Point-to-point tickets or Swiss Travel Pass?
Evrim is planning a trip from Geneva to Paris from June 1 to June 10. They are unsure about whether to buy a Swiss Travel Pass or point-to-point tickets after calculating costs for several legs of the trip, finding that the Swiss Travel Pass seems too expensive. Evrim is looking for guidance on their calculations and whether they might be missing something.
- Check that you're viewing full-fare prices on the SBB timetable by selecting the no discount option as a guest.
- Consider getting a Swiss Half Fare Card, as it may save you money compared to a Swiss Travel Pass based on your planned itinerary.
- List your planned excursions to compare costs effectively and ensure you choose the best rail pass for your travel needs.
- With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimited on public transport in the Jungfrau region, including discounted prices on mountain excursions.
AI-generated summary-
Hello all,
From June 1 to June 10, 2022, I will take the Golden Pass Line, starting from Geneva Airport to Zurich city center, and Zurich to Paris. Here in forums, some of you told me to get a Swiss Rail Pass as it will cost less. And then, they told me to calculate also point-to-point and compare. The thing I am confused is my calculations on point-to-point tickets is not even close to the price of Swiss Rail Pass for 8 days. And I thought I must be doing something wrong. Could you please check the prices I found on SBB (mobile and used the actual days) and let me know what I am missing and what I am doing wrong? Because according to my calculations, Swiss Pass is way more expensive. 🙂
1. Geneve Airport to Geneve: CHF 2 (staying 1 night in Geneve)
2. Geneve to Lausanne: Max. CHF 10 or 11, some are even CHF5-6 (staying 1 night)
3. Lausanne to Montreux: CHF 6.50
4. Montreux to Zweisimmenn: CHF 16.50 (Golden Pass Panoramic Express – PE)
5. Zweisimmenn to Interlaken OST via Spiez: CHF 12.20 or 13.50 (Trains R or RE or IC 61) (will stay 5 days in Wengen)
6. Interlaken OST to Luzern via Meiringen: CHF 16.50 (Train IR) (staying in Lucerne 2 nights)
7. Luzern to Zurich: CHF 8.80
8. From Zurich to Paris. And I will travel in Lauterbrunnen and Jungrau region:
For ex: Interlaken OST to Lauterbrunnen: CHF 3.80 – Interlaken OST to Grindewald: CHF 5.60 – Lauterbrunnen to Wengen: CHF 3.40 = 12.8
From Geneva Airport to Zurich: CHF 74.8 in total
Lauterbrunnen – Jungfrau: only the destinations above: CHF 12.8 but I will spend more than this, I know, let’s roughly say: CHF 30 for 5 days only for transportation.
So, in total it is around CHF 105 for 1 person, whereas Swiss Rail Pass for 8 days is CHF 389 for 1 person.
So, as you see, my calculations say that point-to-point is way cheaper. However, as you here suggest a Swiss Rail Pass, I feel like I am missing something big time. Could you please tell me what is wrong and what am I missing? or Am I?
Thank you so much for your patience and help in advance.
P.S: I will travel with my mom (age 64).
Regards,
Evrim.
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Hi Evrim,
The ticket prices displayed on the SBB timetable are half-price by default. This is because most Swiss residents/commuters have the Half Fare cards to avoid paying full fares. To display the full-fare prices on the SBB timetable, you need to log in as a guest and select the no discount or no railpass option.
If you have a Swiss Half Fare Card, then your calculations above are somewhat correct. Some of the tickets may in fact be Supersaver tickets, which are discounted point-to-point tickets that come with strict conditions. Before you purchase these Supersaver tickets , be sure to read the restrictions here: http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerland
Getting the Swiss Half Fare Card could be an option for you. It might be cheaper than a Swiss Travel Pass but if the price difference is minimal, I think the STP is still worth it as you won’t have to worry about buying tickets at all.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
Hello Anna,
Thank you for the help. How do I choose no discount option on SBB? I cannot find it.
Best,
Evrim
Hi Evrim,
If you’re using the SBB website, first enter your route and dates (e.g. Geneva to Zurich) then click on search connection. Then click on any connection. The connection will be displayed along with the cheapest ticket price. Select ticket and choose purchase as guest option. Here you can enter your details and choose the no discount option. The system will recognise this option as long as you stay online continuously and display full fare tickets.
More info here about how to use the timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna,
So if I buy a half fare card for CHF 185, my math is correct, right? which becomes something around 185 + 105 = CHF 290. Then, I prefer a half fare. Do you think Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen area including Murren, Wengen (my hotel there), Interlaken and some other places needs too much transportation that half fare wouldn’t be a good choice? Also, will Swiss Rail Pass be valid for all trains in these vilages in Jungfrau/Lauterbrunnen region? Thank you.
Best,
Evrim
Hi Evrim,
The price of the Swiss Half Fare Card is CHF120 and valid for a month. Based on your calculation, it does makes sense to get the Swiss Half Fare Card for this trip. Option to purchase this pass online here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/price
I’m not sure how much travelling you’d be doing in the Jungfrau region. You need to list down all your planned excursions and compare the costs. In any case, with the Swiss Half Fare Card, I think you will save substantially.
With the Swiss Travel Pass you get unlimited travel on the public transport in the Jungfrau region (trains and boats) and discounted travel on cogwheel trains, cable cars, gondolas and funiculars to the mountains. For more info about the pass coverage: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity
regards,
Anna
Hi Evrim!
In case you haven’t found the explanation on finding prices in the Swiss timetable yet: a step-by-step plan is described under “How to find ticket prices (advanced timetable)” at https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.
As Anna mentioned, only a detailed calculation including each of your travel plans can tell for sure which rail pass is most economical. If your plans aren’t set in stone yet, you’ll have to make an educated guess. This page explains how to make the right choice for your plans: https://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass.
Thank you so much Annika! 🌸🌺
Thank you very much Anna! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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