Swiss Passes
Jul 8th, 2014, 06:05 PM
#1
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Swiss Passes
We are travedling to Switzerland in August and are totally confused with all of the
various passes that can be purchsed-Swiss Pass, Swiss Flexi Pass, Half Price Pass,
etc. We are renting a car an driving in Switzerland. We will be staying in Zurich, Lucerne,
Lauterbrunnen (taking trains and cable cars in this area), Lake Geneva. We plan on seeing
a few museums along the way- but we prefer the outdoors to museums. Can you recommend the best discount card or cards for us. Thank you.
various passes that can be purchsed-Swiss Pass, Swiss Flexi Pass, Half Price Pass,
etc. We are renting a car an driving in Switzerland. We will be staying in Zurich, Lucerne,
Lauterbrunnen (taking trains and cable cars in this area), Lake Geneva. We plan on seeing
a few museums along the way- but we prefer the outdoors to museums. Can you recommend the best discount card or cards for us. Thank you.
Jul 8th, 2014, 06:43 PM
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I am constantly confused by the far too many options. Frankly, it's beyond a joke. Hopefully someday Switzerland will simply simplify! But I digress.
First, I drop the museum component from the equation because the only Swiss museums I want to see are the natural type and doing one or two museums won't make a dent in the pass paying for itself.
Secondly, with a car I assume you don't plan to use long train trips to get around.
Since the Swiss Pass only gives a discount on cable cars and scenic trains, and since train travel is not that expensive on a per ticket basis (Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald for example), I would suggest the half price pass. It's relatively cheap and may be the only pass that actually pays for itself given your limited needs and that you have a car.
This is only based on feel for the cost/benefits since I'm a long way from being able to pencil out the choices, and believe me I have tried!
I will be there in a couple of weeks and still haven't decided what pass to buy.
First, I drop the museum component from the equation because the only Swiss museums I want to see are the natural type and doing one or two museums won't make a dent in the pass paying for itself.
Secondly, with a car I assume you don't plan to use long train trips to get around.
Since the Swiss Pass only gives a discount on cable cars and scenic trains, and since train travel is not that expensive on a per ticket basis (Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald for example), I would suggest the half price pass. It's relatively cheap and may be the only pass that actually pays for itself given your limited needs and that you have a car.
This is only based on feel for the cost/benefits since I'm a long way from being able to pencil out the choices, and believe me I have tried!
I will be there in a couple of weeks and still haven't decided what pass to buy.
Jul 8th, 2014, 10:10 PM
#3
mavip -
The best way to determine what pass (if any) works for you is to do the math. You may discover that you don't need a pass at all.
Look up the fares for the excursions you want to do and the admission for the museums you plan to visit and go from there.
With a car, a Swiss Pass is overkill.
The best way to determine what pass (if any) works for you is to do the math. You may discover that you don't need a pass at all.
Look up the fares for the excursions you want to do and the admission for the museums you plan to visit and go from there.
With a car, a Swiss Pass is overkill.
Jul 10th, 2014, 06:35 AM
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Like Lelnq says if driving forget any of those passes - only viable if taking trains. If you are in the Lauterbrunne/Jungfrua Region enough days and taking enough conveyances check out the Jungfraubahn Pass, valaid on a myriad of mountain trains, aerial cable ways, etc in that region - buy it locally if you determine it is worth it for you.
For lots of great info on trains and conveyances in the Jungfrau Region check out these IMO superb sources: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel - all have lots of good info on that regional and getting around - cars of course must be parked in Lauterbrunnen as they are now allowed in most of this region, laced by trains can cable ways.
For lots of great info on trains and conveyances in the Jungfrau Region check out these IMO superb sources: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel - all have lots of good info on that regional and getting around - cars of course must be parked in Lauterbrunnen as they are now allowed in most of this region, laced by trains can cable ways.
Jul 10th, 2014, 10:30 AM
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Jul 10th, 2014, 03:24 PM
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In Lucerne be sure to take a boat ride on lovely Lake Lucerne - to me the nicest of many neat sweet Swiss lakes - the classic cruise goes to Fluelen at the fjord-like tip of the eastern arm of the lake. Take the train from there quickly back to Lucerne.
En route you could stop off at Vitznau and take the mountain train up Mt Rigi - coming back down to the lake in Weggis via aerial cable way or v.v. Mt Rigi's summit is known for incessant blowing of alp horns and more importantly having one of the most celebrated views in all of Switzerland - a view over the spiny Alpine peaks running thru central Switzerland.
The William Tell Express is a special boat ride that includes a full meal en route - it goes on regular boats but is kind of like a group tour - commentary I believe given en route to Fluelen.
En route you could stop off at Vitznau and take the mountain train up Mt Rigi - coming back down to the lake in Weggis via aerial cable way or v.v. Mt Rigi's summit is known for incessant blowing of alp horns and more importantly having one of the most celebrated views in all of Switzerland - a view over the spiny Alpine peaks running thru central Switzerland.
The William Tell Express is a special boat ride that includes a full meal en route - it goes on regular boats but is kind of like a group tour - commentary I believe given en route to Fluelen.
Jul 10th, 2014, 03:26 PM
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In Lucerne be sure to take a boat ride on lovely Lake Lucerne - to me the nicest of many neat sweet Swiss lakes - the classic cruise goes to Fluelen at the fjord-like tip of the eastern arm of the lake. Take the train from there quickly back to Lucerne.
En route you could stop off at Vitznau and take the mountain train up Mt Rigi - coming back down to the lake in Weggis via aerial cable way or v.v. Mt Rigi's summit is known for incessant blowing of alp horns and more importantly having one of the most celebrated views in all of Switzerland - a view over the spiny Alpine peaks running thru central Switzerland.
The William Tell Express is a special boat ride that includes a full meal en route - it goes on regular boats but is kind of like a group tour - commentary I believe given en route to Fluelen.
En route you could stop off at Vitznau and take the mountain train up Mt Rigi - coming back down to the lake in Weggis via aerial cable way or v.v. Mt Rigi's summit is known for incessant blowing of alp horns and more importantly having one of the most celebrated views in all of Switzerland - a view over the spiny Alpine peaks running thru central Switzerland.
The William Tell Express is a special boat ride that includes a full meal en route - it goes on regular boats but is kind of like a group tour - commentary I believe given en route to Fluelen.
