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SBB vs OB and Eurorail Pass

Posted by (Orlando) on

This has been asked 100 times but is most confusing for those of us that are coming from the states and don’t usually travel by train. Trying to figure out which train passes to purchase. Here is what we are doing:

Arrive Zurich airport and staying 1 night in Zurich.

Taking train to Luzern. Staying here 2 nights. Will do a lake tour and the city etc.

Then train/cable car etc and make Murren our home base for 3 nights. Will tour the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Wengen, Kline Scheidogf, Glindelwald. No crazy hike. Easy medium hikes. A few miles each. Etc.

Then we will train to Zermatt for 2 nights. Tour the town etc.

From zermatt we will train for 2 nights in Innsbruck, 3 nights in Salzburg and 2 nights in Munich and fly home.

Originally thought I would buy a Swiss rail pass for 8 days then a Eurorail pass for 8 days. Now wondering if I should do a point to point from Zurich to Luzern then get a Berner Oberland pass for 6 days then a Eurorail for the rest or maybe pt to pt for the rest depending on costs.

I think I’m getting closer to understanding but through the half price card in there and it totally blows my mind. I’d rather not buy that as it makes me
More confused. Can someone maybe confirm my thoughts and help advise me?

Posted by
2545 posts

The Half Fare card, plus the 6 day BO pass is 340 CHF. That is the same price as the 6 day BO full price pass. So getting the Half Fare card in addition to the BO Pass is a no brainer. The HFC will give you a reduction on your point to point tickets everywhere in Switzerland outside of the BO Pass validity area.

The BO Pass covers the BO area much better than the STP, which only discounts the higher trains/gondolas (Kleinne Scheidigg, for example).

Posted by
11776 posts

I agree completely with travel4fun. I am of the opinion that the Eurail Pass seldom pencils out to be a value. Shen leaving Switzerland, book your tickets Zermatt to Innsbruck on the SBB site. If you have registered for the site and purchased your Half Fare Card there, it will automatically apply the discount to the border. That is BTW, a very long day, almost 8 hours on 3 trains. Beautiful, though.

Posted by
6 posts

Wow!!...getting some great tips here. So much better than what i got on FB. i appreciate all the help.

Posted by
6 posts

@travel4fun I understand I use my half price card to purchase my BO pass. But just double checking - I don't need to purchase an SBB pass other than the half price card? I don't need an SBB card to use the HPC?

Posted by
2545 posts

You do not need to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass in order to buy the Half Fare Card.

When you buy your BO Pass, you need to indicate that you have the Half Fare Card so you will get the discounted rate. Even if you have not actually purchased the HFC yet. You just need to be able to show the HFC when asked for your ticket on the train. You will show your BO Pass or point to point ticket, plus your HFC. We had paper tickets, and had to show both when asked.

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