Dolomites vs Swiss Alps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:slight detour on the OP, but I have many questions on the different fare passes in Switzerland and there aren't that many Switzerland threads here. We are staying 6 nights in Murren/Wengen, by way of Zurich/Lucerne--I THINK we are best served by the BOP and the Swiss Half Fare passes combined. Any thoughts?

You have to do the math for all of this. It's incredibly complex and I don't know why no one has made a calculator yet. Even though we will only be using Swiss trains for two days, we got the half price card because it gives you free fare for kids.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed skiing in the Dolomites (Corvara). German/Austrian efficiency with Italian hospitality/food is a very lovely combination. The towns are charming and the value was quite good.

[Anonymous]

You can drive yourself crazy with all the fare passes. I think it's fair to just buy the half-fare pass and be done with it but it depends a little on whether you are going up to some of the expensive destinations like jungfraujoch.

We did the half board (2 meals) in Switzerland at several hotels and it worked out well. Have very fond memories of a stay and dinner at Hotel Schonegg in Wengen.

[Anonymous]

Do the Swiss Travel Pass and be done with it. It was so easy and convenient. Probably paid more than I had to but we also didn't have to fuss around buying tickets every time we wanted to use a bus or train or boat, for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:slight detour on the OP, but I have many questions on the different fare passes in Switzerland and there aren't that many Switzerland threads here. We are staying 6 nights in Murren/Wengen, by way of Zurich/Lucerne--I THINK we are best served by the BOP and the Swiss Half Fare passes combined. Any thoughts?

You have to do the math for all of this. It's incredibly complex and I don't know why no one has made a calculator yet. Even though we will only be using Swiss trains for two days, we got the half price card because it gives you free fare for kids.

we live in switzerland and have the half farecard and local train pass but the easiest thing to do is go to the train station and tell them what you will be doing. Swiss germans are very frugal and will figure out the most convenient, cost effective option and they dont identify with the company so arent out to make money off of you. Second the coop prepared meals- some of them are super good and very fresh. Honestly the bread and floralp butter is a meal on its own.

[Anonymous]

Switzerland, hands down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, budget is a big factor.

A gin & tonic in the swiss alps might be $35. A sausage might be $50. One sausage plate.

Wow! I didn’t realize that. I have friends that travel frequently and never mention it. We loved Cortina and they had all these amazing spa hotels with various hot tubs and soaking pools and the food was incredibly and not particularly expensive. Same or less than here. Amazing pastries and coffee too.

[Anonymous]

One good option if you do the dolomites is a few days in venice if you haven’t. Best option to fly into

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the Swiss Travel Pass and be done with it. It was so easy and convenient. Probably paid more than I had to but we also didn't have to fuss around buying tickets every time we wanted to use a bus or train or boat, for that matter.

That doesn't cover the funiculars and cable cars though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the Swiss Travel Pass and be done with it. It was so easy and convenient. Probably paid more than I had to but we also didn't have to fuss around buying tickets every time we wanted to use a bus or train or boat, for that matter.

That doesn't cover the funiculars and cable cars though.

Most of the passes don't. The Berner Oberland one does but it depends on your itinerary whether it's worth it or not. Swiss Travel Pass does cover a few funiculars and cable cars. It covered Rigi and Stoos when we were there last summer. If they're not covered, which is most, you usually get a 25-50% discount on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the Swiss Travel Pass and be done with it. It was so easy and convenient. Probably paid more than I had to but we also didn't have to fuss around buying tickets every time we wanted to use a bus or train or boat, for that matter.

That doesn't cover the funiculars and cable cars though.

Most of the passes don't. The Berner Oberland one does but it depends on your itinerary whether it's worth it or not. Swiss Travel Pass does cover a few funiculars and cable cars. It covered Rigi and Stoos when we were there last summer. If they're not covered, which is most, you usually get a 25-50% discount on them.

The half fare pass covered all the cable cars at half price. Which is why it's called half fare. If you are planning on doing a lot of walking and only using the cable cars a few times, the half fare is the most sensible pass to get. I'm doing the pricing on a hiking trip in the BO this summer and because I intend to walk most days and so far only see maybe 5/6 cable car trips and the trains only for the day of arrival and day of departure, the half fare is better than the BOP for me. But if you want to rely on trains and cable cars every day, it's worth it getting the BOP plus the half fare to cover the travel from Zurich to the BO. The BOP kicks in at Bern and Lucerne.