Please help on picking a suitable pass

ahwai

2 posts
new member

Jul 19, 2012 - 5:44 AM

Hi,

I and my girl friend will visit Luzern on 8/2012.

As I was going to compare the price by information from SBB.ch but the fare information doesn't seem real to me.
Please advise the pass that we should buy for.
Also, please feel free to give any better suggestion for the plan.
Thanks so much!

Day 1:
11.35am Arrival Zurich airport
1.30pm Arrive Luzern
Sight seeing in Luzern
Day 2:
08.55am Luzern
10.55am Interlaken OST
11.39am Grindelwald
1.00pm Lunch + hiking
6.00pm rest at Grindelwald
Day 3:
07:17 Grindelwald -> Kleine Scheidegg
08:00 Kleine Scheidegg -> Jungfraujoch
2:00pm Jungfraujoch -> Kleine Scheidegg
4:00pm Kleine Scheidegg -> Maennlichen (hiking)
5:00 pm Tram to Wegen, Lauterbrunnen
6:00pm Lauterbrunnen -> Interlaken OST
21:00 Interlaken OST to Luzern
Day 4:
Daily round-trip to Bern
Day 5:
Daily round-trip to Lugano
Day 6:
Sight seeing in Luzern
from Luzern to Zurich Airport (at night)

Arno

15885 posts
expert &
moderator

Jul 19, 2012 - 10:25 AM

Hi ahwai, and welcome to MySwissAlps,

You itinerary looks fine to me, except that I would personally prefer to schedule the night in Grindelwald at the beginning or end of the trip, so that I could stay in one hotel in Luzern for the rest of my stay. That seems to be more convenient than to check out in Luzern, and check in again two days later in the same or a different hotel.

The prices in the SBB timetable are correct. It may just be confusing that they show half fare prices by default. Just uncheck that box to see regular prices. Anyway, a pass would be convenient and save money. An 8-day Swiss Saver Pass would make sense. If you stick to your current itinerary, a 4-day Swiss Saver Pass would be an option as well. You would use it from day 2 to 5, and purchase regular tickets on day 1 and 6. Zurich Airport - Luzern (single trip) costs CHF 27 per person.

Please be sure to check our Luzern page also.

MySwissAlps.com recommends to read this:
All Swiss rail passes How to choose a pass?

Last modified on Nov 1, 2018 - 4:17 PM by Arno

ahwai

2 posts
new member

Jul 20, 2012 - 6:28 AM

Hi Arno
Thanks for your quick reply!
Your are totally correct that I was confused by the half fare prices showing, and I guess I am not alone.
And your suggestion to my itinerary is good too, however I will stay at my friend's apartment so I should be fine with it.
I made up a table for the comparison, correct me if I was wrong:
Regular fares:

Zurich airport - Luzern - Zurich airport: 54
Sight seeing inside Luzern for day 1 and 6 (estimated): 3
Luzern to Grindelwald: 40.4
Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch: 90
Jungfraujoch to Intelaken: 99.6
Intelaken to Luzern: 30
Luzern - Bern - Luzern: 72
Luzern - Lugano - Luzern: 112
Lugano Tram: 19

This adds up to CHF 547
These are the fares with a 8-day Swiss Saver Pass:

Swiss Saver Pass: CHF 326.4
Zurich airport - Luzern: 0
Sight seeing inside Luzern for day 1 and 6 (estimated): 0
Luzern to Grindelwald: 0
Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch: 67.5
Jungfraujoch to Intelaken: 74.7
Intelaken to Luzern: 0
Luzern - Bern - Luzern: 0
Luzern - Lugano - Luzern: 0
Lugano Tram: 9.5

This adds up to CHF 478.1
These are the fares with a 4-day Swiss Saver Pass:

Swiss Saver Pass: CHF 226
Zurich airport - Luzern - Zurich airport: 54
Sight seeing inside Luzern for day 1 and 6 (estimated): 30
Luzern to Grindelwald: 0Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch: 67.5
Jungfraujoch to Intelaken: 74.7
Intelaken to Luzern: 0
Luzern - Bern - Luzern: 0
Luzern - Lugano - Luzern: 0
Lugano Tram: 9.5

This adds up to CHF 461.7
These are the fares with a Swiss half fare card:

Swiss Saver Pass: CHF 110
Zurich airport - Luzern - Zurich airport: 27
Sight seeing inside Luzern for day 1 and 6 (estimated): 15
Luzern to Grindelwald: 20.2
Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch: 45
Jungfraujoch to Intelaken: 49.8
Intelaken to Luzern: 15
Luzern - Bern - Luzern: 36
Luzern - Lugano - Luzern: 56
Lugano Tram: 9.5

This adds up to CHF 383.5
Any comments?

Annika

7184 posts
expert &
moderator

Jul 21, 2012 - 10:42 AM

Hello ahwai. Your calculations look correct. There may be some minor changes (e.g.: public transportation in Lugano is for free with a Swiss Saver Pass), but that won't change the outcome of your comparison. Which pass you choose, is up to you. Personally I much prefer the convenience of a Swiss Pass, because it allows you to change your itinerary even while traveling. This is especially good if weather circumstances require you to adapt your plans. Hopping on and off board without having to buy (discounted) tickets is great too. But again, that's a matter of personal preference. If you want to pick the cheapest option, the Swiss Half Fare Card would probably be best.

Please help on picking a suitable pass

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