Trying to navigate Swiss railways and determine which tickets to purchase

Ghawauzimb97

Four adults + 4 kids traveling to Switzerland this summer. Starting in Lucerne for 2 days, then Wengen for 4 days, and one night in Zurich. Can/should we just purchase the Berner Oberland Pass (which should get us from Lucerne to Wengen), and then separate tickets to Zurich? I don’t think a flex pass is necessary or makes financial sense, correct? Thank you!

RolandP

Hello Ghawauzimb97

Good day.

I second my friend’s @Tafunge25 ’s advice.

However, for a better advice, it would be good to know the traveller’s age.

In my opinion, one of the most cost saving ticket combination would be the Berner Oberland Pass plus the Swiss Half Fare Card. The latter offers free travel to children up to 15,99 years of age thanks to the complimentary Swiss Family Card. And, if you stay in a hotel or a legal AirBnB in Lucerne, the city transportation is covered by their Tourist Card.

Kind regards,
Roland

Tafunge25

That depends a bit if you intend to also travel around Lucerne and Wengen. In the Berner Oberland Pass, the local busses in lucerne are not included (But maybe they are in your hotel stay?).
If you don’t plan to travel around Wengen a lot, single tickets might be cheaper, or, if bought far ahead, Saver’s daypasses . Supersaver’s tickets (Non-refundable and flexible pricing) Luzern - Wengen might also be an option, but only if you already now know which train you are going to take.
A Flex Pass in most cases is not a sensible option if you plan to stay multiple days in one place (as you do).

Ghawauzimb97

RolandP

Thank you very much for your replies. The children are all below age 15. So your recommendation would be to purchase:

4 adult Swiss Half Fare Cards (children will be included/free)
4 adult Berner Oberland Pass tix (with half fare discount)
4 children Berner Oberland Pass tix (with discount)
Individual tix (4 adult, 4 children) to Zurich from Wengen

We do plan to travel around the Wengen/Interlaken area quite a bit, so I believe the Oberland pass makes sense.

Thank you again.

Ghawauzimb97

Also, if we plan to do a day excursion outside of Luzern (Mt. Pilatus, Kriens), would you recommend purchasing the Luzern Day Pass for that?

RolandP

Hello Ghawauzimb97

My recommendation would be to purchase:

4 adult Swiss Half Fare Cards (children will be included/free)
4 adult Berner Oberland Pass tix (with half fare discount); the Swiss Family card is valid with the Berner Oberland Pass, provided the 4 adults are their parents.
Individual tix (4 adult) to Zurich from Wengen
Individual tix (4 adult) to Lucerne to Zurich
Individual tix (4 adult) for excursions around Lucerne (e.g. Mt Rigi, steam paddle boats on Lake Lucerne, Mt. Stanserhorn; children are free, except for Mt. Pilatus).

You see, how much you can save thanks to the Swiss Family Card.

Don’t forget to plan some fun activities for the kids, Switzerland offers a lot. Toboggan ride at Fräkmüntegg (Mt. Pilatus), cabrio cable car at Mt. Stanserhorn, or anything similar. Museum of Transport in Lucerne, in case the weather is bad.

Kind regards,
Roland

Ghawauzimb97

RolandP This is super helpful. Thank you so much!

RolandP

Ghawauzimb97

With pleasure.

Keep in mind, the travel from Lucerne to Wengen or v.v. is covered by the BO travel pass provided you travel with the Lucerne Interlaken Express via Meiringen (which you should, from a scenery view point, as it is one of the most beautiful Swiss train lines!)

Here some ideas:

https://pilatus.ch/en/activities/toboggan
https://www.stanserhorn.ch/en/
https://www.rigi.ch/en
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/steamship-adventure-for-the-whole-family/
https://www.brienzersee.ch/en/experiences/poi/giessbach-falls
https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/grindelwaldfirst/trottibike-scooter/

Another travel forum with lots of locals who assist you with excursion planning is the TripAdvisor Switzerland travel forum. I do not know of another Switzerland travel forum that offers better advice from locals then the TA forum.

Here in the SBB Community, we can certainly help with further ticket queries, it they arise.

Wishing you a great time in our country.
Roland