[Anonymous]

6 September 2019 at 15:01:02 #823766

So this may seem like a silly question but we were going to get two travel passes for our vacation next month however when looking up tours and excursions, it seems like your transportation is included with the tours. So should I Still get travel passes as well as books the tours?

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[Arno]

Reply 1 of 5 • 6 September 2019 at 15:08:39 #921857

Hi Glamourcat04,

Welcome to MySwissAlps! The Swiss Travel Pass is geared to independent travelers. You can board trains, boats and buses as you like, and for mountain trips you’d buy a discounted ticket either online or on the spot. Most museums are included as well. You’ll find all details here: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass.

If you prefer guided tours, then indeed transportation is included. So if you only book tours like that, a Swiss Travel Pass does not make sense. A Swiss Half Fare Card could still make sense to travel from one base town to the other, or for the occasional independent trip: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isshalffarecard.

Guided tours can be found on all our attraction pages, if available: http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities.

[User]

Reply 2 of 5 • 6 September 2019 at 15:38:48 #921858

Ok thank you for the info! Should I book tours and the rail passes ahead of time or would it be ok to do it once we get there and figure out what we want to do? I am also a little confused about what is included with the rail passes vs the tours. I don’t want to buy any tours If they are going to be included with the rail passes.

Thanks!

[User]

Reply 3 of 5 • 6 September 2019 at 15:42:06 #921859

Examples of tours we are interested in would be the Rhine Falls, the Golden Round trip from Lake Lucerne up to Mount Pilatus or the ride to Burgenstock, the Schilthorn, etc.

Thanks!

[Arno]

Reply 4 of 5 • 6 September 2019 at 17:28:52 #921860

Hi Glamourcat04,

Please see the pass links in my previous post. All pass details are there, including a downloadable map of what’s included.

You can book when you want, but in case of tours the risk of them being booked out does increase closer to the date. In case of the mentioned passes it makes sense to buy online. It’s quicker, sometimes it’s slightly cheaper, and it’s safer as you’ll receive it electronically so there’s always a backup, as opposed to a piece of paper that you can lose.

[rockoyster]

Reply 5 of 5 • 6 September 2019 at 23:02:29 #921861

You don’t need to go on organised tours. Swiss public transport is the best.

Just do your own thing.

By far the best way to check timetables, find fares* and buy tickets on-line if required is using the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi). In the unlikely event you don’t have a device capable of running the app then you can use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B). If you are not familiar with using the timetable it will pay to first read the instructions on this page – http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable.

* The SBB website shows half-fare prices by default, the mobile app allows you to nominate whether to show full or half-fares (by editing the passenger details in settings) and is also smart enough to offer you the Saver Day Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sa verdaypass) if that offers the best fare.

Based on your personal itinerary you should read “How to choose the best travel pass” (http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass), download the handy spreadsheet calculator and do the math. The spreadsheet also includes links to the “Where it’s valid” page for all available passes. Be sure to check those pages for each pass you are considering. Study the map AND read all the text on those pages to fully understand what is covered by the respective pass.