Swiss Pass vs. Traveling by Van with a Private Driver

Swiss Pass vs. Traveling by Van with a Private Driver

How should you buy a Swiss Travel Pass for a private tour?

Attractions covered for 4 days on our itinerary:

1 Jungfraujoch 25% discount, saves 2,000 THB
2 Gornergrat 50% discount, saves 2,205 THB
3 Rigi Railways free ride, seat reservation fee applies) saves 3,220 THB
4 Glacier Express (free ride, seat reservation fee applies) saves 3,000 - 5,328 THB depending on chosen route

Swiss Travel Pass prices

1 Continuous 8 days: approximately 13,550 THB per person (2nd class)
2 Continuous 6 days: approximately 12,550 THB per person (2nd class)
3 Continuous 4 days: approximately 9,850 THB per person (2nd class)
4 Flex 3 days in 1 month: approximately 9,550 THB per person (2nd class)
5 Flex 4 days in 1 month: approximately 11,400 THB per person (2nd class)

Key highlights along the route where the Swiss Pass can be used

1 Glacier Express (free ride, seat reservation fee applies)

• Sample route Zermatt - St. Moritz: price 152 CHF (2nd class), saves 5,328 THB

• Sample route St. Moritz - Andermatt: price 84 CHF (2nd class), saves 3,000 THB

2 Goldenpass Line (free ride, seat reservation fee applies)

There are 3 routes: 

• Lucerne - Interlaken: price CHF 58 / Swiss Travel Pass free / saves 2,030 THB 

• Interlaken - Zweisimmen: CHF 48 / Swiss Travel Pass free / saves 1,600 THB

• Zweisimmen - Montreux: CHF 58 / Swiss Travel Pass free / saves 2,030 THB

3 Bernina Express (free ride, seat reservation fee applies)

Price CHF 72 and round trip CHF 92
Swiss Travel Pass free / saves 3,220 THB

4 Rigi Railways (located in Lucerne near Mount Pilatus)

Price CHF 53 / saves 1,855 THB
(free ride, seat reservation fee applies)

5 Stanserhorn (located in Lucerne, a 20-minute train ride to Stans station)

(free ride, seat reservation fee applies)
Price CHF 74
Swiss Travel Pass free / saves 2,590 THB

6 Stoos (world's steepest cogwheel train, from Schwyz train station take a 20-minute bus to Stoosbahn station)

50% discount with Swiss Pass

1 In Zermatt, valid on the Gornergrat train (https://www.gornergrat.ch/en/) for a 50% discount
Full price 126 CHF, with Swiss Travel Pass 50% off is 63 CHF, saves 2,205 THB
P.S. Gornergrat Bahn reservations: [email protected] Telefon: +41 (0)848 642 442

2 Cable car to Schilthorn receives 50% discount

3 Titlis receives 50% discount

4 Train to Jungfraujoch summit receives 25% discount

Summary: Buying a Flex 4 days in 1 month pass costs approximately 11,400 THB per person (2nd class)
You will receive these discounts on the 8-day Grand Swiss private tour route. Used attractions:

1. Jungfraujoch 25% discount, saves 2,000 THB
2. Gornergrat 50% discount, saves 2,205 THB
3. Rigi Railways free ride, seat reservation fee applies) saves 3,220 THB
4. Glacier Express (free ride, seat reservation fee applies) saves 3,000 - 5,328 THB depending on chosen route

Total discount is approximately 10,425 THB

This means it is about equal to what Thai travelers pay for a Swiss Pass.

This means the Swiss Pass is worth it when traveling by train. But once you have a private vehicle, it is not quite as cost-effective. To really get your money's worth, you would need to use it on those days for boat cruises, museum entries, trams, city buses, or intercity trains.

P.S. This is a rough calculation based on an exchange rate of 35 THB / 1 CHF