Novice European traveler here so bear with me. We are doing the GAS tour soon. I've done lots of confusing research on the Switzerland travel passes and think I'm more confused than when I started... prices and maps and special routes ,oh my (Wizard of Oz reference there). The question here is whether a pass of some type is more economical than pay as you go for family of 4 (all adults) considering the specific itinerary of the GAS tour which has us in Switzerland for only 2 days? Thanks in advance for any insight!
Posted by
Bend, OR
1541 posts
I’m confused, why would you need a Swiss travel pass if you’re on the RS GAS tour? If I remember correctly, there was only one full day in Switzerland to do what you want as far as hike or whatever. A group of us took the train to Wengen then gondola up to Mannlichen and hiked to Kleinschlegg with our guide and he was able to get discounted tickets for us.
I guess you need to let us know what you think you need a pass for. You don’t need one for anything on the tour itself.
Posted by
Paradise
7548 posts
The GAS tour includes transport. You want to travel in Switzerland BEFORE? or AFTER? the GAS tour - right?
Well, the tour begins in Koblenz, Germany, right? And it ends in Austria. So if you plan to tour Switzerland on your own, you will also need information on travel between Switzerland and Germany or Switzerland and Austria.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12728 posts
Have you looked at the 'What's included" and the "Itinerary" here---
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/germany/germany-austria-switzerland-tour-2025
Where are you wanting to go on Day 6 that you think a travel pass would be of use?
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks, I have looked at the itinerary. As I said, novice traveler. We were hoping to do some exploring of the area and it looks like there is a day and a half of free time. So was thinking about some type of transportation pass, such as the Berner Oberland pass, that covers the cable cars and has ability to get to another town. It's cool if that is totally unnecessary, that's why I need the wisdom of fellow travelers to gain knowledge on how to get around. There's no major public transport system, other than a city bus, in my area of the country so it's not in my wheelhouse.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1541 posts
You might check with the RS tour office. Im sure they can tell you what to expect. We went up to the Schilthorn with the tour group on the half day, tram up included with tour, then a group of us hiked the rest of the day with no pass necessary. I’ve already posted what we did on our free day.
Posted by
Parker, CO
13 posts
We did the GAS Tour in August 2023.
We loved our time in Switzerland so much that we’re going back in 2026.
While you are in the Berner Oberland, the days you sleep in Murren, you will have a pass that gets you unlimited rides on the gondola from Stechelberg at the far end of the Lauterbrunnenn Valley, up to Murren. Your tour guide will explain it all to you while you’re driving to that area.
You’ll be given a ticket for a ride from Murren up to the Schilthorn. Take advantage of all you can do while up there … activities are explained in your tour guidebook. Have you already ordered and received yours?
Piz Gloria, James Bond experience, Rotating Restaurant … we skipped those but DO stop at the Birg Station and the the Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk … even if you’re afraid of heights - it’s totally safe and you’ll be so proud of yourself for doing it!
Do take advantage of good weather to go up to the mountain peaks. The book recommends exploring Lauterbrunnen Valley, Trummelbach Falls on rainy days - good advice. There will be rain so pack accordingly.
Our best day was when we were on our own and bought train and gondola tickets from Lauterbrunnen up to Wengen, gondola ticket from Wengen to Mannlichen to take the Mannlichen - Kleine Scheidegg Hike. It is detailed in your Tour Guidebook! The Train Ride from Lauterbrunnen is pricey but the experience is priceless. You’ll also need a train ticket back to Lauterbrunnen from Kleine Scheidegg but buy it in Lauterbrunnen when you get the other tickets.
You want the best weather possible for this one so have your tour guide help you figure out when would be the best time to do this. Also make sure you know when the last train leaves Kleine Scheidegg and get there plenty early - it is really crowded in the late afternoon and you do not want to miss the last train down.
I do not think that a Pass would help with this, maybe the folks at Rick Steves can help answer that question.
There is a local bus that you can hop on in Lauterbrunnen that makes several stops and takes you back to the gondola in Stechelberg that takes you up to Murren.
We did take the Allmendhubel Funicular with our group and saw some cows but I would skip this if it’s during a time when you could do the Kleine-Scheidegg hike. Again, work this out with your Tour Guide and the weather!