Swiss Rail Saver Day Pass

See the coverage map to download at https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/1-day-travelpass/saver-day-pass.html. The Saver Day Pass is valid on all the solid lines - most trains, buses, and boats, but not valid and no discount on the dashed lines representing higher mountain lifts. (Disregard the larger dashes for rail tunnels.)

Laura, thank you! How is one eligible for a half fare Saver Day Pass? I didn’t see any information in the link you shared.

I ask because I have a disability & wonder if I would be eligible. The disability is a spinal condition called Spondylolisthesis. If needed, I can provide a doctor’s note of course in English. I don’t have a wheelchair.

Thanks.

Hi,
Half fare saver day pass is available to folks with a half fare card, which you probably won't have if you plan to buy day passes.

Continental, in order to be eligable for the half fare Saver Day Pass (or any other half fare ticket) you need to have a Half Fare Card or be a child under 16. It is nothing to do with disabilities. AFAIK there are no discounts for tourists with disabilities.

For tourists the Half Fare Card costs CHF 120 for 1 month. Details here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests/swiss-halffare-card.html

Does the purchase of one mean you can travel anywhere in Switzerland by rail and local transportation for that one cost?

Yes, and boats too, as per the map Laura posted. Just mountain railways excluded.
Lines shown solid are included (______), those in dots are excluded (. . . . . . .), those shown in dashes are tunnels (- - - - - - ).

Chris, thank you.

To follow up, does the saver day pass include gondolas or cable cars up a mountain at no extra cost? You mentioned that mountain rail was not included which is why I am asking.

Also, does that mean that all boats are included in the price of the saver day pass?

See the coverage map available for download through Laura's link https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/1-day-travelpass/saver-day-pass.html
- Dotted lines are not included: this excludes most higher mountain railways with the notable exceptions of Rigi and Rochers de Naye
- Boats, white lines, are included.

Thank you. I’m looking at the downloaded map but I don’t understand the list of rail, bus, and steamer companies listed on page 1. Does the list indicate that buying a saver day pass gives me access to any of those transportation options listed on page 1 at no additional cost for that day?

I didn’t see anything in that downloaded map about gondolas and cable cars. Maybe I missed it. I would like to know that if I get a saver day pass to Lucerne, for example, from Basel — will the cost of the saver day pass include the cable car or gondola up nearby mountains? I already know that it does not include any trains going up the mountains.

I’m sorry that I am so confused.

The map, which I link directly for convenience: https://www.sbb.ch/content/dam/sbb/de/pdf/abos-billette/abonnemente/ga/karte-geltungsbereich-ga-halbtax-stand_d_barrierefrei.pdf.sbbdownload.pdf
shows every railway, mountain railway/cable car, ferry route that you are likely to come across. Red means railway (either normal railway or mountain railway), black means cable car, white means ferry.
If the line is solid, and not grayed out: the Saver Day Pass is valid and covers you. Example: Basel to Luzern; Luzern to Mount Rigi via Vitznau.
If the line is dotted: the Saver Day Pass does not grant any discount. Example: Pilatus.

The pass also covers urban public transport in every town represented by a circle with a dot. So, Basel trams, Luzern buses and trolleys...: all covered.

Don't bother deciphering the list of companies on page 1 of the map.

Finally, the pass is your ticket. It contains a QR code that inspectors can check.

Red means railway (either normal railway or mountain railway), black
means cable car, white means ferry.

The map shows a thick yellow line between Lauterbrünnen and Mürren. I took that trip in 2014 and in order to get to Mürren from Lauterbrünnen, we took a funicular and then transferred to a cog train. The map just shows one yellow line which should mean that if I were to buy a Saver Day Pass, it would all be included at all no extra cost but mountain rail isn't included. So I'm still confused. I'm also confused that there is just one yellow line between Lauterbrünnen and Mürren as if you only needed one mode of transport between Mürren & Lauterbrünnen. Have things changed since 2014?

Also, is the mid April a good time to take a day trip to the Bernese Oberland or to the mountains near Lucerne?

Continental, Yellow is bus (red is rail, white is boat, black is cable car). You can see that on the key at the top left of the map (click here for map).

"The map shows a thick yellow line between Lauterbrünnen and Mürren." - you are misreading the map. It is difficult to see because of the scale, you may have to zoom the map, but the yellow lines is from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, in the valley bottom. You then need to get a cable car (black line) up to Mürren.

That is one of two routes to Mürren, the other (the one you took in 2014) is from Lauterbrunnen take a cable car (black line) up to Grütschalp, then a train along the clifftop to Mürren (red line).

Note the cable car from Mürren to Schilthorn is also a solid black line, it is included. However on the other side of the valley, the rail line up to Wengen is solid (included), thereafter it is dotted (not included, discount only).

"but mountain rail isn't included" - some is, most isn't. That's why you need to consult the map.
Nothing has changed since 2014 (except the cable car to Schilthorn is now included, previously it wasn't).

The Schilthorn is now included in the Saver Day Pass?

That is fantastic news. I know I will now purchase the Rail Saver Day Pass just to go to the top of the Schilthorn in mid April.

Since I am unfortunately getting lost on this map, I will ask for your advice. From Basel, to which town would I take the train to get to the transportation that takes me to the top of the Schilthorn that is included in the Rail Saver Day Pass? And what exactly would that transportation be? You mentioned a cable car but I’m wondering if there is something else in addition to the cable car that gets me to the top of the Schilthorn. If you could specify what I need to do from Basel with the rail saver day pass, I would greatly appreciate that.

May I assume that I would do the reverse to return to Basel?

All I need to do is show the pass on the SBB app?

Again, I am sorry that I am confused by that map but unfortunately I am. I appreciate & thank you for your patience with me.

Connie

You've got me worried now. The map I posted is not the same as Balso posted.
The one I posted says the Swiss Pass is valid for the Schilthorn.
The one Balso posted says the Saver Day Pass is not valid all the way, just to Mürren.
Sorry, I now think a Saver Day Pass is not valid up Schilthorn.

I would now have to ask at the station - I am no longer sure.

The route up to Schilthorn is:
Lauterbrunnen (valley bottom) - Mürren (part way up) - Schlthorn.
As explained in the previous post, there are two routes from Lauterbrunnen: along valley bottom and then up, or up and along top of cliffs. If going to the top of Schilthorn, choose the first route (Stechelberg) because the cable car up to Mürren then continues up to Schilthorn. Or you can go one way and back the other.

"From Basel, to which town would I take the train to get to the transportation that takes me to the top of the Schilthorn" - That's a question you don't need to know. Just go to the SBB website: https://www.sbb.ch/en
Enter Basel (or anywhere in Switzerland) to Schilthorn, and a date and time, and it will givebyou the route.

Maybe I am confused and because I have seen two different maps? Oddly enough, I feel better because I would like to think that I can understand maps.

How can I verify if the saver day pass includes going round-trip between Basel & the summit of the Schilthorn?

Folks, there are two maps because there are two passes. I posted the map relative to the Saver Day Pass, and Chris F posted the one for the Swiss Travel Pass. They are different passes with slightly different scopes. The Saver Day Pass does not include Schilthorn (only up to Muerren), the Swiss travel Pass does.

Thank you for the clarification balso.

Then let me ask this open ended question. I now have the summit of the Schilthorn on my mind and now that I know that the saver day pass does not include going to the summit, I still hope to go high into the mountains. I would love to hear suggestions of an Alpine peak or town/village by cable car, gondola or any other transportation that would accept the rail saver day pass I would have. I would be originating in Basel. I have been to Mürren and loved it. No need to go to the summit of any peak.

I have a disability with my back so I would not be hiking or anything like that but I wouldn’t mind just walking around or sitting outside enjoying coffee and the view.

This would be in mid April. Thank you. 🌿

You could go to the top of Mount Rigi (1700m elevation), between Luzern and Zug. It's included, not too far from Basel, and the train rides up the mountain are fun!
Or you could go to Montreux, explore a little enjoying the lakeside, and head up the rochers de Naye (dramatic views), but it's a long day trip from Basel.

Mt Rigi sounds like a wonderful idea. Thank you! I have been to Montreux twice and loved it. I’ve also taken the train to Gstaad from Montreux and loved that ride.

I went to the SBB app and plugged in Basel as a point of departure. I want to verify with you that the destination for Mt Rigi is “Rigi Kulm”? There are many options when you enter the word “Rigi” which is why I want to verify the correct destination.

If that is correct, as I read the app, it says I would walk to Luzern Bahnhofquai, Pier 1 to “Bat 7” and board a boat in the direction of Flüelen and disembark at Vitznau. At Vitznau I would walk to the train station and board R 1115 to Rigi Kulm.

I picked a Monday, September 16 departing Basel at 8:04 just to see what the route would look like. I understand that schedules can change and boat names/numbers may vary between September and mid April.

What I want to ask is if I were reading the itinerary correctly and specifically if Rigi Kulm is the correct destination for Mt Rigi?

I also want to verify that on boarding the boat and then the train up the mountain that all I need to do is show my saver day pass QR code on the SBB app. I won’t have to pay anything else?

Last, when I look at the return trip to Basel, I see a totally different itinerary. For example it shows me taking the train from Rigi Kulm to Arth-Goldau, walk 5 minutes to another rail station for a train to Zurich, and then change trains for a train to Basel. With a saver day pass, an I free to pick any itinerary I want?

Also, I see a route going to Rigi Kulm that avoids the boat ride and instead involves me taking the train from Basel directly to Arth-Goldau & then walk to the train up the mountain. It is 10 minutes longer than going through Luzern and taking a boat. I would think taking a boat would be more fun. Would you agree?

Anyway, all of that assumes that Rigi Kulm is my destination. Most importantly, I want to make sure that I am reading the itinerary correctly and that the saver day pass covers it all no matter which route I choose to take.

Thank you!

Replies in Italics

Mt Rigi sounds like a wonderful idea. It is

I want to verify with you that the destination for Mt Rigi is “Rigi Kulm”? Kulm means summit. If you want the summit, Rigi Kulm is the place

If that is correct, as I read the app, it says I would walk to Luzern Bahnhofquai, Pier 1 to “Bat 7” and board a boat in the direction of Flüelen and disembark at Vitznau. At Vitznau I would walk to the train station and board R 1115 to Rigi Kulm. Sounds right to me. Of course you can board any train, doesn't have to be the R1115. It will be clearly marked. I don't lnow anything about Bat 7, but the boats are big, and will be clearly marked. Walk out of the station, cross the road - carefully - and straight ahead abnd to the right are the boats. You can't miss them. Your pass is good on all of them. First Class is upstairs. The view from steerage is fine.

I picked a Monday, September 16 departing Basel at 8:04 just to see what the route would look like. I understand that schedules can change and boat names/numbers may vary between September and mid April. It won't change much. Pick up the boat schedule. See the previous paragraph

What I want to ask is if I were reading the itinerary correctly and specifically if Rigi Kulm is the correct destination for Mt Rigi? yup

I also want to verify that on boarding the boat and then the train up the mountain that all I need to do is show my saver day pass QR code on the SBB app. yup I won’t have to pay anything else? not unless you want to buy a souvenir or food or drink

Last, when I look at the return trip to Basel, I see a totally different itinerary. For example it shows me taking the train from Rigi Kulm to Arth-Goldau, walk 5 minutes to another rail station for a train to Zurich, and then change trains for a train to Basel. With a saver day pass, an I free to pick any itinerary I want? yes you can. As often as you want. All day. From Rigi Kulm you can go to either Arth-Goldeau or Vitznau. In either direction.

Also, I see a route going to Rigi Kulm that avoids the boat ride and instead involves me taking the train from Basel directly to Arth-Goldau & then walk to the train up the mountain. It is 10 minutes longer than going through Luzern and taking a boat. I would think taking a boat would be more fun. Would you agree? yup. see previous paragraph

Nigel, thank you! I might not leave myself enough time to see Lucerne so I will have to come back a different day on the trip.