Discount passes for Titlis Mountain, museums etc

damendolare, renting a car may well be a bad choice. However to answer your questions:

• I have never heard of discounts for people arriving by car. Switzerland usually encourages use of public transport.
• The cable car to Titlis starts at the bottom of the valley in Engelberg. This is where you need to get to (by car or train).
• You cannot drive to Zermatt, you have to leave your car in a car park (paid) further down the valley, and take a train to Zermatt.
• Do not assume a hotel has parking, always ask. And also do not assume parking is free. Whether public or private (hotel), expect to pay for parking in towns.

Also, where are you coming from (airport, other European country etc.), and where are you going back to? This has to be factored into transport decisions.

The four places you mention are better served by train than by car. As ChrisF pointed out, you cannot drive to Zermatt; you must pay to park your car in Tasch and take the train in from there. And I know of no "pass" offered for car drivers and passengers which covers museums and mountain lifts; only a Swisss Pass of some type will do that.

It is quite possible that car rental was a bad choice for your group. Can you cancel it?

Actually my son just moved to Basel and we need to car for IKEA trips and things of that nature. I do understand trains are recommended and I researched parking etc so I’m ready for that. Thanks

If your son has moved to Basel, ask him, he should know how Switzerland works.
And, please start thinking in Franks, not $ (of which sort?), it will make things simpler.

I understand, only issue is he just started his new job and and is unfamiliar with traveling the country. This will definitely be a learning experience for us all.

If you are hopping over to Ikea - and other apartment furnishing sources in France and Germany (Euros there) expect more comprehensive questioning at the border crossing than in previous years.

I've been over several Swiss borders in the last couple of weeks and the difference to me is dramatic, and it isn't just the Swiss checks, it is the other country too. I always expect a backup at A5/Basel into Switzerland - although it was a shock just how slow; what really surprised me was the questioning going into Germany at the Rheinfelden crossing. Ever since that new autobahn opened I have loved the opportunity to bypass Basel's trucks and tunnels and construction and just get a glimpse of the brewery and hop across. It was the strictest questioning going into Germany I have had for 30 or 40 years. The officer asked me questions about specific items I might want to declare, listing them all and questioning each one.

Just budget enough time for these tighter restrictions - and probably be prepared to pay duty.

Another one was into Italy at Isole and into Switzerland at both Chiasso and Locarno.

You can buy a Swiss Travel Pass and only use it for mountain rides and museum coverage, particularly if you're able to fit more than one into a day. However, a Swiss Half Fare Card (one month version for visitors) may be a better fit for half off all transport (but no museum discounts). Your son can buy something similar that lasts a whole year.

Thank you all for your replies, especially the border information.
I certainly appreciate all your guidance.
Lots to think about and discuss!
Doreen

Your son might want to check out mobility car sharing. As for IKEA, one can rent a car at the store for a few hours to transport the furniture.