[munichmaria1]

24 February 2018 at 14:23:28 #814491

Hello and thank you so much for this wonderful forum. I have used it for planning my last three trips to Switzerland. We are now planning our September trip. We are three women and will be starting our 3 week trip by flying into Zurich from the U.S. then on to Luzerne (2 days) – Montreaux (2 days) – Wengen (5 days) – Salzburg(2 days) then taking train to Munich for Oktoberfest . We will spend 8-10 days in Switzerland. My question is on the Eurail website it indicates that we can buy a Eurail pass (3 country Select 5 days in two months) for Switzerland, Germany and Austria which includes the Swiss Rail pass. This price is $451. . In checking prices it seems the Eurail pass with Swiss Travel Pass versus just the Swiss Travel Pass Half Fare are about the same price. I have always just purchased the Swiss Half Fare Card and then paid the extra when travelling to Munich. Can you help me figure out if the Eurail Pass in indeed including the Swiss Half Fair options or not.? and if it makes economical sense to purchase the combo and hope that we chose correctly? Thank you guys so much.

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[rockoyster]

24 February 2018 at 20:13:23 #877100

Hello Maria(?),

The Swiss Travel Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass) is generally better than the Eurail Pass in Switzerland – especially once you head into the mountains. I’ve not heard of a Eurail with Swiss Rail Pass.

See http://www.myswissalps.com/eu railselectpass and http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/eurail-globalselect-pass-promo-2nd-class.

A clearly mapped out itinerary is the basis for deciding which pass (if any) suits. Based on your itinerary you need to do the sums based on the cost of all your planned trips on trains, boats, cable cars etc. You can use the Swiss Train Timetable (http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable) to work out the fares for any trip. When you go to buy a ticket the fare you see on the right hand side of the page will normally be the half-fare price. Double it to get full fare. With A Swiss Travel Pass it is free provided it is shown as free on the Area of Validity map ( PDF downloadable from http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity).

You should read “How to choose the best travel pass” (http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass).

[Removed user]

25 February 2018 at 7:14:11 #877101

Hi munichmaria1,

Yes, I haven’t heard of an offer for a Eurail Pass AND a Swiss Travel Pass. Is that what you meant or just that the Eurail Pass covers Switzerland as well (which is normal). Can you send the link for the promotion you saw?

If you want to compare the differences in coverage for those two passes in Switzerland look at the PDF map at these links:

• Eurail Select Pass
• Swiss Travel Pass

[munichmaria1]

25 February 2018 at 13:18:58 #877102

Thank you for your responses. After I went down the rail travel rabbit hole I just picked up the phone and called STC Travel. The Eurail three country pass covers ONLY the regional lines in each country. There are no discounts on on local lines, boat, travel or boat service.

We are buying the full Swiss Travel Pass Flex. This will give us the discounts on museums, boats, trolleys and half off on the larger excursions like Jungfrauhoch etc.

My next question is we are then planning on taking the train from Interlaken to Salzburg where we will rent a car. I am trying to figure out the rail cost. I am aware the pass will cover us to the border but then need to add the cost from the border to Salzburg. I am only able to put the route in SNB from Interlaken to Salzburg one way. Which is quite high. Is there a work around on the SBB website?

Thank you

Thank you

[Removed user]

25 February 2018 at 13:56:33 #877103

Hi Maria,

Please note, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex doesn’t give you 50% off Jungfraujoch – you can see its coverage here. It is the same as the Swiss Travel Pass (consecutive). Usually, the STP Flex’s cost is not worth it over the consecutive STP. For a 9/10 day trip you may find the 15 Swiss Travel Pass a good deal over the 8 day Swiss Travel Pass Flex (it is very little extra).

Either of the Swiss Travel Pass will cover you to the Swiss – Austrian border town of Buchs SG so you only need to buy a ticket from there to Salzburg. You can use the Swiss railways timetable here to find schedules.