Switzerland is one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with more than 1,500 lakes and countless places that look simply fabulous every season of the year. Visiting Switzerland was a magnificent experience, and what made it very easy to get around was the Swiss Rail Pass. If I had to summarize it in one word: it’s the best and most cost-effective way to travel around Switzerland. I used my personal experience to put together this guide, which I hope will answer all your questions and help you decide if it’s worth buying for your trip.
I had arrived from Amsterdam by train. I spent one night in Basel, and then 4 nights in Zurich. I had planned to spend one day exploring Zurich, and the rest of the days I wanted to take day trips to the mountains. How would I do all that?
The Swiss Rail Pass includes much more than just rail travel across Switzerland, and can save you a lot of money, making Switzerland very affordable to visit.
What is Included in the Swiss Rail Pass?
- Unlimited travel by train, public boat and bus across Switzerland
- Unlimited use of public transit in more than 90 towns and cities
- Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (an additional surcharge applies, but it is a fraction of the cost of purchasing tickets without a rail pass)
- Free admission to over 500 museums nationwide
- Mountain excursions in Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos, and up to 50% discount on most other mountain lifts
In other words, buying the Swiss Rail Pass did not only give me unlimited train rides. Getting around cities on public transit was free, and I was able to experience the Gotthard-Panorama Express (a premium panorama train) for a surcharge of only EUR 16. I also visited 3 museums without paying a single dollar. Furthermore, I was able to get around certain cities and towns by taking a boat to experience the scenery and then transferring to a train, all at no extra cost.
Just to Clarify: The boats that are included in the pass are public boats. Switzerland’s lakes have many small villages and there are boats that go from point A to B, stopping in about 8-15 villages along the way. The stops take 1-3 minutes, which is just enough time to drop off and pick up more people. For travelers, the ride on those boats along the mountainside lakes is breathtaking. If the city you’re visiting has a tourist boat with a tour guide, those boats are not included.
More Value Provided by the Swiss Rail Pass
- No need to make bookings for a certain train departure, and for every train you take
- No need to carry around all the tickets. You simply carry the pass and show it to the train inspectors
- If you miss a train, you can simply catch the next one
- No need to make reservations for boats. Simply walk to the port and show your pass.
- No need to buy tickets for every bus, train or subway you take in cities, and no need to invest in a public transit pass to get around a city.
Click here to buy your Swiss Rail Pass
How Long is the Swiss Rail Pass Valid?
Travelers can buy it for periods of 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. For other durations, one must buy the Swiss Rail Pass Flex. However, in some cases, the Flex pass would be more expensive than buying the regular pass for more days. For example, if you are staying in Switzerland for 5 days, it’s cheaper to get the 6-day regular pass. In that case, you can pay less and use it on your last day for your ride to the airport.
Premium Panorama Trains Included in the Pass (Small Surcharge Applies)
- Gotthard-Panorama Express: Luzern to Lugano
- Glacier Express: Zermatt to St Moritz
- GoldenPass Line: Luzern to Montreux
- Bernina Express: Chur to Tirano
Approximate Costs of the Pass