[Sanje]

31 January 2026 at 9:42:02 #2795350

Hi.

We are flying into Zurich on February 28th.  Our plan is to spend the day in Zurich and then get the train to Lucerne where we will stay two nights (exploring the area, possibly the dragon ride and then an excursion to Mount Rigi, Pilatus or Titlis).  We then will take the train to Interlaken and stay 3 nights in Lauterbrunnen so we can visit the Trummelbach Falls, Grindelwald – Jungfrau (Ice Palace etc), Murren/Wengen.  We will then make our way by train to Tasch for one night where we hope to ride the Gornergrat to Zermatt.  Our plan is then to visit Montreaux staying for two nights.  Taking a ride on the Rochers de Naye Cogwheel or taking the train to Bern.  Then we travel to Geneva to explore a little that area before our flight back to the UK on the morning of March 8.

This is a very tentative (and probably poorly spelt) itinerary but as we will be using the train frequently am I right in thinking that a Swiss Rail Pass is the correct thing to buy?   I would appreciate your opinion.

Thank you, Sandra

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 5 • 31 January 2026 at 13:30:52 #2795351

Hi Sanje,

Based on your plans, I would definitely consider getting the 8-day Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) so you can enjoy free unlimited travelling on Swiss public transport throughout your trip. Excursion to Mt Rigi is free with the STP and you get 50% discounts on the mountain transport to Pilatus, Titlis and Gornergrat.

Regards,
Anna

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 2 of 5 • 31 January 2026 at 16:05:00 #2795355

Hello Sandra

.I would be a little bit more definite in my advice than Anna.  I would recommend that you invest in an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass for the period 28th February to 7th March.

(It sounds like you have only limited time on the morning of the 8th.  I suggest on that day you buy point-to-point tickets Montreux to Geneva Airport.  Break of journey at Geneva city centre is permitted.)

The Swiss Travel Pass is NOT a ‘TRAIN’ pass.

It is a public transport pass.

Switzerland has the best public transport system in the world.  All important bus routes and train lines have (at least) hourly services, and all modes of public transport are timed to interconnect.  (Around Lake Lucerne that includes the lake boats – which run all year round.)

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you the freedom of the Swiss public transport paradise.  The STP covers buses, trams/ streetcars, the boats on the lakes, as well as trains.

Lines which simply go up mountains (like Pilatus or Titlis) are usually excluded from the free travel.  On those lines you USUALLY get a 50% discount.  (Ony 25% discount on the line to Jungfraujoch.)

Intangible Benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass

With the STP You can ‘hop on hop off’ as the mood takes you. That freedom is worth a lot, even if you cannot quantify it in Pounds/Dollars/Swiss Francs/Euros etc.

You can change your mind as to where you are going even in mid-journey.   That is something you cannot do if you have bought point-to point tickets.

Not Much Need for Tickets

If you invest in STPs you only have to buy tickets for mountain lines (eg Jungfraujoch and Pilatus) which are not free with the STP.

STP particularly good value in the Lucerne Area.

Anna has already mentioned that the lines up Mount Rigi are free with the STP.

The fact that Lake Lucerne boats run all the year round means that you can combine a boat ride with a trip up Rigi from Vitznau.   The boats also serve Beckenried, where there is a cable car, also free with the STP, up to Klewenalp.

Free Entry to Museums and the Like

Most but not all Swiss museums give free entry to STP holders.  (The huge Transport Museum at Lucerne gives only a 50% discount.)

In the Montreux area the STP gives free entry to Chillon castle.  It gives only a discount on the mountain line to Rochers-de-Naye, but the mountain line from Vevey to Les Pleiades is free with the STP.

Best wishes for your detailed planning.

Roger

 

 

 

 

[andrew]

Reply 3 of 5 • 1 February 2026 at 14:34:29 #2795363

Hi Sandra,
I’ve one important thing to add to the above. The Trummelbach falls will not be open at the time of your visit. They are normally only open from April to October.
I can only emphasise the virtual benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass over and above the price.
We have often set out on a day’s adventures with a rough plan ‘A’and joke that we have finished on plan ‘K, subsection 3.5’,  having frequently changed plans  at a bus stop, railway station or pier or even on board a train, bus or boat. “Let’s get off here! There’s another train in an hour.”
Enjoy your holiday. We will be there some of the same time as you.
Andrew

[Sanje]

Reply 4 of 5 • 1 February 2026 at 15:14:02 #2795365

Thank you everyone for your very helpful and detailed guidance.  I would much rather have a ‘fluid’ holiday than be confined by a rigid itinerary, so we will be purchasing Swiss Travel Passes and like you Andrew will no doubt end up doing something completely different to what we thought we would!

Best wishes

Sandra

[Annika]

Reply 5 of 5 • 1 February 2026 at 15:52:41 #2795371

Hi Sandra,

That’s an excellent choice. I too recommend the Swiss Travel Pass for its flexibility, and I fully recognize Andrew’s description of changing plans while you’re on the go :-).

Our personal recommendations for webshops to buy your Swiss Travel Pass from are listed here: https://www.myswissalps.com/details/buy-swiss-travel-pass/