Understanding the Half Fare Pass

by Kristin
(Asheville, NC, USA)

Traveling with two daughters (11 and 13). We will travel from Basel to Wengen for four days, returning to Basel where we will be for a week. Plan is to travel one day to Luzern and do "Golden Tour" of Pilatus.

In my plan I have us going up to the Jungfrau as well as another day trip to Kleine Scheidegg to then hike back to Wengen. It appears the best deal will be the Half Fare pass (120 CH) if my children ride free with me with the free family pass. This would include riding free up to the Jungfrau as well as the Alpnachstad railroad. It appears this is true, but wanted to make sure.

Thank you so much for all your helpful advice.

Kristin

Hello Kristin,

The Half Fare Card is not a pass (you don't get to travel for free with it): you are correct, this Card costs CHF 120. You will receive 50% discount on all your train/bus/boat tickets.

Do you plan to visit Lucerne and do the "Golden Round Trip" to Mount Pilatus from Wengen or Basel?

To save a bit on time, you always could do this trip on your way from Wengen back to Basel. Keep in mind that if you board the "Golden Pass" to Lucerne in Interlaken you would have to make seat reservations - even for your kids (fee applies). But you could travel by regular coach on the same route without a reservation.

And yes, your children travel for free with the Family Card, even up to the Jungfraujoch, as long as you travel with them.

Not exactly sure what you mean with "Alpnachstad railroad". Do you mean the Mount Pilatus roundtrip? If so, yes - your children travel for free.

As for the hike from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen: Do check out the aerial cableway trip from Wengen to Männlichen and the hike from there (Panorama Trail) to Kleine Scheidegg (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes - easy and very scenic walk). And if you have time, hike up from the Männlichen cableway station to the summit (about 30 minutes) for a fabulous panorama view.

I am sure your children would love a visit in the Ballenberg Museum. You can combine it with a return trip on Lake Brienz.

Safe journey,
Fida