Swiss Travel Pass – valid on local transport?
A traveler is planning a trip to small villages in Switzerland and wants to know if the Swiss Travel Pass will cover short bus trips while staying there. They are looking for specific routes in villages like Andeer, Locarno, and Kriens to ensure their pass is valid for these trips. They also request details on areas where the pass may not apply.
The Swiss Travel Pass covers 99% of public transport in Switzerland, including most bus routes between towns and villages. Check the 'Schweizmobil' website for a comprehensive map of valid transport routes. Most mountain transport, such as cable cars to high peaks, is not covered by the pass but other local transportation is typically included.
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I’ll be staying in some small villages included on the Validity map during my trip but would like to know if the Swiss Pass will cover short trips while in those villages. The Area of Validity map isn’t quite clear what “Also valid for public transport” covers (how far does the public transport for that valid city go?). Some example trips:
Staying in Andeer, would a bus trip from Andeer, Heilbad to Lohn GR, Dorf be covered by the Swiss Pass or would I have to purchase that in addition to the pass?
Locarno, Panorama to San Carlo (Bavona), Ponte?
Kriens, Sidhalde to St. Urban, Klinik?
If any of these aren’t covered by the Swiss Pass would I get a 50% discount as a Swiss Pass holder?
Ultimately I’m trying to find details regarding where the Swiss Pass is NOT valid, so if one could point me to any sources that would clarify that, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance, looking forward to finally getting to experience this wonderland!
🇨🇭 The official SBB tourist webshop✓ Discounts for passholders ✓ Instant mobile e-Ticket ✓ Free cancellation option
Unlimited travel
Swiss Travel Pass
Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland.
With discounts
Mountain excursions
Official e-Tickets with pass holder discounts. Skip the ticket counter.
Ideal for long stays
Swiss Travel Pass Flex
Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland on the days of your choice.
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The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on 99% of all public transport routes that form the core network of what is dubbed the ‘Swiss Travel System’ (STS). It’s slightly hard to describe, but the ‘core network’ is all of the transport modes in the country that serve main towns and villages that residents and commuters would travel in and between. The STS comprises main line and local railways, the national post bus network, regional and local buses and trams (streetcars), lake boats and some low altitude cable cars and funicular railways. Excluded from free travel are most ‘uphill travel modes’ eg cable cars, cog wheel railways etc to mountain peaks
Practically speaking, there is no way that a validity map can show every single route as there are 000s and 000s of public transport routes, long and short, across Switzerland.
However, if you board any train, bus, tram or boat in all ‘mainstream’ areas you can be 99% certain your STP will be valid.
A good place to see how the network is arranged is the ‘Schweizmobil’ web site:
(I’m guessing you might be from Idaho, where there ain’t much transport similar to Switzerland!)
Hi BoiseDave,
1960man is on point. It’s hard to include all the valid routes on the Swiss Travel Pass validity map. In general, the Swiss Travel Pass is valid on all Swiss public transport and most mountain transportation. The bus trip from Andeer to Lohn is certainly covered as are the routes from Locarno (Panorama) to San Carlo, and from Kriens to St Urban.
Regards,
Anna
1960man
Your comment to BoiseDave made me giggle. Unfortunately, we don’t have anything similar in the US similar to Switzerland’s transportation system. It may not even exist in the whole world! I guess that’s why it’s mind-boggling in understanding how the system works so expeditiously and perfectly!
Appreciate all the invaluable info this forum has furnished! I leave for Switzerland in 5 days!!
Bebe
Hi Bebe, I hope you’ll enjoy your trip and the efficience of the Swiss public transport system. Have fun!
🇨🇭 The official SBB tourist webshop✓ Discounts for passholders ✓ Instant mobile e-Ticket ✓ Free cancellation option Unlimited travel
Swiss Travel Pass
Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland.
With discounts
Mountain excursions
Official e-Tickets with pass holder discounts. Skip the ticket counter.
Ideal for long stays
Swiss Travel Pass Flex
Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland on the days of your choice.
Thank you, Arno. Our itinerary is as follows: arriving in Geneva from the USA, the first 5 days we will be in Montreux with other Queen fans from literally all over the world celebrating Freddie Mercury’s 76th birthday and doing some other usual tourist excursions. Heading next to the Bernese Oberland area for some easy hiking & sightseeing from Wengen at Mannlichen and Kleine Scheidegg, etc., hoping the weather also permits a visit up to the Schilthorn. Then to Locarno in southern Switzerland and a visit to the Brissago Islands and Ascona on Lake Maggiore. Flying home from Milan. Appreciate so much all the assistance & info that this forum has provided in planning our trip!
Bebe
That sounds brilliant Bebe. I hope the Freddie Mercury celebration is a memorable one.
Happy to hear our website has been useful for you so far. Feel free to post about your experiences once you’re back home: https://www.myswissalps.com/forum/tripreports!
Thanks for the responses everyone. I’ve been using the Switzerland Mobility app a ton and it’s great. Sounds like we’ll be all set with the Swiss Pass!
Indeed, where I am public transportation is just not that reliable beyond the immediate area. I would never have dreamed of not renting a car while traveling abroad until I started reading up on the Swiss system and it’s honestly a big part of why we chose Switzerland for our big trip. I’ve heard the mountains are pretty nice too… 🙂 Thanks again!
Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass will be very convenient. You can find trusted resellers here: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price.
‘m pretty sure you’ll love both the transport as well as the scenery :-). Have fun, and let us know if you have further questions while planning your trip.
Yes the Swiss Travel Pass is the best pass for long haul overseas visitors. (note – take care with the difference between the Swiss Travel Pass (the ‘rover’ go anywhere ticket for Swiss public transport aimed at visiting tourists) and the Swiss Pass (a catch-all travel and purchase card pass aimed at Swiss residents)
Hi BoiseDave,
this is the official web shop of the Swiss Railways (SBB), operated by Switzerland Travel Centre (STC): https://shop.switzerlandtravelcentre.com. I recommend getting your Swiss Travel Pass from there. You can change currency (CHF to USD) on the top of the page, on the right side, if you wish. You can also find them in the list that Arno mentioned before (http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price).
Let us know if you have any questions, we are here to help 🙂
Ildiko
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