[nomoser]

29 March 2024 at 23:45:53 #1340466

Hello,

I will be visiting Luzern and other areas of Switzerland in June this year, and I understand that the Swiss Travel Pass includes travel on regularly scheduled public boat trips on Lake Luzern. Is it safe to assume that the Swiss Travel Pass will not provide any discounts for boat excursions that are booked through tour companies like Viator or GetYourGuide? Does the Pass only include public boat travel from town to town along the lake, similar to how a “ferry” functions in the United States?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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[User]

Reply 1 of 4 • 31 March 2024 at 1:46:24 #1342947

Hi nomoser,

I wouldn’t expect that excursions booked through tour companies would be discounted for people holding a Swiss Travel Pass, but you would need to read the Terms and Conditions in relation to any tour package you had in mind.

The Swiss Travel Pass includes free travel on all public transport to inhabited places, whether that be by train, bus, boat or mountain transport such as cable cars or funiculars. Above inhabited places , the Swiss Travel Pass usually provides a 50% discount, but this can vary.

You can find out more about the Swiss Travel Pass, and see a map of where it is valid, here:

https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/

As you have mentioned Lake Lucerne, you might be interested in a trip to the Rigi, which is 100% covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, regardless of whether you travel by boat, train or cable car.

There is more information here:

https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/

You can plan your trip using the SBB timetable, which you can find here:

https://www.sbb.ch/en

Information on how to use the timetable is here:

https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/

Hope this helps!

Alpenrose

[User]

Reply 2 of 4 • 31 March 2024 at 10:38:41 #1342954

Hi nomoser,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

That’s great to hear you will be Switzerland bound this June.

In addition to Alpenrose’s reply. I agree, I doubt there will be a discount applied on a tour package, if you have the Swiss Travel Pass.  As you have understood and per Alpenrose’ reply, the pass will allow you to travel on public transportation, free of charge – just hop on, hop off.

(If you booked a boat excursion tour package, this would typically include your transportation costs, thus a duplication of transport costs if you had the pass).

In the Swiss Travel Pass link provided, you can download a coverage map.  Here you will be able to view all the routes covered with a Swiss Travel Pass and any routes that a discounted ticket is required.

Kind regards,

Yolanda

[nomoser]

Reply 3 of 4 • 2 April 2024 at 0:03:11 #1347533

Thank you both for your replies. Since you mention Mt Rigi, I have another question. We would like to visit either Mt Rigi or Mt Pilatus but probably not both given the limited time we have and the other activities we have planned. Any recommendations on one vs. the other?

Thanks.

[User]

Reply 4 of 4 • 2 April 2024 at 2:18:07 #1347536

Hi nomoser,

Whether to go to the Rigi or Pilatus is a matter of personal preference. Here are some comments that might help you make a choice:

Altitude and terrain on top

• Pilatus 2,128 m; rugged alpine environment above the treeline; limited hiking options
• Rigi 1,798 m; green meadows, possibly wildflowers in June, forest, lots of hiking trails
• Both have superb views on a clear day; on a day with low cloud, Rigi might be in the clouds, but the top of Pilatus could be above the cloud deck.

Transport

• Both mountains have the option to go up one way and take a different route down.
• For both, the first leg of the trip can be by boat: free in both cases with the Swiss Travel Pass.
• For both, a cable car ride is an option for at least part of the route. The Rigi cable car is free, the Pilatus cable cars are discounted.
• For both, a cogwheel train ride is an option, but Pilatus has the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. The Rigi cogwheel trains are free; the Pilatus cogwheel train is discounted.

You can find more detailed information here:

https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/

https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/

Whichever mountain you decide on, you won’t be disappointed! They are both a wonderful experience. I hope you have a lovely clear day for your visit.

Alpenrose