Visiting nearby countries with swiss pass?

Short summary – read this first

A traveler is planning a four-week trip to Bern this fall with two adults and six children. They want to visit the Black Forest in Germany and Liechtenstein, and are seeking advice on the best travel options to these destinations while considering the Swiss Travel Pass for their daily travels in Switzerland.

Key takeaways:
  • The Swiss Travel Pass covers some train and bus services to nearby countries, including Liechtenstein.
  • If traveling to places not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, like the Black Forest, purchase a ticket in Bern and show your pass for further assistance.
  • The one-year Swiss Half Fare Card provides discounts on trains to Germany and Austria, while the one-month version does not.
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InfoAI-generated summary
  • Anonymous
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    5 May 2011 at 14:20:18 #804268

    We (2 adults, 6 children under 16) are going to be in Bern for four weeks this fall. During our time there we would like to go up to the black forest in Germany and Leichtenstein . After the four weeks we would like to go to Rome. I think it is best to get the swiss pass with the family card for our time in Bern, we should be traveling on Train or bus everyday. My question is what is the best thing to do for our travels to the other countries. I saw that the half price pass included some trains outside of Switzerland. Does the normal swiss pass also have half price fares on those trains? Thanks

  • Arno
    Moderator
    15730 posts
    Reply 1 of 1 • 6 May 2011 at 10:27:30 #832734

    Hello kbekker,

    That’s great that you can spend such a long time in Switzerland! The Swiss Pass also covers some train and bus services just across the border (including Liechtenstein). It’s listed at the Swiss Pass page, along with a link to a detailed map. There’s no discount on anything that’s not covered in the surrounding countries.

    If you would travel to anything not covered by the Swiss Pass, e.g. the Black Forest, you would purchase a ticket in Bern and show your Swiss Pass. The railway personnel can then sell you a ticket that’s free up until the Swiss border (Basel Bad Bf in this case).

    Please note that the 1-year (or longer) Swiss Half Fare Card includes 25% discounts on tickets to Germany and Austria, but the 1-month Swiss Half Fare Card does not offer such discounts. It’s just valid on the network as displayed on the map. It does allow you to buy day tickets for unlimited traveling in Switzerland as an add on.

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