Train tickets, Swiss pass or eurail
 

Hello. I am traveling to Switzerland and Italy in June. I'm trying to decide the best way to handle our travel. We will fly into Geneva and travel by train to Interlaken. Spend 2 nights here and then travel to Lucerne for 2 nights. We will be doing some canyoning and paragliding while in these 2 places. Leave Lucerne by train and travel to Rome termini. Meet friends in Rome termini and travel down to Gaeta. 4 nights in Gaeta then to Naples to catch hydrofoil to ischia for 2 nights. Back to Gaeta for 2 nights and then to Rome for a night before flying home. Any opinions on point to point vs Swiss pass, Swiss transfer pass, or eurail 2 country pass? Best site to get up to date, real cost, point to points for comparison?

I would get a 4-day Swiss Pass (2nd class). It costs $263 and covers 100% of the cost of nearly everything you would want to use. A Half-Fare card is cheaper at $122 but only gives you a 50% discount so it only makes sense if you plan to buy at least $244 of tickets. And with the HF card you'd still have to buy a ticket, whereas the SP is your ticket.

Luzern to Rome is a pretty long haul by rail, about 7+ hours. I'd look into a flight from Zurich to Rome.

Thanks Edward2005! I also saw something about a "tell pass". Since I'm doing Interlaken/ Lucerne areas I'm wondering if that's a better option. Factoring in Italy, do you still think Swiss pass and I'm assuming point to point in Italy? I know Italy trains are cheaper than Swiss.
Sorry, it gets pretty confusing!

Definitely no to 2-country Eurail but yes to Swiss Pass - covers more than Tell (Geneva to Lucerne and Lucerne to Italian border. For lots on Swiss trains and passes check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Book Italian trains early at www.trenitalia.com to nab nice discounts- one problem with Eurail in Italy is you still have to pay 10 euros or so to use faster trains in addition to using a day on your pass.

You can book Lucerne-Rome from €9 + €29 at www.trenitalia.com if you leave Lucerne on the direct daily Lucerne-Milan train.

If that doesnt suit, other departures require a change at Arth Goldau at well as Milan, so now you;d book Arth Goldau to Rome (Roma Termini) at www.trenitalia.com and add a Lucerne-Arth Goldau ticket bought at the station on the day OR at www.sbb.ch Swiss Railways.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful!

the Tell Pass would be good if you were spending several days in the area but for now what you indicate you are doing is also fully covered by a Swiss Pass. Plus Swiss Pass give free entry to 470+ museums and sights, including some in Lucerne and Interlaken area.

You can book Lucerne-Rome from €9 + €29 at www.trenitalia.com if you leave Lucerne on the direct daily Lucerne-Milan train.>

to get the 9 euro you have to book as soon as it comes on Trenitalia.com - very few tickets at that rate - 29 euros can go quickly too and these are I believe train-specific and non-changebale nor refundable but if the time is OK for you and conditions book 90 days out to get them (maybe longer or lesser at times).

But you'd still have to pay full fare Geneva to Lucerne or Interlaken - though some discounts I guess are available at www.sbb.ch - Swiss Federal Railways site they seem hard to get for trains you want them on -one reason the pass could be better than Tell or Berner Oberland Pass.

The straight up Half-Fare Card seems to be a good bet for you - if you get discounted tickets Lucerne to Milan at those prices. Buy the Half-Fare Card on arrival at any Swiss train station. Half-Off full fare for everything that moves in Switzerland.

OK everyone, need more advice. I'm searching point to point: June 7
Geneva airport to Interlaken €75 no discount ever offered I don't think. June 8 spent in Interlaken. May do some hiking, paragliding (would I need travel pass/tickets???). June 9 Interlaken to Lucerne €33 but possible super saver €16.60, June 10 spent in Lucerne, paragliding, possible Rigi or pilatus, hiking (same question). June 11 Lucerne to Rome. €59 to Milan. Have seen saver fare for €9.
Adding those known train trips without the saver fare is €167. Cheapest Swiss pass I've found is 3 day flex (as I can't do consecutive) for €226. 4 day flex is €271. Unless I will definitely use the pass during the lay day in each city, is it really worth it? What advantages would it have for possible things we might do? I guess if I need the pass while in each city, I could do 4 day consecutive and just purchase the lucerne to Milan.
Any great things to do for the one day in Interlaken and one day in Lucerne? The teens are doing paragliding, canyoning but that's not my interest. I like hiking, biking, beautiful scenery. Up for anything but extreme sport stuff.
Thanks so much for any help!

Je 8 -I would not stay in Interlaken without at least going into the high Alps just south of there -go to Grindelwald or even higher -not much to do in Interlaken -I'd base in say Grindelwald or other mountain village-and a Swiss Pass would cover in full trains to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Murren - the latter two more isolated than the former two but some like that.

Book your Lucerne to Italy ticket at www.sbb.ch or www.trenitalia.com for discounted tickets.

Point to point is great if not doing anymore than indicated but I would take rather expensive trains into the hills too.

Unless I will definitely use the pass during the lay day in each city, is it really worth it? What advantages would it have for possible things we might do?>

Yes if you go stay in say Grindelwald part of the thrill there is taking aerial gondolas to higher elevations and Swiss Pass gets 50% off and Lake Lucerne -nice boat trips all covered in full by pass.

But in 3 days it would be hard to realize benefit of a pass plus most of your time is pre-planned doing thrilling things - great - so just buy as you go along or book in advance only if you get a discount worth the restrictions.