Train/travel pass

My wife and I will be arriving by 'plane in Zurich and immediately traveling by train from the airport to stay in Lauterbrunnen for 4 nights in. We plan to visit Jungfraujoch and other attractions we may discover in that area. We ask advice on best pass to obtain at the airport train station for use to reduce the high normal cost of travel. Are there train or other means of travel on the pass to allow to visit surrounding villages etc? The amount of information on the web is difficult for making such decisions!!! We have also allowed 2 full days to explore Zurich before flying out of Switzerland. Any great ideas for Zurich would be appreciated!

Hello timplu! May I ask when you'll be visiting Switzerland? That will influence my rail pass advice because of the 2 for 1 offer on the Swiss Saver (Flexi) Pass (available for traveling in April, May, and September-November).

Hello Annika. Thank you for a quick reply. We will be in Switzerland 8 to 14 May 2012. As our main train travel will be Zurich/Lauterbrunnen/Zurich, I guess the pass decision may be about savings for the Jungfraujoch trip, and any other Lauterbrunnen trips to adjoining areas, given we only have three and half days in Lauterbrunnen. I have just come across the Half Fare Card that may be worth considering: I do not know costs of trips out of Lauterbrunnen to surrounding areas including Jungfraujoch at this stage to work it all out!

Hi timplu,

I think your best options are the Swiss Card and the 2-for-1 4-day Swiss Saver Flexi Pass. The Swiss Card is a bit more expensive (per person) than the 2-for-1 Swiss Saver Flexi Pass, but it offers a 50% discount on the Jungfrau rather than 25% with the Swiss Saver Flexi Pass. The Swiss Card includes the transfers from Zurich airport to Lauterbrunnen and return for free. The Swiss Saver Flexi Pass includes 4 days of free traveling (mountain transportation excluded). So that's 2 days to use local trains, buses and boats for free, on top of the 2 days you would use to get to and from Lauterbrunnen. All in all, the Swiss Saver Flexi Pass is a bit cheaper, and it includes the two extra days of free traveling which makes it even more economical. Please check the Swiss Flexi Pass page and the associated forum topic for all details about the 2-for-1 pass and to find the best reseller. The pass is not for sale on Swiss rail stations.