13 days with three kids

Hi

This looks a great site - thanks in anticipation of your advice. We will be based in Zurich for 13 days in July - and will do overnight trips away, as well as day trips from Zurich. Am considering Grindelwald or Wengen for three nights and perhaps another overnight trip to Zermatt. We like scenery and the kids like adrenalin sports etc. We have a free car to use but are thinking a train pass may be easier to take out the stress of driving, especially on the longer trips.

After looking at the options I think the half fare pass, valid for 1 month, for my husband and me is the best option. The alternative is a 8 day flex full pass I think, which I think will cost 4 times as much.

I see with the half pass you can upgrade for a day to a full pass? Is that correct?

Does the half pass give us half fare travel on Zurich city transport too? How does one buy Zurich city tickets - on board trams or is it easier to buy a book of tickets? Also do our kids travel for free on city transportation and trains, but need to pay full fare on cable cars and special tourist trains?

Many thanks for all your help. It is much appreciated.

Edie

Welcome Edie, and thank you for your compliments!

A Swiss Half Fare Card certainly makes sense if you want to combine trips car trips with train rides and mountain transportation. If you only make an occasional long and expensive trip, you can indeed buy an additional one-day travelpass. It's explained at our Swiss Half Fare Card page. Our video gives a summary of its most important features.

If you plan on making many long journeys by public transportation, a Swiss Travel Pass Flex or a Swiss Half Fare Card Combi could still be worth its money. Once you're pretty sure about your plans, you can do the math to see which option turns out to be cheaper.

Yes, the Swiss Half Fare Card also provides discounts on city transportation in Zurich. You can purchase your discounted rail tickets at the railway station before boarding. Show your Swiss Half Fare Card to get the reduction. Bus and tram tickets can be bought from the machines before you get in, or from several service desks throughout town.

With the free Swiss Family Card, children travel along for free on all trips. This includes mountain transportation and special trains.

Thanks so much - such invaluable help! Much appreciated!

You're welcome! I just made a small change in my post in the part about tram tickets.

Enjoy your trips!