Other than length of time, how does the Saver Day Pass differ from the Swiss Travel Pass? I understand it can be booked up to 60 days in advance for the best rates.
Does the day pass also include local transportation (ie. Trams or buses in Zurich or Engadin)?
I believe it does not include local transport. I have also seen some mountain lifts that explicitly say that the Saver Day Pass is not good for for half fare discount as the Travel Pass is.
It was my impression that local transportation was always included in the price of your accommodation in Switzerland. I have been told that is not always the case. What I will say, is that its been included in every accommodation that I've stayed at. I've been in Geneva, Montreaux, Lausanne, Luzern, Bern, Basel and Berner Oberland (where it included the bus in the valley, but I not gondolas, etc.) Sometimes I've been told by the inn to have the reservation info handy for any bus driver, prior to getting to the hotel where a card is typically provided, but, I've never had a bus driver ask. Perhaps someone could clarify the local transportation issue and that would help you to make a decision.
I am looking at the saver day pass to travel from Zurich to Samedan and to visit Pontresina or St Moritz. Many of the hotels offer the local pass there for stays of two nights or longer but I'm only staying for one night.
I may also be taking a (very long) day trip to Zermatt from Stresa.
The details does mention the it is good for boats, buses, trams or postbuses.
are valid on the selected day up until 5 a.m. the following day on routes in the GA travelcard area.
The GA travelcard area is anything shown with a solid line on the synoptic map.
Sunshine, the difference between the Saver Day Pass and a Swiss Pass is:
1) A Saver Day Pass is for one day only.
2) It has variable pricing, you MUST buy it in advance and it is cheaper the earlier you buy. If you leave it too late it could be sold out for that day.
3) It gives a discount if you already hold a Half Price Card.
Details here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/1-day-travelpass/saver-day-pass.html
The coverage is the same as a Swiss Pass (or a "GA" the annual pass residents can buy), that is all transport, rail+bus+boat+city transport, excluding some mountain railways which are purely for tourists.
@Jules M, yes many Swiss towns and cities include local transport if you are staying in a hotel, but that is only good for that town or city, not if you want to do a day trip to somewhere else (Zürich, Engadin, . . . )
Thanks, Sam!! I think I'll take the risk and get two of the saver day passes when they come available for purchase.
Thank you as well for the clarification, Chris!
