Will a pass help us?
A traveler and their wife are arriving at Zurich Airport on June 2, heading to Grindelwald for 3 nights of hiking before moving to Lucerne for 4 nights to visit popular mountains. They're looking for advice on whether a travel pass or point-to-point tickets would be more economical for their planned train and lift journeys.
- Consider getting the Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% off on local trains, boats, and lifts, as it usually offers the best savings.
- The Swiss Saver Pass might also be a good option if you prefer the convenience of unlimited travel on consecutive days, including many mountain trips and free boat rides in regions like Interlaken and Lucerne.
AI-generated summary-
My wife and I will be arriving at Zurich Airport on June 2 and going directly to Grindelwald for 3 nights. Plan to do hiking there. Probably use some local train/lifts. Then to Lucerne for 4 nights. Plan to visit 2 popular mountains by boat/train/lifts from Lucerne. Then back to Zurich airport. So 3 city to city train legs. Will any pass be helpful or better point to point tickets? Does any pass help for non-city to city boats/trains/lifts? If I am reading the rates correctly each of the Zurich-Grindelwald and Grindelwald-Lucerne trains are about 40CHF. Lucerne to Zurich Airport 14 CHF. So total for 1 person about 95CHF without any local boats/trains/lifts.
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The local boats/trains/lifts are far more expensive that the “flat land” transport as there is a great deal of vertical involved (expensive to operate and maintain). For example, return Grindelwald – First (which you certainly will want to do) is 54 CHF per person. Grindelwald – Männlichen return is 62 CHF per person. Grindelwald – Jungfraujoch return is 170 CHF per person. It adds up quickly.
You definitely would benefit from a pass. My favorite is the Half Fare Card, 50% off of everything, no mental gymnastics around what days are “free”, the discount rate on various different transports, etc. Usually ends up being the most cost-effective as well.
Hello jmsesq,
A pass would save you money, especially on mountain trips. Also, the regular train transfers are more expensive. It’s about CHF 150 per person for the 3 transfers. I think some of your prices are the reduced fares, which is half of what you would actually pay without a pass.
The Swiss Half Fare Card that Kim mentioned is indeed a good option. It’s either that one or an 8-day Swiss Saver Pass. The pass itself is more expensive than the Swiss Half Fare Card, but it would include free traveling on all days and more convenience as you don’t have to buy tickets for each trip. It includes discounted mountain trips, but some of that is also free: e.g. traveling to Wengen, Mürren, and even to the top of the Rigi near Lucerne. Also, the boats near both Interlaken and Lucerne are included for free, as well as many museums. The pages I linked to provide all details, downloadable network maps, and reseller overviews. You still have plenty of time so you might want to keep an eye on our website as rates and promotions may change before you go.
Hotels near the Lucerne rail station can be found here.
Does this help you out?
Yes thank you. I will wait a bit and then look into these options.
“Arno said: Hello jmsesq,
A pass would save you money, especially on mountain trips. Also, the regular train transfers are more expensive. It’s about CHF 150 per person for the 3 transfers. I think some of your prices are the reduced fares, which is half of what you would actually pay without a pass.
The Swiss Half Fare Card that Kim mentioned is indeed a good option. It’s either that one or an 8-day Swiss Saver Pass. The pass itself is more expensive than the Swiss Half Fare Card, but it would include free traveling on all days and more convenience as you don’t have to buy tickets for each trip. It includes discounted mountain trips, but some of that is also free: e.g. traveling to Wengen, Mürren, and even to the top of the Rigi near Lucerne. Also, the boats near both Interlaken and Lucerne are included for free, as well as many museums. The pages I linked to provide all details, downloadable network maps, and reseller overviews. You still have plenty of time so you might want to keep an eye on our website as rates and promotions may change before you go.
Hotels near the Lucerne rail station can be found here.
Does this help you out?
edited by Arno on Jan 9, 2013”
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