The Swiss Travel Pass can be worth it, but this is depending on your travel plans. It offers a lot of value, especially if you’re moving around a lot. But whether you should get it depends on what you want to do, how much travelling you plan to do, and where you’ll go. I’ll break down the pros & cons + when it makes sense, so you can see if it matches your trip.
✅ What you get with the Swiss Travel Pass #
Here are the main benefits of the pass:
Unlimited travel
Trains, buses, boats all over Switzerland are included on consecutive days (3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days) in 1st or 2nd class.
Includes public transport within many towns/cities (trams, buses etc.).
Panoramic / scenic trains
Premium scenic routes like the Bernina Express or GoldenPass are included (but you may still need to pay seat reservations or surcharges).
Museums & City Bonuses
Access to 500+ museums free.
Public transport in 90+ cities included.
Mountain excursions & cable cars
Some mountain railways / cable cars are fully included (Rigi, Stanserhorn, Stoos).
Most others are discounted (~50%).
Family & Youth discounts
Youth (up to ~25) get a discount on the pass.
Children (6-16) typically travel free if accompanied by an adult with a Swiss Family Card.
Flexibility / Flex version
There’s a “Flex” version if your travel days are non-consecutive within a month instead of back-to-back.
🚫 What it doesn’t cover / potential limitations #
Some premium mountain excursions or cable cars are not fully free; many are only partly covered with a discount.
Seat reservation fees and surcharges may apply for some panoramic trains.
It can be expensive if you’re not travelling enough or staying mostly in one place. Paying single tickets + maybe a Half-Fare Card might be cheaper.
💡 Cost (2025 prices) #
Here are some sample prices so you can compare:
| Pass | 2nd class | 1st class |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | ~ CHF 244 | ~ CHF 389 |
| 6 days | ~ CHF 379 | ~ CHF 602 |
| 15 days | ~ CHF 459 | ~ CHF 723 |
So it’s not cheap — you need to make enough use of it to get your money’s worth.
🎯 When the Pass is Especially Worth It #
You’ll likely get good value if:
You plan to travel long distances on multiple days (e.g. going from city to city, or up and down mountains) rather than staying in one place.
You’ll use lots of public transport in cities (trams, buses) plus regional trains or boats.
You want the convenience of not buying individual tickets every time.
You plan to visit museums, scenic / panorama trains, or mountain cable cars often enough to take advantage of the discounts.
Travelling with children (free or cheaper travel for kids helps offset cost).
⚠️ When you might not want the Pass #
It might be not worth it if:
You’re staying in one region and not doing much travelling (e.g. one base and day-trips).
Most of your mountain excursions are ones that the pass only gives small discounts on, or extra fees.
You already have a Swiss Half-Fare Card and mostly buy tickets individually — for some itineraries that can be cheaper.
You have lots of rest days where you won’t need transport.
