Swiss train pass

Until you finalize your itinerary when you decide where exactly you are going it is not possible to say if a Swiss Travel Pass will be less expensive than just buying point-to-point train tickets. To be able to do the math have a look at www.SBB.ch

I'm a fan of the Swiss Travel Pass . I am in Switzerland now with a 15 day pass , first class . The cost was $600 . In the first five days of use I would have paid about $400 for single purchase as you go tickets . The other substantial benefit of the pass is not having the nuisance of stopping to buy individual tickets at every juncture . You can work out the potential numbers for yourself using the SBB website . With ten days to go on my pass and the plans I have , this both a cost and convenience no brainer.

This is discussed often on this Forum. There is no easy answer. You need to pencil out the costs of your intended train trips. Please keep in mind that when you look at route prices on the SBB app, there is an assumption that a passenger at least has purchased the Half-Fare Pass, so double the prices you see.
The Swiss Travel Pass is amazingly convenient, as you don't have to validate or purchase ticket- just walk on the train, bus, boat, etc.- some of the lifts are fully covered ( Mt Rigi trip) and some are offered at a discount ( Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn.)
It is rarely an advantage to pay full price as you go.
Have a great trip.

As an example, fare from Murren to Interlaken is $16 - one way.

Zurich to Interlaken is $35

So with round trips, just these 2 legs cost $100 or so.

Plus kids get their own pass for free - so buy 2 swiss passes and that covers ur kids

So if u plan to do a even bit of travel, the pass will typically be a better deal than buying as u go

The other substantial benefit of the pass is not having the nuisance
of stopping to buy individual tickets at every juncture .

Actually you usually do not need to do that. You can get through tickets between almost any pair of public transport stops in Switzerland. Eg. Zürich - Jungfraujoch and back is done on one ticket...

My rule of thumb for buying a Swiss Train Pass is this: When in doubt do like the locals do, and get the Half Fare Card. This comes with the free Family Pass, so your kids accompany you for free. And the reduction applies almost everywhere. So the price for going up the Jungfraujoch for a family of 4 (2 adults 2 kids) is reduced by 2/3d this way.
You can then combine that with a regional pass for the area you are staying in. This is usually also available at a reduced price with the HFC.

We were sooo confused by all of the different passes. When we landed in Zurich, we went to the SBB office in the airport and told the clerk there where we were going and what we expected to do and how long our trip was. He did the math and helped us buy the best passes to save money. Made it so easy!

On the Switzerland Travel Planning Group on Facebook, the Admin has created guides on how to understand how the passes work. May be worth your time to check it out.

Wengenk , No offense , but you have misconstrued my comments about buying tickets . I'm well aware that you don't need to purchase separate tickets for different legs of a point to point trip ( and return , if desired ) . Let's say I buy a through ticket and return from Wengen to Murren . Then later that day , I. want to go from Wengen to Grindelwald . I'll need another ticket for that , so another purchase . While I'm there I decide to get on a bus for some reason. My point to point ticket from Wengen to Grindelwald won't cover that , so another ticket . If I'm misunderstanding something , I'll be glad to hear in what way.

Then later that day , I. want to go from Wengen to Grindelwald . I'll
need another ticket for that , so another purchase . While I'm there I
decide to get on a bus for some reason. My point to point ticket from
Wengen to Grindelwald won't cover that , so another ticket . If I'm
misunderstanding something , I'll be glad to hear in what way.

Well, that is what the SBB app is for. Makes it trivial to buy tickets at the last moment. Or you can use easyride which does it all for you.

Don't forget that the full Swiss Travel Pass also acts as a Museum Pass. Swiss museums are as expensive as other items in Switzerland, so If you're seeing more than a few of these (particularly in Bern), this is another factor to consider.

If you want to be sure, you do have to do all the work. Add up the fares for all the trains you are definitely taking and all the ones you are probably taking, and don't forget the museums. That's the only way you can see which is the best deal for you.

I agree that while buying tickets may not be "hard," not having to buy them is a great luxury. Just carry your pass and your passport, and show them if asked for proof of ticket. You still have to buy tickets for anything not fully covered (only discounted), but other than that you don't have to think about tickets. It really did enhance my trip experience, so if the price difference is small, get the pass for the added convenience.

On the other hand, it's hard to lose financially with the Half Fare Card. Your choice.

There is currently a Promotional Offer on a Four Day Pass- I've posted the link under Switzerland.
Good luck!

As far as the app is concerned , I'm one of those who doesn't have a phone surgically attached to my hand . I find the ubiquity of that a nuisance. I'll stick with the pass .