With your previewed Austrian train trips no the Austrian Railpass would not be cost effective - especially if yopu go to www.oebb.com and get discounted tickets or to its always cheap competitor (and subsidiary) Westbahn- http://westbahn.com/ - even on short notice their tickets are dirt cheap.

To find out whether a pass saves you money you have to price it both ways. Did you read the info on passes at seat61.com?

unfortunately I called them and they will not give us a group discount but will give us free reservations so we can sit together on all our trains).>

Curious as to who you called? check pass prices both in Swiss francs and US dollars if bought here - often the past few years passes have been cheaper here than there and you have no foreign currency conversion fee - check www.raileurope.com or www.budgeteuropetravel.com (call Byron there if any questions - I've bought passes from him for years and IME he will answer any questions expertly even if not buying) or www.ricksteves.com.

Pass prices should all be the same price everywhere though mailing and handling fees can be tacked on - usually if under a low total spending limit.

I called Rail Europe's group contact line and they said that even if you travel in groups of 10 you still do not get a discount. The only thing they can do is give free reservations in Switzerland ONLY so we can sit together. I will call Byron thank you so much.

Thursdaysd, yes I looked at that website several times in the past few weeks.

ask him about Mini Group discounts too - don't hurt to ask! Mini-groups are or used to be for 6 or ten folks and more but I guess do not apply to passes, probably.

Hi PalenQ...you are the best. I spoke with Byron and he was just so helpful with the entire trip planning! He said they stopped giving mini group discounts so the rail company i spoke with earlier was right. Now the minimum for group discounts is 15 however I can get free reservations for all trips so we can sit together (only in Switzerland though)

I went ahead and reserved our tickets for Bernina Express which dropped significantly since I chose the option of the "Swiss Travel Pass". Now I will purchase the pass through Byron.

Thanks - always nice to be able to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about - try that with RailEurope!

Cheers and please report back!

PalenQ thanks will definitely do a trip report once I get back!

BTW- for Austria and Hungary and Czech Republic you may investigate the Eastern European Railpass that is valid on trains in those countries - just hop on- with several trips may be cost-effective and easier than getting train-specific discounted tickets - certainly cheaper than full fare and again fully flexible - comes in 1st and 2nd class - per day much cheaper than any Eurail Select Pass.

Oh thanks!!! I'll look into this!