We have ridden in second class for six and seven hours and it was very comfortable. All boat rides are included in the Swiss Travel Pass, too. This way, youll get to use it already when entering Switzerland. But after they sell the first batch the price jumps up to CHF39 and then CHF49. Especially during these times. The main highlight of the Swiss Travel Pass This is one of the best mountaintop experiences in Switzerland and reaching the top involves a combination of cog railways and cable cars. I calculated that for 30 days of First Class BO Regional Passes it cost us an extra $300 for two. Here are some of the top travel resources I use for travel adventures. Swiss Travel Pass includes the following: Below, Ill give you detailed information about everything that Swiss Travel Pass includes. -Roger. Im glad it seemed helpful. It could be helpful in Zurich, but in most other Swiss tourist towns you wont need much public transport. Looking to visit more places in Switzerland? Swiss Activities Conclusion about the Swiss Travel Pass, Access to train, bus, post bus, streetcar and ship without an additional ticket. Personal preference IMO. Second class has 2+2 seating, first class has 2+1 and proportionally more legroom. So your options for what you can do with the Swiss Travel Pass are endless. Is it worth buying the Swiss Travel Pass? WebFirst class rail travel is irresistible. There is no need to buy tickets or make reservations. There is also an additional service one hour later from 6 April, 2023. Just hop on the train and travel. Also, the Swiss Travel Pass only provides a 25% discount on the amazing Jungfraujoch Railway, which costs between CHF120 and CHF205 return depending on your starting point, while the Half-Fare Card provides a 50% discount. So you can easily travel to and from your next hike by public transport. Swiss train rides are not the most economical. If your answer to the first question is that you want to travel for less than 3 days in Switzerland or only explore one specific region: NO, the Swiss Travel Pass is not worth it for you in this case. If used frequently, the Swiss Travel Pass will quickly pay for itself and let you enjoy the breathtaking Swiss landscape at a comparatively low price, With the pass also comes flexibility and extra time. We bought the second class Swiss travel pass and were very happy with it. In our case we did enough of those free boat rides to easily make the first class pass worthwhile. It not only gives you your route and connections for your destination, down to the time and platform, it also has a handy little graphic for each train segment with three little people. Slovakia Road Trip Itinerary For 8 Days, Top 5 Swiss Panoramic Trains: Best Rides Through The Swiss Alps, How To Learn A Language For Travel: 7 Basic Steps. Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc. Hi, thanks for visiting my site. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Swiss Travel Pass is expensive because travel in Switzerland is expensive. Class upgrade for the GA travelcard. These are the panoramic trains in Switzerland. Youll also be entitled to special fares on TGV Lyria (railway lines connecting France and Switzerland) on the route to or from Switzerland. (We also had half-fare cards.). With a Swiss Travel Pass, you can ride for free in normal carriages or pay a small supplement for a reserved seat in one of the special Panorama carriages. You can choose the number of days, which are: 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days. (If you live in Switzerland, these. But they give you an idea of what is possible. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 travel free with the free Swiss Family Card when accompanied by at least one card-holding parent. I have calculated the cost of getting between these places to Then, squeeze into one day as many train rides and mountain excursions as possible to get the most out of your Swiss Travel Pass. You can reach Interlaken on many trains from different directions, and all of the trains are included in the Swiss Travel Pass. In fact, one was so crowded, we got off because we werent sure we were going to find seats. Only you can decide if the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it. # 1 Lec510 Original Poster Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7 Likes: 0 Received SWITZERLAND: Interested in more articles for Switzerland?Check out my Switzerland Travel Page. Even though it can be slightly more expensive in some cases, depending on the things, I want to do in Switzerland. The scenic trains below are also extremely popular as sightseeing journeys rather than just as transportation, but can be used as both. On this overview map you can see exactly what is included. Weve bought second class passes many times prior but I popped for first class because of COVID: we wanted more space and to avoid as many people as we could. 2nd class is perfectly fine. You can enjoy an excellent visit to Schilthorn in 4 hours or so (or a bit longer if you eat at the spinning Piz Gloria restaurant at the top), while a visit to Jungfraujoch requires closer to 6 hours. Learn Languages for Travel & enjoy Traveling in Europe with my travel itineraries. I will also be taking train from Paris to Zurich or Interlaken. The Swiss Rail Pass allows you to travel on trains, buses and even boats across Switzerland as long as they fall under the Swiss Travel System. Can only comment on second class as thats what we had for our recent 2 week trip (still lurking here because I miss Switzerland and love the new travel stories here!) The first time our family purchased a Swiss Pass, we got it for 1st class. You only pay for the seat reservation. But we always got a seat. Swiss Travel Pass vs. Swiss Half Fare Card vs. Youll choose it for a specific day. Cookie Policy - The Swiss Travel Pass is a rail pass that offers visitors unlimited travel on most of Switzerlands railways. You can choose between a first or second class Swiss Travel Pass and both It is available to You also get discounts on the cable cars that access the numerous mountain peaks in Switzerland. No matter how remote, every corner of Switzerland is accessible by public transportation. But the Swiss Travel Pass is not only a ticket for public transport. Valid for one month with unlimited use. You can opt for E-Ticket (especially great for the last minute planners) or the physical pass. Most people visiting Switzerland only stay for 3 or 4 days and in visits of that length you really have to compare the costs of the Pass to the costs of the things youll do. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. If you want to add more panorama trains, you can take the Bernina Express to Lugano. Q: Do I need to print out my E-Ticket Swiss Travel Pass? The best museums that you can visit free with Swiss Travel Pass are: Youll get a discount (around 50%) for the following mountain excursions with the Swiss Travel Pass: RELATED ARTICLES: Which Pass Is Best For JungfraujochIs Jungfraujoch Worth It? Let me answer your question first before heading to the details. By signing up, you agree to receive promotional emails. Most American perceptions of the difference between first and second class is molded by the airlines where the difference is huge. By clicking Subscribe, you have agreed to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, Different types of passes for Switzerland. 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. Soplan wisely, travellonger routes, and do several daily rides. And there is also a lot going on on the water in shipping in Switzerland I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. However, the per-day prices on those longer passes are actually very low considering the price of typical train rides and mountain attractions. I did the Golden Pass route also in first class; that was my only time in 1st class out of 3 times that I have traveled there and taken the trains using the STP 2nd class. 1st class is about 75% more public transport in cities, museum entries, discounts forcable cars & mountain excursions, Gotthard Panorama Express (including a boat ride to Lucerne), Train from Lucerne to Interlaken (optional boat ride on Lake Brienz), GoldenPass Express (from Interlaken to Montreux), Train from St. Moritz to Engadin Valley & Zurich. It was worth it! Depending on your itinerary and travelling needs, its easy to find one that suits your needs. The Swiss Travel Pass includes these routes, but you have to book a seat reservation online or at the ticket office, Many of the larger Swiss lakes are accessible by shipping. For example, travel by train and then switch to a boat for the second part of your journey. You can make the following excursions by boat: In the city, the pass is particularly interesting because it not only includes all means of local transport, but also admission to over 500 museums. During all seasons and on all parts of the lake as well as the river Limmat, Lake Zurich Navigation offers various scheduled boat cruises daily (between 1.5h and 4h). Go to the website of each panoramic train (listed below) and buy your seat without a ticket. You only have to pay an extra fee for a seat reservation on the scenic trains, which is compulsory for everyone. Q: How long is the Swiss Travel Pass valid for? How To Get To Ometepe Island: Full Guide! -Roger. You can buy it online on the SBB website. In this article, we'll introduce you to all the benefits of this ticket and help you decide if it's right for you. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-voicesoftravel_com-medrectangle-4-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'voicesoftravel_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_23',198,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-voicesoftravel_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel in Switzerland to explore as much of this beautiful country as you want. Europe intercity buses There's nothing like watching the beautiful and ever-changing European scenery pass by from a quiet and comfortable train compartment, with the comforting sound of rail cars gliding smoothly over the rail tracks. Here are a few suggestions for your trip. Youll only get a discount for all gondola rides in Switzerland. The ride is included in your Swiss Travel Pass. Using Half-Fare Card can be cheaper if you have a shorter travel itinerary (e.g., 4 days). Im not aware of a database like that and I wish it existed. There would be young people with 28 suitcases in the aisles and you could barely move people were so packed into second class. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Total with Half-Fare Card (including price of card): CHF420.50. Lets explore the options. Swiss Travel Pass - is it worth buying in 2023? What is the difference between first and standard class - Eurostar? With the Swiss Travel Pass you have access to all postbus lines in Switzerland. The pass easily pays for itself if you plan well and maximises the use of the Swiss Travel Pass. Switzerland has by for the most confusing passes Ive ever seen. 6 Is first class Swiss Travel Pass worth it? Required fields are marked *. The most popular regional passes are Jungfrau Travel Pass, Berner Oberland Pass, Zermatt Peak Pass, Davos & Klosters Premium Card, and Lake Geneva-Alps Pass. Is first class Swiss Travel Pass worth it? There is not a lot of difference in the train cars, but we did find the second class ones often jam packed while there was plenty of room in the first class ones (although admittedly one time we found the exact opposite of that to be true). You have your main residence outside of Switzerland. Other popular passes/travel cards that you can use in Switzerland and save up on travel significantly are: Half-Fare Card costs 120 CHF and is valid for a month in Switzerland. This includes, by the way, the world famous. For the full area of validity of your pass, check out the detailed Swiss Travel Pass network map. However, local and regional trains do not require reservations. The per-day cost of an 8-day Pass even if you only use 6 of those days is about CHF65, and Switzerland is filled with amazing train rides and boats and cable cars that can get you that much value before noon each day. Once you arrive at your final destination and still have time, take a bus to explore more. If youre not planning on taking much public transportation, its also worth looking into the Swiss Half Fare Card which allows you to enjoy some great savings. Details on train ticket prices and valid tickets can be found here. For instance, a one-way ticket fromZrich to Interlaken Ost already costs 70 CHF. The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited rides on buses, trains and boats, in addition to numerous discounts. Sounds like it depends on the train and route, and as long as we can upgrade if needed, we'll go 2nd class. We both decided, however, that we never got in a second class car that was very different than any of the first class we usedwe were able to take the GOLDEN PASS train on 9/25 from Lauterbrunnen to Montreux and we had the wonderful first car with the glass windows on the whole front of the train car.cool to enjoy the ride from there..could we have done that with a second class ticket or just first class?? Most people are better off trying to squeeze in an additional train ride each day, and ignoring the museums. 1st is more comfortable, quieter and spacious than 2nd. on the trains. On the boats (they are NOT "ferries") as Roland says, 1st gets you better vi Loved first class. Do I need to reserve seats for trains in Switzerland? The Swiss Travel Pass, however, is shrouded in mystery, or at least it was until I spent several days tracking down all of the prices and benefits. They are also quite expensive if you pay for them one at a time. On one route, I was the only person in the car. Voices of Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Meanwhile, youth aged between 16 and 25 can enjoy a 15% discount. The first one is a boat ride, and after, youll hop on the Gotthard panoramic train. If thats the case, look for regional travel passes such as the Jungfrau Travel Pass, Bernese Oberland Pass, Zermatt Peak Pass, and Lake Geneva-Alps Pass. Now that has all changed, after literally days of research. As it turns out, its pretty easy to get good value, and itll be a good deal for many visitors. You can choose between 3, 4, In prior trips the crowding on some trains especially between Interlaken and Spiez was so bad! The following train routes are the ones that most tourists to Switzerland will be using. Note: In some cases, a Supersaver fare might be available, which can be a savings of up to 50% off the regular fare. During the course of your trip youll come across things that look interesting and with a pass youll be able to just do them without worrying about the price. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the fare on the most popular scenic and panoramic trains. The bus network is over 21,000 km long and a total of over 23,000 bus stops are served. Therefore, you only have to pay extra for the seat reservation on the Gotthard Panorama Express train, which is 16 CHF. Just check the timetable of your chosen route, hope on the train, and travel. In this article, Ill give you all the information you need about Swiss Travel Pass, the different types, what it includes, its advantages and drawbacks, and how you can get the most out of Swiss Travel Pass. There are 2 types of Swiss Passes you can choose from: Swiss Travel Passworkson fixed consecutive days. And how much will it be if I buy half price pass? With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimitedly on all Swiss trains without booking or reserving in advance. Anyhow, second class worked fine for us and we only experienced crowds a couple of times. Get the best deals using the links below: Get the best flight deals on SKYSCANNERBook your hotel on BOOKING.COMLook for Visa & necessary documents IVISAGet the best travel insurance deals with SAFETY WINGSDo the best activities with GET YOUR GUIDEBook a rental car with DISCOVER CARSMobile Data use this eSIM CARD to stay connected. Im thinking I like Franks attitude-- as long as my budget allows it, why not? Many clients are me whether its better to get the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half-Fare Card. Planning your itinerary is the most effective way to use your Swiss Travel Pass. The other option would have been getting a Half Fare Card for each person and then buying a couple Saver Day Passes for your busiest days, but if you are leaving in less than a week I think those things will be kind of expensive. Easy answer. These yellow buses are especially widespread in peripheral regions and are known for providing access to even the most remote villages. However, there are a few things for which you have to pay a little extra. First, you must choose the number of days you want to travel with a Swiss Travel Pass. Panoramic trains in Switzerland are the most expensive in the country as they have special window-to-ceiling panoramic windows, commentary on board, and offer extra services such as breakfast and lunch on board. Thank you for this write up Roger, very informative for the confusing pricing structure! We took advantage of the 25% off STP in July and bought 2 first class tickets for the weeks we were there. Cable cars, cogwheel trains and funiculars are not included. Thanks to my experience, Ive designed a full 8-day Switzerland itinerary you can use and travel with a Swiss Travel Pass. The only thing NOT included in the Swiss Travel Pass is seat reservations on the following panoramic trains in Switzerland: NOTE: The rides on these panoramic trains are included in the Swiss Travel Pass. Say goodbye to the hassle of buying single-fare tickets, saving you both time and money. WebSwiss travel pass - 1st class vs 2nd class 5 years ago Save I would appreciate any I wouldnt say there is a considerable difference between the first and second classes. Note: This article was last updated in January, 2023. Instead, look for the Jungfrau Travel Pass, which is a discounted pass for everything youll explore within the region. The train assistant will stamp it on the first train ride of that day. There are 3 different price categories for the Swiss Travel Pass: Below, Im giving you prices for adults. Check this article to learn about the discounts for mountain excursions with a Swiss Travel Pass. An 8-day Swiss Travel pass costs CHF 363 2nd class or CHF 581 1st class. When it comes to city passes and travel cards, its usually fairly easy to figure out whether they would be worth it for you or not. Below I have mapped out everything you need to know about the Eurail Pass, discussed the different types of train tickets in Europe, and explained when it is advantageous to buy a train ticket versus sticking to flights or the road. They areall free with a Swiss Travel Pass. Needless to say, if you buy a Swiss Travel Pass, the Mt Rigi excursion should be a priority when you visit Lucerne. 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. Swiss Travel Pass enables you to travel economically through Switzerland for several days, with many discounts and benefits. I explored Switzerland with it and admit it was so worth it. You only get 25% off the regular price to Jungfraujoch if youre a Swiss Travel Pass holder. As the scenery changed, I could move back and forth from side to side. Most people prefer getting there by taking one of the frequent boats leaving from across from the railway station in Lucerne and then jumping off at one of the cog rail departure points. I wouldn't pay extra for first, but that's just me. First class allows you on the top deck of the boats that have them. August 4, 2021 Last Updated on March 21, 2023 by Carolyn Schnafinger The Gotthard Panorama Express train is one of the most iconic Swiss rail journeys. Certain cross-border buses and trains, such as the EuroAirport-Basel bus line in France and the train from Brig to Domodossola in Italy, accept the pass and allow free travel. However, there are often big crowds (especially in the summer), and youd have to wait longer to get it. In conclusion, is Swiss Travel Pass worth it? The Gotthard Panorama Express departs from Lugano and returns to Lucerne What I love about the Swiss Travel Pass is theunlimited boat travel. I bought the Swiss Travel Pass Flex and spent the entire day hiking in the Swiss mountains or checking out waterfalls and didnt travel on that day. So get my 8-day Switzerland itinerary and see the highlights of Switzerland using your Swiss Travel Pass to the fullest. TheSwiss Travel Pass Flexis slightly more expensive than the regular Swiss Travel Pass, but in the end, its much worth it. Up to 30% discount on SBB RailAway offers, Up to 50% discount on bike and e-bike rentals at train stations. The app was awesome and made hopping on and off the trains super easy. What I also loved were the boat rides on Swiss Lakes. Its up to you. However, they are for a fixed journey at an off-peak time, and they are non-changeable and non-refundable. To really determine if the Swiss Travel Pass if worth it, youll have to do some calculations. Thanks in advance , It looks like the Hotel Stern is a fairly short walk from the Lucerne Train Station so youll start by walking there. Its easy to see that the per-day cost of the Swiss Travel Pass is pretty high until you get to the 8-day and 15-day versions. I'm considering buying the second class travel pass for my husband and self, if it is possible to upgrade to first when we end up on a train where the second class cars are too crowded, but I would like to know how to do this. The. Is there a database that lists all the cable car costs by chance? After, decide whether you want to buy a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex. Even so, compared to Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn is also faster and more comfortable on the way up and down. Disclosure: This is a reader-supported website and some of the links are affiliate links where a small commission is paid to help keep this site going, but the cost to visitors is the same. Generally, the longer you stay in Switzerland, and the more things you want to do, the more the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it. If you need help choosing the right pass, send me an email: info@voicesoftravel.com.I can answer additional questions or design a travel itinerary in Switzerland tailored to you. If you dont plan, you might waste your days on the Swiss Travel Pass, which would eventually be a waste of money. Even on the little BOB that runs from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen, first class gave us a measure of distancing from others and we always got a seat. -Roger, Comment*Hi Roger, Thank you for your excellent article. The more in advance you buy, the more affordable itll be. 6 Is Swiss Pass valid for Jungfraujoch? What Is Not Included In Swiss Travel Pass, Types Of Swiss Travel Pass: Which One To Choose, Other Popular Swiss Transportation Passes, Suggested Itinerary For Using Swiss Travel Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel Pass, 11 Cheapest Ways To Travel In Switzerland, Where To Stay In Leon Nicaragua: Best Hotels. Go City London Explorer Pass review 2023, The free-walking-tour business is exploding in popularity, 11 Best first-time Europe itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Missed to mention that 1st class upgrades can be bought on the train with the train staff once they pass by to check the tickets; no need to buy th Swiss Travel Pass Flex gives you more flexibility. A: Yes, you must print your PDF ticket before travelling to Switzerland. How To Overcome Fear Of Speaking Foreign Language, 5 Best Panoramic Trains In Switzerland: Ultimate Guide [2023]. Consider the Swiss Half-Fare Card instead. Swiss Travel Pass saved me over 50% of my travel costs in Switzerland. Take your time traveling from Thun to Interlaken and travel by boat. The "normal" Pass is available on a certain number of directly consecutive days. Buying the Swiss Travel Pass at train stations in Swiss cities is also possible. Remember, once you make a train ride, itll automatically count as 1 day, even if you only did 1 train ride on the day. I am so confused with passes. Since the Half-Fare Card lasts 30 days and provides a larger discount on Jungfraujoch, it is better value for visitors who want to include that scenic top-of-Europe rail journey on their trip. May I know from this hotel, how do I do a round trip to Mt Rigi? Generally, the longer you travel in Switzerland, the more panoramic trains you want to ride, and the more mountain excursions you want, the Swiss Travel Pass is more worth it. While its true that the Swiss Travel Pass includes free admission to around 500 museums all over Switzerland, its probably best to just ignore that when you are determining whether to buy a pass or not. Refer to the table below for the differences between Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card and Saver Day Pass: Reservations are required on most high speed, international, scenic and night trains. ksb1949, Info on how to upgrade to 1st class can be found here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/class-upgrade.html. If money was no object, I probably would get first class because its less crowded and quieter, but in Switzerland, the trains are so nice that its not that big of a deal. Check out my related articles: Switzerland Itinerary For 8 Days explore the Swiss highlights, Jungfrau Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel Pass which one to choose, 23 Incredible Things To Do In Jungfrau Region, 11 Cheapest Ways To Travel In Switzerland plan wisely and save up, 5 Best Panoramic Trains In Switzerland: Ultimate Guide, How Swiss Cheese Is Made: 6 Simple Step Guide. Weve also included a discount on Eurail Passes in this article! Yes, Grindelwald is included in the Swiss Travel Pass. 7 How much is a 6 day Swiss Travel Pass? 5 Is first class Swiss Travel Pass worth it? So follow the 3 steps mentioned above, and see the price of your chosen Swiss Pass: Switzerland is all about high standards. You can also use your Swiss Travel Pass for all Swissbuses. You plan to take one or more trips by boat or panoramic train. Youll also avoid crowds at the train stations in Switzerland trying to get the pass on the spot. I don't know the actual physical difference between first and second on a train but it is a very small percentage. How does one "upgrade to first class" on certain trains when using a second class Swiss Travel Pass? Those who want to visit the best of Switzerland and/or travel around extensively, Those who will only be taking public transport a small handful of times. Similar to the free museum part of the offer, its best to ignore or minimize the value of free public transportation. > Click here to check current prices. To suit different travelling needs and preferences, there are several types of tickets under the Swiss Travel System available on Klook: The Swiss Travel Pass covers a wide range of different modes of transportation within Switzerland. And the answer is, well, it all depends on the places you want to see, the time you want to spend in Switzerland, and the things you want to do. On other days dont use the pass to save the daysandstay at one destination. Does the Swiss Travel Pass go on sale? Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains in Switzerland, including the panoramic trains. There is a bit more room in 1st class, but not worth the extra money. Basic differences between 1st and 2nd class on trains is space and quiet. You can choose a normal seat in a regular carriage for no additional cost, but there is a supplement of CHF8 to CHF49 for a reserved seat in one of the special panorama carriages on these routes. In Zermatt you board the Glacier Express and travel to St. Moritz in the Engadine. Does the Swiss Travel Pass go on sale? Your email address will not be published. You have to travel and use it consecutively on the chosen number of days. So think wisely and choose the pass that suits you the most. But if you are staying for 8 days or more, those longer passes are almost certainly a great deal for you. Ill do some cost calcs. It would be tough to do all of those things in 4 days, although it is possible. So again, I think Id do the full pass. Difference between 1st class & 2nd class? Your email address will not be published. When you have the pass you can just hop on board any train and most cable cars and boats as well.
Best Hotels In Orangeburg, Sc,
Fixer Upper Puerto Vallarta,
Stephen F Austin Equestrian Team,
Articles I