tguralnik

We are traveling to Switzerland in July. We plan on taking the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express. We will also be traveling from Zermatt to the Berner Oberland area (staying in Murren) and then on to Geneva. While in Zermatt and Murren, we plan to use the gondolas, cable cars, etc., including the trip to the Schilthorn.

Your help is truly appreciated as we have never been to the area. We've been to the websites suggested and there seems to be so many options: Swiss Pass, Berner-Oberland Pass, Swiss Card, Half-Fare card, etc.

We are looking for help in determining the best (most economical) options.

Intrepid1

ttt

suze

While I've done some of these things each time in Switzerland, I've never done so many on the same trip that made a pass economical. I simply buy point to point at the train station right before going.

I know 2nd hand of others who traveled aLOT in a short period of time either the Swiss Pass or half-fare card worked for them.

bob_brown

I have spent quite a bit of time figuring up which of these various pass options is the best for me. There is no way to say with any certainty unless you can prdict where you want to go.

Even so, there is a certain amount of risk involved because there is no need taking an expensive ride up to the heights when visibility is close to zero. Clouds look the same low or high in my experience.

I have concluded for myself that the Swiss Card is the best option, but that is based on my own particular let of circumstances.

I shared a lot of ideas last year with another person, and the Half Fare Card was the instrument of choice.

If you are riding a tremendous amount on the regular rail system, the Swiss Pass may be the best one. It sounds like you may be riding more on conventional trains than mountain lifts.

In your case I was suggest you do a careful cost/benefit analysis of the Swiss Pass for as many days as you plan to be there.

The Swiss rail website at www.sbb.ch should be of major assistance. There is an English language version; just click on the little en on the screen.

You can do a search on Swiss Pass and take a look at the cost figures.

I will admit it takes a lot of planning to hit the exact best one. I think most people just grab one and go with it.

By the way I don't think the jump on and ride aspect of the pass is really a consideration. I have not been delayed to any degree of consequence by buying individual tickets at a 50% discount with the Card, and I have used the Card 5 times now.

vinolover

I'm one of the people that Bob helped tremendously with his train pass analysis. I think a lot depends on how long you're planning on being in Switzerland and specifically how long you will be in Murren and the B.O. region.

Totally agree with Bob, don't buy Schilthorn tickets until the day you plan on going so you aren't stuck with tickets for a cloudy day. We were there in September for two weeks and in Murren for one of those weeks. Only about 3 of those 7 days were good enough to spend the money for tickets to the Schilthorn and Jungfrau.

Also agree that at least in September we didn't worry about hop-on convenience of a pass. No problems with lines to buy point to point tickets with our Half Fare Card.