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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?

Not staying city center in Geneva, Lucerne.

 

Thanks

Let's count per adult to make things easier.

The kid will travel for free everywhere in Switzerland with the Family card (either with half-fare or STP).

- 120 CHF Swiss Half-fare card

- 48 CHF Titlis -> https://shop.titlis.ch/en/home (I don't know why your link is quoting 60 CHF, it's usually correct)

- 39 CHF Pilatus (boat is covered by the Saver Day Pass)

- 2 x 29 CHF half-fare Saver Day Pass* (for days 2 and 4), prices vary like air fares so buy in advance

- 18.40 CHF Lucerne - Engelberg, it also includes transportation within Lucerne

Total : about 285 CHF

With a Swiss Travel Pass :

- 232 CHF 3-day Swiss Travel Pass

- 48 CHF Titlis

- 39 CHF Pilatus

Total : about 320 CHF

I think this should be correct. The difference is not that big but still 70 CHF less for 2 people :)

*Valid for the whole day on all public transportation of the country


So you are saying the 50% half fare card at a cost of 120 CHF or 125 EUR will allow me to get half off on Titlis? I see a charge of roughly 135 when I plugged it into their calculator.

https://shop.swiss-pass.ch/#/en/product/excursionTitlis

 

that is 70 more than the SP

Golden roundtrip is 78+39*104%  = 122  This is an additional 200 that I’d have to pay for these two trips vs the SP.

https://www.pilatus.ch/en/booking/prices

I was assessed a fee for the kid. Does the kid get it for free w Half fare pass?

 

For Golden LIne, I couldn't find a official link but one site said w the kid the cost is 40 Montreaux to Lucerne.

https://www.happyrail.com/en/depart?from=luzern&to=montreux&departure=2023-09-29T06%3A00%3A00&return=

------------------

Golden line 40

Titlis 125

Golden round trip 122

Half Fare pass 120

Total is 400+ and this excludes my Paris to Geneva trip, let’s call that 60. or 460 which makes it the worst card to get.

 

let me know if I made a mistake w my math.


You've got plenty of time then and you'll be able to get the cheapest TGV Lyria tickets.

Paris - Bellegarde - Geneva is the same train so that's why it isn't really shown on Google Maps. But Bellegarde is only "important" for Eurail which you'll probably not need in the end.

The half-fare card (120 CHF per adult) gives you 50% discount on all public transportation, including Jungfraujoch, Titlis, Pilatus,...

It really is a good offer and that's why more than half the Swiss population has it. Children travel for free with the Family Card (don't forget to add it before checkout). More info here : https://shop.switzerlandtravelcentre.com/?affiliateId=249#/en/product/swissHalfFareCard

It seems to me like a good choice. You don't have to buy any ticket in advance : prices are fixed and tickets cannot sell out (valid the whole day on long distances). See also : https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-switzerland.htm (very useful)


  1. I’m traveling April 24. 
  2. Based on current quotes on the Lyria, i’ve seen prices of $60 sometimes lower for 2 thus I budgeted 60 for this trip. Google maps didn't show a route for Bellegarde and Paris. Anything that takes more than 4 hr and multiple connections, I rather fly to save time.
  3. For my intercity travels, it will primarily be city to hotel than any other traveling. HOpefully local trips dont exceed $30 total.
  4. I need to do some research on the half fare card. What are the chances the trips to Titlis and Pilatus can be saved w this pass?

Yes that's exactly why I advised Bellegarde where the regular Paris - Genevs TGV stops.

Of course you can go all the way to Geneva direct.


Thanks for the tip. The trip to mulhouse takes 3 hrs and another 3 to geneva. I don't have 6 hrs to waste as I got luggage to deal with a long w a cranky kid 


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