Need opinion to pick suitable rail pass
 

Hi,

After reading lot of posts and excellent suggestions, I was able to narrow down places, which I will be visiting during my short stay in Paris and Switzerland. I have two options here. Please help me to understand, which plan make much sense from feasibility and economical point of view.

BY FLIGHT -
10-Oct: Reach Paris at 11:30 AM. Flight to Geneva at 16:00-15:10. Take train towards Lauterbrunnen/Murren.(Flight cost $110 for both of us)
11-Oct: Murren, Mannlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, Grindelwald amphitheatre, train from Kl Scheidegg to Grindelwald, train back to Lauterbrunnen via changing at Zweilutchenen or go all the way down to Interlaken.
12-Oct: If weather is good then train to the Jungfraujoch or else Lucerne, train to Spiez via Bern to join the Golden Pass or Vitznau, taking train up to Mt Rigi
13-Oct: Leave hotel, Lake Thun, Spiez, Bank of the Rhine, Marktplatz, Basel. Spend some time till evening and then take flight in evening from Basel to Paris. (Flight cost $110 for both of us)
14-Oct: Full day Paris and nearby attractions. Will commute all by train
15-Oct: Leave hotel in morning and fly out Paris airport.

BY TRAIN -
10-Oct: Reach Paris at 11:30 AM. Take train till Murren (TGV+other trains). It will be night by that time, so just stay in hotel
11-Oct: Murren, Mannlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, Grindelwald amphitheatre, train from Kl Scheidegg to Grindelwald, train back to Lauterbrunnen via changing at Zweilutchenen or go all the way down to Interlaken.
12-Oct: If weather is good then train to the Jungfraujoch or else Lucerne, train to Spiez via Bern to join the Golden Pass or Vitznau, taking train up to Mt Rigi
13-Oct: Leave early from hotel. Leave for Montreux/Lausanne. Spend some time till evening and then leave for Paris
14-Oct: Full day Paris and nearby attractions. Will commute all by train
15-Oct: Leave hotel in morning and fly out Paris airport.

I was doing some math, but still confuse if I am calculating it correctly.
If I take flight (Paris to Geneva and Basel to Paris), it will cost both of us $220. This is the part, which TGV will cover. On top of it, I will need to buy other passes to travel within Switzerland and one day in Paris.
If I take (TGV) train option (Paris to Basel and Basel to Paris), it will cost both of us $370 (checked on random dates).
Swiss travel Pass will cost both of us $570 with 5 days pass and I should be able to travel in all TGV (with little extra reservation fees) as well local trains in Switzerland and Paris. Am I understanding it correctly ?
Or another option, I can see is, take flight ($220 for two) and buy Swiss transfer pass ($328 for two). But after paying this $548, still I need to work out for full day Paris commuting.
In my situation, I should go with which way and which pass ?

Regards

Swiss travel Pass will cost both of us $570 with 5 days pass and I should be able to travel in all TGV (with little extra reservation fees) as well local trains in Switzerland and Paris. Am I understanding it correctly ?>

Swiss Pass does not cover anything in France but in Switzerland you can use the pass to travel on any train that actually goes between towns - trains and gondolas to moountain tops are usually 50% off but only if you buy a Half-Fare Card at 50% off (about $65) with it - consecutive-day passes however give you the 50% off I believe with no need to buy a Half-Fare Card.

But if a flexipass and taking the really expensive Jungfraujoch train 50% off is more than the half-off Half-Fare Card will cost when issued with a Swiss Flexipass.

anyway check these sites for lots of great info on Swiss trains and passes, etc - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Swiss travel Pass will cost both of us $570 with 5 days pass and I should be able to travel in all TGV (with little extra reservation fees) as well local trains in Switzerland and Paris. Am I understanding it correctly ?>

again Swiss Passes do not cover TGVs in France even on say a Zurich to Paris TGV - just the Swiss portion - so you would buy a French ticket from the TGV's border point to Paris. But Swiss Passes do qualify for a Pass 2 discount on the whole Switzerland to Paris TGV ride - not sure what it is but is probably more than a discounted TGV ticket from www.voyages-sncf.com (or www.capiatinetrain.com - same trains and fares just easier to use booking agent many say) - so anyway judge a Swiss Pass efficacy only on what you will be doing in Switzerland as it is not valid in France or any portions of TGV journeys in France.

Thanks again PalenQ.
Which option, do you think is better, in flight vs train according to my plan ?
I will calculate money factor with help of links you gave me. But here, what are Pros for both mode :-
Flight Pros :-
- Will take flight from CDG airport only, where I will arrive.
- I will reach Geneva by 17:10. I may have couple of hours before dark to see around.
- While coming back from Basel to Paris, it will be quick.
- Paris - Geneva & Basel to Paris will cost $220 for both of us. (not sure, if it is good or bad)

Train Pros :-
- Will see more scenery from window of train
- Again, not sure if train will be more economical ?
- Experience of fast TGV train :-)

Well thanks! Flying seems so cheap - did you figure all the extras - baggage charges even seat reservation fees - on discount airlines anyway. But $200 for two would be hard to beat on trains but if you check www.capitainetrain.com for discounted fares see what you come up with but seems like flying is cheapest and quickest - factor cost of getting to/from airports.

Cheers!

I've been in the Grindelwald area in late September too and have had nice weather but at ANY time of spring, summer and fall you can have rain set in in this rather wet weather area - do day trips then to Bern, Spiez, Thun - all lovely cities and even a lake boat ride may not be too dreary in wet weather!

I will keep plan-B for wet days, as you suggested. I checked those price on Air France, so there will be no extra charges and no extra baggage charges. I am assuming that it will be $220 only.
It seems taking flight ($220 for two) and buy Swiss transfer pass ($328 for two) should be good for me. Total cost will come $548 for both of us. After this, I just need to worry for one day commuting expense within Paris. Am I going in correct direction ?

You may want to buy the half-priced Half-Fare Card - about $65 at half off in conjunction with the Transfer Ticket - which will not get you any discounts just two covered train rides to start and end your trip. A Swiss Pass may indeed be a better deal.