Dimitri Burkhard
So you've decided to travel to Switzerland. Congrats! But you're wondering whether the Swiss Travel Pass is a good value.
ls it worth the money? Is it worth the hype?
My mission is to help you get to the bottom of these questions. So that you can decide whether the Swiss Travel Pass is a good investment to suit your travel style, needs, and, ultimately, your budget.
What do I get from the Swiss Travel Pass?
Think of the Swiss Travel Pass as the Swiss Army Knife of Transportation. Each “blade” of this multi-purpose pass offers several hard and soft benefits.
How about unlimited blanket coverage for most of Switzerland’s public transportation? That’s most trains, buses, boats, mountain railways, and cable cars on Switzerland’s extensive public transportation network.
And I am not just talking commuter trains, either. The pass fully covers even the panoramic train lines and many mountain railways. Or, in other words, free rides to Instagram-worthy peaks in the Swiss Alps…
Serious rail buffs will love this.
And finally, use the pass to access more museums than you can ever visit in a lifetime. More than 500, to be exact! So, if you're a culture vulture, you can visit everything from the Swiss National Museum in Zurich to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, and many in between.
As you can tell, the Swiss Travel Pass unlocks a veritable treasure trove of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and bucket-list-worthy experiences.
We have dedicated an entire post to the benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass. But here’s a quick rundown on what the main Swiss Travel Pass benefits are:
- Unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland, including popular premium train lines
- Discounts on mountain railways, cable cars, and other scenic excursions
- Free public transportation in destinations such as Zurich, Geneva, and Bern
- Free entry to over 500 museums
- Flexibility to choose between consecutive or flexible travel days. (The aptly named Swiss Travel Pass Flex allows you to travel for a certain number of days within 30 days.)
- First-class or second-class seating
- Convenience: instead of buying individual tickets each time you want to use public transportation, the pass allows you to travel as often as you like. The peace of mind can be quite liberating, especially when navigating Switzerland for the first time.
So, is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
If you were to ask me for the best benefit, I’d say it’s the freedom the pass provides. At a moment’s notice, you can travel to some of Switzerland's most scenic locations without paying anything extra.
Destinations like Mount Rigi or Gornergrat are quite expensive to visit. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can save a pretty penny (and spend the savings on souvenirs instead.)
In 2024, one of the definitive highlights included in the Swiss Pass is the GoldenPass Express train line, which has only recently opened.
This train line seamlessly connects Interlaken and Montreux, offering an enchanting journey through some of the most scenic landscapes in the world. It's a mesmerizing ride from the Bernese Alps to Lake Geneva, with multiple stops in between, including Zweisimmen and Gstaad.
But let's be honest, the pass is not cheap. The question remains: is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
The answer is going to be subjective. What are the expectations of your Swiss trip? What’s your travel style? And how big is your travel budget, anyway?
If you plan to travel extensively around Switzerland and visit multiple cities, then the Swiss Travel Pass is a good investment. It can save you a lot of money and make your travel experience more convenient and enjoyable.
This is especially true for families with children. Kids under six travel free of charge, period. Those between 6 and 16 years old are accompanied by a Swiss Travel Pass holding parent travel for free if you pick up a complimentary Swiss Family Card.
With unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats, free entry to over 500 museums and exhibitions, and discounts on mountain railways and other scenic excursions, the Swiss Travel Pass is the perfect choice for exploring as many highlights as possible.
The pass may not be worth it if you only plan a few point-to-point transfers without any peaks or lakes. You may be better off buying individual tickets for the transportation. And if you still decide to make an excursion or visit a museum, pay as you go.
Regional passes may offer a legitimate alternative, too.
Say you wanted to head from the airport straight to the Bernese Alps. Hiking, skiing, paragliding - there’s lots to do, but each activity involves riding a mountain railway or cable car.
Take the Berner Oberland Pass, which includes unlimited trips to Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte, and Grindelwald First. Trips from Kleine Scheidegg to Eiger Glacier are fully covered - pay a reduced fee for that last stretch to the top of Jungfraujoch.
So, there you have it. Now get our ultimate free guide!
Swiss Travel Pass: How to make it work in 2024
The free guide includes a round-trip itinerary starting in Zurich for budget travelers. It “hacks” a three-day Swiss Travel Pass to make it last for a five-day stay…
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Vanessa Lépine
