FIRST TIME VISIT TO SWITZERLAND
Feb 6th, 2016, 09:18 PM
#21
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You haven't mentioned your budget, but I suggest you make some dummy searches for hotels in Luzern, Interlaken or the smaller Berner Oberland villages for those days in May to familiarize yourself with the costs..
For daily expenditures, I'd calculate 40 CHF per person for one main course plus one soft drink at a regular (not fine dining) restaurant. Or 60-80 CHF if you want to add starters and some wine.
A quick mid-day lunch/snack can be in the vicinity of what you pay for a BigMac meal, i.e. 13-15 CHF.
IMO, to ride the Jungfrau railway up to Jungfraujoch is one of the most expensive Alpine excursions you can make in Europe.
http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/tr...al-travellers/
It could be worth calculating if the purchase of a Half Tax card which gives you 50% discount on all your rail travels gave save some franks.
If you have your mind set on going up Jungfraujoch, there is little difference in fares whether you stay in Luzern or Interlaken or in one of the famous Oberland villages.
Eventually, you will pay for the trains for the same distance from Zurich airport to Jungfraujoch and back.
For daily expenditures, I'd calculate 40 CHF per person for one main course plus one soft drink at a regular (not fine dining) restaurant. Or 60-80 CHF if you want to add starters and some wine.
A quick mid-day lunch/snack can be in the vicinity of what you pay for a BigMac meal, i.e. 13-15 CHF.
IMO, to ride the Jungfrau railway up to Jungfraujoch is one of the most expensive Alpine excursions you can make in Europe.
http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/tr...al-travellers/
It could be worth calculating if the purchase of a Half Tax card which gives you 50% discount on all your rail travels gave save some franks.
If you have your mind set on going up Jungfraujoch, there is little difference in fares whether you stay in Luzern or Interlaken or in one of the famous Oberland villages.
Eventually, you will pay for the trains for the same distance from Zurich airport to Jungfraujoch and back.
Feb 7th, 2016, 08:34 AM
#22
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IMO, to ride the Jungfrau railway up to Jungfraujoch is one of the most expensive Alpine excursions you can make in Europe.>
In the world probably - well over $100 - yes the Half-Fare Card would be nice to cut that in half. The train trip itself ain't much - nearly all in tunnel but up top is the Top of the World type scene of snow and glaciers and ice caves and things for kids to do - walks to the nearby glacier and stupendous views - is it worth it - well depends on your budget.
In the world probably - well over $100 - yes the Half-Fare Card would be nice to cut that in half. The train trip itself ain't much - nearly all in tunnel but up top is the Top of the World type scene of snow and glaciers and ice caves and things for kids to do - walks to the nearby glacier and stupendous views - is it worth it - well depends on your budget.
Feb 7th, 2016, 11:27 AM
#24
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With a Swiss Pass you'd get Interlaken-Ost to Wengen/Grindelwald 100% covered and then 25% off from there - the most expensive leg - still expensive no matter how one looks at a one hour or so train ride on the actual Jungfraujoch Railway - from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch station, the highest in western Europe or all of Europe and the Alps.
Feb 12th, 2016, 02:28 AM
#25
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Hi! Thank you very much for all your inputs.
We have more or less drafted our itinerary for our trip this October. My husband really wants to visit Switzerland so Im putting this in, as follows:
Day 1 Depart Manila for Zurich
Day 2 Arrive in ZURICH (mid afternoon)
Day 3 SWITZERLAND
Day 4 SWITZERLAND
Day 5 SWITZERLAND
Day 6 SWITZERLAND
Day 7 SWITZERLAND
Day 8 take the train to PRAGUE
Day 9 PRAGUE
Day 10 PRAGUE
Day 11 PRAGUE
Day 12 take the bus to VIENNA
Day 13 VIENNA
Day 14 VIENNA
Day 15 SALZBURG
Day 16 SALZBURG
Day 17 take train to BUDAPEST
Day 18 BUDAPEST
Day 19 BUDAPEST
Day 20 BUDAPEST
Day 21 Depart Budapest for MANILA, PHILS
Is this the correct/practical order/route? Would love to hear from you.
Many thanks.
We have more or less drafted our itinerary for our trip this October. My husband really wants to visit Switzerland so Im putting this in, as follows:
Day 1 Depart Manila for Zurich
Day 2 Arrive in ZURICH (mid afternoon)
Day 3 SWITZERLAND
Day 4 SWITZERLAND
Day 5 SWITZERLAND
Day 6 SWITZERLAND
Day 7 SWITZERLAND
Day 8 take the train to PRAGUE
Day 9 PRAGUE
Day 10 PRAGUE
Day 11 PRAGUE
Day 12 take the bus to VIENNA
Day 13 VIENNA
Day 14 VIENNA
Day 15 SALZBURG
Day 16 SALZBURG
Day 17 take train to BUDAPEST
Day 18 BUDAPEST
Day 19 BUDAPEST
Day 20 BUDAPEST
Day 21 Depart Budapest for MANILA, PHILS
Is this the correct/practical order/route? Would love to hear from you.
Many thanks.
Feb 12th, 2016, 07:58 AM
#26
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With your latest itin you may want to again look strongly at the Eastern European railpass - and first class too - much more relaxes especially for folks with lots of bags - always Ime empty seats or nearly and not so in 2nd class, which is though nice enough for most just that on the trip of a lifetime...
Take the train Prague to Vienna is you have a pass - the per day rate will be cheaper than regular tickets perhaps and you can just hop on virtually any train anytime.;
Take the train Prague to Vienna is you have a pass - the per day rate will be cheaper than regular tickets perhaps and you can just hop on virtually any train anytime.;
Feb 12th, 2016, 10:33 AM
#28
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I would go to Salzburg from Switzerland then Prague, Vienna and Budapest.
Sazlburg to Prague is easily done in a day - Switzerland to Prague unless involving a night train is a long day - going via Munich and bus from there - quicker than a train. this would cut down travel time.
and thought there is a Swizterland - Austria railpass I would not think it a good deal as it is a Eurailpass and thus not nearly as useful as a Swiss Pass is in Switzerland because Eurails don't cover many things Swiss Passes do, especially in Alpine areas - like giving 50% off pricey gondolas and being also valid on buses, city transports and lake boats and free etnry to 470+ Swiss museums.
a Swiss Pass may be very nice depending on where you are going and if you are moving around much.
Sazlburg to Prague is easily done in a day - Switzerland to Prague unless involving a night train is a long day - going via Munich and bus from there - quicker than a train. this would cut down travel time.
and thought there is a Swizterland - Austria railpass I would not think it a good deal as it is a Eurailpass and thus not nearly as useful as a Swiss Pass is in Switzerland because Eurails don't cover many things Swiss Passes do, especially in Alpine areas - like giving 50% off pricey gondolas and being also valid on buses, city transports and lake boats and free etnry to 470+ Swiss museums.
a Swiss Pass may be very nice depending on where you are going and if you are moving around much.
Feb 13th, 2016, 05:12 AM
#30
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Yes, you will pass twice through Austrain territory, but the itinerary is shorter nevertheless.
For example:
Scuol-Tarasp (scenic village in the Swiss mountains, with thermal spa and castle) dp by Swiss Post Bus 15.30 - Landeck ar 16.57, dp by train (with dining car) 17.25 - Salzburg ar 20.03.
Salzburg dp by train 14.12 - Prague ar 20.26, change at Linz
Prague dp by train 9.49 - Vienna ar 13.51 resp Prague dp by bus 10.00 - Vienna ar 13.55
For example:
Scuol-Tarasp (scenic village in the Swiss mountains, with thermal spa and castle) dp by Swiss Post Bus 15.30 - Landeck ar 16.57, dp by train (with dining car) 17.25 - Salzburg ar 20.03.
Salzburg dp by train 14.12 - Prague ar 20.26, change at Linz
Prague dp by train 9.49 - Vienna ar 13.51 resp Prague dp by bus 10.00 - Vienna ar 13.55
Feb 13th, 2016, 08:04 AM
#31
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If we go Salzburg from Switzerland then Prague then Vienna + Budapest, wouldn't we be shuttling back and forth to Austria?>
Yes but as neckervd shows you will be spending less time on the train and shorter train rides - forget about boundaries.
Yes but as neckervd shows you will be spending less time on the train and shorter train rides - forget about boundaries.
Feb 17th, 2016, 05:56 PM
#32
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Thank you @neckervd and @PalenQ for your help. Will do as advised.
Just a clarification please re Prague to Vienna... Prague dp by train 9.49 - Vienna ar 13.51 resp Prague dp by bus 10.00 - Vienna ar 13.55..... >>> these are 2 options? either by train for 4 hrs & 2 minutes or by bus for 3 hrs 55 mins?
Just a clarification please re Prague to Vienna... Prague dp by train 9.49 - Vienna ar 13.51 resp Prague dp by bus 10.00 - Vienna ar 13.55..... >>> these are 2 options? either by train for 4 hrs & 2 minutes or by bus for 3 hrs 55 mins?
Feb 19th, 2016, 01:14 AM
#34
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I think that earlier or later you MUST have a look at a timetable
http://www.checkmybus.com/
http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
http://www.checkmybus.com/
http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
Feb 19th, 2016, 09:26 AM
#35
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www.bahn.de/en is a great easy schedule to reference - German Railways official web all-European trains schedule sight.
Feb 19th, 2016, 01:54 PM
#36
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Just a clarification please re Prague to Vienna... Prague dp by train 9.49 - Vienna ar 13.51>
Well bahn.de/en confirms those times - an Austrian RJ or RailJet train #73 (or 37 - I forgot by now which one) - seat reservations not required. Again RailJet trains are super modern - much more comfy than any bus and can get discounted tickets at second site neckervd gives in her/his post above. Austrian trains IME are amongst the very finest in Europe - especially RailJet trains.
Well bahn.de/en confirms those times - an Austrian RJ or RailJet train #73 (or 37 - I forgot by now which one) - seat reservations not required. Again RailJet trains are super modern - much more comfy than any bus and can get discounted tickets at second site neckervd gives in her/his post above. Austrian trains IME are amongst the very finest in Europe - especially RailJet trains.
