scatcat

I have read about the BO Pass and I think it would work well for me in September. I see there is a 20% discount off the price of the BO pass with Swiss passes. Does anyone know if I can get the discount using a Swiss Transfer Ticket? The ticket sales section of man in seat 61, shows it can apply. But I emailed Wengen and Interlaken Tourist Office and both say no. I would like to purchase it in Wengen.

PalenQ

I'll give you one person you can call for the definitive answer to this question - Byron at www.budgeteuropetravel.com - I have bought various passes from him for years and he has always answered any questions I had - if he doesn't know he contacts higher-ups at Rail Europe, which originates the Swiss Rail products in the U.S. and at times they contact Swiss officials to be sure of answers to questions like this that are important to know 100% not maybe 100% know. RailEurope is part owned by the Swiss Railways so they are in close contact. You could call RailEurope but IME I would not trust the answer from phone staffers who often seem to know little more than the price of a pass - besides impossible often even talking to anyone. Oh well just as a means of knowing for sure - that's what I would do.

That said I think the Swiss Transfer ticket is simply a round trip ticket with no other benefits but I will be curious to know exactly. A Swiss Card probably gets it - it is like a Half-Fare card where for a month between the two train trips to and from one local you get 50% off everything - just like the Half-Fare Card and probably 20% off the BOPass.

Unless doing the Jungfraujoch train Swiss Passes would get you 50% off everything in the BOB (except Wengen/Grindelwald to Jungfgraujoch only 25%) and covers 100% travel to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren and Gimmelwald from Interlaken. but if doing the Jungfraujoch with the world's steepest fare as well perhaps the BOB pass is a good option.

scatcat

I am thinking about getting the Swiss Flexi Pass, but the BO Pass covers in full all the cable cars and trains except To Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, and Schynige Platte. I have been to Jungfraujoch twice and although I loved it, I am skipping it this year. I went to the Schilthorn in June 2011, but it was overcast, so I am going again.

The BO Pass appealed to me because almost everything is included. And I figure if I only get half off, then I might just say forget it.

PalenQ

well if not going to the Jungfraujoch it seems the Swiss Pass (or Swiss Card or Half-Price Card) may be a better deal - what is the cost of the BO Pass - take that and double it to see what 50% off without buying the BO Pass would be. Seems like it would take a whole lot of 50% offs to equal the break even cost of the BO Pass, which I am not sure of but would seem to be pricey?

scatcat

Pal

I am going to get some figures together and see how the amounts compare. The transfer ticket is $139 and the BO Pass is 233CHF or 186CHF with the 20% discount. The Flexi Pass only covers 25% above Wengen and I love to go to Kleine Scheidegg. The BO Pass is 3 days of free transportation and 4 days of 50% off. I think it may be a toss-up. The 3 day Flexi is $271 for 3 days then of course the 50% discount.

PalenQ

I walked down from Kl Schiedegg to Wengen recently and it was a stroll - a wide mountain bike path with fantstic views the whole way - so if into walking maybe one way on that you cold walk - going up would be more strenuous but whatever you buy if ambulatory at all consider the fantastic stroll from Kl Schiedegg to Wengen and it's free!

Enjy!

PalenQ

Have you investigate the Jungfraubahn Pass? Could cover everything you want perhaps cheaper than the more wide-ranging Berner Oberland Pass? Jungfraubahnpass would be 100% valid to Kl shiedegg of course and on many other conveyances in the area.

scatcat

Pal

I just checked on the Jungfrau Pass. It does sound good. Sounds like it will cover all the way to Schynige Platte, and I have never been there. I just got an email from Bern Tourist office. They advise the BO Pass will be discounted to 186 CHF with the transfer ticket. So if I decide on it, I will stop over in Bern to buy it. Wengen and Interlaken said no discount with the transfer ticket.

I have never walked down from Kleine Scheidegg. About how long does it take to walk? I have done the Mannlichen to KS many times. Very easy. I am traveling solo again on this trip, but I have no problems with getting around or with my health...so far!

PalenQ

It took me about two hours to walk down but i move perhaps faster than some - follows train line somewhat so can always hop on the train if tire or weather turns as it always can in the Jungfrau Region IME.

PalenQ

Not sure it has been mentioned that the Swiss Transfer Ticket is the only pass around that cannot be bought in Switzerland - at least to my knowledge and since it costs just $143 in 2nd class most if not all sellers would charge some kind of mailing fee for such a cheap order - Raileurope certainly does - not sure about www.budgeteuropetravel.com or www.ricksteves.com - though Steves probably does since I think all his online orders are really routed for processing thru RailEurope (www.raileurope.com). so you may have to figure in some mailing fee?

scatcat

PalenQ

BETS also routes through to Raileurope. And yes, there is an $18 shipping charge. Sounds a touch expensive for mailing a piece of paper.

PalenQ

I've dealt with BETS for a long time and yes you can be routed to RailEurope if you want to order online but if you call like I do and have them process order directly I believe the mailing fee that way is much lower - not sure but try calling them and see.

scatcat

I will try that, Pal. Thanks!

louipivac

Hi scatcat

Can you tell me please if your transfer ticket ended up getting you BO pass discount?

Many thanks

PalenQ

I would doubt that a Swiss Transfer ticket would give any discounts as it only gives two train rides - one to any place in Switzerland and then back. Nothing else.

PalenQ

I see there is a 20% discount off the price of the BO pass with Swiss passes. Does anyone know if I can get the discount using a Swiss Transfer Ticket>

again it is not a Swiss Pass but two one-way tickets. Period.

louipivac

Thanks PalenQ,

I'll go with 1/2 fare card, family card and BO pass instead.

Cheers

PalenQ

thanks - note that the Swiss Card gives everything the Half-Fare Card does plus a train trip from any border station or airport to any place in Switzerland and then one back out to any border station or airport - then exact same benefits as Half-Fare Card - some folks, depending on how far these two train trips are report saving a bit of money over the straight up Half-Fare Card so investigate that as well.

PalenQ

Folks for example landing in Geneva or coming into Switzerland via Basel and going to a place like Wengen and then going onto Germany or Italy have find the Swiss Card cheaper than the Half-Fare Card - again both give the exact same benefits as regards half off.

PalenQ

Can you tell me please if your transfer ticket ended up getting you BO pass discount?>

Have you also investigated the Jungfraubahn Pass - more useful than the BOB Pass if just staying in the Jungfrau area just south of Interlaken - I think it more beneficial and perhaps cheaper than the much more wider ranging BOB Pass.

http://shop.jungfrau.ch/en/jungfraubahnen-pass