15483 posts
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.
72625 posts
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?
7116 posts
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.