lnbedell

Hi! I've been researching and doing the math to figure out which discount pass makes the most sense. I've determined we will go with the 1/2fare + family pass.

My question is that I'm having a difficult time figuring out what is included and what is not.

For example...I'm on the SBB site...put in Lauterbrunnen -->Grutchalp. It asks for traveler details...there's a "reductions" pull-down with choices for 1/2fare (which is straight forward)...but there's a choice for child (aged 0-16)...if I chose this...it says the fare is 4.40 CHF.

So either...this trip is not included under the family pass or the site says ill be charged but it should be free???

I have 4 children under 16 so this will effect my budget slightly and would like to know ahead of time.

Thanks so much!
Leah

PalenQ

Well I know that the Family Pass that comes free with a Swiss Pass covers everything that moves in Switzerland save cows - that is what was determined in several threads of this issue - perhaps not the case but what I understand it to be - kids neve pay a dime - I assume the same Family Pass issued with Half-Fare Cards has the same coverage but not sure.

The Swiss Card is exactly the same benefits as the Half-Fare Card plus gives two train tickets - one from any airport or border point to any place in Switzerland and another out to any border place or airport - on any train - just hop on - plus in between those two train rides you get 50% off everything, just like the Half-Fare Cards - some recent posts said that they saved some money by buying the Swiss Card instead of the Half-Fare Card.

If your calculations are anywhere near the cost of a Swiss Pass then go for the pass - rainy weather in Alps may have you traveling more than you think - like on a rainy day - day trip to Bern or on a nice day on a whim go down to Interlaken and take a lazy afternoon boat cruise, etc Half-Fare you must know exactly what you are doing - plus you still have to wait in lines for tickets, etc so if a pass is remotely close in price then IMO go for the pass.

For lots of great info on Swiss trains check out these IMO fab sites - http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html; www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com.

indy_dad

Kids are free with the Family Pass, no worries.

You can purchase your Half Fare card and ask for your Family Pass at your first Swiss station. (Be sure to ask for the pass!).

We were required to show passports at that time (at the Zurich Airport station in our case).

Have fun.

PalenQ

And family pass means only the passholder's children - not grandkids, not cousins, not friends tagging along, etc.

PalenQ

The Swiss Card costs 75 CHF more than the Half-Fare Card and gives as I said above two train trips - so to find out which one is best for you simply go to www.sbb.ch - Swiss Federal Railways site and check fares for your first trip from a border station or airport to a destination and then back to any border station or airport. If going from say Geneva Airport to Wengen and back the Swiss Card I suspect could save you money and you can take any train on the most direct route - no advance planning just hop on.

PalenQ

Compare pass or card prices in US or Can dollars if living in North America - more often than not the same exact pass or card has been for the past several years cheaper here than there - not always but often since I've been tracking and comparing - but also note any mailing fees and also take into account and foreign transaction fees your c c may impose for foreign purchases. If all is about the same just buy once there but at times in the past year difference were significant.