cost of train tickets
 

Just trying to get an idea of the cost of round trip train tickets for 2 adults, 2 over 60, and one 9 yr. old from Zurich to Salzburg. I've been on eurail and other such sites but I can't get a fare price...just need an idea

Prietm,

You can get an idea of the cost at http://www.bootsnall.com/eurail/passes/p2p.shtml. Most of the other sites only give you costs within hteir own country. Have fun.

Greg

You can research the timetables and prices at

http://www.sbb.ch/en/

Put in your starting point and destination, date and time, and follow the prompts. (If the date of travel is too far out for the site's current capability, try a date that is the same day of the week that you intend to travel.)

The standard 2nd class fare for people over 60 is 120 CHF/person for direct trains. If the child traveling with you is your grandchild, he/she rides free.

Clarification: That's 120 CHF/person each way.

Further clarification: The fare for adults under 60 is the same.

At 120 CHF each way then be sure to check on the prices of the Switzerland-Austria railpasses - check sources like www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and raileurope.com - especially if you are pondering any other rail travel in either country - that is if you are going round trip at 240 CHF each way - or about $250 round trip, given exchange costs and typical credit card fees.

Thanks for all these helpful ideas! Does it make more sense to drive?

If you're willing to travel a little over an hour longer and make a minimum of one connection in Munich, you can get a Savings fare as low as €39 each way by booking ASAP (up to 92 days in advance) on the German Rail site, www.bahn.de. Again, the child with you rides free. You also can build in a stopover in Munich for several hours at no additional charge. If you want instructions on how to do this, just ask.

Does the child free rule applies only when you ride with Grandparents?

On the Swiss Rail site you have to indicate that you are a parent or grandparent. On the German Rail site it doesn't matter. A child of the right age rides free when accompanied by any adult.

I wished that applied to Spain and Italy also...

Kids under 12 get 50% off adult tickets nearly universlly across Europe i believe and this also applies to railpasses - kids under 12 pay 50% of what the adults pay.

For OP

the fastest Zurich to Salzburg route i believe goes via Germany after Salzburg - via the Corrdidor Route where Austrian trains go thru Germany to reach Innsbruck the fastest most direct way - but if you want to spend about one hour longer on the train all told then the route all thru Austria - along lovely Alpine valleys and passing thru such cutesy resorts like Kitzbuhel and Zell-am-See is so so much more scenic - indeed one of the more scenic main rail routes in Europe IMO - and if looking for a sweet smaller town to stop in you cannot beat Zell-am-See IMO - lovingly set on a placid Alpine lake hemmed in by high Alps.