[Cathby]

18 July 2026 at 14:30:09 #2797963

The last time I traveled by train in Switzerland I had an Interrail Pass and it was great (and long ago)!

I am fully prepared to get a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card… but either I’m not traveling enough to warrant them or I’m not thinking this through correctly but neither seem worth it for my needs? I got the SBB app and priced it out. We’ll be there 8 days. Planning on 2nd class travel. Not intending to do any museums except possibly transit museum if the weather is bad.

Tirano -> Pt. Miragl (approx 20 CHF) – spending 3 nights here
Pt. Miragl -> Luzern (approx 50 CHF) – spending 3 nights here
Luzern -> Pilatus (approx 120 CHF) – I know this would be discounted with Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card
Luzern -> Zurich airport (approx 12 CHF)

Please tell me if I’m missing something as I’m usually one to just spend the money and get the pass and not think about it again, but it appears I’d be way overspending here.

Thanks!

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[Arno]

Reply 1 of 1 • 19 July 2026 at 16:34:37 #2797979

Hi Cathby,

The fares you’ve listed look like the “from-prices” that are displayed by default in the Swiss timetable. But those are meant for Swiss residents, most of whom have a subscription for 50% discounted tickets. Without a rail pass, you’ll pay at least double these amounts. At least, because from-prices may include Supersaver-tickets which are even more than 50% off but time-restricted and not refundable.

This means you’ll be saving significantly more with a rail pass than you thought. Please see “How to find realistic prices in the timetable” at https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/timetable/

Some examples: a 2nd class single journey Punt Muragl-Lucerne costs CHF 84 per person. A single trip Lucerne-Zurich Airport costs CHF 31.

I assume you’ll be needing some kind of public transport on most days, and not only during your town-to-town transfers.Without knowing the exact details of your itinerary, I suggest looking into the 8-day Swiss Travel Pass. Its flexibility and ease of use are great: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/.

Or at least consider the Swiss Half Fare Card: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/. It nearly always saves money, although I find it less convenient as everyone has to buy tickets for each trip.

If you want to run exact calculations, you can use your guide and downloads at https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/compare/