Confused with Swiss pass

  • Removed user
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    13 July 2015 at 11:14:01 #807549

    Hi,

    I am planning to visit to Switzerland in next month. Following is my Itenary:

    Day 1: Germany – Zurich, Zurich – Lucerne. Explore Lucerne city for remaining time.

    Day 2: Lucerne – Mount Titlis – Lucerne

    Day 3: Lucerne – Lauterbrunnen (Stay in Lauterbrunnen and explore nearby places and/or boat rides in Interlaken)

    Day 4: Lauterbrunnen – Jungfra – Lauterbrunnen

    Day 5: Lauterbrunnen – Zurich (Explore Zurich full day and take flight from Zurich in Evening)

    Posts in your forums have been very helpful. I feel Swiss Pass would make my trips flexible and easy without need to get tickets for all legs. If I go for pass then I’ll be buying 4 day Swiss pass.

    Your helpful suggestions would make it clear for me. Also your suggestions to change my itinerary for easy would be welcomed.

    Thanks in advance!

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    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    13 July 2015 at 11:39:10 #844436

    Hi sandeeps,

    Engelberg is not near Interlaken. It’s located at the end of a valley which makes it a wonderful place to hike but not to explore other regions. It takes 45 minutes to get out of the valley and start traveling to somewhere else. If you want to stay there anyway it makes sense to do so at the end of day 2 as you’ll be in Engelberg when you visit Mount Titlis. Making your base in Lucerne would be more comfortable and you’ll be more flexible.

    The trip to Jungfraujoch is very long from Lucerne, and even more from Engelberg. It’s doable but it takes a lot of time (see the timetable for details).

    Please note that the Swiss Pass has been discontinued last year (see here). It has been replaced by the Swiss Travel Pass. Our pass page provides all the pass details, like how to use it, where to buy, etc. You could use the 4-day pass for your day 1 to 4, and buy a single point to point ticket to Zurich on day 5.

    I hope this was useful!

    Removed user
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    13 July 2015 at 11:45:42 #844437

    Oh I am really sorry. By mistake instead of Lauterbrunnen I mention Engelberg. Can you please reconsider.

    Sorry for inconvenience. I have updated my question.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    13 July 2015 at 12:15:49 #844438

    No problem! Now the itinerary makes much more sense! You can buy a ticket from Germany to Lucerne for day 1 and use the Swiss Travel Pass on day 2 to 5. Your local Indian site can sell you all you need:

    Enjoy your trip!

    Removed user
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    13 July 2015 at 12:20:34 #844439

    Thanks for your valuable advise.

    Should I go for Swiss travel pass or Swiss half price card?

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    13 July 2015 at 12:37:28 #844440

    If I am using Swiss travel pass, will I be charged anywhere except Cable car at Mt. Titlis and Mountain train of Jungfra?

    Can you please help me get rough estimate. Your help would be really appreciated.

    Olga
    Participant
    346 posts
    13 July 2015 at 13:39:04 #844441

    Hello sandeeps,

    I’m a huge fan of the Swiss Travel Pass, because it’s easy – you just hop on and off trains, buses and boats without having to buy additional tickets. You can compare passes here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass.

    Prices of Mt. Titlis and Jungfraujoch can be found on the following websites: http://www.titlis.ch/en/ticke ts and http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/qui ck-navigation/top-of-europe/fares/

    The only two mountains where you will have to pay extra are, in your case, Mt. Titlis and Jungfraujoch. You can check the validity map for the Swiss Travel Pass here: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity. You will find a downloadable map there as well.

    Have a nice trip!

    Removed user
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    13 July 2015 at 13:47:05 #844442

    For going to Jungfra, should I go from kleine scheidegg?

    If yes then whether train to kleine scheidegg is free?

    Passes bought from Rail Europe India would be delivered or we can have a print out?

    And our days of pass usage counts from validation of pass or first journey?

    Removed user
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    13 July 2015 at 13:48:39 #844443

    Olga,

    Your link is very useful. I was looking for something like that.

    Thanks for that!

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    13 July 2015 at 14:10:31 #844444

    Hi sandeeps,

    The passes will be delivered. Which legs to Jungfraujoch are free is explained in the last link Olga gave you.

    When you validate your pass you can choose which day should be the first travel day. Usually you do so on the day you will actually start using it for the first time.

    Removed user
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    13 July 2015 at 14:14:21 #844445

    Ok that sounds great!

    So pass validation is done at specific places or any location from where I start using it by bus/train/boat?

    Your forum is very useful. I really appreciate your help.

    Thanks a lot!

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    13 July 2015 at 14:32:25 #844446

    Please see here for more about validation: myswissalps.com/ swisstravelpass/ howtouse.

    I’m glad to help. Have a wonderful time in Switzerland!

    Removed user
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    2 August 2015 at 13:04:49 #844447

    Hi,

    Some more doubts 🙂 Sorry to bother you again.

    My age is 25 years and 7 months. Am I eligible for Swiss Travel youth pass?

    And can you help me in finding where can I buy Swiss Travel pass in Lucerne?

    And whether passes should be bought from specific stations or any Rail station?

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    2 August 2015 at 16:34:34 #844448

    Hi sandeeps,

    You indeed qualify for the youth version of the pass if you are not 26 yet on the first travel day.

    There’s no need to wait with your purchase until you reach Lucerne. You can easily buy the pass online and that’s much cheaper too. Please see the links I gave you on July 13. Apart from that website, you can also buy the pass and the ticket from Germany via http://www.raileurope-world.com/pass/swiss-pass, if you prefer that. Discount codes can be found here: http://www.raileurope-world.com/deals/great-deals-to-tour-Europe. You can buy the pass at the rail station of Lucerne too, but not for this low amount, see here.

    Removed user
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    6 August 2015 at 16:30:55 #844449

    Hi,

    Thanks for reply. May I know if prices shown on website will be same as price for which I can buy at rail stations? And at http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/urgent-in-switzerland-where-to-buy-swiss-pass you have written that pass price will be higher in Interlaken, why so?

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    6 August 2015 at 16:53:58 #844450

    Hi sandeeps,

    Pass prices vary all the time, and any retailer can sell it for the price they want (see here for more details). The topic you referred to is old (2011), but right now it still holds true that you’d better buy your pass online as that’s much cheaper, and in general it’s also more convenient. Please see my August 2 post: the low price and the additional discount offered by http://www.raileurope-world.com/pass/swiss-pass is not available when you buy it at a rail station. It’s a Rail Europe offer, so you have to buy through them to get that low price.

    Removed user
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    6 August 2015 at 17:06:09 #844451

    Oh! Thanks for info and quick reply!

    Actually unfortunately its late for me to buy a pass now online. By way if I buy pass from a railway station, price would be same as what is shown on sbb’s website? And do prices vary from station to station?

    I am considering to go to Interlaken first so price at Lucerne or Interlaken should be same right?

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    6 August 2015 at 17:28:28 #844452

    I’m sorry to hear it’s too late now! The prices are the same at any station. You will pay the prices as listed on the SBB webshop at http://www.swissrailways.com.

    Enjoy your stay!

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