We are spending 25 days in Switzerland, near Thun and have access to a car (not renting). We will be spending considerable time hiking in the Bernese alps as well as taking day trips to other hiking regions. Is it beneficial for us to purchase a travel pass and which is recommended? I've seen many questions regarding the passes but none which factor in the availability of a car.
Thank you so much!
You might find the 30 day Half Fare Card (for 120 CHF) will be handy. Assuming you are getting to Thun from Zurich airport and return, it will help there. You can't take the car to Wengen or Muerren, so it will help for those journeys as well, plus the occasional lift for other hikes.
The Half Fare Card also works on lake boats and city trams. Basically any form of transport when you're not driving.
If you are taking the very expensive trip up to the Jungfraujoch (204.40 CHF from Interlaken Ost), the Half Fare Card is practically paid for. As Laura said, it's good on anything that moves in the whole country, including local buses and lake boats. So, it's hard for it not to pay off.