Originally Posted by
Andre
Hi
Gotta Requalify, it seems your questions got lost in this thread - I'll answer, in the hope you haven't already booked.
Please read my response all the way through, because I have some savings and additional flexibility in store 
Thanks very much for the detailed reply. I have relooked into it and I agree with you about the pass cost being iffy, we are likely to still go ahead with it anyway as listed below.
Originally Posted by
Andre
However, I see no point in buying the passes ahead of time in the first place, since they can just be purchased at Basel station, where you need to change trains anyway.
The main reasons why we want to purchase ASAP,
1) The A$ vs CHF is going up and down all the time (mainly down). So I lock in an exchange rate now rather than in 3 months later
2) Spread the cost. We are away for a month. The more costs we can spread throughout the year rather than when we come back from holiday the better.
3) Ease. We have two teenagers and our suitcases going through the train station, the less lining up, dragging bags through lines etc, the better.
Originally Posted by
Andre
That's a very good question; I assume that a Family Card, which is issued on a per child basis, is not linked to a specific pass number, but simply specifies that the child must be travelling with at least 1 passholder who is a parent.
I did a dummy booking for the travel pass with family card, and it asks for the start date (so I assume it would be validated). When listing the children's names it also has a space for a second adult and states that it would send the family pass as a PDF file to you, so I could then print off a second copy for my wife to carry.
Originally Posted by
Andre
You can buy these tickets directly from the SBB site. You just need to select the following passenger types:
- For each adult: "26-59 years", and "GA 2.cl." in the "Reduction for Switzerland" dropdown list (this is the equivalent of a Swiss Travel Pass, but targeted at Swiss residents and valid for a full year - choose "GA 1.cl." if you are travelling 1st class instead)
- For each child: [The correct age bracket] and "Junior Card" (the equivalent of the STS Family Card but as a standalone product) in the "Reduction for Switzerland" dropdown list
Thank you sooo much for this information. By putting in "GA 1.cl" as the price reduction, I got all the information I needed about being able to book the trains.
Originally Posted by
Andre
This will price the tickets correctly for all passengers. If you decide to take the direct train leaving at 08:46 (EuroCity express with compulsory seat reservation), you should get a fare of CHF 40 total for all 4 passengers.
Is it only the International Trains that go over a border that require a seat reservation? If I get an EC train from Basel to Lucerne, or Lucerne to Arth-Goldau do I need to get a reservation, or only when it crosses the border?
I asked my chief client (wife) about if she wants to book the 08:46 direct train and she is interested, but after a couple of weeks on the road, that may be a bit too early. So I assume if I download the SBB app, I could book the train the day before or morning of departure if I know I am going to make it. Otherwise go to the ticket office and say get me on the next train to Como. Which come back to your question - do I want to commit a month out to an 08:46 train!
Originally Posted by
Andre
Now for the good news:
If you are willing to commit to taking the 08:46 direct train from Luzern to Como and book ahead of time, you are eligible for a heavily discounted fare.
I came up with the following costings, based on booking 1 to 2 months ahead to maximise the discounts. All costs are for 1st class.
Swiss Travel Pass - 3 days - CHF336 each - 672CHF
International add-on. CHF44 total.
Gives a total for using the passes of CHF716
If I buy individual tickets.
Junior Card - 30 each 60
Basel to Lucerne - 58 each adult 116
Lucerne to Como - Super Saver 164
Lucerne to Arth-Goldau 44.80
Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm 84
Rigi-Kulm to Lucerne via Vitnau 83
Rigi-Kulm to Lucerne via Weggis 71
Total 622.80
So a saving of CHF93.20 in total for 4 people if I book the tickets direct rather than use the travel pass. But if I don't book the super saver but book full fare on the Lucerne to Como leg, the price goes up from CHF164 to CHF268 leading to a total price of CHF726.80, which is more than the travel pass.
I understand your comment about if the weather is bad then we might not want to go, unless it is less than 10 degrees, or the rain is coming sideways, we are still going to want to look at the lake and have a look around the mountains - who knows, maybe make it a spa day on Mt Rigi.
To allow flexibility we are willing to forgo the CHF93 in saving and buy the pass. But I really appreciate the effort in the options you gave us.
Originally Posted by
Andre
Have a great time on your very short trip through Switzerland, hope you come back for a longer stay at some point
I have been to Switzerland for work and very much enjoyed it, so am grateful that I can take my family this time to show it off. When the family discussed the itinerary, we gave the kids the option of going straight from France to Italy, but they insisted that we go through Switzerland. Personally I think it is just the chocolate they are after, but will give them the benefit of the doubt.
So while a short trip, it won't be our last.