Interrail vs Swiss Travel Pass for 7 days from UK
Russell is planning a 7-day train trip from the UK to Switzerland with his fit elderly parents, focusing on scenic routes like the '7 Day Self Guided Tour Ultimate Swiss Scenic Trains'. He needs advice on whether to buy an Interrail Global Pass or a Swiss Travel Pass, as he is trying to avoid lengthy airport hassles and is comparing costs between options.
- Consider using the Swiss Travel Pass if you plan to explore local transportation options like boats and mountain railways, as it covers more routes than the Interrail Pass.
- Flying to Switzerland might reduce hassle compared to taking the train, especially considering potential delays and passport checks in Paris after Brexit.
- Ensure your parents are comfortable with any train changes required on your planned scenic routes, as some might involve multiple transfers.
AI-generated summary-
Hello Folks,
Having now made the decision to use regional trains as opposed to the Glacier Express / Bernina Express tourist trains I am presented with the next decision; Interrail Global Pass or Swiss Travel Pass [STP].
Before I begin I should say that I am taking my parents on a trip (around 7 days) from the UK to Switzerland during which we will probably undertake something akin to the circular “7 Day Self Guided Tour Ultimate Swiss Scenic Trains”(http://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/doityourself/sampleitineraries/ultimateswissscenictrains) which looks like a fabulous circular trip. We may try and incorporate the Ticino route too . My parents are both in their late 80’s but pretty fit. However, walking long distances is a problem and, in general, the ‘faff factor’ at airports, in terms of getting there and checking in, when coupled with the indeterminable situation regarding assistance to / from gates can be problematic hence thinking that for this trip then train from the UK would be a better option and as an added benefit it seems cheaper than the combination of flying and buying an STP – I hasten to add that I haven’t ruled out flying so any comments or suggestions around the fly / train comb would be also be appreciated.
I have done some cost comparisons between the Interrail Passes (same price as Eurail Pass) and the Swiss Travel Pass and it would seem to me that, unless we want to use buses, undertake some boat trips, use the cog-wheel railways or cable cars then there’s no real benefit to buying the STP. As we plan to travel by train (certainly while in Switzerland) then the aforementioned services are of little value. Indeed, buying an Interrail Pass would also include the trip from UK to Switzerland via Paris (and the Italian legit we decide todo it). However, I would be grateful for some advice / your thoughts please before I hit ‘buy’ or end up booking flights just in case I’ve missed something important.
On other quickie; am I correct in my understanding that, as per the comparison document on the MySwissAlps site and the Interrail section the term “some discounted mountains” means things like the Bernina + Glacier Express and the cog-wheel railway lines?
Thank you as always for your help and guidance.
Russell
-
Hi Russell,
My vote would be for a train journey to Switzerland, rather than a flight. I think it’s less stressful, and certainly much more environmentally friendly.
Yes, an Interrail Pass would cover your train ride to Switzerland, as well as most train journeys mentioned in the sample itinerary at http://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/doityourself/sampleitineraries/ultimateswissscenictrains. However, the mountain route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch is discounted by 25% (as oppposed to free travel to Wengen/Grindelwald and a 25% discount on the remaining leg with the Swiss Travel Pass).
You can compare the validity of both passes in detail here, by downloading the validity map and/or checking the list of covered rides and activities further down:
- https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity
- https://www.myswissalps.com/interrailglobalpass/validity
I think your assumption that an Interrail Global Pass will work for you is correct, if you’re not planning further bus, boat or mountain trips in Switzerland. If you want to do the math in detail, this page may be of help: https://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass.
As for day 5 of http://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/doityourself/sampleitineraries/ultimateswissscenictrains: you can certainly do the Glacier Express route to Chur by regular trains. Do note that this requires about 3 changes of trains along the way (see https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable and enter ‘Andermatt’ as via-station for specifics about this journey). If your parents are fine with that, that’s okay. Otherwise, the direct Glacier Express train may be more comfortable.
Due to family links with Geneva (UN/WHO) I have been travelling from UK to Switzerland (CH) for holidays for 60 years. As a student back in the 1970s/80s I used Inter Rail but it was a lot simpler ‘back then’ because nearly all European trains were ‘walk on’. With the advent of TGV / Eurostar etc Inter Rail became a lot more complicated with ‘allocation of pass fares’ for certain trains etc, whereby you can actually sometimes get a cheaper ‘non pass discounted’ fare
For a Holiday majoring on Switzerland I recommend:
- flight to Switzerland
- Swiss Travel Pass not Inter Rail
So to drill down to the bullet points above, here’s non-exhaustive list of reasons
Flight direct to CH better than Inter Rail because:
- reduces risk of problems due to common French rail strikes
- eliminates hours of hassle using Eurostar due to post Brexit hassles
- Eurostar plus TGV has almost as much ‘faff factor’ as going by air
- rail uses up 2 whole days leaving you with only 5 ‘in Switzerland’
Swiss Travel Pass better than Inter Rail in Switzerland because:
- valid on more routes
- can be used on all ‘main network’ transport of all kinds – despite your assertion to the contrary believe me you will want to use some lake boats, mountain railway, rural post buses, city trams and buses
Firstly, apologies for the late reply 1960man. Secondly, thank you for your helpful input.
I may be wrong but I thought there was a thread on here referencing my use of the term ‘faff’ but it seems to have disappeared or perhaps it has been edited?
When you say flying eliminates hours of hassle using Eurostar could you please be a bit more specific in terms of what hassles we are likely to encounter – is it that we would effectively have to go through passport checks at Paris to get into France and then passport checks to leave?
You also say that it would take 2 days by train – I’ve checked and it’s only 12 odd hours by train from London to Zermatt so could you please let know why it would take 2 days?
I’m not that fussed about the risk of French train strikes, in my experience they’re just as likely to be industrial action, or rather lack of it, at airports or ferries or even grocery stores for that matter, in my humble opinion any excuse to strike and they will.
I really am torn between what to do so your help on these points would be greatly appreciated.
Hello Russell,
I think the 2 days is reference to coming over and then, returning back to the UK. All up it’s ‘2’ days of travel.
Since Brexit, passport controls are apparently a little more time consuming. That said, I do know of travellers who found the Eurostar route very efficient and relaxing, when traveling from Switzerland to the UK and back again by train. Perhaps other members of the forum who have traveled in this manner can share their experiences.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
The 2 days means one day each way.
Eurostar currently runs a much reduced service, and it has been known for queues to build up round London St Pancras station and utter chaos taking place. In general terms St Pancras is not as well set up as airports for getting passengers through. Personally I would jump at the chance to travel by train all the way, but because of the way the Channel Tunnel rail links were set up on the UK side there are no direct trains from London to Switzerland. The check in time at London has gone up and up over the years, making it less competitive time wise with an airport experience.
As for strikes, French railways are affected far more often than other sectors
- The thread ‘Interrail vs Swiss Travel Pass for 7 days from UK’ is closed to new replies.
