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Which travel pass?

Posted by (Woodinville, WA, USA) on

Hello,

We have 8 days in Switzerland in August, and I'm trying to figure out the best passes to purchase. It seems it makes sense to buy either the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Pass. In looking at fares, the overall cost seems similar. We are two adults and one college-age son. Any help and clarity on this topic will be most appreciated!
Here is our itinerary:
Fly into Geneva (will have already been in Europe for one week)
Visit Chillon Castle the next day and then take the Golden Pass train to Lauterbrunnen
4 nights in Wengen--visiting Schilthorn, not Jungfrau
1 night in Lucerne
2 nights in the Appenzell area
Fly out of Zurich

Also, is it important to buy the passes beforehand or can we purchase them when we are in Switzerland?

Thank you!

Posted by
7300 posts

If costs look similar between Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card, which does not surprise me given your route, then the Swiss Travel Pass is the more convenient option: no need to buy tickets (except for lifts)!
You can buy either online or in-country at Geneva airport station.

Posted by
21142 posts

Just make sure that your ticket price estimate is accurate. When the initial price shown at www.sbb.ch/en says "from CHF XX.XX" they assume you already have a Half Fare Card. If the price is in black with a "%" sign, that is a nonrefundable train-specific ticket purchased now.

Posted by
5604 posts

Can you switch and stay the last two nights in Lucerne, going to the airport from Lucerne? The train is a little over an hour to the Zurich airport.
I'm a big fan of the STP, just for the convenience and extras. If you're in Lucerne, the boat and cogwheel train to Mt Rigi is completely covered, for instance, in addition to the open air Cabrio cable car to Mt. Stanserhorn. There are also boat rides in other areas, such as around the BO, that are included. And Chillon Castle is completely covered.
It's just so nice not having to stand in line for tickets or fiddle with ticket machines.
Have a wonderful time in this beautiful country!

Posted by
33819 posts

in addition to the "stand in line or fiddle with the machine" you can use your app from the comfort of your breakfast table or just about anywhere else - even buy the discounted tickets for a train while on the train connecting with it. That's the same for other methods of transport like bus, tram, boat, etc., all on the same app or website.

Posted by
9 posts

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! Very informative and helpful.

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