Switzerland swiss mountain passes so confusing, jungfrou
 

Hi,

I am so confused as to which option is better value for us- as the range of mountain passes and inclusions vs non-inclusions and reduced pricing are so confusing. We are 2 adults with a 2.5 yr old son, and we have a car, travelling late june. We will be based for 3 nights in Krienz/Luzern then 2 nights in Grindelwald, and will have either 2 or 3 full days(depending on weather) to explore various mountains definitely including jungfrou/ jungfroujoch. we intend to go on several mountain cog railways (esp since our toddler is crazy about trains). in addition we might do a lake boat/steam ride as well (if this is included in any passes).
the Mannlichen, Pilatus, schilthorn, rigi, titlis- so many mountains all sound great.

Does anyone know which pass is best value for this kind of trip? or the best direction for comprehensive information.

Thank you in advance.

(also can passes be purchased on the day? or should they be purchased in advance?)

Hi there, it was few years ago, but I remember I was just as confused as you are, in terms of what the passes covered. The one I got was the swiss flexi pass (4 days in 1 month). I asked a lot of questions on this website: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html, which also have an online chat as well. And for the Jungfraujoch related questions, I emailed [email protected], many times on clarifications from type of fares that are covered, directions and time schedules, etc. Both of those were very responsive and helpful. Hope this helps!!

>>> (also can passes be purchased on the day? or should they be purchased in advance?)

This depends on the pass. Some passes can only be purchased outside Switzerland, while other can also be purchased when arriving in Switzerland, while narrow regional passes can be bought and used immediately after.

One thing that complicates your analysis is that your itinerary looks like a non-car itinerary, yet you are renting a car. So if you use a pass that covers multiple sites, you will be double paying for the transportation in between.

Many people come here regarding transportation pass options for Switzerland. There is really no easy answer. If you really want to know the "better value" question, you will have to visit many sites and crunch numbers for all the sites you are interested in visiting. Even if someone helps you, you still have to enumerate every planned item.

The best way, really the only way is to sit down and plan for all your rail journeys, the chances are that you find the Swiss Half Card(which does what it says) the best value for money. Your son will travel for free so if you do go to Jungraujch you almost certainly save money. The One month Half Fare Card cost 120CHF Use the Swiss Rail website to calculate you journeys this defaults to the half fare. Swiss passes are valid on all forms of transport so you can use the pass on boast trips and buses.

As you prefer to travel by car, you will need the pass for mountain railways and boats only.
Check the Bernese Oberland Pass for Bernese Oberland and the Regional Pass Central Switzerland and compare with the Swiss half Fare Card.
Your son will travel for free anyway.
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/t...om-abroad.html

Yeh the Berner Oberland Pass may be the only pass you want to consider - or Half-Fare Card but check to see what the Berner Oberland Pass covers - if it only gives 50% on many things go with the Half-Fare Card - both can be bought on the spot. I'd say no to any Swiss Pass as it gives at most 50% on mountain trains and gondolas - 25% off Wengen/Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch. For lots on Swiss conveyances and passes check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.sbb.ch; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Yes kids that age always travel free.

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/r...-oberland.html

Rigi, Titlis

both can be done with a boat ride included - from Lucerne to docks from which the trains that climb those peaks depart - well Rigi is not that high but raved about for its vista over the spiny spine of central Switzerland -not the Alpine dreamland as is Titlis and to some extent Pilatus (if a clear day go for Pilatus -seemingly ensarled in smog or fog or clouds whenever I've been in Lucerne.

wow thank you so much- that is really quite helpful. I also appreciated the mountain recommendations.

(also can passes be purchased on the day? or should they be purchased in advance?)>

Yes all the ones you would want - again no advantage to buying early and if you have to cancel you may have a hefty fee - same price there as online for the Berner Oberland Pass and Half-Fare Card- weather can be very fickle in Alps - rain can set in for days and you may want to change your trip plans so just buy the pass once there when you see weather forecasts.