1-week August trip: Swiss Travel Pass vs car
A traveler named Nina Ka is planning a one-week trip to Switzerland this month with her 15-year-old son. She is unsure whether to get a travel card or rent a car for her itinerary, which includes popular spots like Luzerne, Lauterbrunnen, and Zermatt. Public transport seems to be the best option for her journey.
- Opt for public transport instead of a rental car, as many destinations are car-free and parking can be limited.
- Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass for economical travel, especially since your child can travel for free with a Swiss Family Card.
- You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass online and fill in your details for ease of use.
- When you purchase a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card, request a complimentary Swiss Family Card for your child to travel for free.
- If you face issues purchasing online, reach out to the customer support of the ticket provider for assistance.
AI-generated summary-
Hi there. I’m planning to visit Switzerland 1 week this month with my 15 years old son and I couldn’t decide what kind of card I should arrange, or it’s better to rent a car? My plans includes: Luzerne, Pilatus, Lauterbrunen, Grindelwald, Wengen, Maanlinchen, Murren, Bern, Basel. If I’ll have time also Zermatt. Can you help me with advice? Thank you in advance
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Hi Nina Ka, thanks for joining MySwissAlps!
I’d personally recommend public transport over a (rental) car. Many beautiful destinations (including Wengen, Mürren and Zermatt) are car free, so you’ll have to park your car and use public transport anyway. Parking costs can be high, and parking options in larger towns/cities can be limited. The Swiss public transport system is very efficient and it’s a joy to use it.
Maybe these explanations are helpful:
If you opt for trains, a rail pass will definitely be cheaper than normal tickets. Which pass is best, depends on the details of your itinerary. An 8-day or 6-day Swiss Travel Pass could be a good option for your plans. Your 15-year old son will travel along for free on all routes with the free Swiss Family Card, so that’s a huge advantage:
There are more pass options, but to be sure which is most economical you’d have to calculate as explained here: https://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass.
If you have time for a day trip to Zermatt, you may like the scenic Lötschberg route: https://www.myswissalps.com/lotschberger.
More information about the areas and towns you want to visit can be found below:
- https://www.myswissalps.com/jungfrauregion
- https://www.myswissalps.com/mannlichen
- https://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne
- https://www.myswissalps.com/pilatus
- https://www.myswissalps.com/bern
- https://www.myswissalps.com/basel
- https://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt
Does that get you started?
Dear Arno,
Thank you for your comprehensive information. Your advice is very helpful for me 🙏🙏 I would like to ask you one more question regarding 6 day swiss travel pass, how can I activate it? I’m a little bit confused by the information i found online, maybe it’ll be easier when I’ll buy the card? Thanks a lot again 😍🙏
Hi Nina Ka,
You don’t have to activate your pass. You can buy it online and fill out your personal details and start date when purchasing. This information will be contained in the digital pass that’s sent to you by e-mail. You can store it on your phone and/or print it, whatever you like. Show it while traveling when asked for and that’s all! More information is here:
- https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse: how to use your pass
- https://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/price: trusted purchase options
I hope this answers your question. Feel free to ask further questions, we’re happy to help.
Dear Arno, thanks a lot 🙏🙏 I really appreciate your support and comprehensive information regarding Swiss Travel Pass
Dear Arno and All,
Good Evening. I have one quick questions, both cards, Swiss Travel Card and Half Fairy Card, include child 15 years old, right? When I buy one of them it automatically includes child, right? Or I need do something else to include child in the price?
Thank you in advance.
looking forward receiving your reply.
Hi Nina Ka,
When you purchase a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card, you can request for a complimentary Swiss Family Card which will allow your child to travel along for free.
Regards,
Anna
train!
Hi there, I’m trying to buy half fairy card via hapoyrail.com and there is some problem, I couldn’t finish my purchase. Can you somehow help?
Hi Nina Ka,
I’m sorry you’re having a problem with your purchase. Could you provide more details? Are you having problem making payment with your card or is something wrong with the website?
Anna
I logged in my personal details and nothing more, it spins already several minutes
Hi Nina Ka,
This is probably a technical glitch. Perhaps you should try again later. We’ve taken note of this and will make a report to Happy Rail.
Regards,
Anna
it’s almost 50 minutes. I tried one more time, is there any other option to buy this card?
I already did it, Happy Rail staff have already contacted with me. o=and one quick question and I will have everything for my journey, how can I add to the card my 15 years old child?
thank you all of you for your support.
Hi Nina Ka,
Glad that’s sorted 🙂
With the Swiss Half Fare Card, you can request for a complimentary Swiss Family Card so that your 15-year¨-old can travel along for free. She doesn’t need a ticket (there’s no need to purchase any ticket for her) as long as you have a valid ticket.
Regards,
Anna
Hi there, I am in Basel Airport but couldn’t scan my half pass code? Can you help somehow?
Hi Nina Ka,
I hope it’s just a random glitch. The QR code on the Swiss Half Fare Card should work when you download it as an e-ticket. You can also just show the PDF document you received in your email during ticket inspection.
You might find some answers here: How to use the Swiss Half Fare Card: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/howtouse
Let us know if you need further assistance.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Nina Ka,
You don’t have to scan anything yourself. Just get on board with your Swiss Half Fare Card and discounted ticket(s). Public transport personnel will scan the QR code of your pass during (random) checks. The link Anna provided in the answer above will hopefully help you understand how to travel with your pass. Have fun!
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