I'm looking for guidance on whether I should get the Swiss pass or Eurail pass.
This will be for one adult and one 6 yo (she gets rides free)
Below is my itinerary.
Day 1 Paris to Geneva
Day 2 to Montreaux
(Golden Line pass)
Lucerne
Day 3 (Titlis)
Day 4 (Golden Round Trip)
Day 4 Zurich.
Based on my research, (All amounts in EUR)
1. Let's say Paris to Geneva costs $60 for 2 in advance.
2. Seat reservation of $30x2 Eurail
3. Both passes get me rides on the GoldenPass.
4. Titlis costs 129 w Eurail, 62 for SP
5. Golden roundtrip both have the same $41 surcharge.
I should factor what I'll assume to be small amounts for local trips on the tram/bus if I do not have the SP.
I will need 3 days of the WP 257 and the minimum for Eurail is 4 days at 194 and
They both come about the same? $420 or so? Factor in local trips in Lucerne and Zurich, I probably should get the SP as it’s more convenient than scrambling for change to get tram tickets?
Yes they won't have to pay anything as long as you get the free card. A price for children is always listed if you don't have the Family card (tourists) or Junior card (residents).
Ah yes you're right about the Ice Flyer. Then it's 60 CHF.
I searched Lucerne - Engelberg on sbb.ch/SBB app. Click on the price and select return. It offered me a ticket valid the whole day in 7 zones, which include buses in Lucerne. You may be able to get tickets for 6.80 CHF (just for Lucerne - Engelberg) but then it is tied to a specific train and you lose flexibility whilst not saving much.
Either you buy tickets at ticket machines by card or cash or you buy them online on sbb.ch/SBB app (covers the whole country). Short-distance tickets are usually valid 1h from the chosen time.
Yes the Saver Day Pass would cover everything from your accommodation in Geneva to the one in Lucerne.
Lucerne - Zurich one-way costs 12.50 CHF, valid the whole day. You can get cheaper tickets bought in advance but then they're tied to a specific train (saver tickets).
Lucerne - Alpnachstad by boat is 15 CHF + Kriens - Lucerne 3.10 CHF = 30.60 CHF
You may also need public transportation from/to accommodations so it's more convenient to get the Saver Day Pass and simply hop on hop off as you like.
The Saver Day Pass indeed does not cover Alpnachstad - Pilatus - Krienz so you pay the half-fare price, 39 CHF.
The kid will travel for free everywhere (on trains, buses, boats, trams, cable cars,...) whether you choose the Swiss Half-fare card or Travel Pass.
To use the half-fare discount : you buy half-fare tickets on ticket machines, ticket counters or on sbb.ch/SBB app, at any point until boarding. It is really easy, don't worry. You show both the ticket and the half-fare whenever asked.
As you discovered half-fare is always the first price shown since millions of Swiss people have it.
On Day 3 when buying Lucerne - Engelberg "return" you'll get a 7 zones ticket valid for the whole day, including on Lucerne buses. No need to buy another ticket.
So I’m looking at the Saver day pass, wow I have to buy this way in advance and set the day that it will be used.
I actually just booked my return ticket to the US as a more desirable flight became available. I will now fly back from FRA. This will give me one extra day whether it be in Lucern, Zurich or FRA.
I will probably still travel to ZRH late day 4 and need to hang out in ZRH day 5 or a nearby day trip. The only issue w this is most trains to FRA route through Lucerne so there’s some back tracking. I”d have to leave from ZRH in the afternoon on Day 5 for my US flight from FRA (2pm day 6).
When I priced the train from ZRH to FRA I got a quote as low as 48CHF. Could I buy a day pass and use that to get to FRA (It’s in Germany)?
Hotel wise I’d prefer ZRH than Lucerne due to my Hyatt status.
4 day SP is 49CHF more which is the cost of the ticket vs Half Fare to FRA If I go day 5 than morning of day 6)
Looks like SP is the way to go despite it probably being slightly more expensive. Previously the math was SP 292 (60 for Titlis) vs the 277 math with 2 day passes 29x2 + Rigi 39 and 60 for Titlis.
Yes German advance tickets are quite cheap on bahn.com.
Please note that Basel Bad Bf is the border point, from there Saver Day Passes, half-fare or Travel Pass is not valid. Either you buy a ticket Zurich - Frankfurt Airport or Basel - Frankfurt Airport, usually both costing the same.
Trains from Zurich to Germany do not go through Lucerne.
Saver Day Passes are a great deal since yes you have to buy them in advance (otherwise the price goes up to 39, 49, 59 CHF) but you can then travel unlimited across the country. Your dates are fixed and you do not need to decide where you're going until you board the train.
@AnnaB tourists get the Family Card (equivalent of the Junior Card) for free if they buy the Swiss Half-fare card (1 month for 120 CHF) or Swiss Travel Pass.
Thanks. I didn't realise that there were different conditions for the normal 1/2 tax Abo and the tourist 1 month 1/2 tax Abo when it comes to travelling with children.
@AnnaB tourists get the Family Card (equivalent of the Junior Card) for free if they buy the Swiss Half-fare card (1 month for 120 CHF) or Swiss Travel Pass.
Thanks. I didn't realise that there were different conditions for the normal 1/2 tax Abo and the tourist 1 month 1/2 tax Abo when it comes to travelling with children.
