How to travel smartly in Switzerland?

Switzerland is a country full of attractions you will never forget, landscapes you will dream about at night. However, you must remember that holidays in Switzerland are not cheap. You will see high prices everywhere - in restaurants, hotels and means of transport.

If you are planning a holiday in this wonderful country, it is worth checking in advance what you can save on. It's not about cutting funds for accommodation or meals, but about hunting for discounts. A good solution will be to use the Swiss Travel System. Today we will tell you about the cards related to it (Swiss Travel Pass). See for yourself how many benefits they offer, including great discounts for families, children and people up to 25 years of age.

What does the Swiss Travel System cover?

Swiss Travel System is an advanced Swiss communication system. It not only allows you to use buses running in over 90 cities. If you decide to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass, you can also travel through picturesque regions by train. And not just any trains - e.g. modern panoramic trains! It's a good idea to download the map in PDF format or install the Swiss Travel Guide application. You will be able to check on which ship, train or bus you can ride (or swim) for free, in which cities you have free public transport and where you are entitled to a 50% discount on roller coaster tickets.

By purchasing STS you gain access to Swiss means of transport and attractive discounts on mountain railways and cable cars. You will pay up to half as much for them. Purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass is a simple and intuitive procedure, just like using it when traveling. It's really worth buying it because it makes traveling easier and saves money. Let's remember that we are in a country that is not a cheap destination.

For what period can I buy a Swiss Travel Pass?

The ticket entitles you to an unlimited number of journeys during its validity period. Depending on which variant you choose, you can use the train, bus or ship for a period of 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days - consecutive or selected within the month of validity. With the Swiss Travel Pass you can travel within the entire Swiss Travel System. Just plan your trip, make a list of the places you want to see, and then simply change your mode of transport. The only thing that will occupy your attention are the attractions along the way.

It's not without reason that we mention travel planning. The Swiss transport system is very well thought out, so every tourist can choose a ticket that suits their needs. It's not only about whether you prefer to travel first or second class, but also about specific travel times. If you intend to spend an intensive holiday in Switzerland and, for example, spend a weekend or a week mainly on sightseeing, consider the Continuous option. Under it, you can ride as much as you want for the entire validity period of the purchased ticket.

What if you wanted to stay somewhere longer, like getting off the panoramic train in Zurich and staying there for a day or two? Or maybe relax in the Alpine thermal baths? Or maybe you will go to the mountains? In such a situation, it is better to choose the second option, i.e. Flexi. The ticket is valid for one month from the start date. What makes it different from the Continuous version is the ability to choose the days you want to travel. By purchasing the 8-day Continuous variant, you gain access to the Swiss Travel System for the period from the first to the eighth day of ticket validity. However, in the case of Flexi, you have 8 days to use within a month from the date you choose.

The prices of both options are relatively similar. For example, a 3-day continuous ticket in 2nd class costs CHF 232, while a Flexi ticket costs CHF 267. All that remains is to choose the solution that best suits your preferences.

Who benefits from using the Swiss Travel System?

To put it very simply, it can be said that every tourist who wants to see the attractions of Switzerland will benefit from purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass. Since individual tickets are painfully expensive, integrated public transport has been introduced, allowing travel on one ticket. In addition to public and intercity transport, the ticket holder has free entry to several hundred museums. You can visit over 500 museums and receive attractive discounts from program partners. We also mentioned a 50% discount on selected routes (cable cars, rack and pinion cars) leading to the highest Swiss peaks. Doesn't that sound great? All on one ticket!

What's more, you can count on a discount at the time of purchase. Depending on whether you are traveling alone, as a couple or with your family, the ticket price may vary. Age also matters. If you have a Swiss Travel System ticket, you can take a child up to 6 years old for free. If you have children aged 6-16, you also cannot pay for their journey, but in addition to the ticket you need a Swiss Family Card. It is provided free of charge at the request of the guardian. The Swiss Family Card allows children to travel free of charge, provided they are accompanied by at least one parent. If they travel without their parents, they can benefit from a 50% discount on STS travel.

People under 25 years of age can purchase the Swiss Travel Pass Youth. Its cost is 30% lower than the regular price of the Swiss Travel Pass.

The situation is slightly different in the case of seniors. Women aged 64 and over and men aged 65 and over can purchase a special GA Travelcard discount. There are two variants: for a month or for a year. The purchase of a GA Travel Card involves the conclusion of a contract for an indefinite period, which means that the travel card is automatically renewed after its validity period. The minimum duration of the contract is half a year, after which you can cancel it (one month's notice will be required).

Swiss Half-Fare Card – travel at half price

In addition to free access to the Swiss communication system, you also have the opportunity to use it with a 50% discount. You will receive it after purchasing a monthly Swiss Half Fare Card. In 90 cities you will be able to use public transport for half the price. You'll also get up to 50% off bus, train, boat or mountain railway tickets.

When it comes to traveling with children, the same rules apply as with the regular Swiss Travel Pass.

Swiss Travel Card and travel for an additional fee

Compared to other offers (e.g. Half-Fare Travelcard), the Swiss Travel Pass is the most advantageous. However, please note that the ticket does not include all amenities. Although carriers honor this, they may require additional fees or seat reservations. You will encounter this when you want to board the panoramic train. So if you want to organize a Grand Tour and use the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Palm Express or Gotthard Panoramic Express, be prepared for additional costs. No seat reservation or additional fee will be required on SBB domestic trains within Switzerland.

It's always worth having a ticket with you, because you never know where you might come across a facility offering discounts. In some cases, having STS will save you the equivalent of several hundred zlotys. If you have the chance to pay cheaper for a cable car ride to the glacier in Zermatt, it would be a sin not to take it! Sometimes the ticket counters are not clearly marked, so ask if a discount is available.

To sum up, it is worth getting acquainted with the possibilities offered by the Swiss Travel System to tourists. Thanks to it, you can visit beautiful cities, climb mountain peaks or swim in lakes. During your next stops on your trip, you can take advantage of discounts on tours or museums. The system gives you the opportunity for an organized (which does not mean boring and not very spontaneous) trip to one of the most beautiful countries in Europe.