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Train in Switzerland from Basel to Zermatt to Zurich

Train in Switzerland from Basel to Zermatt to Zurich

Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:13 PM
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Train in Switzerland from Basel to Zermatt to Zurich

We are finishing a Rhine River cruise in Basel and plan to take the train to Zermatt for three nights. While in Zermatt we would like to take some form of transport up the mountain but don't know which would be the most scenic- Gornergrat train or the tram. We then want to take the train to Zurich where we will fly back to the US. The SBB website is overwhelming. Can someone please give me some advice. What would be our best option for tickets- the half fare or flex, or just buy tickets when we get there? Also, do the Swiss passes include the trains that go up the mountains? Thanks!
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 02:15 AM
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Standard Fares:
Basel SBB - Zermatt, OW: 122 CHF
Zermatt - Zurich airport, OW: 130 CHF
Zermatt - Gornergrat, RT: 94 CHF
Zermatt - Kleinmatterhorn, RT 100 CHF
Zermatt - Oberrothorn, RT 67 CHF

Half Fare for adults with Swiss Half Fare Card for 120 CHF/pax; kids up to 16 years free with Family Card (free if parents buy a Half Fare Card).
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 03:52 AM
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Why is the SBB site "overwhelming?"

The prices can vary by date.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 08:31 AM
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The old SBB site was fine. The new one is rather unusable. I now rather use oebb.at, even for connections within Switzerland.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 10:22 AM
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International visitors have this page on the SBB site, in English:

https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holida...al-guests.html
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 11:19 AM
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Thanks Mike, that make things better. Nevertheless isn't it possible to find out any longer where the train you plan to board comes from and where it ends.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 12:36 PM
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Swiss Passes get 50% off lifts and mountain trains in Zermatt I believe- anything not covered 100%.
I'd look more at Swiss Transfer Ticket pluis half-off Half-Fare Card if bought in conjunction with it.

It gives trip by any trains from Basel to Zermatt and back plus 50% off everything in between.

For lots on Swiss trains and passes check www.sbb.ch- Swiss Federal Railways - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 01:25 PM
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It doesn't relate to the OP's itinerary, but the new Ticino ticket program launched at the beginning of this year is a great deal and I haven't seen it mentioned in this forum yet -- free use of the buses, post buses and trains (second class but you can pay to upgrade to first class) in the entire region. It's available to visitors staying in a Ticino hotel, hostel or camping site.

http://www.ticino.ch/en/ticket.html
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 01:47 PM
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Weisser Tee - that is good info, although here stated in the wrong place. Why not making a new post with a header that will come up when people search for Ticino items?
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 02:10 PM
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Even good on the Bernina Express? Probably not but on locals on that line I assume.

Yeh great info make a new post.
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 01:48 AM
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Palen:
The Ticino Ticket is valid for domestic traffic within the Canton Ticino only.
It has absolutely nothing to do with Bernina Express, Palm Express, Centovalli Express, Malpensa Express, San Bernardino Express, etc.
http://www.ticino.ch/en/ticket.html
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 12:36 PM
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I'd look more at Swiss Transfer Ticket pluis half-off Half-Fare Card if bought in conjunction with it.

It gives trip by any trains from Basel to Zermatt and back plus 50% off everything in between.>

To clarify - you can return to any airport or border point so could do Basel-Zermatt-Zurich.
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 07:55 PM
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HI My son and I are also taking a Rhine River cruise that ends in Basel. I am getting the Swiss Rail pass/flex pass for 3 days. It is about one hour to Zurich so we are spending a half day and evening in Zurich that day, leaving one bag at hotel, going down to Zermatt the next day, using the rail pass for the mountain trams/trains. Will also get the discount on the little ship on Lake Zurich when we return for two more days in Zurich, same hotel and collect our suitcases, and fly home. Choice of first class or second....and how many days you expect to be traveling on the train. Sue
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Old Apr 29th, 2017, 08:41 AM
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Swiss passes should cover lake boats in full -including Zurich I believe.
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Old Apr 29th, 2017, 01:44 PM
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Sue:

Flexipasses are valid for discounts on mountain trains and gondolas for 50% in most cases but you have to use a day on your pass. But with a flexipass you can buy a Half-Off Pass for half-off or about $65 and get half-off on days in between your flexible travel days.

Are you only traveling 3 days in Switzerland? If so I'd price the Half-Off Card vs the pass- latter may be better perhaps.

2nd class is fine for most in Switzerland and on mountain trains there is little difference and some may just be one class.

Or check on the Swiss Transfer Card I reference above - may be your best bet of all and with it you can buy a half-off Half-Fare Card to use - but in this case you'd have to go Basel-Zermatt and Zermatt-Zurich.
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Old Apr 30th, 2017, 07:39 AM
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" but in this case you'd have to go Basel-Zermatt and Zermatt-Zurich"
Would make more sense anyway.
But don't forget the high standard fares for Matterhorn Paradise, Gornergrat etc. (see my post above). May be the Half Fare Card would be the better deal.
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Old Apr 30th, 2017, 09:37 AM
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May be the Half Fare Card would be the better deal.>

better than Swiss Transfer Ticket + half-off Half-Fare Card?
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