[Removed user]

11 September 2019 at 15:09:53 #823825

Hi,

I’m in the beginning stages of planning my first trip to Switzerland and Germany in September 2020. I am planning to flying into Zurich and out of Munich. I need assistance try to figure out which train passes I might need to compare for my trip. From the day of arrival to the day of departure, I will be in Switzerland 11 days. See my tentative Switzerland itinerary below.

3-Sep-20 – Depart Los Angeles for Zurich.

Day 1 (4-Sep-20) Arrive in Zurich, then transfer to Lucerne, by train, for the night.

Day 2 (5-Sep-20) Take the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne to Lugano (Boat/Train combo – Lucerne–Lake of Lucerne–Flüelen–Gotthard–Bellinzona–Lugano). Spend the night on Lugano.

Day 3 (6-Sep-20) Take the Bernina Express from Lugano to St. Moritz(Bus/Train combo – Lugano – Tirano – St. Moritz). Spend the night in St. Moritz.

Day 4 (7-Sep-20) Take the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt. Spend three nights in Zermatt.

Day 5 & 6 (8-Sept-20 & 9-Sept-20) Explore Zermatt: Take the Gornegratbahn, visit Gornergrat, take the Kleine Matterhorn Cablecar, visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, do the 5 Lakes hike, walk around the town, etc.

Day 7 (10-Sep-20) Take the train from Zermatt to Wengen. Spend four nights in Wengen.

Day 8, 9 & 10 (11-Sept-20, 12-Sept-20 & 13-Sept-20) Explore the Bernese Oberland region. Take the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, explore Wengen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Interlaken. Visit to Schnyige Platte, Grindelwald First, do the First Cliff Walk, First Flyer, First Glider, First Mountain Cart, First Trottibikes, do the luge (toboggan) track at Pfingstegg, paragliding, view the waterfalls, etc.

Day 11 (14-Sep-20) Take the train from Wengen to Interlaken to Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany). From Freiburg im Breisgau, rent a carand drive to Schwangau, to continue my trip in Germany.

Since I will be in Switzerland 11 days, will I be able to make an 8-day Swiss pass, flex or continuous, work with use of the Bernese Oberland pass in the middle or by using Supersaver fares and/or buying a German Railways advance-purchase sparpreis ticket to Freiburg in Breisgau on the end days? It seems there might be a way to do it but I’m not sure how so I can start to compare pass prices. If not, I can compare the half-fare card with a 15-day continuous.

Any advice on the itinerary or on train passes would be appreciated.

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[rockoyster]

11 September 2019 at 21:11:21 #922084

Hello Leslie .and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

Based on your personal itinerary you should read “How to choose the best travel pass” (http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass), download the handy spreadsheet calculator and do the math. The spreadsheet also includes links to the “Where it’s valid” page for all available passes. Be sure to check those pages for each pass you are considering. Study the map AND read all the text on those pages to fully understand what is covered by the respective pass.

I think you have already identified all the main options. A DB ticket to Freiburg makes sense. A 15 day pass is not a lot more expensive than the 8-day flex.

[Removed user]

12 September 2019 at 11:17:41 #922085

Hi Leslie,

it is great that you are coming to visit Switzerland. I like your itinerary with the panoramic trains you are planning to ride on; you will have a lovely holiday.

Please use the guide and spreadshee t mentioned by Rockoyster. If you need help, let me know. Are you planning to travel by train more in Germany? If yes, Eurail Global Pass might be a good solution too: http://www.myswissalps.com/eu railglobalpass. (Make sure to check the validity map of it, as it gives different discounte than the Swiss Travel Pass (for example no free museum entrance, neither free urban transportation).

Usually travelers choose the Swiss Travel Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass) as this is the best and most convenient solution for trains in Switzerland. Probably the 15 days Swiss Travel Pass would be the best option for your 11 days, but do the math with the spreadsheet to make sure.

As you are planning to go to Germany after Switzerland, check this to get more information about how to travel by train between the two countries: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/germany/.

To get to know the regions you are traveling around see:

• http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion/activitie s
• http://www.myswissalps.com/la kelucerne/activities
• http://www.myswissalps.com/ma ttervalley/activities
• http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich

You will find good route description about the panoramic trains you’ve mentioned (make sure to check all the tabs):

• http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress
• http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress
• http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress

[Removed user]

13 September 2019 at 14:23:08 #922086

Thank you for the information. I have downloaded the spreadsheet.

[Removed user]

13 September 2019 at 14:29:44 #922087

Thank you for the information. I have downloaded the spreadsheet. I am planning to rent a car in Germany to continue my vacation. It appears that the 15 day continuous Swiss pass may be easiest. I will continue comparing prices to make sure. Initially, all the train pass information is overwhelming.