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.
Hi Roger,
I’m glad I came across your article!
I will definitely get the half pass.
On top of that, I realized many hotels offer free local public transits…
Basically I’m planning a trip this summer with my mother that includes the jazz festival in Montreux…
Here’s what I have so far:
Day 1: Arrive Zurich to montreux
I would like to stop at Bern and gruyere on the way and send our luggage to the station in montreux if possible*
Day 2: montreux
Day 3: Interlaken (I want to visit The lake in Kandersteg but I’m wondering if I should stay there or make my way to Interlaken and stay there instead)
Day 4: interlaken-Zurich (there’s a show we are going to see so I would have to stay here…)
I’m debating the day 3 part just cause I do wanna go on at least one of the scenic rides but at the same time we want to stay overnight somewhere scenic and relaxing and less touristy just for that night…
Liv,
I’m glad you found the article as well. I’m not sure about Montreaux, but if you stay at any hotel or hostel in Interlaken, it comes with a public transit card good for free bus rides and even a free ride on the train between the two major train stations. But Interlaken is pretty small and you can walk between the stations in 30 minutes or so as a nice stroll, so you won’t need too many rides.
You carry your own luggage on trains in Europe, so I don’t think there is a way to send your bags on ahead. You can leave the bags in a luggage locker at the stations though.
I haven’t been to the lake in Kandersteg. I’d pass on that and go to Interlaken, which has so many top sights that even 3 days is just hitting the highlights.
You’ll enjoy one evening in Zurich as long as you can afford a hotel there.
As for Day 3, I highly recommend you consider staying in Gimmelwald, which is a tiny farming village above Interlaken, and on the cable car that goes up to Schilthorn. I discuss all of that in my main article on where to go in Switzerland. Have a look at that and hopefully you’ll find it helpful. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Wow! So fantastic of you to provide such detailed information!
My husband and I , and our 3 children (11, 14, 16 yrs) are going to Switzerland in August for 8 days. We will be flying to Zurich, and from airport taking the train to Lucerne. Staying 4 nights in Lucerne, we will hopefully do Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus, Fortress Furiigen and general exploration by foot of old Lucerne.
From Lucerne, taking train to Lausanne for 2 nights. While there, would like to do explore the old town and do a day trip to Montreax and Chateau de Chillon.
Finally,we’ll take a train from Lausanne back to Zurich for 2 nights, then we fly home. I was not planning on doing the longer scenic rail rides because I think our kids will get drive each other (and us) nuts! So, will likely get on express trains between towns, which I believe are less expensive.
I feel like we are borderline in terms of the Swiss Travel Pass being a deal . I think our two younger children would travel free if my husband and I have a Swiss Travel Pass. So, will I only have to buy 3 STPs? Or, do you think we are just better off paying as we go?
Your insight is most appreciated!
Jacqueline,
Most of the special scenic train routes have panoramic carriages, and those cost a bit more to reserve than a normal seat. Aside from that, it’s a normal train and normal prices. However, a line like the Golden Pass, for example, has you go through slower mountain passes that are more scenic, instead of faster trains that go around the valleys, but they aren’t necessarily more expensive because of it.
I’m going to write a full article about the Half Fare Card because more and more I’m seeing that it’s the best choice for so many visitors, including your family. From what I can see, if the adults buy one each, then two of the children would travel for free on the Family Card that they will also give you. I guess you’d have to buy a third Half Fare Card for the 16-year old, but still it should pay for itself because the train rides you’ll be taking will add up to more than CHF240 per adult, including Rigi and Pilatus etc. The Half Fare Card costs CHF120 each, so it should pay for itself quickly and then save you money overall.
The scenery on those special train rides is quite spectacular, but I agree that it also requires patience to behave on a 6-hour ride, so I think just taking the fast trains from place to place will be better, and those are also very scenic as well. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Thanks so much for the quick reply!
Hello Roger,
How are you? My name is Anna. First of all, thank you for sharing your insights. This is one of the few informative and useful blogs I’ve read regarding Switzerland.
Me and my friends (5 Adults) will be travelling to these European countries: Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Italy. We plan to take an overnight bus from Paris going to Switzerland which will be arriving at Geneva or Bern. Do you have any insights or helpful information about this route?
From Bern or Geneva, depending on which bus we take, our first destination in Switzerland is at Interlaken. This is our itinerary:
Day 1: From Paris by bus to Geneva/Bern — train to Interlaken —- check in hotel — Harder Kulm
Day 2: Jungfraujoch—Gimmewald—Interlaken
Day 3: Lucern — Mt. Pilatus — Lucern
Day 4: Zurich
Day 5: Zurich — Italy
We’re not taking any scenic trains (Do you consider trains to Jungfraujoch a scenic train? I’m still really confused), so from what I’ve read here, point to point tickets would be more advisable than the Swiss Travel Pass?
Another question, would you recommend the swiss half fare card for us?
Thank you again for this post. I’m hoping to hear from you soon! Cheers!
Anna,
I’m glad you find this useful. I’ll answer your questions in order…
Bern is a nicer looking city and it’s more interesting than Geneva, so I’d go there if I were you. It’s also mostly flat, unlike Geneva which is very hilly, so it’s easier to get around.
Your itinerary looks really good and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.
Jungfraujoch is considered more of a “tourist train” because it simply goes up to the peak and back. The “scenic trains” are the ones with names such as Golden Pass and Glacier Express. Those trains offer special Panoramic carriages on several departures each day, while the Jungfraujoch is an older train without special windows.
If you’ll be doing Jungfraujoch and those other train rides, the Half Fare Card should more than pay for itself on your trip.
The last thing I’ll mention is that Zurich isn’t really much of a tourist city. In case you haven’t already, have a look at my main article on where to go in Switzerland. Zurich is a nice enough place, but it’s incredibly expensive and it’s quite dull compared to cities such as Amsterdam and Paris. Unless there are things in Zurich that you are specifically going to see, you might stay another day in the Interlaken area and then go straight to Italy from Lucerne. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I am traveling in Switzerland flying in/out of Zurich May 19-28 with my husband, 3-year old son, and my mother/father-in law.
We are figuring out if the full Swiss pass is worth it vs. the half pass, as we’re only planning one major scenic train ride. However, at each location, we’re expect to use local trains for basic excursions or do a gondola or cogwheel to a mountain top/scenic overlook and aren’t sure how savings on those plays into our bottom line.
Our itinerary is as follows:
May 19: Arrive @ Zurich airport, train to Lucerne
May 20: Train to Grindelwald, stay in Grindelwald for 4 days. Hike, possibly do Jungfraujoch, other daytrips.
May 24: Train from Grindelwald to Montreux (possibly via the Goldenpass from Interlaken).
May 24-27: Montreux – plan to visit Lavaux wine area one of the days we’re there.
Ma7 27 – train back to Zurich for flight back the next day.
Appreciate your input!
Janette,
It looks like your options would be an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass or a 30-day Half Fare Card because you are staying so long. It seems that a Half Fare Card would be more economical, and you’d definitely save much more than the price of the thing. Unless you do more scenic train rides, I think the Half Fare Card is your best option. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hello Roger, From the inputs it seems the Half Fare card is the best for me. So considering the fact that we are a family of four ( two children below the age of 16), do I have to buy the Half fare card for all four of us ? Or we need to buy just for the two adults ? Cos it seems that we would get the Family card based on which the kids can travel free.
hi roger,
thanks a ton for this amzing post. great help !
also putting down my itinerary here, any help be apprecited 🙂
we are a group of 5 (3 adults, 2 youth) planning this trip to Switzerland for may2017.
day 1: Fly into Zurich – take the train to lucerne directly?- spend the day in lucerne, overnight in lucerne
day 2: “- from lucerne, take train to andermatt & board Glacier express until st.moritz. overnight in moritz.
day3: next day, board the bernina express , head to lugano
day 4: sight seeing in lugano .
day 5: “- leave from lugano (bellinzona) early morning, take the gotthard express to lucerne. continue to interlaken on glacier express. reach lauterbrunnan
day6 : sight seeing (lauterbrunnen,murren, schilthron, gimmelwald )
day 7 : day trip to jungfrau
day 8: relax in lauterbrunnan (skydive/atv/activities)
day 9 : board the glacier express down to montreux, lavaux winery
day 10: day trip to gstaad + glacier 3000 +chateau di chillion
day 11 : choc factory + la gruyeres cheese factory
day 12: fly out
is this all doable ? we are planning on taking the swiss pass for 8 days and them may be rent a car for last 2 days in montreux .
thanks much.
Tina,
I’m happy to hear that this information is useful. Your trip looks amazing and well planned out. You will be spending quite a bit of time on trains for those first 5 days or so, but it’s definitely doable, and the Swiss Trains are very comfortable and famously punctual. And since you are slowing down on the trains once you get to the Interlaken area, I think you’ll be fine.
The Swiss Travel Pass should really pay for itself on a trip like this. I’ve not rented a car in Switzerland, but I think that should be simple enough because the roads are all in good shape, the signs are all international, and there will be parking lots at all of the attractions. I don’t recommend renting cars to visit cities, but for the sights you mention, a car should work well. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi There,
can you advise the best pass to purchase for below itinerary?
7 to 9 April – Zurich to Lucern (2 nights in lucern)
9 to 12 April – Lucern to Zermatt (3 nights in Zermatt with ski)
12 to 13 April – Zermatt to Les Diablerets (1 night)
13 to 15 April – Les Diablerets to Interlaken (2 nights in Interlaken)
15 to 16 April – Interlaken to Bern (1 night in Bern)
17 April – Bern to Zurich Airport
i’m not sure if a swiss pass of half rate pass is suitable for this itinerary.
Also, the 8 days pass and 15 days pass seems only to be an incremental increase.
Which should i get?
Any advise would be appreciated!
Chermaine,
This itinerary seems to be a bit different from the one I responded to elsewhere in this thread. But really my advice is the same. The Half-Fare Card is probably your best bet unless you are going to be adding in at least a couple of the longer scenic train rides. I’m sure you are going to have an incredible trip. -Roger
hello, i need some advise on the swiss pass.
i will be in switzerland for 10 days from 7 April
Below is my itinerary
Day 1 – Mt Pilatus
Day 2 – Mt Rigi/Lake Lucerne/Lucerne City
Day 3 – Zermatt
Day 4 – Zermatt (Ski)
Day 5 – Zermatt (Ski)
Day 6 – Glacier 3000
Day 7 – Jungfrau – Schynige Platte
Day 8 – Schilthorn/Murren
Day 9 – Bern
Day 10 – Bern to Zurich Airport for departure
May i ask if i should get the 8 days or 15 days swiss pass? As i noticed its just an incremental cost to get the 15 days but i’m not sure if it is worth it.
Or should i just get a half fare card for this trip?
Would appreciate any advice/suggestions
Many thanks
Chermaine,
It looks like you could get an 8-Day Swiss Travel Pass and use it on your first 8 days, and the only thing you’d miss is the train from Interlaken to Bern and to Zurich. And with the Half-Fare Card, it’s good for 30 days so it would cover your whole trip. It looks like you won’t be doing too many train rides, at least not according to what you’ve written, and if that’s the case the Half-Fare Card is probably the better deal.
If you think you might want to do at least a couple of those scenic train rides, the main Swiss Travel Pass would save you more. And having the full pass would be fun because you can basically just hop on trains and do as you please. But if you think you are mostly going to be following this schedule and staying in those areas for several days at a time, I think the Half-Fare Card is probably better. Have a great trip. -Roger
Dear Roger,
thanks for your reply, i really appreciated it.
would it be a hassle to queue up to buy tickets for the half fare pass or is it relatively easy? Would i be wasting time on it buying tickets everytime?
Also, does the half fare card also provides discount on the scenic train rides?
Is there any scenic rides that you will particularly recommend?
Many thanks Roger
Chermaine,
Switzerland is very well organized so it shouldn’t be much trouble to buy those passes in person at ticket counters. The larger stations will be able to handle large crowds, and tickets for domestic Swiss trains are the same no matter when you buy them (on sale 30 days out).
As for scenic rides, my advice is to take trains to whichever places in Switzerland that interest you, and the train rides will all be scenic. My guess is that they package those special scenic trains just as suggestions to first-time visitors. The ones with names also have special panorama carriages on certain departures each day, and the Half-Fare Card covers all of them. The trains through the Alps into Italy are wonderful as well. Really the only non-scenic trains are the ones in the Zurich area, and they are still not bad. It’s a gorgeous country all over. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hi,
Myself and my spouse are planning to visit Switzerland in june from India. we will reach 10 pm on 10th june and overnight stay in zurich.
and departure from Zurich airport on 14th june 13:10 pm.
please provide itinerary for these 4 days which includes Mt. titlis, Jungfrau,Rhine falls and 1 scenic journey.
Shifali,
I’m happy to help answer questions about itineraries that people are putting together, but I really don’t like to write an itinerary from scratch. I put most of my top suggestions on my main article on where to go in Switzerland. I think after you read that and look at the map, it will be pretty easy to put together an itinerary that includes the things you want to see and do. Have a great trip. -Roger