[kentjulie]

10 February 2020 at 14:22:58 #825178

Hi there

There is a lot of information out there on this pass. I’m looking for a little help. We are a family of 4 adults. Our stay in Switzerland is 5 days. We are planning the following from Interlaken as home base:

Day trip to Kandersteg – for the mountain coaster; and afternoon boat cruise on Lake Brienz

Day trip to Lauterbrunnen by car:

Take a cable car to Grütschalp’

Take a train to Mürren (train)

Visit Schiltorn (don’t miss The Thrill Walk at Birg)

Visit Allmendhubel

Take a cable car to Gimmelwald

Take a cable car to Stechelberg

Visit Trummelbach Falls

Take a bus back Lauterbrunnen where we will pick up our car

We leave this area to travel up to Zurich, where we will visit Appenzell

Is it worth it for us to buy the Half Day Pass?

Thank you again for your help.

julie

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[Removed user]

10 February 2020 at 17:38:53 #929927

Hello Julie,

Nice itinerary you’ve planned for your stay in Switzerland!

Is there any specific reason for you to choose to travel by car to the Interlaken area, as you mainly seem to be exploring mountains. You could as well travel there by train..Just an input. See:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/carversustrain
– http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/howtotravel
– http://www.myswissalps.com/car

Regarding the rail pass, you might want to look into available more local rail passes like the Jungfrau Travel Pass or rather the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland, which can also be “combined” with the Swiss Half Fare Card you already know about:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrautravelpass
– http://www.myswissalps.com/regionalpassberneseoberland
– http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard

To answer you question in detail you would have to use the spreadsheet available in below link to compare your options.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass

Also make sure you get familiar with the timetable provided below, a fab tool for planning. It also provides you with the “Half Fare Card” price for calculations in above sheet (double it to get a full fare).
– http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

Hope this provides some input for further insight.

Best,
Steph

[kentjulie]

10 February 2020 at 17:48:18 #929928

Thanks for the feedback Steph. I’ll go look at the other options. I tried to use the spreadsheet but it was confusing for me 🙂 I’ll try again.

We choose a car because we are 4 adults and it was faster to get to Interlaken, plus all our luggage.

For your comment above: I would combine the 2 passes? Swiss Half Fare and the regional pass bernese?

thanks

Julie

[Removed user]

10 February 2020 at 17:56:46 #929929

Hello Julie,

Yes, finding the best rail pass or ticket option is often tricky due to the incredible variety of offers.

You get the Regional Pass Bernese Oberland 25% cheaper if you hold a Swiss Half Fare Card, as you’ll see in the “price” tab of the Regional Pass.

Do you have parking available at your accommodation in Interlaken?! Also a point always to consider.

Not putting any pressure on you about how to travel but have you seen:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/luggage

Best,
Steph

[kentjulie]

10 February 2020 at 18:07:13 #929930

Hello Steph

Yes, we have parking at our accommodations. I guess we chose the car because everything else is so complicated to figure out 🙂 Pricing, schedules etc. We’ve been planning since December and I’m still so confused about the best way to do our 5 days in Switzerland to make sure we see the most we can, but at a reasonable cost.

We are leaving La Spezia and heading for Interlaken on May 26th. We are taking the train too Lugano, and picking a car up there.

Ahhhh!! hahah – oh so complicated 🙂

julie

[Removed user]

10 February 2020 at 18:25:25 #929931

Hey Julie,

Well, to be honest, one thing which is fairly hard to get in Switzerland ins “cheap”!!! 🙂

I think your overall plan sounds very reasonable. Don’t worry too much about details nor opinions, you’re itinerary is wonderful.

Keep on going/planning and get back to us anytime for further input.

Best,
Steph

[kentjulie]

10 February 2020 at 18:26:57 #929932

thank you for replying to my questions – it is much appreciated 🙂

Julie

[Annika]

12 February 2020 at 6:23:52 #929933

Hi Julie! These tips on how to save on your travel costs may be helpful: http://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/doityourself/savemoney.

[kentjulie]

12 February 2020 at 13:26:00 #929934

Hi

If we buy the Swiss travel pass – how do I use that for my train from La Spezia to Interlaken? Is that train covered in full if I buy the Swiss travel pass?

thank you

Julie

[Removed user]

12 February 2020 at 13:42:25 #929935

Hi Julie,

the rule is quite simple: the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Half Fare Card are valid in Switzerland. So for the Italian part of your trip you need to buy a full fare ticket. From the border you can use your pass. It is explained here in detail: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/italy.

Ildiko

Also see:

• Interlaken: http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken
• Jungfrau region: http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauregion/activities