MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Best pass Zurich/Lucerne/Lauterbrunnen with car
-
Hi, my partner and I will be spending 7 days in Switzerland in September. Will be spending most time in the OB area.
We are wondering which pass to get; the Swiss Pass, Half Pass or the OB Pass that will work out the best for us. We will be renting a car in Zurich airport. Lauterbrunnen will be our base in the OB. Would appreciate some help. Thank you!
Here is our itinerary:
Day 1: Zurich city only.
Day 2: Lucerne city only
Day 3: Lauterbrunnen
Day 4: Murren-Schilthorn. Murren-Grusctalp hike
Day 5: Wengen. Mannlichen-Kleine Schedegg hike. Lake Brientz. Boat ride.
Day 6: Jungfaujoch
Day 7: Drive to Zurich. Catch flight.
-
Hi PeaceL, welcome to MySwissAlps!
For this specific itinerary the Swiss Half Fare Card looks like the best match. It will get you a 50% discount on pretty all trips you’ll be making without your car. It would include discounts on urban public transport in Zurich and Lucerne. It’s often the obvious choice for a trip that combines driving with the use of public transport. You can find details here: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard.
The Regional-Pass Bernese Oberland has excellent coverage for a pretty large area, but it doesn’t include anything north of Lucerne (so not Zurich). I’m not sure if you’ll make enough use of public transport from Lauterbrunnen to justify its costs. Please find validity details at https://www.myswissalps.com/regionalpassberneseoberland/validity. A 3-day version for day 4, 5 and 6 could be a good choice though. If you want to be sure, you can run calculations. That process is explained here: https://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass.
As for driving: of course this is a very personal choice, but you may want to reconsider it. A car can be more of a hindrance than a joy in larger towns such as Zurich and Lucerne. Once in the Jungfrau region, you’ll have to leave it parked in Lauterbrunnen for most of your trips, as the region south and south-west of Lauterbrunnen is largely car-free. But you will pay costs for each day you rent the car, plus costs for your public transport trips. So it may not be very economical. Plus, Swiss public transport is very efficient and easy to use. Maybe the pages below can illustrate more:
I hope this helps you out. Feel free to ask further questions!
I agree with Arno, my instant reaction to seeing your plan is that a rental car will be a very expensive waste of time and money.
The Swiss public transport system is so comprehensive that, for tourists (as opposed to residents or frequent visitors from nearby countries) public transport is much the best bet
A rental car is only beneficial for a tourist visit to Switzerland if some or all of the following apply:
1) you are planning to drive over certain famous pass roads and spend time at the summit or at other places along the way
2) you are staying in accommodation up a remote valley road with few buses
3) you already know the Swiss road system well
4) you arrive in your own car from a nearby European country
5) allied to 4 – you are towing a caravan or carrying your own family camping equipment
Thank you Arno for this very useful feedback. Just a few questions on the passes. Where is the best place to purchase the Swiss half pass and BO pass? Do you still have to go to the ticket counter to secure tickets with the pass or can you just board right away the train/boat/cable car with the pass? How early should one purchase the pass?
Thank you.
Thank you 1960man for your feedback.
Hi PeaceL,
You can best purchase your Swiss Half Fare Card and Regional-Pass Bernese Oberland online in advance. You’ll receive e-tickets that you can stimply store and show on your phone. I’d do so a few days before departure at the latest. Recommended purchase options are here:
- https://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/price
- https://www.myswissalps.com/regionalpassberneseoberland/price
You can read why we advise purchasing online here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/wheretobuy.
For train, bus and boat rides that are fully covered, you can simply board and show your pass if asked for. Some mountain routes require you to get a (free) electronic ticket to open the access gates. For routes that aren’t fully covered, you’ll need to buy additional tickets first. Explanation can be found at:
Hi PeaceL,
You can purchase the railpasses online.
- Swiss Half Fare Card: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/price
- Regional Pass Bernese Oberland: http://www.myswissalps.com/regionalpassberneseoberland/price
With the Swiss Half Fare Card, you can purchase the discounted tickets online or from the stations (ticket machines or the counters) up to the last minute before you travel. More details here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/howtouse
With the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland, you can simply board your transport and show the pass upon request. You can find the validity map here: http://www.myswissalps.com/regionalpassberneseoberland/validity
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
Really appreciate your help, everyone. Thank you!
- The thread ‘Best pass Zurich/Lucerne/Lauterbrunnen with car’ is closed to new replies.
