Should we get a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card?

Posted by anna2426 (Nashville, TN) on 03/17/26 12:25 AM

First time to Switzerland and hoping to travel in the most cost efficient way for two. Below is itinerary:
Day 1: Land in Zurich then travel to Lucerne where we are staying 3 nights
Day 2: Mount Pilatus (I've heard about the golden round trip?)
Day 3: Visit Meggenhorn and Stoos Ridge Hike
Day 4: Travel to Zermatt where we will stay 1 night
Day 5: Travel from Zermatt to Wengen where we will stay 3 nights
Day 6: Exploring Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald
Day 7: Exploring Interlaken, taking boat to Iseltwald
Day 8: Travel from Wengen to spend a few days on the Upper Middle Rhine river

Please send any tips or suggestions on best way to travel by train!

Posted by phred

Los Angeles

03/17/26 12:41 AM

5484 posts

Every other post on this forum asks the same question, do some google and see what you see

Posted by KD

03/17/26 12:59 AM

1739 posts

phred speaks the truth, and I'm one who asked as well! I can honestly say, my head is still spinning, and the more you look into the answers, you'll only have more questions. I'm still not sure what the answer is. I've still got a little time to figure it out. Good luck!

Posted by margie

Bend, OR

03/17/26 01:04 AM

1924 posts

The SBB site is the best place to check out for information on which pass is right for you. It can be complicated and time consuming if you really want to penny for penny it all out or just look at the days the different passes cover and decide whether it’s worth the cost of the full pass for less hassle. I believe others have mentioned that SBB has an office in the Zurich airport that can help you with pass purchase if you want to wait til you get there. The trauma of which pass/passes to purchase is part of the Switzerland travel experience we’ve all gone thru, a rite of passage :-)

Posted by Nigel🚊🧸🔔

Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England

03/17/26 06:23 PM

36548 posts

can I briefly stick my oar in - not to answer the pass question (I don't have the time to run the numbers which is the only way to work it out) but briefly about your Day 4.

Going all the way to Zermatt for only a few hours, a night and a few hours may not be completely productive.

The Matterhorn is renowned for playing hide and seek (mostly hide) with the clouds. Are you prepared to do all that traven and not actually see it at all? Would that be OK? If you really want to see it you need to watch the local forecasts and be ready to jump, and only being in the area that short a period makes a poor result more possible.

Sorry to be a wet blanket.