Best pass for 10 days Lucerne

mactoolsix

4 posts
new member

Aug 30, 2011 - 12:30 PM

My wife and I will be arriving Zurich 9/12/11
9/12/11 Train to Lucerne
9/13 & 14 - Funiculars
9/15 Wilhelm Tell Express to Lugano
9/17 Bus / Ferry to Bellagio
9/20 Train to Venice

Questions:
1. With the 1/2 Fare card, can we skip days that we won't be traveling? In other words, can we buy a 7 day pass, and use it over a 10 day period?

2. Is the 1/2 Fare Card what we want? I think it is good for the funiculars & Wilhelm Tell Express as well as the trains to Lucerne & Venice.

3. When and how is the best way to purchase this - Online - do they mail it? or can I print it off the internet - or should I wait and purchase it when we arrive in Zurich - will we get the 2 for 1 deal in Zurich or is that just an internet deal?

Thanks for all your assistance
Mike

Annika

7205 posts
expert &
moderator

Aug 31, 2011 - 8:45 AM

Hello Mike! As for your questions:

1) No, each Swiss Half Fare Card is valid during one month and has one fixed price.

2) Yes, I still think the Swiss Half Fare Card will work out fine for you. An alternative would be the Swiss Saver Flexi Pass, as you can pick some free travel days, and profit from discounted traveling between the first and last free travel day. Only comparing prices and making calculations (based on an exact list of plans) would tell you which option is more economical.

3) Please refer to the purchase options in the upper right corner of the Swiss Half Fare Card. Just fill our your country of residence and the amount of travelers for an overview of reseller prices and local prices. Information on shipping will also be displayed if you click 'Show more information'. I'm not sure where you found information on a 2 for 1 deal for Swiss Half Fare Cards. The current 2 for 1 offer is meant for regional passes. Could you clarify this?

MySwissAlps.com recommends to read this:
All Swiss rail passes How to choose a pass?

Last modified on Dec 24, 2021 - 10:36 AM by Arno

mactoolsix

4 posts
new member

Aug 31, 2011 - 7:50 PM

Arno, Thanks for the reply

3) So the 2 for 1 is only for a regional pass? What is "regional"? I suppose it won't work to get to Venice?
Will the Swiss half fare card work to Venice?

I'm really confused now - not sure which to buy or which will work Zurich to Lucerne, Wilhelm Tell Express to Lugano, to Bellagio then to Venice. Total of 9 days

Arno

16021 posts
expert &
moderator

Aug 31, 2011 - 11:54 PM

Hi Mike,

Each of our rail pass pages links to a map that shows exactly where the pass is valid.

mactoolsix

4 posts
new member

Sep 1, 2011 - 4:07 PM

So, it looks to me like the 7 day Tell Pass gives 2 free days and 50% discount on all other days, plus from Sept 1 - Oct 31 I can get 2 Tell Passes for the price of one?
The Tell Pass is valid for Zurich to Rheinfalls, Lucerne, Mt Rigi, Engelberg and the Wilhelm Tell express to Lugano. Not sure if it is valid on the bus from Lugano to Menaggio.
And I can purchase these at the train station when I arrive in Zurich.

Is this correct?

Annika

7205 posts
expert &
moderator

Sep 2, 2011 - 3:20 PM

Hello Mike. Yes, you've understood how the Tell Pass works, but it's not valid for Zurich, the Rheinfalls and Lugano, as the validity map shows. The Tell Pass can be bought in Switzerland too, but I'm not sure if that goes for the 2 for 1 offer as well.

In your case, I still think you can best consider a Swiss Half Fare Card or a Swiss Flexi Pass, and not one of the regional passes.

Last modified on Jun 16, 2021 - 12:51 PM by Arno

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