When it comes to city passes and travel cards, it’s usually fairly easy to figure out whether they would be worth it for you or not. For things like the Paris Pass or London Pass, they have a list of the most popular attractions and how much they cost, right there for you to see. The Swiss Travel Pass, however, is shrouded in mystery, or at least it was until I spent several days tracking down all of the prices and benefits.
A great many of the visitors and commenters on my popular page about where to go in Switzerland on a short visit are wondering whether the Swiss Travel Pass is a good deal. Embarrassingly, I’ve always had to answer that I found the pass too confusing to confidently advise people on. Now that has all changed, after literally days of research.
Note: This article was last updated in February, 2024.
Disclosure: This is a reader-supported website and some of the links are affiliate links where a small commission is paid to help keep this site going, but the cost to visitors is the same. The Swiss Travel Pass seems quite expensive at first, so it felt like it might be hard to get your money’s worth out of it. As it turns out, it’s pretty easy to get good value, and it’ll be a good deal for many visitors.
New in 2024
Prices increased an average of 5.9% from 2023 on the Swiss Travel Passes, but the Half Fare Card remains at CHF120, which is where it’s been for many years. Train fares in the country increased by similar percentages so the value is basically unchanged. There were no other notable changes to service or the included attractions and train routes.
>>>Buy the Swiss Travel Pass online
Where to stay in Interlaken and the Lauterbrunnen Valley
Since most people reading this will be visiting the Interlaken area and I get so many questions about it, I decided to write a detailed guide on which area to stay in while visiting this area.
>>>Where to stay in Interlaken or the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland
I included many huge photos in that post so readers will be able to get a better idea of what each place looks like and they are worth a look by itself.
>>>Lucerne or Interlaken: Which to visit and how long to stay?
The article just above will help you decide on how long to spend in each of Switzerland’s two best tourist areas.
Are you 100% sure where you want to go in Switzerland? This should help
I’ve been to almost every corner of Europe and have spent a lot of time in Switzerland, so I can reveal that Switzerland is very unlike visiting almost any other country in the region. In any other country you will want to start out in the capital or largest city and then add in another place or two if you have time. But in Switzerland the big cities are strangely boring and the scenery everywhere else is magical.
Zurich and Geneva are pleasant but dull. The good news is that Switzerland is packed with amazing sights and none of them are the big cities. If you aren’t 100% locked in yet, please read the article below and I think you’ll enjoy it.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass a good deal? Here's the short version
If you plan on taking at least 2 of Switzerland’s famous scenic train rides within a 3 or 4-day period, a Swiss Travel Pass can easily pay for itself. If you take 3 or 4 scenic train rides, as well as use the pass on one or more of the famous cable cars such as Schilthorn (50% covered by the pass) or 25% off the mountain train up to Jungfraujoch, the pass is definitely worth it.
The bottom line is that the scenery, train journeys, and cable car rides in Switzerland are stunning and not found anywhere else in the world. They are also quite expensive if you pay for them one at a time. So no matter how you visit Switzerland, you are going to be paying quite a bit, or skipping the absolute best things that you’ve come there to see.
With good planning it’s quite easy to get great value out of a Swiss Travel Pass, but it might be a poor choice for those who don’t like to plan ahead. You can easily do a scenic train ride and a cable car in the same day, and still have time to do a scenic hike in the process.
First class or second class? Good news for most people
In most of Europe the Second Class trains are reasonably comfortable but they can get crowded, especially if you travel during the morning or evening commute time between large cities such as Munich and Berlin. Second Class always has plenty of legroom and reasonably wide seats, so it’s mainly just the experience of guaranteeing that you’ll NOT be sat next to a full carriage of partying backpackers or screaming kids that makes First Class potentially worthwhile.
That said, Swiss Trains are literally the nicest in Europe and even the Second Class seats and carriages are nicer and roomier than trains in neighboring countries. The First Class seats are larger and nicer with only 3 across the cabin instead of 4, but honestly Second Class is perfectly comfortable for almost everyone.
Again, First Class on European trains like this is generally popular with business travelers where the company is paying and they need to get work done during the ride, and also senior citizens who don’t want to worry about a carriage full of backpackers. For most of the rest of us, Second Class is more than comfortable enough and the seat width and legroom compare to business-class airline seats. I’m a big and tall guy and I almost always travel in Second because it’s plenty comfortable enough and all the seats arrive at the same time anyway.
The longer you'll be in Switzerland, the better deal a Swiss Travel Pass will be
Most people visiting Switzerland only stay for 3 or 4 days and in visits of that length you really have to compare the costs of the Pass to the costs of the things you’ll do. And for many of those people who aren’t doing longer train rides, the Half Fare Card (discussed below) is the best choice. It’s easy to see that the per-day cost of the Swiss Travel Pass is pretty high until you get to the 6-day, 8-day, and 15-day versions. However, the per-day prices on those longer passes are actually very low considering the price of typical train rides and mountain attractions.
In other words, if you are staying 5 days or fewer, you have to do the math to determine your best option. But if you are spending even 6 or 7 days in Switzerland then the 6-day or 8-day Pass is almost guaranteed to be a great deal and your best choice. Once you have a Swiss Travel Pass you’ll absolutely love the ability to just hop on any train (excellent trains, always on time) and most boats and cable cars without having to worry about the cost. The per-day cost of an 8-day Pass even if you only use 6 of those days is about CHF65, and Switzerland is filled with amazing train rides and boats and cable cars that can get you that much value before noon each day.
Schilthorn (50% discount) and Jungfraujoch (25% discount) are cheaper with a Swiss Travel Pass
The two most dramatic viewpoints and most beloved activities in Switzerland are Schilthorn and the Jungfraujoch tourist train that goes up the mountain across the valley from Schilthorn. Jungfraujoch is a 25% discount off the CHF224 price for Swiss Travel Pass holders. If it’s not confusing enough, the entire rail journey to the start of the Jungfrau train is covered by the pass, so prices appear to be a bit more than 25% cheaper.
Both of those peak experiences are extraordinary and different from each other. Even so, compared to Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn is also faster and more comfortable on the way up and down. You can enjoy an excellent visit to Schilthorn in 4 hours or so (or a bit longer if you eat at the spinning Piz Gloria restaurant at the top), while a visit to Jungfraujoch requires closer to 6 hours.
NOTE: Schilthorn closes for maintenance for a week or two in late November most years.
Consider the Swiss Half-Fare Card instead
If you AREN’T going to be doing two or more of the long (and expensive) scenic train trips, you will get much better value out of the Swiss Half-Fare Card, which is explained a bit below.
Mt Rigi, near Lucerne, is 100% covered by the Swiss Travel Pass
While most of the famous mountain excursions are only discounted 50% by the Swiss Travel Pass, the famous excursions to Mt Rigi, near Lucerne, are still 100% covered by the pass. This is one of the best mountaintop experiences in Switzerland and reaching the top involves a combination of cog railways and cable cars. There are multiple ways of reaching the mountain and all of them are fairly close to Lucerne. Most people prefer getting there by taking one of the frequent boats leaving from across from the railway station in Lucerne and then jumping off at one of the cog rail departure points. Needless to say, if you buy a Swiss Travel Pass, the Mt Rigi excursion should be a priority when you visit Lucerne.
Is a Swiss Travel Pass right for you?
Determining whether a Swiss Travel Pass is a good deal for you is simply a matter of figuring out which of the scenic rail and cable car journeys you plan on doing while in Switzerland, and seeing whether the price of the pass will cover the benefits. Below in this article you’ll see a long list of every one of the most expensive and most popular scenic journeys and cable cars, along with how much they cost without the pass, and how much you can save.
Most people only visit Switzerland for 5 or 6 days at most, so the 3-day and 4-day passes are the ones to focus on. But if you are staying for 8 days or more, those longer passes are almost certainly a great deal for you.
Long story short, if you plan on doing 2 of the more expensive scenic trains and the Jungfraujoch railway or the Schilthorn cable car, then the pass will save you money. Switzerland is expensive, but it’s worth it, and the travel pass can help make it a bit more affordable.
What the Swiss Travel Pass includes
- Free rail travel on normal trains and most scenic trains
- Discounted travel (about 50%) on popular tourist mountain trains
- Discounted travel (about 50%) on popular tourist cable cars
- Free travel on public transport in 75 towns and cities
- Free entry to around 500 museums in Switzerland
The Swiss Travel Pass covers the fare on the most popular scenic and panoramic trains. You can choose a normal seat in a regular carriage for no additional cost, but there is a supplement of CHF8 to CHF49 for a reserved seat in one of the special panorama carriages on these routes.
Prices of the 2024 Swiss Travel Pass
1st Class
- Adult 3-day Pass: CHF389
- Youth (4 to 25) 3-day Pass: 274
- Adult 4-day Pass: 469
- Youth (4 to 25) 4-day Pass: 330
- Adult 6-day Pass: 602
- Youth (4 to 25) 6-day Pass: 424
- Adult 8-day Pass: 655
- Youth (4 to 25) 8-day Pass: 469
- Adult 15-day Pass: 723
- Youth (4 to 25) 15-day Pass: 512
2nd Class
- Adult 3-day Pass: CHF244
- Youth (4 to 25) 3-day Pass: 172
- Adult 4-day Pass: 295
- Youth (16 to 25) 4-day Pass: 209
- Adult 6-day Pass: 379
- Youth (16 to 25) 6-day Pass: 268
- Adult 8-day Pass: 419
- Youth (16 to 25) 8-day Pass: 297
- Adult 15-day Pass: 459
- Youth (16 to 25) 15-day Pass: 328
Swiss Travel Pass Flex
This version costs a bit more, but you don’t have to use the travel days consecutively. It’s a great option for anyone who won’t be taking longer train rides each day.
- Adult 3 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): CHF445
- Adult 3 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 279
- Adult 4 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 539
- Adult 4 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 339
- Adult 6 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 644
- Adult 6 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 405
- Adult 8 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 697
- Adult 8 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 439
- Adult 15 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 755
- Adult 15 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 472
Where to buy the Swiss Travel Pass
The Swiss Half-Fare Card – A better option for many visitors
Far less confusing than the Swiss Travel Pass, you can instead get a Swiss Half-Fare Card, and it will be a better deal for many travelers. The price is lower and it’s much easier to do the math, and the discounts are greater on some things as well.
- Swiss Half-Fare Card for 30 days: Adults – CHF120 or US$129
What you get:
Those who buy the Swiss Half-Fare Card will get 50% discount on all trains, buses, and boats in Switzerland for up to 30 days, as well as 50% off all public transportation in 75 cities and towns.
>>>Buy the Swiss Half-Fare Card
Why the Half-Fare Card is a better deal for many
While the Swiss Travel Pass is a great deal for those doing many of the expensive scenic journeys and mountain sights within a few days, it’s not good value for those who are doing fewer of the expensive trips and/or those who are staying longer. Also, the Swiss Travel Pass only provides a 25% discount on the amazing Jungfraujoch Railway, which costs between CHF120 and CHF224 return depending on your starting point, while the Half-Fare Card provides a 50% discount.
The math is simple as well. You can just add up the cost of the trains, boats, and buses you’ll be taking while in Switzerland, and if the total is more than CHF240 or so, the Half-Fare Card will save you money.
Example itinerary:
- Zurich to Interlaken train (2nd Class): CHF50
- Schilthorn Cable Car: CHF112
- Jungfraujoch railway from Interlaken: CHF205
- Interlaken to Lucerne train (2nd Class): CHF33
- Mt Rigi roundtrip from Lucerne: CHF84
- Engelberg (near Lucerne) to Mt. Titlis Cable Car: CHF92
- Lucerne to Zurich train (2nd Class): CHF25
Total per person: CHF601
Total with Half-Fare Card (including price of card): CHF420.50
It would be tough to do all of those things in 4 days, although it is possible. If you bought a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass here is how it adds up:
4-Day Swiss Travel Pass: CHF259
Supplements for Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, and Mt. Titlis: CHF203.25
Total cost: CHF462.25
Bottom line on the Swiss Half-Fare Card
Since the Half-Fare Card lasts 30 days and provides a larger discount on Jungfraujoch, it is better value for visitors who want to include that scenic top-of-Europe rail journey on their trip. The discounts also add up more quickly on Schilthorn and Mt. Titlis trips, just to name two examples, and you don’t have to take many longer rail journeys to get value out of the Half-Fare Card.
Swiss Saver Day Pass (A one-day unlimited travel pass)
As if the Swiss travel situation wasn’t already complicated enough, they also offer a 1-day version of a Swiss Travel Pass and it can be very cheap, but it’s also a bit complicated. They only sell these Saver Day Passes starting 60 days out (so you can buy a pass for May 1 starting on March 2 etc), and the prices goes up quickly the more of them they sell. If you buy them right away you can get them as cheaply as CHF29 (in 2nd Class) if you have a Half Fare Card, which is an amazing deal. But after they sell the first batch the price jumps up to CHF39 and then CHF49. In other words, if you want the cheapest price you should book exactly 60 days in advance, or generally as soon as possible.
If you buy the Saver Day Pass at least 21 days in advance (and up to 60 days in advance) the 2023 cost is:
- 2nd Class (with Half Fare Card): CHF29
- 1st Class (with Half Fare Card): CHF82
- 2nd Class (with no Half Fare Card): CHF52
- 1st Class (with no Half Fare Card): CHF97
Once you research the normal cost of Swiss train fares you’ll see that the above prices are a very good deal for anyone riding more than 150 kilometers or so in a day. If you are just going, for example, from Zurich to Lucerne or Interlaken on a day, it’ll be cheaper to just buy that ticket individually. But if you are going from Geneva or Montreux to Interlaken or Lucerne then the Saver Day Pass will be much cheaper. Better still, you can use a Saver Day Pass to go from Interlaken to Geneva and back on the same day on the Goldenpass line and returning on the faster train through Bern, and it will still all be included for free.
If you don’t buy a Saver Day Pass at least 14 days in advance it’s more expensive, and if you only buy 1 to 3 days in advance it’s VERY expensive, so the key is to buy early. This is all confusing, but the Saver Day Pass should be a great option for many people only in Switzerland for one to three days.
Popular Swiss panorama scenic trains
The 5 train routes listed below are the best and most popular of Switzerland’s scenic train routes. With a Swiss Travel Pass, you can ride for free in normal carriages or pay a small supplement for a reserved seat in one of the special Panorama carriages. If you are going to do one of these as a journey unto itself, the Panorama carriages are highly recommended, and worth the supplement.
- Glacier Express
- Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz
- Train type: Panorama
- Journey time: 8 hours 3 minutes
- Distance: 291km
- 1st Class fare: CHF272
- 2nd Class fare: CHF159
- Compulsory seat reservation fee: CHF44 or 49
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 13 to 33 for panorama carriage
- Bernina Express
- Route: Chur to Tirano and Lugano
- Train type: Panorama and bus
- Journey time: 4 hours 13 minutes and 3 hours 10 minutes
- Distance: 148km and 90km
- 1st Class fare: CHF113
- 2nd Class fare: CHF66
- Compulsory seat reservation fee: CHF32
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 10 to 14 for panorama carriage
- GoldenPass Line
- Route: Lucerne to Montreaux
- Train type: Panorama
- Journey time: 5 hours 8 minutes
- Distance: 191 km
- Prestige Class fare: CHF131
- 1st Class fare: CHF96
- 2nd Class fare: CHF56
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 8 to 15 for panorama carriage
- Gotthard Panorama Express (formerly Wilhelm Tell Express)
- Route: Lugano or Locarno to Lucerne
- Train type: Panorama and boat
- Journey time: 5 hours 21 minutes
- Distance: 182 km
- 1st Class fare: CHF164
- 2nd Class fare: CHF135
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 39 to 49 for panorama carriage
- Swiss Chocolate Train
- Route: Montreux to Broc round trip
- Train type: Panorama or First Class
- Journey time: X hours X minutes
- Distance: 82 km
- 1st Class fare: CHF99
- 2nd Class fare: 89
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 39
Popular Swiss scenic and theme trains
The scenic trains below are also extremely popular as sightseeing journeys rather than just as transportation, but can be used as both.
- Jungfraujoch round trip
- Route: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch
- Train type: special mountain train
- Journey time: 4 hours 41 minutes, round trip, plus time on top
- Distance: 73 km
- 1st Class fare: N/A
- 2nd Class fare: CHF224
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 147 (so, a saving of CHF77)
- Gornergrat Railway
- Route: Gornergrat Railway
- Train type: Cog railway
- Journey time: 44 minutes return
- Distance: 10 km
- 1st Class fare: N/A
- 2nd Class fare: CHF90
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 45
- Rigi round trip
- Route: Lucerne to Rigi
- Train type: Cog railway
- Journey time: 3 hours 25 minutes, plus time at the top
- Distance: 58 km
- 2nd Class fare: CHF78
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: None (this one is free with the pass)
- Mt Rigi Excursion (one-way and walk down)
- Route: Lucerne to Mt Rigi
- Train type: cogwheel train and/or cable car
- Journey time: 45 minutes up
- 1st Class fare: N/A
- 2nd Class fare: 49
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 0
- Lotschberg Mountain Route and Centrovalli
- Route: Bern to Locarno
- Train type: Narrow gauge
- Journey time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Distance: 212 km
- 1st Class fare: CHF158
- 2nd Class fare: CHF90
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 5
- Jura round trip (Watchmaking Tour)
- Route: Neuchatel through Jura
- Train type: Regular
- Journey time: 3 hours 0 minutes
- Distance: 143 km
- 1st Class fare: CHF168
- 2nd Class fare: CHF108
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 0
- Pre-Alpine Express
- Route: St. Gallen to Lucerne
- Train type: Regular
- Journey time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Distance: 146 km
- 1st Class fare: CHF83
- 2nd Class fare: CHF47
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 0
- Jura Foot Line
- Route: Basel to Geneva
- Train type: Regular
- Journey time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Distance: 248 km
- 1st Class fare: CHF132
- 2nd Class fare: CHF75
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 0
Popular Switzerland cable car rides
These are the two most popular cable car rides to obvservation peaks in central Switzerland. The Swiss Travel Pass offers a 50% or more discount, but not the whole fare.
- Schilthorn
- Route: Stechelberg (Lauterbrunnen) to Schilthorn
- Train type: cable car
- Journey time: 1 hour
- 2nd Class fare: CHF108
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 54
- Engelberg to Mt. Titlis cable car
- Route: Engelberg to Mt. Titlis
- Train type: cable car
- 2nd Class fare: CHF96
- Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 46
The Swiss Travel Pass also includes free museum admission, but…
While it’s true that the Swiss Travel Pass includes free admission to around 500 museums all over Switzerland, it’s probably best to just ignore that when you are determining whether to buy a pass or not. Most of the included museums cost between CHF5 and CHF10 without the pass, although a few are closer to CHF20.
The problem is that the museums are only free on valid travel days, and almost no one would visit more than one or two museums with a Swiss Travel Pass. The trains and cable cars are so expensive that the pass gives very good value to cover those, so you don’t want to waste precious sightseeing time walking through a museum that only costs CHF10 anyway.
In other words, calculate the value of a Swiss Travel Pass on the travel savings only, and if you visit a museum here or there, then great. Most people are better off trying to squeeze in an additional train ride each day, and ignoring the museums. Switzerland is all about the outdoor scenery. As nice as the museums may be, they are not why you are there.
The pass includes free public transport in most Swiss cities
Similar to the free museum part of the offer, it’s best to ignore or minimize the value of free public transportation. It could be helpful in Zurich, but in most other Swiss tourist towns you won’t need much public transport. In fact, in Interlaken, each hotel or hostel guest automatically gets a card for free public transportation within the town (including between the two train stations).
So you might use a ride or two each day on public transport, but that won’t add up to much in terms of value of your Swiss Travel Pass.
We will be arriving on train Munich to Interlaken west on may 19. We will spend 4 nights in Interlaken and then 2 nights in Lucerne. Then we will leave to the Zurich airport on May 25. Do you suggest we buy the Swiss pass?
Also, my parents will be arriving at Zurich airport on may 21 and spending 2 days in Interlaken and two days in Lucerne then going back to Zurich airport on may 25. Would the Swiss pass be worth it for them?
Does the Swiss travel pass include train from Zurich airport to Interlaken, from Interlaken to Lucerne or from lucerne to Zurich airport? And do you suggest we make these reservations in advance? I used the Trainline EU app to buy our train ticket from Munich to Interlaken west, but some routes such as Interlaken to Lucerne or Lucerne to Zurich were not available on the app.
Hi Roger, thanks for your write up – by far the most comprehensive guide I found on the net. Me and my wife with our 8 months old daughter planning for our first trip Switzerland from April 9th to 12th. Below is our tentative plan. We’ll be taking flight from Istanbul but haven’t decided which airport yet.
9th: Arrive from airport (most likely Zurich), go straight to Rhine Fall before check in to Grindelwald / Murren. Then we plan to do Jungfraujoch before back to hotel.
10th: Trip to Schilthorn before we tour around Interlaken area (Wengen, Grindelwald). Overnight at the same hotel.
11th: Morning trip from Interlaken to Zermatt before we take Glacier Express to St. Moritz. Overnight in Moritz before find our flight out on 12th back to Istanbul. Another option is to travel from Interlaken to Lucern, and take GoldenPass to Montreux. Overnight here before our flight on 12th back to Istanbul.
So my question:
1. Your comment about my plan. Is it too much? Not sure which is better either Glacier Express or GoldenPass.
2. We’re planning to get Swiss Pass. I think it worth the purchase. What about hotel stay? Should we book in advance or just find it overthere.
3. Is our airport arrangement ok? We’re very flexible as long as we have to be back to Istanbul on 12th.
Your advise greatly appreciated.
Cheers!
Sal,
I’m glad you found this useful. It took DAYS to research all of it.
1. I think you might be trying to fit in too much. Zurich Airport to Rheinfall takes an hour by train, and then it’s 3 hours more to Interlaken and another hour up to Murren. Jungfraujoch railway takes at least 4 hours from where you’d stay and to return.
By the way, the wonderful village just below Murren is called “Gimmelwald,” which is easily confused with the larger ski town in the next valley over called “Grindlewald.” Both are lovely and different. Grindlewald is on the way to Jungfrau and Gimmelwald is on the way to Schilthorn. Just be sure you are booking the one you want.
2. If you are doing most of the things on your list then I think a 3-day Swiss Travel Pass will pay off. As mentioned in the article above, they are good value for those doing at least one or two scenic trains and also using the 50% discount on attractions such as Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. Those two things are quite expensive but also quite amazing so they are worthwhile splurges. If you can get the 50% discount that helps a lot.
I’d book your hotel as soon as you are sure of your dates and schedule. Many of the best hotels and guesthouses in these areas are quite small and they book well in advance. If you read my article on where to go in Switzerland you’ll notice that I mention a few specific places such as Esther’s Guesthouse in Gimmelwald. It is always sold out in advance, so booking early is key.
I haven’t taken the Glacier Express but I have taken the GoldenPass. The Glacier Express takes a bit over 7 hours and I’m sure it’s amazing. One nice thing about the Goldenpass is that you can take whatever portion of it that you want. The section between Lucerne and Interlaken is very nice, but the most dramatic views are all in the section from Interlaken to Montreaux. You don’t have to go all the way to Montreaux to see many outstanding views, so it’s easier to fit into a day.
Your airport arrangements look okay. One very nice thing about Switzerland is that both the Zurich Airport and Geneva Airport have stations on the main train lines, so you don’t have to go into the city and change for a special airport train. And the trains run from like 5am until late, so there is always a train running before or after a flight.
If I were you I think I’d save Rheinfall for another trip. Aside from that I think you can fit everything in. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hello Roger,
I and my husband are visiting Switzerland for 4 days during early May with itenary as below:
Day1 – Reaching Lauterbrunnen from Venice(via Spiez,Interlaken)
Day2 – Staying in Lauterbrunnen(covering Jungfrau and other attractions)
Day3 – Going to Lucerne
Day4 – Reaching Zurich and starting for Amsterdam
During these days, we would love to take at least one scenic train ride and cable car rides.
Please advice whether a Swiss travel pass will be value for money for our trip.
Thanks,
Nidhi
Nidhi,
The Swiss Travel Pass starts at 3 full days, and it looks like you’ll only have 2 full days to use it. That ride from Lucerne to Zurich should only cost about US$25, so you won’t get much use out of the third day.
Still, the pass covers train rides, and only covers a 50% discount on Jungfraujoch. It covers all of the cable car or cogwheel train up Mt Rigi, but that only saves about US$50. If on Day 3 you take a large section of the GoldenPass line towards Montreaux and back to Lucerne then the pass WILL save you more money than it costs. It’s a spectacular ride and I’ve done all of it, but it will take most of that day, so you wouldn’t have much time to visit Lucerne itself.
So in other words, if you are more interested in doing a scenic train ride then a 3-day Swiss Travel Pass could be good value. But if you are more interested in spending most of that Day 3 exploring Lucerne, then it probably won’t. Have a great trip and let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger, Thanks a lot for your helpful response. We’ll go ahead with the pass as we intend for those scenic rides. Thanks a lot 🙂
Hi Roger,
Thanks for the excellent information.
Is April a bad time for visiting these places ?
I am planning to do it in mid April.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Ankit
Ankit,
April is a fine time to visit Switzerland. As I mentioned just above, the weather at high altitudes can be unpredictable at any time of the year, and the summer months are some of the wettest. The temperatures in the towns of Interlaken and Lucerne (and all the others) will be warm enough that you won’t need to bundle up during the day.
The other thing to consider is that there can be fog or cloud covers at high altitudes almost any time, even during summer, but it rarely lasts too long. So you might find that Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch are cloudy or foggy in the morning, but clear in the afternoon, or vice-versa. So allowing yourself some flexibility on your exact visiting times is ideal, and hopefully you can stay at least 2 or 3 days so you can do all of the best things in good weather. Have a great trip and let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
DO you have any thoughts regarding the Regional Bernese Oberland Pass? I am planning on a 7 day Switzerland trip: I will be staying in Murren for 6 nights and transporting to Murren and back from Zurich airport at the conclusion of the trip.
David,
I wasn’t aware of the regional pass, but looking at it the thing does look like it could be a good deal for someone like you. It should be pretty simple to add up the normal fares on the trains you plan to take and see if the pass is cheaper than the individual tickets. However, if you are based in Murren you might want to take many shorter rides in the Interlaken area, so it really depends on how much train travel you’ll want to do. Thanks for the info and I hope it works out for you. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Me and my wife are planning to travel from Geneva to Interlaken in mid of April for 3 days and 2 nights also we are planning to visit Jungfraujoch and other surrounding areas of Interlaken.
Will the return journey from Geneva to Interlaken will be free with Swiss travel pass ? And from the above information I got it I will get 50% discount on journey to Jungfraujoch.
Can you please confirm the same.
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Madhur
Madhur,
Yes, you are correct. All travel on normal trains in Switzerland is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass on valid days, and Jungfraujoch tickets are 50% off with the pass. The Jungfraujoch train is one of only a very few special private trains that is offered at a discount rather than being covered completely. Let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
Hi, my husband and I will be staying in lucerne for 5 days. We intend to do the jung fraujock trip also Mt titles,Mt Pilates and Mt rigi ,this will be in august. Would the Swiss travel pass be o k for us, and can you use it on boat trips thank you
Caroline,
It sounds like that would be a close call if those are the only trips you’d do. It would cover Rigi and Pilatus, and save you 50% off Jungfraujoch and Titlis. It also covers the boat trips on Lake Lucerne. I’d say that if you also do at least one scenic rail trip then it would be great value. Or if you can do all of those things for the cost of a 3-day Pass it would be good. For a 5-day pass you might not save enough. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hello,
I’m planning a solo trip to my first visit to Switzerland this summer but I’m undecided on how many nights I should stay in each city.
I’m going to be using Swiss pass of 10 days I think based on my current plan but if I can shorten it I would change it.
Day 1: Arrival at Zurich around noon & go to Lucern.
Stay in Lucern for 2 nights
Day 3: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch –> I need advise here as to whether stay 1 night in Interlaken or make a day trip from Bern
Day 4: Bern – stay 1 night
Day 5: Montraux – 1 night or day trip & transit to Zermatt ?
Day 6: Zermatt – planning to stay 2 nights
Day 7: St Moritz through Glacier express – stay 1 night
Day 8: Appenzell – stay 1 night
Day 9: Zurich to LAX
Also a friend told me that driving is also easier but would you drive or take the train?
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Sarah,
Your itinerary looks really nice. My one main tip would be to spend more time in the Interlaken area and probably less time in Zermatt. Zermatt does have that one excellent view of the Matterhorn, but the Interlaken area has many views and experiences that are at least as good, and it’s easier to reach.
I’ve only passed through Montreaux rather than stayed there so it’s hard for me to say on that. It’s a lovely looking city on a lake, but it’s also much more typical of things you’ll see elsewhere in Europe, while those Alpine experiences are unique. Still, I think you’d enjoy Montreaux for a night if you go there.
Switzerland is actually a fairly auto-friendly country, but I’d absolutely take the train. If you can afford that 10-day Swiss Travel Pass and use it the way you have in mind, you’ll get a LOT out of it and it’ll be amazing. Renting a car and having to focus on the roads instead of the scenery would be stressful at times, and parking in cities is difficult and expensive.
With the travel pass you can even make plans as you go. In some cases it might be a bit tough to find a good hotel at the last minute, but it still might be worth it and I’m sure you’d always find something. It looks wonderful. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello Roger,
We have a plan to visit Switzerland in May 14 to 18. Could you please help us the highlight place that we must visit? We prefer with outdoors scenic. Should we buy swiss travel pass? Which place would be the best as the base? And which hotel or hostel would you recomended due of our low budget?
Rgds
Dora
Dora,
All of your questions are actually answered in this other article here about where to go in Switzerland. The short version is that in 4 days you should spend at least 2 or 3 days in Interlaken, and 1 or 2 days in Lucerne. If you prefer you can spend all 4 days in Interlaken, but Lucerne is also wonderful and quite different. The article linked above should answer your questions. Let me know if you are still unsure of anything. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I was seeking your advice on me and my sister’s upcoming 7day/6 night trip to Switzerland. Our train itinerary once we arrive is:
-Day 1 Zurich Airport to Lucerne
-Day 2 trip to Mount Pilatus
-Day 3 Lucerne to Grindelwald
-Day trip to Lauterbrunnen & Gimmelwald
-Day 4 trip to Jungfraujoch
-Day 5 trip to Schilthorn
-Day 6 Grindelwald to Zurich city centre
-Day 7 Zurich city center to Zurich airport
Do you think it makes sense to get the 8 day Swiss pass, or the 4 day Swiss pass for days 3-6, and pay individual tickets for days 1-2 and 7?
Also, Is the pass valid only for a particular day or is the day considered a 24 hour period from the time you begin to use it?
Thanks!!!
Jennifer
Jennifer,
It looks like the train trips you are planning are not very lengthy or expensive. As such, the Swiss Travel Pass probably wouldn’t pay off for you. You’d get discounts on those summit attractions, but I don’t think that would make up for the cost of the pass.
Your itinerary looks quite good. The trip up to Schilthorn takes a bit over an hour from Lauterbrunnen, and after an hour or two up there you’ll be ready to come back down. If you exit the cable car in Murren on the way down and then walk down the hill to Gimmelwald (in 30 minutes or so), you could see both of those towns on that same trip. And you’d still have half the day to do something else. Gimmelwald is wonderful, but it’s tiny and since it’s on the way to Schilthorn, I think it’s best to visit on the way down.
These passes all work on calendar days rather than 24-hour periods, unfortunately. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks so much for the info. Two last questions:
1. If you had to choose between Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn, which one would you recommend?
2. Is Mount Titlus worth seeing when we’re staying in Lucerne? And if you had to choose Titlus or Pilatus, which one would you recommend?
Thanks!!
Jennifer
Jennifer,
1. Jungfraujoch is more dramatic because it involves a long train ride (round-trip), but it also takes much longer. And Schilthorn is amazing as long as the weather at the top is fairly clear. In other words, both are excellent sights (and both are expensive). If you don’t have as much time and are in or near Lauterbrunnen then do Schilthorn. But if you have most of a day to spare then Jungfraujoch might be even better. Whichever you do, you’ll never forget it.
2. Again, both of these are really wonderful. If you definitely want to be surrounded by snow then Titlus is the better choice as it’s a higher peak. But Pilatus is perhaps a bit nicer when you are up at the top. Again, either one will be fantastic. Have a wonderful trip. -Roger