Help with type of rail passes needed please :)

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    13 May 2015 at 19:26:04 #807220

    Greetings:

    I would greatly appreciate your input into what type of rail passes we need for the following itinerary (much of it determined by weather). We arrive August 11th and depart August 31st. Thank you so much in advance!

    Day 1:
    Arrive Zurich; take train to Lucern

    Day 2:
    Mt. Pilatus

    Day 3:
    Mt. Rigi

    Day 4:
    Enjoy Lake Lucern

    Day 5:
    Train to Wengen

    Day 6:
    Jungfraw

    Day 7:
    Schilthorn

    Day 8:
    First

    Day 9:
    Manlichen Walk

    Day 10: Brienzer Rothorn

    Day 11:
    Train to Zermat

    Day 12:
    Gornergrat Bahn to Matterhorn and glacier palace

    Day 13:
    Rothorn

    Day 14:
    Gornergrat

    Day 15:
    Train to St Moritz

    Day 16:
    Diavolezza

    Day 17:
    Muottas Muragl

    Day 18:
    Mount Corvatsch or Piz Nair

    Day 19:
    Train to Zurich

    Day 20:
    Zurich

    Day 21:
    Home

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    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    14 May 2015 at 10:43:55 #843078

    Hi Luv2travel,

    Looking at your itinerary (which is very nice by the way), I say an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass Flex Combi would be the best choice. All details are on myswissalps.com /swisstravelpassflex. For purchase options, please click to the Price section of that page, select the pass type, and click โ€˜Show resultsโ€™. You live in the US, so it makes sense to get the pass through raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/swiss-travel-pass-flex-with-half-fare-card-combi/index.html.

    If you prefer to compare this option with other passes, please see these instructions.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    14 May 2015 at 23:50:26 #843079

    Thank you Arno:) I would greatly appreciate help with the next questions:)

    1. With the pass are we only allowed to travel on the buses, boats and city transport on the days we use the pass (or few extra days we have on it)?2. As I read it this pass will give us a 25% off of the transportation in the Jungfrau region correct?3. Do we need to make reservations on the Glacier express? Do you recommend first class on it?4. Is there any other type of pass that will get us discounts into the mountains that we have listed?5. Does this pass cover going into the mountains in St Moritz? Which transport into the mountains is free?6. With this itinerary it is worth buying the Swiss Half Fare Card?7. Does it matter if we buy an epass?

    thank you so much for your help:)

    Annika
    Moderator
    7103 posts
    15 May 2015 at 6:11:01 #843080

    Hello luv2travel! Letโ€™s take a look at your questions:

    1. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex Combi Arno mentioned grants free traveling on buses, boats and city transport on the free travel days you select. On the remaining days, it works as a Swiss Half Fare Card and buses, boats and city transport will be discounted by 50%.

    2. No, thatโ€™s not correct. A general Swiss Travel Pass Flex provides free traveling as far as Wengen, Grindelwald and Mรผrren. Further transportation into the mountains is mostly discounted by 50%, the only exception being the leg Wengen/Grindelwald-Jungfraujoch: thatโ€™s 25% off. But with the Combi variant, youโ€™ll get 50% discount on this leg too since it works as a Swiss Half Fare Card.

    3. Yes, Glacier Express seats should be booked in advance. Please find information here. First class offers more space and comfort, and it may be worth your money if youโ€™re traveling in August. Trains may be rather full that month.

    4, 5, 6. You can check which mountain transportation is included by taking a look at the validity maps of all passes. As for the Swiss Travel Pass Flex Combi: Corvatsch and Furtschellas near St. Moritz are included, other mountain tops are not. But note that many hotels in St. Moritz offer the โ€œMountain railways included offerโ€ option if you book for two or more nights: it allows free use of many chair lifts and cable cars. Overall, I think Arnoโ€™s suggestion of the Swiss Travel Pass Flexi Combi will work out best, since you can use free travel days for your longer and more expensive transfers, and profit from the 50% off during shorter day trips.

    7. For ordering, you can best follow the purchase link Arno provided. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex Combi isnโ€™t available as an e-pass yet, but you have plenty of time to have your paper ticket delivered at home before departure.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    15 May 2015 at 11:27:40 #843081

    Thank you SO MUCH:)

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