Help with proper rail pass for 5 days

Hello, I will be traveling by rail across Switzerland for 5 days in early January with my 18 year old daughter. We will arrive in Zurich, stay overnight and go to Lucerne the next day, where we plan to take a couple of scenic train rides, including the global pass from INterlaken to Montreux. We will then go to Geneva from MOntreux, stay in Geneva for a day and fly out from there the next morning. I am trying to figure out whether we should buy a Eurail two country pass, a Swiss travel pass, or a Swiss discount pass. We will be planning the trains and times in advance on a fairly planned route so we don't need a lot flexibility to hop on an off trains, although we would rely on the train to get us from the airport in Zurich and to the airport in Geneva, so we will travel both scenic and non-scenic trains.I know the scenic trains typically require a reservation for a fee even with a pass, so I am wondering which pass is best or even if no pass is a better deal.

Thank you for any suggestions you can provide.

Michelle

Hi Michelle, welcome to MySwissAlps!

If you mean Golden Pass, not Global Pass, you do not need reservations. Hopping on and off trains is the default way to travel. Reservations are rare.

A Eurail Pass is an option if you plan to travel in other countries too. Otherwise the passes for Switzerland are better. I don't know what you mean by a Swiss Discount Pass. The below pages explain about passes that would make sense, and how to choose:

• Swiss Half Fare Card
• Swiss Travel Pass
• How to choose

Does this get you started?

HI Michelle-

<<"We will arrive in Zurich, stay overnight and go to Lucerne the next day, where we plan to take a couple of scenic train rides, including the global pass from INterlaken to Montreux. We will then go to Geneva from MOntreux,">>

You seem to be missing a stop or transfer point between Luzern and Montreux. I assume that you will go through Interlaken, on the route of the Golden Pass trains, but thought I would check.

Slowpoke