounts around the B. O., as you know; the total price of what you plan to buy there is something you may or may not want to bother calculating.

Thanks for all of your responses.

I am currently leaning towards the 6 day Bernese Overland pass and tickets Venice to Brig then use BO pass, and likewise on 5 day use BO pass to Bern then tickets from Bern - Basel - Paris.

Can someone please advise if the main difference between the BO pass and swiss pass is the 50% to Jungfrau as compared to 25% with Swiss pass. I understand the BO pass has no museum passes but I don't think this if of concern as we plan to spend our time Murren, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald etc. We are really keen to do Schilthorn and Jungfrau if the weather is good plus lots of other little trips around the area i.e. waterfalls etc.

Can someone also confirm if kids travel free with adults on the BO pass?

thanks

30 CHF for children 6 to 15.
http://www.regiopass-berneroberland.ch/offer-2016-april-23-to-october-31/

The BO pass is still pretty pricey. The 30 day Half Fare Card for 120 CHF for each adult plus the free Swiss Family Card is almost always a winner in place of a B.O. pass. It will cover you as soon as you enter Switzerland until your exit. If you buy tickets online from www.sbb.ch for the long distance journeys from Venice and to Paris, put that info in in advance and the tickets will include the discount.

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