casedavis

Hi,

I'll be going to Germany and Switzerland later this year and have been debating the cost benefits of purchasing a rail pass vs. individual tickets for trips. We are planning to do several excursions in Munich and the Interlaken regions, as well as using trains to travel from Germany to Switzerland. I automatically assumed a rail pass (German-Swiss Eurail) would be our best bet from a cost standpoint, but now I'm not so sure.

What do you think would be the best way to travel?

We are taking an overnight train from Amsterdam to Munich, and will be spending time walking through the downtown areas, going to Oktoberfest, etc. which will not require trains. However we do want to take day trips to places like Dachau or Neuwachstein Castle - I assume by train but if there are better ways I'd love to hear about them! We will be in Munich a total of 4 days.

After Munich we would love to travel Switzerland primarily by train - our main reason for going is to see the beautiful scenery so that seems to be the best way to enjoy it. I would like to stay in Lucerne as our "base" and again, take day trips to Mt. Pilatus and other scenic excursions. We will then make our way to Zurich to fly out. We will be in Switzerland 4-5 days.

All told, I was thinking to get 10-day German-Swiss Eurail Passes for myself and spouse, which is totalling about $830. Should I continue with that plan or is it worth it to do more research about individual train tickets?

docdan

first, your trip sounds delightful. but why Amsterdam?
if in the US, suggest obtaining advice from http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/
they are good at helping people figure out cost-effective solutions.
One idea is the Swiss flexipass and half card combo - this is from the BET website:

Swiss Flexipass & Half-Fard Card Combi

If purchasing a Swiss Flexipass, you have the option to add a Swiss Half-Fare Card for about $63 extra (this is half the price of a regular Swiss Half-Fare Card). The resulting Combi would allow you to use your Flexipass for expensive, longer trips and buy Swiss Travel System tickets at half price for all shorter trips.

Also, direct rail from Munich to Neuschwanstein is not available, this would involve 3 to 4 rail and rail to bus transfers. Your hotel in Munich can advise good ways to get between the two. Dachau, to me, is a must see.

PalenQ

All told, I was thinking to get 10-day German-Swiss Eurail Passes for myself and spouse, which is totalling about $830. Should I continue with that plan or is it worth it to do more research about individual train tickets?>

Definite NO to that pass - but yes a Swiss Pass plus half-off Half-Fare Card like docdan mentions could be a great deal- covers not only trains but lake boats, city transports, 470+ museums and sights and either full or 50% off trains to mountain tops.

In Germany all your train travel falls within the realm of the Bavarian Pass which lets you travel on regional trains for a whole day at will for 28 euro total for two people - can't use fast trains but where you're going don't have to - even good for travel to Salzburg, Austria.

for Amsterdam to Munich check www.bahn.de/en for discounted fares - a railpass would only pay for the basic rail fare which on bahn.de/en could be as low as 39 euros or so - you pay extra with a pass for sleeping options - check what discounts you can get.

for lots on Swiss and German trains check www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.

Have you ever been to Switzerland before - if not I'd suggest also staying in the wondrous Jungfrau Region - to me and many the absoulute best place for a first-time visitors to head to if they want to see glacier-girdled alps from their hotel balconies.

Fussgaenger

A German Rail pass is serious overkill for your German destinations. Indeed, you can snag great discount fares for A'dam to Munich at the DB site. Saver fares are train-specific and prices rise as tickets sell. Buy 91 days out if possible (which is when they first go on sale.)

And yes - the Bayern ticket at E28/2 adults is valid for a trip to Neuschwanstein on trains and buses. It does NOT take 4 transfers to get there from Munich's central station - but you will have to change at least twice or 3 times depending on when you leave, and it will take close to 6 hours round trip.

The trip to Dachau can be done on a local day ticket for two from MVV, the Munich transit authority, on any local public transport means you like. It's about E16/day for 2 adults, I think.

Neuschwanstein is a whole lot of time and trouble for a 30-minute tour, and it's not a genuine castle anyway, but a late-19th-century residential palace. I would instead suggest Ludwig's childhood palace in Munich - Nymphenburg, where there's a lot more to see, learn, and do.

Fussgaenger

I understand the appeal of a night train to Munich from A'dam since you'd otherwise spend 7+ hours on the train during daylight hours. But IMO it might be best to break your trip for one night about half way... stop over in the Middle Rhine Valley south of Koblenz for a night, where you'll be surrounded by true medieval castles, small wine towns with half-timbered buildings, and great natural scenery. Marksburg Castle in Braubach is tops:

http://www.marksburg.de/en/
Braubach's old town: http://djtravel.homestead.com/files/...hotel_1610.jpg

Fussgaenger

Swiss Railways: Super Saver fares are available for specific routes. I've used them in the past and saved a lot over standard fares in this very expensive country.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and...r-tickets.html

PalenQ

And yes - the Bayern ticket at E28/2 adults is valid for a trip to Neuschwanstein on trains and buses. It does NOT take 4 transfers to get there from Munich's central station - but you will have to change at least twice or 3 times depending on when you leave, and it will take close to 6 hours round trip.>

fuzz or others - Bavarian Pass also good for buses from Fussen's train station to the Ludwig castles.

Good on buses say to Linderhof from Oberammergau - I assume they are but not sure.

Fussgaenger

"fuzz or others - Bavarian Pass also good for buses from Fussen's train station to the Ludwig castles."

Yes - That's what I said in the passage you quoted.

twk

Eurail passes are not honored above Interlaken Ost. Swiss Travel Pass is good to Grindewald, Wengen, or Murren, with discounts above those stations. The half fare card gets you a discount on everything.