What rail cards / passes / discounts should visitors to Switzerland be aware of
Yesterday, I took a train from Zurich to Engelberg, and bought a ticket from a ticket machine at the station for the journey. I was running a bit late for the train, so there wasn't time to queue up to ask for advice, I just had time to put the machine into English, tell it where I wanted to go, and pay for the return.
On the way there, there was a ticket check on both trains. Based on those around me, I appeared to be the only person with a regular paper train ticket! Everyone else had either a credit card sized card they showed, or a card with a long ticket, or an A4 printout, or a pass.
That made me think that perhaps there were railcards / rail passes / special tickets / etc that I could perhaps have bought instead, if I'd only known about them....
For someone who's only going to Switzerland for a few days, what railcards / rail passes / etc should you be aware of, to investigate if they'll save money?
Best Answer
For tourists there exist passes and reduction cards. See www.swisstravelsystem.com
The best offer, in my opinion, is the "Swiss Half Fare Card", which gives half price travel on the whole network (including also 50% of on mountain railways), for 120,- CHF, for a whole month.
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What pass should I buy in Switzerland?
The Swiss Half-Fare Card \u2013 A better option for many visitors Those who buy the Swiss Half-Fare Card will get 50% discount on all trains, buses, and boats in Switzerland for up to 30 days, as well as 50% off all public transportation in 75 cities and towns.Which mountain offers completely free access to holders of a Swiss Travel Pass?
Also Mountains like Stanserhorn and Rigi in Lucerne are completely free if you are holding a Swiss Travel Pass. Stanserhorn is a unique mountain as you travel up in the World's first CabriO\xae, which is an open double decker cable car. Imagine having this experience free of cost. Non-pass holders have to pay full price.Is first class Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
No I don't think it is worth the cost. Some trips (like the Glacier Express) are a nice experience on 1st class though - but you can always upgrade just for one trip if you like at the station. Mostly, the advantage is a quieter train carriage (less people) and more room for your luggage if you have a lot!What is not included in Swiss Travel Pass?
Seat reservations are not included. Transport into the mountains (by cable car, funicular, cogwheel train, etc.) is discounted. City transport (trams, buses) is free in 90 towns. Boats are free, except for special cruises such as dinner cruises.SWISS TRAIN PASS GUIDE: Which ticket is right for me? | Swiss Travel Pass | Half Fare | Day Pass
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Answer 2
Swiss Pass could be a very good option. When I went to Switzerland for 4 days, I paid in pounds (£153 if my memory serves me correct), and traveled the whole Swiss network for 4 days. They have some limitations, but the cost is worth it.
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