When should I buy the Swiss Travel Pass?

We will be landing in Zurich on April 26th afternoon and after going through Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Montreux, Geneva we shall head to Milan (Italy) on May 8th followed by returning to Canada on May 12th morning.

I am wondering when should I buy the Swiss Travel passes for the family along with Rail Europe tickets for Italy travelling?

I saw somewhere on the forum NOT to buy the passes/tickets 1 month before travelling time......

Hello rahmanr67,

Maybe you read you can't buy Swiss train tickets more than 1 month ahead of travel?

If you buy the Swiss Travel Pass on-line and print at home you can get it closer to your travel date although there is a promotion on at present (www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/promotio ns).

On-line delivery by PDF is generally very quick. Once you have your pass you will most likely not need any other tickets or reservations in Switzerland based on your outlined itinerary. Certainly not tickets bought in advance.

From your trip to Milan the Swiss Travel Pass will cover you to the Swiss border at Domodossola.

You can make your Italian reservation and buy tickets as soon as your plans are firm. They tend to be cheaper in advance. See www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/italy

We just bought our passes we are going in mid may . They are on sale now for a short time.

Welcome to MySwissAlps Zittelm!

Hi Zittelm

The link you provided shows special promotions from Eurorail? None for STP from SBB?

I am visiting Switzerland in last week of July and want to buy the STP . I would like to buy at a discount if possible when there are promotions. However I prefer to buy directly from SBB Switzerland .

Hi Meeraoz,

I added a link to Zittelm's post to allow quick access to current Swiss Travel Pass promotions (if any). So if you keep an eye on that page you'll be able to check if you can buy at a discount. Discounts are rare though. The passes are usually offered for the normal price.

All purchase options are listed on www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/price. That list includes the SBB tourist web shop as well, but SBB does not offer promotions very often.

Hi Arno

Many thanks for the link to the web page with options.

I did a quick check of STP 15 continuous/ 15 consecutive days prices.

In swiss frances SBB is 485, happy rail is 480 and raileurope oz site quote is 538 (quote is 730 aussie dollars). Raileurope price is high to begin ie 55 swiss francs more ( about 75 aussie dollars).

Their promo code of $130 aussie dollars in effect means only around 55 dollars saving.

Tried live chat help on raileurope oz website. Agents are not very helpful (my experience just now)

Thought of sharing this with you.

Hi Meera,

Yes indeed, Rail Europe prices for Swiss rail prices are often higher than several other websites, and they fluctuate due to exchange rates. On the other hand you can pay in your own currency and avoid bank fees, if any. Anyway, with the promo you will save money. It helps to do the math in each case, as you did. Thanks for sharing! Prices change, promotions come and go.

Hi Arno

I did the sums by factoring in a 3% credit card foreign conversion fee that my bank charges. Even then Happy Rail fare is the cheapest among the 3 by 5 swiss francs and 6 oz dollars!

I have a question about the Tell Pass. Will it cover Mt. Titlis and Mt. Pilatus round trip or one way?Can I buy the pass at Luzern train station on Saturday or Sunday?

I

Tell Pass covers round trips to both mountains.

Yes you can buy at Lucerne any day.

Thank you very much! Can I buy the ticket at the Tourist Information Office at the train station? Do you know when it's open?

Not sure about the TIO but manned ticket sales are open 6:40 to 20:00 Sat and Sun.