Hi Folks, <BR> <BR>I need help in refining our travel plans to Switzerland. <BR> <BR>We are renting a car in Bern and then travelling around (Interlaken, Luzern, Zermatt, Lugano areas). I dont want us to miss out on wonderful train travel experience despite the fact that we have a car so here are the questions: <BR> <BR>1. Is there any one (or two) train ride we should not miss at all? <BR>2. Should I opt for the Swiss Pass or buy point-point tickets? <BR>3. How about the same with boat/cable car rides? <BR> <BR>We are taking the TGV from Paris into Bern and back. Also we might want to take a train from Lugan to Milan for a day. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance. <BR>Atul

The one train journey I would recommend is the trip starting in Lauterbrunnen up to the Jungfrau Joch-or at least as far as the Kleine Scheidegg. Or alternatively you could take the train to Wengen, switch to the cable car to Mannlichen, walk down to Kleine Scheidegg and take the train back down from there to Lauterbrunnen. <BR> <BR>A Swiss Pass would not be cost effective for you if you only plan on doing one (or 2) journeys. <BR> <BR>I highly recommend a ferry ride from Luzern. You can do the Pilatus ferry/funicular/cable car circle route, or just take the ferry to Stanstad and get off walk to train station and train back to Luzern. <BR> <BR>Definitely recommend that you NOT go into Milan for the day. Not a great city. You'd be better off driving to Mennagio (about 1 hour from Lugano), and taking the short ferry across Lake Como to Bellagio.

Chris, <BR> <BR>Thanks for your wonderful to the point help. Yes I am taking the Jungfrau Joch ride. But I am thinking of driving to Lauterbrunnen. Is that a good idea? <BR> <BR>Also, for the Luzern "Pilatus ferry/funicular/cable car circle route" do you think we should plan on staying in Luzern? All we have right now is reservations at the Backpacker's villa in Interlaken. <BR> <BR>I am also planning on going to Como. For that trip, is it better to stay in Lugano? Thanks for the Milan suggestion. <BR> <BR>Do you have any tips for zermatt? What to do and where to stay? <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>Atul <BR>

For me it doesn't make much sense to rent a car for your travel plans, because it would very easy and cheaper to do it by train. Combinating both rental car and train, there are the costs for the car and the (high) fares for single railway tickets. <BR>For informations about railway passes: <BR>http://www.rail.ch/pv/sts_e.htm <BR>Note that, in addition to the passes, there's also a so called "Swiss Half Fare Card" which coud be a good option for you. For SFr. 90.- this card gets you 50% off on the normal fares of all railway lines (even the private lines as the Jungfrau railway is). <BR>For instance, for the trip from Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfraujoch and back you pay SFr. 72.- instead of SFr. 145.- <BR>For schedules and (single ticket) fares: <BR>http://www.sbb.ch/pv/index_e.htm <BR>Hope this helps.For further questions you may contact me personally if you like.

Unfortunately the one-month Half-off card that Mathias refers to is no longer available, only the annual card for 150chf. <BR> <BR>Atul, how long are you planning on being in Switzerland? That would go a long way in recommending how many places and which places you can reasonably do. <BR> <BR>Also, if there is a group of you I think having a car IS a valid cost saving option, not to mention the fact that you'll be able to get some places you wouldn't be able to so easily get to otherwise (i.e. driving over some of the Pass Routes, and if you plan on hiking it's nice to have a car at one end and take public transport back). <BR> <BR>There are a few hostels in Lucerne (I recommend staying 1-2 nights and doing the Pilatus trip) and if time allows 1 night in Zermatt (youth hostel there is great). Also recommend you stay in Mennagio, Italy instead of Lugano (which is on Lake Lugano not Como) for 1-2 nights (another great Youth Hostel in Mennagio). <BR> <BR>To do in Zermatt, well of course if your budget can afford another mountain rail trip, you can go up Gornergrat or to Kleine Matterhorn on the cable car. Also some great little walks around there. <BR> <BR>Yes, by all means if you have a car anyway do drive to Lauterbrunnen instead of taking the train. Save some cash and it's not an exciting ride from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen anyway. <BR> <BR>If you plan on doing a bit of hiking, email me direct and I'll give you some suggestions. <BR> <BR> <BR>If you had to drop just one destination I would recommend you forget Zermatt, of course unless you are an avid mountaineer. Good LUck. <BR>