is first class swiss travel pass worth it

Swiss Travel Pass: Is It Worth It?- Klook United States Europe intercity buses Needless to say, if you buy a Swiss Travel Pass, the Mt Rigi excursion should be a priority when you visit Lucerne. You dont have to make boat reservations. We got the 2nd class ticket and then upgraded to first when we could. Does it give definite edge over second class? I've never seen the need to go the first class route, but the few advantages of doing so are well-covered above. The price is lower and its much easier to do the math, and the discounts are greater on some things as well. Anyhow, second class worked fine for us and we only experienced crowds a couple of times. In this travel guide we have picked out 53 hikes for you, However, the starting and ending points of many hiking routes are somewhat remote and often not accessible by train. This is for three people (2 adults, one youth). If you plan on taking at least 2 of Switzerlands famous scenic train rides within a 3 or 4-day period, a Swiss Travel Pass can easily pay for itself. After all, you paid for it. Even so, compared to Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn is also faster and more comfortable on the way up and down. Nicoletta March 29, 2021 62 mins read This article about Is Swiss Travel So no matter how you visit Switzerland, you are going to be paying quite a bit, or skipping the absolute best things that youve come there to see. And for many of those people who arent do longer train rides, the Half Fare Card (discussed below) is the best choice. Jun 29, 2022, 9:45 AM Save My wife and I are traveling to Switzerland in August and wonder if it's worth it to buy a Swiss Travel Pass for the following itinerary? Most people are better off trying to squeeze in an additional train ride each day, and ignoring the museums. Get your Swiss Travel Pass here. 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. But the Swiss Travel Pass is not only a ticket for public transport. Privacy Statement - Your ticket is the Swiss Travel Pass. I am Nicoletta, a passionate traveler and language enthusiast. 2. You can make it your challenge to explore as much of Switzerland as possible and get the most out of your Swiss Travel Pass. My favorite part of the Swiss Travel Pass was the flexibility. Learn Languages for Travel & enjoy Traveling in Europe with my travel itineraries. Ill break down the prices of seat reservations for panoramic trains for you later in this article, so keep reading. Everything You Need To Know About First Class Train Travel In Does the Swiss Travel Pass go on sale? Gotthard Panorama Express The Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to explore Switzerland by train, bus and boat. They are also quite expensive if you pay for them one at a time. So your options for what you can do with the Swiss Travel Pass are endless. You can buy it online on the SBB website. The following train routes are the ones that most tourists to Switzerland will be using. You only have to pay extra for the seat reservation, which is compulsory for everyone. 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. If you dont buy a Saver Day Pass at least 14 days in advance its more expensive, and if you only buy 1 to 3 days in advance its VERY expensive, so the key is to buy early. So plan the entire Swiss itinerary. Especially if you are price-conscious and often calculate the costs in your head, a ticket that includes everything is absolutely worth its weight in gold. Swiss This may or may not come up as a tourist. That means you must travel for several days in a row. Compare and then choose the pass that fits you the most. Thats a lot of museums! Many clients are me whether its better to get the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half-Fare Card. Yet, there is a way to save up on train travel in Switzerland. What do you think? Do I need to reserve seats for trains in Switzerland? Swiss Travel Pass WebSwiss travel pass - 1st class vs 2nd class 5 years ago Save I would appreciate any 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. Its up to you. 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. Check this article to learn about the discounts for mountain excursions with a Swiss Travel Pass. Besides that, a few train and bus routes crossing the border allow free travelling too. 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. The historic paddle steamer "Blemlisalp" also operates here. However, they are for a fixed journey at an off-peak time, and they are non-changeable and non-refundable. This is all confusing, but the Saver Day Pass should be a great option for many people only in Switzerland for one to three days. Has different validity periods and usage for different needs. But if you were to pay for a single ticket for every train, bus, and boat ride, you would pay much more than the cost of a Swiss Travel Pass. Thanks. Is it worth buying the Swiss Travel Pass? With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can also use public transportation in and around all Swiss cities. What is included in the Swiss Travel Pass? WebIf you are staying for more than 15 days then in addition to the tourist Travel Pass and Half-Fare you can also obtain a SwissPass (their naming system is terrible) and use the 1-month GA or 1-year Half-Fare at much better prices. The bus network is over 21,000 km long and a total of over 23,000 bus stops are served. (If you live in Switzerland, these. pass Factor 2: Do you want to explore only 1 Swiss region or travel to various places in the whole Switzerland? Free rail travel on normal trains and most scenic trains, Discounted travel (about 50%) on popular tourist mountain trains, Discounted travel (about 50%) on popular tourist cable cars, Free travel on public transport in 75 towns and cities, Free entry to around 500 museums in Switzerland, Adult 3 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): CHF424, Adult 3 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 267, Adult 4 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 514, Adult 4 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 323, Adult 6 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 610, Adult 6 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 384, Adult 8 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 649, Adult 8 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 409, Adult 15 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 706, Adult 15 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 449, Swiss Half-Fare Card for 30 days: Adults CHF120 or US$129, Zurich to Interlaken train (2nd Class): CHF50, Jungfraujoch railway from Interlaken: CHF205, Interlaken to Lucerne train (2nd Class): CHF33, Engelberg (near Lucerne) to Mt. However, there are a few things for which you have to pay a little extra. 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. On the way you can make a stop at the Beatus Caves. "Worth the price?" 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. Just hop on the train and travel. Mar 1, 2018 - 3:33 PM in reply to amarmistry Hi Amar, No I don't think it is With other cable cars andmountain in Switzerland, youll get more thana 50% discount. Zurich airport to Kandersteg Interlaken to Murren Murren to Interlaken Interlaken to Zurich Is Swiss Travel Pass Worth It? All You Need To Know And how much will it be if I buy half price pass? To make the shorter pass worthwhile for 3 or 4 days, you need to use it for a higher value than if you are traveling for 6, 8 or even 15 days. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-voicesoftravel_com-leader-3-0-asloaded{max-width:468px!important;max-height:60px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'voicesoftravel_com-leader-3','ezslot_8',187,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-voicesoftravel_com-leader-3-0'); If your answer to the first question is that you want to travel in Switzerland for more than 3 days and the second answer is that you want to see various places in the whole of Switzerland: YES Swiss Travel Pass is worth it for you. You can unsubscribe at any time. Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc. Hi, thanks for visiting my site. It depends on you, the number of days youll travel to Switzerland, the places you want to see, and the things you want to do. 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. Therefore, you only have to pay extra for the seat reservation on the Gotthard Panorama Express train, which is 16 CHF. Where Do You Get Discounts With Swiss Travel Pass? Personal preference IMO. Then travel within one day through Switzerland using trains, buses, and Swiss boats. WebSave. Mostly, the advantage is a quieter train carriage (less people) and more room for your luggage if you have a lot! 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. First, you must choose the number of days you want to travel with a Swiss Travel Pass. While the Swiss Travel Pass is a great deal for those doing many of the expensive scenic journeys and mountain sights within a few days, its not good value for those who are doing fewer of the expensive trips and/or those who are staying longer. Up to 7 working days before departure for the physical passes. If you buy the Saver Day Pass at least 21 days in advance (and up to 60 days in advance) the 2023 cost is: Once you research the normal cost of Swiss train fares youll see that the above prices are a very good deal for anyone riding more than 150 kilometers or so in a day. 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 Worth noting we traveled late September during COVID, and we were never in a train earlier than 9:00 am. They give you unlimited travel within that specific region. I feel the 1st class is not a good value since you have to pay for them to bring you drinks, I do not have experience with the Golden Pass but we bought first class Berner Oberland Regional Passes for the first time this trip. If you have a specific itinerary, want to visit only a few places, and dont want to travel a lot on the panoramic trains, buy a Half-Fare Card instead of a Swiss Travel Pass. On one route, I was the only person in the car. The most popular regional passes are Jungfrau Travel Pass, Berner Oberland Pass, Zermatt Peak Pass, Davos & Klosters Premium Card, and Lake Geneva-Alps Pass. While most of the famous mountain excursions are only discounted 50% by the Swiss Travel Pass, the famous excursions to Mt Rigi, near Lucerne, are still 100% covered by the pass. Its usually insmall villages, as trains only reach the bigger cities and towns. Gotthard Panorama Express also consists of 2 sections. 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. If its not confusing enough, the entire rail journey to the start of the Jungfrau train is covered by the pass, so prices appear to be a bit more than 25% cheaper. You only pay for the seat reservation. Swiss travel pass - 1st class vs 2nd class - Switzerland Is it cheaper to buy Swiss Travel Pass in advance? I explored Switzerland with it and admit it was so worth it. 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?? For panoramic trains as well as for the boats it is well worth to buy the 1st class tickets. Less crowd, more quiet; on boats, 1st class is always SWISS First | SWISS First, decide which places you want to visit. On other days dont use the pass to save the daysandstay at one destination. > Click here to check current prices. Saver Day Pass. It is available to Remember, once you make a train ride, itll automatically count as 1 day, even if you only did 1 train ride on the day. My attitude is simple..as long as my budget allows it, why not? A: You can select the first travel date when checking out on Klook to activate your pass. You can easily do a scenic train ride and a cable car in the same day, and still have time to do a scenic hike in the process. Determine what trains and public transportation youll be taking and from there, you can figure out how much the cost is then compared it to the price of the Swiss Travel Pass. We bought the second class Swiss travel pass and were very happy with it. Youll receive it via email. You can buy Half-Fare Card on the SBB website. As you can see, you have almost everything included in your Swiss Travel Pass. This way, youll get to use it already when entering Switzerland. Book a flight, hotel, rental car, travel insurance, and activities, and get an eSim card to stay connected. The. For the ones that arent free, you can still put your travel pass to good use and get discounts of up to 50% off. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Roger, I will be staying in Hotel Stern Luzern. It was the best trip of my life by now, and I always reflect on it. These include the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express or the Golden Pass Line. If you take 3 or 4 scenic train rides, as well as use the pass on one or more of the famous cable cars such as Schilthorn (50% covered by the pass) or 25% off the mountain train up to Jungfraujoch, the pass is definitely worth it. You can opt for E-Ticket (especially great for the last minute planners) or the physical pass. In the following cases the Swiss Travel Pass is worthwhile for you: As you can see, the Swiss Travel Pass is ideal for people who want to do and experience a lot while traveling in Switzerland. Total per person: CHF601 Archive - NOTE: Schilthorn closes for maintenance for a week or two in late November most years. On this overview map you can see exactly what is included. They add extraexcitement to yourSwiss itinerary. In addition you need a seat reservation for the Excellence Class. For me, the Swiss Travel Pass has always been a great value because it gives me flexibility. Minor Swiss Activities Conclusion about the Swiss Travel Pass, Access to train, bus, post bus, streetcar and ship without an additional ticket. Just check the timetable of your chosen route, hope on the train, and travel. When a controller stops you, just show him your pass and travel. Jungfrau Travel Pass You better look for other passes and discounts (scroll down for more detail). You can take a round trip that lasts several hours or make a stop along the way. Examples are EuroAirport (France) to Basel, Martigny to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (France), Brig to Domodossola (Italy), Domodossola to Locarno (Centovalli line) and buses in Liechtenstein. The mandatory reservation fee for the Excellence Class costs CHF 470.-. The price of your Swiss Travel Pass depends on various factors. No, the Swiss Travel Pass doesnt fully cover gondolas. In other words, probably at least once a day youll be able to do something for free that you didnt even know about before, because youve got the pass. By clicking Subscribe, you have agreed to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, Different types of passes for Switzerland. You can also use your Swiss Travel Pass for all Swissbuses. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Semi-pro tip---apologize if already mentioned here. in reply to. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimitedly withall regular trains. It can be 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days. Should we buy First Class Rail Pass? - Rick Steves Travel Switzerland has an excellent and well-developed railway system, but there are some routes where you need to take a bus. Table of ContentsIs Swiss Travel Pass Worth It?What Is Swiss Travel Pass?Swiss Travel Pass Benefits: Quick GuideWhat Is Included In Swiss Travel Pass?Where Do You Get Discounts With Swiss Travel Pass?What Is Not Included In Swiss Travel PassHow Does Swiss Travel Pass WorkTypes Of Swiss Travel Pass: Which One To ChooseHow Much Does Swiss Travel Pass CostWhere To Buy Swiss Travel PassMy Experience With Swiss Travel PassHow To Use Swiss Travel Pass EffectivelyOther Popular Swiss Transportation PassesSuggested Itinerary For Using Swiss Travel PassWrap-Up: Is Swiss Travel Pass Worth It?Is Swiss Travel Pass Worth It? Would love your opinion. In our case we did enough of those free boat rides to easily make the first class pass worthwhile. But if you are going from Geneva or Montreux to Interlaken or Lucerne then the Saver Day Pass will be much cheaper. Taiwan intercity buses 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. A: Unused Swiss Travel Pass purchased from Klook is entitled to 85% refund. You only get 25% off the regular price to Jungfraujoch if youre a Swiss Travel Pass holder. But if you are spending even 6 or 7 days in Switzerland then the 8-day Pass is almost guaranteed to be a great deal and your best choice. I have been reading up some differences between First class vs Second class and wondering if extra money in First class is worth it? 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. 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. Young people under the age of 25 benefit from a 30% discount with the Youth Pass. These are the panoramic trains in Switzerland. Thanks to my experience, Ive designed a full 8-day Switzerland itinerary you can use and travel with a Swiss Travel Pass. RELATED ARTICLES:Jungfrau Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel PassWhich Pass Is Best for Jungfraujoch? After, you want to take a Swiss panoramic train to Montreux, visit Geneva, and explore Zermatt. That way, you can already use the pass when you enter Switzerland. Youll also avoid crowds at the train stations in Switzerland trying to get the pass on the spot. We have ridden in second class for six and seven hours and it was very comfortable. 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. We bought first class once and didn't think it was worth the difference. No, Jungfraujoch is not free with a Swiss Travel Pass. 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. With the Swiss Travel Pass you have access to all public transport in Switzerland and explore the whole country by boat, bus and train. Thanks for the quick reply! For this section, youll have to make a seat reservation. Yes, Grindelwald is included in the Swiss Travel Pass. Its the same thing, just written differently. 1st class versus 2nd class in Swiss trains They areall free with a Swiss Travel Pass. As if the Swiss travel situation wasnt already complicated enough, they also offer a 1-day version of a Swiss Travel Pass and it can be very cheap, but its also a bit complicated. -Roger. Valid for one month with unlimited use. On this website, I create Travel Itineraries for you to explore European countries more in-depth. If you have a first class pass you go to the upper deck, MUCH more comfortable and better views than the lower second class deck. This is one of the best mountaintop experiences in Switzerland and reaching the top involves a combination of cog railways and cable cars. Saver Day Pass is a great travel card if you only want to travel in Switzerland for 1 or 2 days. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. My partner and I will be doing a short 4 nights/5 days in Grindelwald and im trying to see if a pass is worth it. Only you can decide if the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it. TheSwiss Travel Pass Flexis slightly more expensive than the regular Swiss Travel Pass, but in the end, its much worth it. There would be young people with 28 suitcases in the aisles and you could barely move people were so packed into second class. The discounts also add up more quickly on Schilthorn and Mt. Swiss Travel Pass Guide- How to Buy and Use the Swiss Travel Pass I chose it for my Swiss itineraryand could not have done better. Using Half-Fare Card can be cheaper if you have a shorter travel itinerary (e.g., 4 days). Instead, look for the Jungfrau Travel Pass, which is a discounted pass for everything youll explore within the region. 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. We've done Swiss rail passes several times and have been glad that we did the first class ones. For example, you can use your Swiss Travel Pass if you arrive at Zurich airport and want to take a train to the city center or a bus to your hotel. So you might use a ride or two each day on public transport, but that wont add up to much in terms of value of your Swiss Travel Pass. There are 3 different price categories for the Swiss Travel Pass: Below, Im giving you prices for adults. The Half Fare Card might also be worth it, but again, it all depends on how many train rides, boat rides, and cable cars youd take in those days. Swiss Travel Pass is a rail pass forunlimited travel in Switzerland. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you cant stay for a day in one destination without using it. There is no limit to how many trains you can take in one day. I literally traveled through the entire Switzerland because I was so excited to see it all. Swiss Travel Pass is expensive because travel in Switzerland is expensive. What I also loved were the boat rides on Swiss Lakes. The Swiss Travel Pass helps you get where you want to go. Swiss Travel Pass the All-in-one-Ticket for Switzerland | SBB 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. Im glad it seemed helpful. And there is also a lot going on on the water in shipping in Switzerland 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 ride all city buses and streetcars for free and explore the city and its museums on your own, Since many Swiss cities are located on a lake, you can perfectly complement your city trip with a boat trip or two, These are just a few suggestions on how you can organize your trip with the Swiss Travel Pass. In our Travel Guide you will find more inspiration, which destinations could be possible for you, Switzerland is an absolute hiker's paradise. Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, you get up to 50% discount with the Swiss Travel Pass. Titlis: CHF203.25 Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients. 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.

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