MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Swiss Travel Pass too costly – better option?
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My husband and I are going to Switzerland in August. 2 nights in Lucerne, then 2 nights in Interlaken, 2 nights in Zermatt, and 2 nights in Zurich. We want to see Rhine Falls, Mount Titlis, Pilatus, Rigi – more scenic routes. We do not have much interests in museums. Looking at a swiss rail pass for 2 people for 8 days is 800 dollars. I am hoping there is a more reasonable pass to fit our travel needs and budget. Thanks!
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Sorry, there is no cheaper alternative if you want the pass to cover as far south as Zermatt and as far north as Zurich.
A Swiss half fare card and advance purchase tickets might work out cheaper but it adds complexity to your trip.
Hi Allison A and welcome to MySwissAlps!
To know which rail pass is the best for your specific itinerary you need to plan out all trips you will make (train, bus, boat, cable car) and compare the prices for regular tickets to the rail pass price (and which routes/mountains are free or discounted). Once you have that information you can read our page here on how to choose the best rail pass. There is a spreadsheet there to help with the math. 🙂
https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/ticketspas ses/practical/choosera ilpassThe Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpass) is usually the simplest option and offers ticket-less travel for most, but not all trips. The Swiss Half Fare Card (https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisshalffarecar d) is cheaper to buy, but then you buy tickets for every trip you make (hence a little more complexity).
I’m pretty sure a rail pass will reduce your costs on your itinerary. Doing the math will tell you if the Swiss Travel Pass is best, or the Swiss Half Fare Card, or another pass (https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/ticketspas ses).
Hi Allison,
Another way to save money is to have a good look at the validity map of the Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity. Take advantage of things included for free. You already have Mount Rigi on your list, which is free. You can substitute Mount Titlis for Stanserhorn, for example. Not the same, but definitely wonderful. You can also skip a mountain and do a free boat trip. In Zurich you can have a free train ride to the viewing point at Uetliberg. There are a lot of options, and if you take advantage of them $798 for 2 people (currently via https://www.happyrail. com/en/pass/europe/swi tzerland/swiss-travel-pass-consecutive) is a good price I think, at least for Swiss standards which are often also a bit above mine 🙂
By the way, there is a promotion right now, see http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/promotio ns. That could take your total price down to $780 if purchased via https://www.raileurope .com/pass/swiss-pass-5934.
You won’t regret getting the Swiss Travel Pass. So convenient and easy and helpful when your plans change or you have to make last minute decisions.
My husband and I used it for our first trip to Switzerland last year and like you, we aren’t exactly Museum people and it was still well worth it. Being able to just hop off and on the trains, most boats, trams and buses is just super convenient and stress free. Like if you got onto the bus and realize it’s going the wrong way (happened to us!), no problem, just get off at the next stop and switch! Things like that are bound to happen and having the Pass just makes it so stress free.
That makes me feel better. Thank you for your response!
Thank you everyone, sounds like the pass is worth it! Can someone tell me where I can find out exactly what is included?
Check out the link Arno gave you earlier: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity
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