Which rail pass best for us?

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    31 May 2011 at 10:31:33 #804360

    Hi,

    This is our first trip to Europe and we are adult couple from Malaysia. Our itinerary is as follows:
    Day 1 (14 Oct) Arrive Rome airport at 6am and city tour for whole day
    Day 2 (15Oct) Morning-Vatican city tour,afternoon travel to Pisa and stay at Florence
    Day 3 (16 Oct) Florence half day city tour and take train to Venice and stay
    Day 4 (17 Oct) Venice half day city tour and take train to Milan- sightseeing and stay
    Day 5 (18 Oct) Take train from Milan to Lugano and take Bernina Express Bus at 10am to Tirano. From Tirano take Bernina Express to St Moritz and stay overnight.
    Day 6 (19 Oct) Travel from St Moritz to Chastè Tarasp for half day sightseeing and stay overnight at Zurich.
    Day 7 (20 Oct) Zurich morning city tour and continue Lucerne half day city tour. Stay overnight at Interlaken.
    Day 8 (21 Oct) Interlaken>Lauterbrunnen>Jungfraujoch>Grindelwaldand stay at Interlaken.
    Day 9 (22 Oct) Take train from Interlaken to Bern, afternoon transfer to Basel to stay.
    Day 10 (23 Oct) Take train from Basel to Paris.
    Day 11 (24 Oct) Paris city tour
    Day 12 (25 Oct) Depart from Paris airport on morning.

    Can you please advice which is the best travel pass option for this trip?
    a) Swiss Saver Flexi Pass 5 days + Italy Eurailpass + Point to point ticket from Basel to Paris
    b) Swiss Saver Pass 4 days + 1 day point to point tickets (day 5 or day 9) +Point to point ticket from Basel to Paris
    c) 3 country Eurail pass which cover Switzerland?

    Regards,
    Chloe Lee

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    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    2 June 2011 at 5:23:36 #833030

    Hi Chloe Lee,

    Welcome to the forum! My advice is to purchase a 10-day Eurail Select Pass for Italy, Switzerland and France. You can use it from day 2 to day 11, or 1 to 10. The other option would be a separate 4-day Italy Saver Pass, a 4-day Swiss Saver Flexi Pass (you would not need free traveling on day 8) and a point to point ticket Basel – Paris. The disadvantage of this option is that while it is a little but cheaper, it is more complex, and you would travel in 2nd class (the Eurail Select Pass is 1st class for all countries). Furthermore, you would need to find cheap tickets Basel – Paris (price depends on travel date/time and purchase date). If you happen to travel in a more popular train, this option could quickly become more expensive.

    You’ll get an extra discount when using the promo codes listed here.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    2 June 2011 at 12:01:52 #833031

    Hi Arno,

    Thanks for the advice. If we choose to buy 4-day Swiss Saver Flexi Pass (no need free traveling on day 8), are we entitled for Swiss Pass discount for these route if we not using a railpass day?
    a) Stechelberg to Schilthorn
    b) Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg
    c) Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch

    Regard,
    Chloe Lee

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    2 June 2011 at 12:47:04 #833032

    Hi Chloe Lee,

    Yes, a Swiss Saver Flexi Pass provides discounts on any day between the first and last day of free traveling. The map linked from the Swiss Flexi Pass page shows the exact discounts:

    a) 50% off
    b) 25% off
    c) 25% off

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    3 June 2011 at 11:29:41 #833033

    Hi Arno,

    If we decide to buy 4-day Italy Saver Pass and 4-day Swiss Saver Flexi Pass, is the Milan to Lugano trip free if we verify Swiss Flexi Pass before reach Lugano? Where to verify the Swiss Pass? Thank you very much.

    Regards,
    Chloe Lee

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    3 June 2011 at 13:25:10 #833034

    Hi Chloe Lee,

    Yes, that trip is free if you ask the conductor of that train to validate your pass before the Swiss border.

    Enjoy your stay!

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