Planning A Switzerland Tour? Here's All You Need To Know About Using The Swiss Travel Pass

Anyone who has travelled to Switzerland before will extol the benefits of getting a Swiss Travel Pass to traverse the length and breadth of the country. Encompassing bus, train and boat routes, you will only need one hassle-free ticket to take you to the lakes, mountains and ski resorts of the country. Here’s a complete guide on making the most of a Swiss Travel Pass during your Switzerland tour.

What Is The Swiss Travel Pass?

Switzerland’s rail system is among the most modern and efficient in Europe and includes commuter trains, long-distance routes connecting Swiss cities and those in the rest of Europe, and smaller trains that stop at quaint towns and villages. It also includes scenic trains that pass through stunning landscapes and mountain ranges, as well as cogwheel trains and funiculars that connect to high-altitude mountain towns. The broader Swiss public transport system is made up of buses, boats and even some ski gondolas and cable cars.

The Swiss Travel Pass allows international visitors to travel to the most beautiful places in the country on flexible and affordable public transport. It provides unlimited use of public transport (train, bus and boat) in more than 90 towns and cities across Switzerland. Visitors also get free admission to more than 500 museums, discounts of up to 50 per cent on mountain excursions, and unlimited travel to Mount Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos. Remember that seat reservations and/or supplements are required to travel on some trains, buses and boats, such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express and Palm Express.

How Many Days Can I Use A Swiss Travel Pass For My Switzerland Tour?

Visitors can choose from three, four, six, eight or 15 consecutive days of travel on the Swiss Travel Pass. If you do not prefer to travel over consecutive days, preferring to spend a few days in a place or region before moving on, consider getting the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. This allows for a set number of travel days within a 30-day time period, which is well-suited to those planning a more extended stay in Switzerland.

What Are The Prices?

Here are the prices for second-class seats in 2024 for adults. First-class seats are a tad more expensive. However, both are spacious, clean and comfortable:

• Three days – CHF 244 (approximately INR 23,583)

• Four days – CHF 295 (approximately INR 28,512)

• Six days – CHF 379 (approximately INR 36,631)

• Eight days – CHF 419 (approximately INR 40,497)

• 15 days – CHF 459 (approximately INR 44,363)

Children from their sixth till their 16^th birthday who are accompanied by at least one parent holding a Swiss Travel Pass ticket can travel free of charge with the complimentary Swiss Family Card. With the Swiss Travel Pass Youth, young people up to their 25^th birthday benefit from a 30 per cent discount off the regular Swiss Travel Pass ticket fare.

Is A Swiss Travel Pass Worth It?

It depends. If you are travelling around Switzerland for a longer time (a week or more) and plan on visiting many different areas all over the country using public transport, then the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it. If your trip is short, or if you plan to rent a car or stay mostly in one region, then it’s usually not worth it. In that case, look for a regional card of the area that you are visiting.

Where Can I Purchase A Swiss Travel Pass?

The Swiss Travel Pass is available online or at any staffed public transport point of sale, such as railway stations and some airports (Zürich and Geneva). For online purchasing, go to the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website, where you can buy the pass as a “guest.” You do not need a login. You will receive a quick response (QR) code by email, which you will need to present during ticket inspections.

What Are Some Attractions I Can See On A Swiss Travel Pass?

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is a unique route that spans 1,643 kilometres. Split into eight stages, the circuit traverses through 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, five Alpine passes and 22 lakes. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you will get to discover Switzerland’s sights and landmarks from the comfort of the train. Hop on and off wherever you please.

The Glacier Express, which takes visitors through the Alps in the world’s slowest express train; the Luzern-Interlaken Express, which connects two of Switzerland’s most popular tourist destinations; the Three Lakes Cruise Lake Biel, which cuts across a picturesque landscape of gentle hills dotted with vineyards and vegetable crops; cruises on Lake Lugano and Lake Zug; the Central Alps Passes PostBus Route, which trundles past glittering reservoir lakes; and the Palm Express, which covers the St. Moritz-Menaggio-Lugano route, are some of the top journeys you can undertake with a Swiss Travel Pass.

Getting There

There are direct flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to Zürich Airport (ZRH).