15485 posts
Hi adkris82,
Since you have planned a short stay, I would personally choose to spend as much time as possible in the Bernese Oberland: two nights in Interlaken. The Jungfraujoch is certainly worth to pay a visit, provided that the weather is clear. There are lots of hiking options; August is perfect for that. Snow activities depend on what they happen to organize at the Jungfraujoch.
A return ticket Zurich – Jungfraujoch is much more expensive: about CHF 320. Please note that the timetable shows discounted prices (that require a pass) by default. I would recommend to look into the Swiss Card: it includes Zurich to the Bernese Oberland and back for free, and a 50% discount on the Jungfraujoch and other local trips.
Hotels can be found here.
Enjoy your stay!
72625 posts
Hi, Thanks for your prompt response. I have few more questions. I am still puzzled that the SBB website would show discounted prices without mentioning that. But it looks like the quoted prices were assuming I have a half fare card. Anyway, if I want to buy a swisspass like you suggested, I have a question, there is a difference in price between the individual pass vs. 2 for 1 promotional pass, although I am travellong alone can I buy the 2 for 1 pass to save money? Or do I have to provide a second passenger details for that? Also the pass for individual costs about $271 and you mentioned that my entire trip from Zurich to Jungfraujoch is free, but are the cable rides and gondolas free? I was thinking those would be at an extra fees.
I agree with you that I should spend two nights in Interlaken both Aug 30 and 31. On your website I found this hostel in Lauterbrunnen, do you anticipate any issues with staying there vs interlaken? It seems interlaken is too toursity based on what I read, would you agree?
Thanks
[quote]Arno said: Hi adkris82,
Since you have planned a short stay, I would personally choose to spend as much time as possible in the Bernese Oberland: two nights in Interlaken. The Jungfraujoch is certainly worth to pay a visit, provided that the weather is clear. There are lots of hiking options; August is perfect for that. Snow activities depend on what they happen to organize at the Jungfraujoch.
A return ticket Zurich – Jungfraujoch is much more expensive: about CHF 320. Please note that the timetable shows discounted prices (that require a pass) by default. I would recommend to look into the Swiss Card: it includes Zurich to the Bernese Oberland and back for free, and a 50% discount on the Jungfraujoch and other local trips.
Hotels can be found here.
Enjoy your stay![/quote]
15485 posts
Hi adkris82,
The SBB indeed assumes you have a Half Fare Card. You can uncheck the box to see regular prices. I’m sorry but you cannot purchase a 2-for-1 pass for one person. You need to fill out the names and passport numbers of two people on such a pass.
Lauterbrunnen would be perfect for a short stay. It’s smaller than Interlaken and amidst the mountains. A Swiss Card allows free traveling from Zurich to either Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen, or any other town you pick to be your destination. Mountain transport such as the Jungfraujoch is not free but discounted. Please download the network map from the Swiss Card page for all details. A similar network map is available for the Swiss Flexi Pass. I would pick the Swiss Card though. It provides a better discount on the Jungfraujoch trip.
72625 posts
Thanks again for quick response. So on your website it says the cheapest place to get the Swiss pass is actually in Switzerland at Zurich Airport. Is this a safe option to not buy the pass until the last minute or do you recommend buying it from raileurope? Also, I tried to find promotional codes for raileurope for US residents but on your page all the links were for other countries, aren’t there any promotions for US residents?
15485 posts
Hi adkris82,
Passes do not get “sold out”, so it’s safe to buy anywhere at any time from that respect. It’s usually cheaper and more convenient to buy in advance, pay in your local currency, and just have one thing less to arrange for once you’ve arrived. Due to current exchange rates, it’s indeed cheaper to buy locally in many cases, apart from the promotions. Do keep in mind that you have to pay in CHF, so the actual costs of purchasing locally depend on the exchange rate when you buy. There are promo codes for the US, but they’re not issued by raileurope.com. The bottom link in this topic, for example, points to promo codes on raileurope-world.com, which delivers to many non-European countries, including the US. I expect a new promotion to be available this week, so please keep an eye on our website for details.
72625 posts
I have been keeping an eye on the bottom link in that page, so far I have not seen any promo codes. Since I am buying only 1 pass, do you know if I will be eligible for the promocode?
Thanks
15485 posts
Hi adkris82,
Our posts crossed I think. I just posted the new Rail Europe Last Minute Deals. Discounts start at order values of € 400. That may include a pass, seat reservations (if necessary) and any other product they sell.
72625 posts
Hi Arno – The discount wont apply for me as the 4 day card would cost less than 400 euros. So I have this question. On your swiss card page, the cheapest price is when I buy from the airport. I am not sure how accurate this price is since if it is not accurate then I would spend more money by waiting. Is there a website which can provide the current swiss card price in CHF when bought at Zurich airport? Thank you so much again for replying to all my queries.
15485 posts
Hi adkris82,
Sure the prices on our website are accurate. We monitor them all the time. Did you click “Show more information”? It shows the exact price in CHF and the exchange rate (which is updated daily) that has been used to show prices in your preferred currency.
72625 posts
Hi Arno,
Thanks for having accurate prices on your website. I have one last question, do you anticipate me to make any reservations on the Zurich – Jungrfraujoch route or will the travel expenses be covered with a Swiss Card? I would travel from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen (obviously the cable car rides gondolas will not be covered but I should get a 50% discount) and I am hoping that the swiss card covers all the minor train rides within the interlaken region. Thanks.
15485 posts
Hi adkris82,
You don’t need seat reservations for that route. The downloadable network map shows where you get the 50% discount.
72625 posts
I have one more question, I was doing more research and found that I could visit the following three places while I am at Jungfraujoch – Alpine Senstation, Sphinx and the ice palace. I was unable to find the details of ticket prices anywhere. I doubt the swiss card would give me any discount can you tell me approximate prices for visiting these places? Thanks
7132 posts
These are all included in the ticket price for the Jungfraujoch, without additional costs. This ticket itself is discounted by 50% with your Swiss Card.
72625 posts
That is awesome. Thank you again for your quick response. I have one more question which probably does not belong in this thread but I was hoping that you may have an answer. I would appreciate an answer if you have one. So, I will be traveling to Italy, Spain, and France after Switzerland. I was hoping to get an unlocked GSM cell phone, buy a sim card in Switzerland and use it throughout the trip. Do you know of any service providers (for which I can buy a sim card in Zurich) that have presence in all 4 countries so that their pricing is consistent and low in all places? Thanks
7132 posts
Hi adkris. You could check Lebara or Callineurope. If you need expert advice, you can best get to a Swisscom store after arrival in Switzerland.