7567 posts
<<“45 CHF (45.29 USD) Lugano to Domodossola 16 CHF (16.10 USD) Domodossola to Brig19.50 (19.63 USD) Brig to Spiez via Kandersteg”>>
Hi Kat-
I can’t cpmment on the costs, other than that the Schaffhausen to BEX to Tirano seems cheap.
Arno or Annika are the experts on rail costs.
I compliment you on choosing to use the Lötscberger via Kandersteg. Sit on the left, at least up the wall of the Rhonetal to Goppenstein. After that, both sides are good.
After leaving Lugano, are you using the Centovalli line from Locarno to Domodossola?
Slowpoke
15484 posts
Hi Kat,
You may have taken half fares in some cases. E.g. Brig to Spiez is CHF 37. And prices for Basel to Paris vary by the date and time, and are cheaper if you book early. Please see here.
I’m not sure I completely understand your travel plans. How many day will you travel in Switzerland? Which two country Eurail Pass are you considering? Correct me if I’m wrong, but if you have a rail pass for Germany, and only need one single ride in France, the majority of your trip will be in Switzerland, and possibly a short leg in Italy.
This page will help you do the math. There’s a spreadsheet too.
7567 posts
Hi Kat-
I share Arno’s confusion. You mention France, but I see Germany. 😉
Perhaps you could list a day by day itinerary, or else at least how many days in each country.
If most of your travel is in Switzerland, perhaps a Swiss Travel discount card or pass of some sort would make sense. Arno sent you to that link.
Please note that when you use the Swiss timetable, all fares are given (for main line rail travel) assuming that you have a half-fare discount, since almost all Swiss have such.
Slowpoke
72625 posts
Hi Arno and Slowpoke,
My itinerary is as follows – Month of May:
- Arrive Paris – Monday
- Monday.After arrival take train to Colmar.
- Tuesday. Colmar
- Wednesday. Gengenbach.
- Thursday. Rhine Falls
- Friday. Zurich.
- Saturday. Locarno (via BEX)
- Sunday. Murren.
- Monday. Murren.
- Tuesday. Paris.
- Wednesday. Paris.
- Thursday. Fly home.
I would buy the France-Switzerland EuroRail. Most of Germany will be covered on the KONUS card.The speed train from Paris to Colmar and from Basel to Paris can be expensive if I don’t buy them now. I rather not buy them now because I don’t want to be restricted on a specific train/time.The Bernina fare seems low because I am doing the math as if I were to buy the ticket from Germany to Tirano (see website of man on seat 61 or in one of my previous posts.)
Thank you and please let me know what you guys think!
15484 posts
Hi Kat,
Thanks for the additional information. Yes, I remember you had a special ticket for the Bernina Express. I’m not sure if you need that ticket at all if you will buy a Eurail Select Pass for France and Switzerland: there’s a promotion that will get you a extra day of free traveling. Please see myswissalps.com/ forum/topic/ free-extra-travel-days-on-eurail-select-global and myswissalps.com/ eurailselectpass/ promotions.
Indeed you would only need seat reservations for the trains in France if you buy that pass. I understand your wish to be flexible. Just do take into account that trains can be fully booked if you try to get last minute reservations, so theoretically you could be forced to take a later or earlier train.
Also be sure to carefully study this page: myswissalps.com/ eurailselectpass/ validity.
72625 posts
Hi Arno,
looking at the itinerary I posted you think the France- Switzerland eurorail is the best way to go?
Thank you!
Kat
15484 posts
Hi Kat,
It seems to be a good match given your requirements, but only you know the details of your trip (like cable cars you’d like to use). That’s why the last link I gave you is important. If coverage matches your plans, then it’s all fine. And the extra pass day might be very useful. Note that the pass name is Eurail!