WHY WE CHOSE THE SWISS PASS AND HOW IT WORKS
As we were planning our honeymoon, imagining the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, the task of choosing the perfect travel pass became a pivotal part of our planning process. We’re writing this blog post not because we’re claiming to be Switzerland pros, but to help you understand the different types of passes and also why we picked the Swiss Pass and how it worked for us. As beautiful as Switzerland is, trying to understand the different travel passes is not. While they have overlapping coverage on some train routes, the three passes are uniquely different and requires a bit of research and understanding to ultimately help decide which pass works best for you and your trip in Switzerland.
Understanding the DIFFERENCES BETWEEN Swiss Pass, Glacier Pass, and Bernina Pass
Before choosing the Swiss Travel Pass, we spent many nights researching, trying to understand the differences between the Swiss Travel Pass, Glacier Pass, and Bernina Pass. We understand how confusing the information can be, so we simplified the differences below by providing the key factors for each pass. This way, you won’t have to spend grueling hours like us to find the right pass and spend more time planning your beautiful getaway in Switzerland!
Swiss Travel Pass:
Coverage: The Swiss Travel Pass provides unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, including trains, buses, trams, boats, and some mountain railways, covering almost all major tourist destinations, cities, and regions across Switzerland.
Benefits:
Comprehensive coverage of Switzerland's extensive transportation network, offering flexibility for exploring diverse landscapes and cultural attractions.
Various durations are available (3, 4, 8, or 15 consecutive days) to suit different travel itineraries.
Flexibility for unlimited journeys within the pass's validity period.
Additional perks such as free admission to many museums and discounts on mountain excursions.
Limitations:
Premium routes and mountain excursions, such as Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat, require additional fees and reservations.
Limited coverage on some private railways and certain international routes.
Price: Prices vary based on duration (ranging from approximately 232 CHF for a 3-day second-class pass to 728 CHF for a 15-day first-class pass for adults, as of 2023).
Tip: We were able to use the Swiss Travel Pass on our trip to Lake Como so while the Swiss Travel Pass may provide limited coverage, internationally, we can confirm that it works at least for the trip from Grindelwald to Lake Como.
GLACIER PASS:
Coverage: Focuses on the Glacier Express route, a panoramic train journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz, offering breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, charming villages, and alpine landscapes.
Benefits:
Immersive experience on the Glacier Express, traversing through iconic landmarks such as the Matterhorn, Rhine Gorge, and Landwasser Viaduct.
Scenic beauty and cultural richness along the route, provides a memorable journey through Switzerland's alpine heartland.
Limitations:
Typically covers a one-way trip on the Glacier Express route, requiring additional tickets for return journeys or alternative transportation.
Limited validity periods and availability, especially during peak travel seasons.
Price: Prices vary based on class and route, with a one-way ticket on the Glacier Express route costing around 152 CHF for second class and 280 CHF for first class (as of 2023).
Bernina PASS:
Coverage: Emphasizes the Bernina Express route, connecting Chur (or Davos) in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, offering panoramic views of the Swiss and Italian Alps, UNESCO World Heritage landscapes, and cultural diversity.
Benefits:
Scenic journey through the Bernina Range, Morteratsch Glacier, and Poschiavo Valley, highlighting Switzerland's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Cross-border experience into Italy, exploring charming towns and picturesque landscapes along the route.
Limitations:
Typically covers a one-way trip on the Bernina Express route, necessitating additional tickets for return journeys or alternative transportation.
Seasonal closures or limited availability on certain sections of the route, especially during winter months.
Price: Prices vary based on class and route, with a one-way ticket on the Bernina Express route costing around 69 CHF for second class and 121 CHF for first class (as of 2023).
Why We Chose the Swiss Pass
Comprehensive Coverage and Convenience:
The Swiss Pass provides unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, which includes trains, buses, boats, and some mountain railways. In Grindelwald, this comprehensive coverage allowed us to seamlessly explore the surrounding regions and attractions without having the need to constantly purchase supplemental tickets.
Example Trips:
Excursion to Jungfraujoch: While the Swiss Pass doesn't cover the entire fare to Jungfraujoch, it offers discounts on the journey from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch. You can use the Swiss Pass to reach Kleine Scheidegg and then purchase a discounted ticket for the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, enjoying panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.
Day Trip to Interlaken: With the Swiss Pass, we were able to hop on a train from Grindelwald to Interlaken, a scenic journey that took us through picturesque landscapes dotted with lakes and mountains. As most of the popular villages are connected to Interlaken, it was incredibly easy and enjoyable as we traveled in and out of Interlaken for our day trips to other surrounding Swiss towns.
Adventure to Schynige Platte: The Swiss Pass covers the train journey from Grindelwald to Wilderswil, where we took the historic cogwheel train to Schynige Platte. This scenic ride offers breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as access to hiking trails and alpine gardens.
Exclusions and Additional Routes: While the Swiss Pass provides extensive coverage, there are certain routes and train rides that aren't included:
Premium Routes: Scenic train journeys such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express require additional supplements or separate tickets, as the Swiss Pass does not fully cover them.
Mountain Excursions: Some mountain railways and cable cars, including those to Schilthorn and First from Grindelwald, requires supplemental tickets, even with the Swiss Pass. However, with the Swiss Pass, we were able to get discounts on our tickets to Schilthorn and First. Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries we visited, so we’ll gladly take any discount we can get!
Examples of Non-Included Routes:
Glacier Express: This iconic train journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz offers panoramic views of the Swiss Alps but requires a separate ticket.
Bernina Express: Traveling from Chur to Tirano via the Bernina Express is a scenic adventure, but it's not fully covered by the Swiss Pass and requires additional reservations and fees.
Flexibility: With the Swiss Pass, we had the freedom to explore Grindelwald and its neighboring attractions at our own pace. Whether it was taking scenic train rides, embarking on mountain excursions, or venturing into nearby towns like Murren and Lauterbrunnen, the Swiss Pass eliminated the hassle of purchasing individual tickets for many of our journeys.
Cost-Effectiveness: For our Day Trips from Grindelwald the Swiss Pass offered excellent value for money, especially because we planned to make multiple visits to areas and villages covered by the pass. Compared to purchasing separate tickets for transportation and activities, the Swiss Pass provided a cost-effective solution for exploring the region.
Accessibility to Surrounding Villages: While the Glacier Pass and Bernina Pass focus on specific scenic train routes, namely the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, respectively, the Swiss Pass grants access to a wider range of destinations in and around Grindelwald. From iconic mountain peaks like Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn to picturesque villages and hiking trails, the Swiss Pass allowed us to experience the best of the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage without the headache.
Ease of Use: The Swiss Pass is easy to use and widely accepted across Switzerland's extensive public transportation network. It was as simple as downloading the app with our Swiss Pass and hopping on trains, buses, boats, and mountain railways without the need for additional reservations or ticket purchases, making it a hassle-free option for exploring Grindelwald and beyond.
In summary, the Swiss Pass is a convenient and cost-effective option for exploring Grindelwald and its surroundings, offering unlimited travel on Switzerland's extensive public transportation network. While the pass provides access to many attractions and destinations, you should be aware of its limitations and exclusions, especially for premium routes and mountain excursions. By leveraging the benefits of the Swiss Pass and supplementing with additional tickets for specific journeys, you can make the most of your stay in Grindelwald and experience the beauty of the Swiss Alps firsthand.
