Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card or BO pass

Hi,

I am confused with the array of options on the Swiss discount passes. Here is our itinerary in Switzerland from 3rd August to 7th August 2015 (2 adults and 1 child 7 years old). Can you please suggest the best pass (most value for money) to purchase - Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card or Bernese Oberland pass?

We are first travelling from USA to Paris, spending 3 days in Paris and then over to Switzerland for 4 days and then back home.

1. Day 1 - 3rd Aug - Take the train from Paris to Lauterbrunnen (this will be our base for 3 nights)

2. Day 2 - 4th Aug - hikes in bernese oberland area (Murren etc) and train ride to Schiltorn

3. Day 3 - 5th Aug - more hikes (Kleine Scheidegg area), and train ride to Jungfraujoch mountain

4. Day 4 - 6th Aug - Train from Lauterbrunnen to Zurich and explore the city (stay overnight).

5. Day 5 - 7th Aug - flying out of Zurich back home..

a. Which Swiss Pass provide the best value for our itinerary? I also read that the Jungfrau train ride is only 25% discounted on the Swiss Pass, so not sure if that is a factor.

b. Can you also suggest the best train route for journey from Paris to Lauterbrunnen (Day 1) , and from Lauterbrunnen to Zurich (Day 4)?

c. What is the best way to purchase passes and train tickets and how soon should this be done?

www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass

Check this link it would help.

I did check the link and cannot figure it out which one would work cheaper. I am thinking Swiss Travel pass would work the best for us. That probably gives us more flexibility if there are bad weather days and we are unable to go up to the mountain tops? Can anyone confirm?

Thanks,

Madhuri

Hi Madhuri,

Did you have trouble with the step by step plan on that page? Which part didn't work for you?

The Swiss Travel Pass indeed provides a lot of flexibility and allows you to do a boat trip or a trip to Bern (without buying tickets) if the weather does not allow cable car trips and hiking. Please see here for all that's included and how it works. If you still want to do the math you could compare it to the Swiss Half Fare Card.

Passes can be purchased online or in Switzerland. Online is usually more convenient and cheaper. Click "Price" on any of our pass pages to see all retailers. Pass delivery takes 1 to 8 business days, depending on where you order and where you live. In your case (US), you can best order through www.raileurope.com/rai l-tickets-passes/swiss-pass/index.html (print the pass at home, payment in USD) or www.raileurope-world.com/ pass/swiss-pass (cheaper, physical delivery in 8 business days).