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Swiss Travel Pass vs car rental

Short summary – read this first

A traveler named Amarmistry is planning a trip to Switzerland from July 7th to July 14th, traveling with two others. They are unsure whether to rent a car or use the Swiss Travel Pass for transport, especially for scenic routes like GEX and GPEX.

Key takeaways:
  • Consider using the Swiss Travel Pass for convenient access to many modes of transport, including discounts for boats and cable cars.
  • Renting a car might seem cheap, but parking and gas costs can add up quickly in Switzerland.
  • If a rental car is chosen, ensure to factor in the daily parking fees and other transport needs during your trip.
  • The Swiss Half Fare Card can be a valuable option to save on transportation if the Swiss Travel Pass is not ideal for your itinerary.
➤ For an instant mobile ticket, with easy online cancellation, get your Swiss rail passes from the official SBB tourist webshop.
InfoAI-generated summary. Details may be outdated. Check with our travel experts to be 100% sure.
  • Anonymous
    Inactive
    83570 posts
    2 May 2018 at 15:21:32 #815681

    Entering Basel, Switzerland via TGV Lyria on 07/07/2018. Flying out of Switzerland on 07/14/2018 from Zurich.

    Total three in my party. Swiss travel pass $1242 total (8 days consecutive).

    Car rental: Approx $500. Not sure of gas, parking, tolls etc.

    I would be doing GEX (from Brigg to Zermatt) and GPEX (Interlaken to Montreaux).

    Can’t decide if renting car is better or Swiss Travel Pass. Has anyone been in this situation and what did you do?

    Also came across this: http://www.myswissalps.com/ca r/trafficregulations

    🇨🇭 The official SBB tourist webshop
    ✓ Discounts for passholders ✓ Instant mobile e-Ticket ✓ Free cancellation option
    🎁 Promotion: Buy your pass and get a free CHF 100 itinerary review! See details ►
    Swiss Travel Pass Unlimited travel

    Swiss Travel Pass

    Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland.

    Mountain excursions With discounts

    Mountain excursions

    Official e-Tickets with pass holder discounts. Skip the ticket counter.

    Swiss Travel Pass Flex Ideal for long stays

    Swiss Travel Pass Flex

    Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland on the days of your choice.

  • User
    Inactive
    83570 posts
    Reply 1 of 4 • 2 May 2018 at 15:46:38 #883947

    Hi amarmistry,

    That is quite a cheap rate for a rental car for 8 days. Economically that might make more sense…

    Be sure to read about travel by car vs. train first though. We always recommend the train but sometimes it doesn’t make sense personally or financially. The rental car will have a toll pass already so you just need to worry about gas and parking (which can add up).

    Swiss Rail Pass Promotion

    ➤ Buy a rail pass and get a free Expert Itinerary Review. Works for all travel dates, 1st and 2nd class. See how it works

    Arno
    Moderator
    15772 posts
    Reply 2 of 4 • 21 May 2018 at 14:25:22 #883948

    Hi Amarmistry,

    Were you able to make up your mind? Note that just the rental fee is often not close to what you’ll actually be spending on transportation. Indeed there is parking that you already mentioned. I just spent CHF 20 per day on a parking garage, for example, which is a normal amount in Switzerland. To reach the beautiful spots you often also need to travel by boat, cable car, cogwheel train, etc. With a rail pass those are either discounted or free. If you do rent a car then at least Swiss Half Fare Cards would be useful to save money: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isshalffarecard.

    Enjoy your trip!

    ---
    I can personally help you plan your Switzerland trip. View the options
    User
    Inactive
    83570 posts
    Reply 3 of 4 • 21 May 2018 at 15:11:44 #883949

    Actually I think I am leaning towards not renting the car. Will most probably take STP. I did not check out Swiss half fare card yet. But I wonder if it’d be a better choice over STP for 7 nights stay.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15772 posts
    Reply 4 of 4 • 21 May 2018 at 15:23:47 #883950

    Hi Amarmistry,

    Which of those two is best price wise depends on what exactly you plan to do (transfers and day trips, and museums perhaps). You’ll find details here:

    For convenience the Swiss Travel Pass is best, but if the Swiss Half Fare Card would be much cheaper overall then that’s the way to go of course.

    You’ll like the trains once there!

    🇨🇭 The official SBB tourist webshop
    ✓ Discounts for passholders ✓ Instant mobile e-Ticket ✓ Free cancellation option
    🎁 Promotion: Buy your pass and get a free CHF 100 itinerary review! See details ►
    Swiss Travel Pass Unlimited travel

    Swiss Travel Pass

    Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland.

    Mountain excursions With discounts

    Mountain excursions

    Official e-Tickets with pass holder discounts. Skip the ticket counter.

    Swiss Travel Pass Flex Ideal for long stays

    Swiss Travel Pass Flex

    Unlimited train, bus, & boat travel across Switzerland on the days of your choice.

  • The thread ‘Swiss Travel Pass vs car rental’ is closed to new replies.

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