indy49

I've never been to Switzerland or purchaced a Eurail pass before. We are going in Sept., landing in Zurich and spending 4 nights in Wengen. We need to get to Wengen from the Zurich airport and we would like to be able to take day train trips while in Wengen. We then are going to Nurnberg, Germany. We have been told that the best deal for us (2 couples travelling together) is the Eurail Saverpass for 5 days and 3 countries. If we purchace this pass, will we be able to use it for all of our train travel in Switzerland and to get to Germany? Is there a better way to do it? Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

rex

Don't let "someone tell" you what is the "best" rail pass (as the best rail pass is often NO rail pass)... run your intended itinerary through "analysis at www.railsaver.com - - make sure you check the box "only if it saves me money".

Best wishes,

Rex

julie_Colorado

The site Rex references is fantastic. And some trains in Switzerland are not covered in the Railpass. When you model your trip in Railsaver, it will tell you what is included and what you must purchase additional to a railpass.

PalQ

Nein to Eurailpass for you. Perhaps yes to Swiss Pass - depends on what you'll be doing in Wengen as many things in that area are covered by Swisspasses but not by eurail - eurail gives 25% off on Jungfrau trains Interlaken-Wengen; Swiss Pass covers in full to Wengen plus gives 25% off nearly everything not covered. Use Swiss pass to get to German border, which is part of Bavaria if going to Nurnberg and then buy the bargain Bavaria Pass to go to Nurnberg, which is part of Bavaria - this regional pass has some restrictions so you may want to go with a regular point-point ticket from Swiss border to Nurnberg. As for Swiss Passes, they are significantly cheaper if bought in the US currently than in Switzerland. RailEurope and their agents market these passes in US (800-441-9413) for details on RE pricing and any questions on Swiss Pass. Whether or not Swiss Pass pays off for you depends on how much you will use it in Wengen area though just going Zurich-Wengen and Wengen-German border may approximate a pass price.

bob_brown

At first glance, you might save money with the pass. But let us be a little dry eyed about this and not leap in head first hoping no rocks are under the surface.

First, let's not automatically assume that rail passes are automatic bargains.

Second, the Eurail pass will NOT give you free rides in the Jungfrau area. At best, you will receive 25% off of the list price for the rides by train or cable higher up in the mountains than Wengen, Mürren, and Grindelwald.

You have two specific areas where you need more information.

First, what do you intend to ride in the Jungfrau Region? (I can give you quite a laundry list for the region around Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen, and Kandersteg.)

Second, where else do you hope to travel within Germany after you get to Nürmburg?

I am going to do a basic point to point analysis based on second class prices. Why? There is no reason I can think of to ride first class in either Germany or Switzerland other than to have a little more spacious seat, and even that is not assured based on my experience.

Lets look first at the basic costs. Your rail pass is priced at $316 per person for 3 countries in the saver mode - two people or more traveling together. (That is about 385 chf or 260€.)

Now can you save more than $316 by buying the pass? Possibly, and likely, but do you know?

Within Switzerland, the ticket from the Zürich Airport to Wengen will cost you 71.60 chf or about $58. Wengen to Schaffhausen will cost you 80.60 chf or about $66.

Schaffhausen to Nüremburg will cost you 56€ or about $68. In estimated $ cost you would spend $58 + $66 + $68 for your individual tickets, or $192.

Your pass costs you $316; point to point costs you $192. Right now you are $$124 short of the breakeven point. If you ride only as described, you lose $124 by buying the pass.

To make the pass pay off for you, you must find $124 more of rides.

(I price it this way because at Schaffhausen you start paying German prices.)

Now, can you find $124 in savings?

I don't know where you plan to go, but let me throw out two possibilities for very scenic rides: the Jungfrajoch from Wengen and the Grindelwald to First gondola.

The cost up to the Jungfraujoch and back from Wengen is $85 undiscounted. And the ride from Grindelwald to First and back the cost is about $41. Take those two rides, and you are at the breakeven point.

Ride that much more, and your pass wins you some savings and you will have the luxury of riding first class in some of it. (No first class gondolas.)

Because of the unknowns (to me) of the travel in Germany, I have not introduced the savings with the Swiss Pass. But if you come up with an extensive list of costly rides in the Jungfrau region, we open up a whole new area of investigation.

bob_brown

My German rail costs were straight from the DB site.
The ploy of going to Munich and then buying a Bayern Pass might save a bit more. But you have to ride local trains to get to Nürmburg that way. The express trains are not included.

So you have to weight time against cost.
I have used the Bayern pass to Salzburg from Muenchen HBF, but the train stopped at many stations. I was not in a hurry that day and enjoyed the leisurely pace.

When I went to Lauterbrunnen this year, I had to leave Munich at 1:30 to make the connections. (long story as to why) and again, no locals. I had to get to stuttgart in time for the Cisalpino to Zürich and I could not get to Munich HBF before about 12 noon.