Eurail vs Swiss Half Fare

Question

Hi,I’m going to Switzerland and Italy with my family (2 adults, 2 youths), and am having a hard time figuring out if it’s worth buying a Eurail or Swiss Half Fare or both...here’s my itinerary…May 6 - Land in MunichMay 8 - Munich to LuzernMay 9 - Luzern to Interlaken to Wengen (stay 3 days and travel Jungfraujoch and several other local trains/gondolas)May 12 - Wengen to Zermatt (2 days)May 14 - Zermatt to Milan (1 day)May 15 - Milan to Como to Menaggio (3 days)May 18 - Menaggio to Como (2 days)May 20 - Como to Milan MXP  (1 day then fly home)Does it make sense to buy Eurail Global 4 days for the Munich to Luzern, and then the Zermatt to Como, Como to Menaggio, Menaggio to Como, Como to Milan, and use a Swiss Pass when in Switzerland?It wasn’t clear to me if Eurail gets me anything other than the major routes and a 25% discount on Jungfraujoch.Also, Swiss full pass vs half fare?Any other advice would be welcomed as well!

Hektor · Accepted Answer

Hi,I’m going to Switzerland and Italy with my family (2 adults, 2 youths), and am having a hard time figuring out if it’s worth buying a Eurail or Swiss Half Fare or both...here’s my itinerary…May 6 - Land in MunichMay 8 - Munich to LuzernA normal ticket is available from about 50 € (dynamic prices) per person.May 9 - Luzern to Interlaken to Wengen (stay 3 days and travel Jungfraujoch and several other local trains/gondolas)There's a pass that does cover most mountain railroads, boats, busses and gondolas in that area (except Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch) and covers the train from Luzern and the one to Brig on your way to Zermatt,; maybe have a look:https://www.berneroberlandpass.ch/May 12 - Wengen to Zermatt (2 days)May 14 - Zermatt to Milan (1 day)May 15 - Milan to Como to Menaggio (3 days)May 18 - Menaggio to Como (2 days)May 20 - Como to Milan MXP (1 day then fly home)To go by train in Italy is cheap and these are short trips. So normal tickets might be cheaper.Does it make sense to buy Eurail Global 4 days for the Munich to Luzern, and then the Zermatt to Como, Como to Menaggio, Menaggio to Como, Como to Milan, and use a Swiss Pass when in Switzerland?It wasn’t clear to me if Eurail gets me anything other than the major routes and a 25% discount on Jungfraujoch.You do even need a valid travel day for the discount.Also, Swiss full pass vs half fare?Any other advice would be welcomed as well!Summary: I'd check normal ticket prices first before buying any pass. A combination of two rail passes will not save money most of the time. The regional pass linked may be more interesting. The only expensive trip is the one from Visp to Zermatt and back.

thibcabe · Answer

I agree with Hektor : 2 passes won't make sense.

The Swiss Travel Pass is considered (too) expensive.

The Swiss Half-fare card (or the STP) would give you 50% on Gornergrat and/or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. I assume you're likely to go there on 13th May.

You get "only" 25% discount on Jungfraujoch with Eurail and the STP. 50% with the half-fare card. 50 CHF difference.

You need to compare but I guess I'd take the Swiss Half-fare card (+ maybe the Berner Oberland Pass which has a discount with that card).

Munich - Zurich - Lucerne has cheap advance tickets (Sparschiene) : for example 69.90€ 1st class for the 08:54 departure on 8th May.

Don't worry if you miss the connection in Zurich (the EC is usually 30 min late) take the following train. :)

Note that you'll be travelling during 2 busy holiday weekends (Ascension and Whitsun) so you should book Munich - Lucerne and Domodossola - Milan (by Eurocity train) in advance for the best fares.

Point-to-point tickets in Switzerland and regional train tickets in Italy have a fixed price and cannot sell out so that's not an issue.

Eurail vs Swiss Half Fare

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