Planning a trip to Switzerland can feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to navigating the country’s extensive and scenic rail system. With postcard-worthy views around nearly every corner, Switzerland’s public transport isn’t just a way to get from point A to B; it’s an essential part of the experience. From iconic mountain trains to serene lake cruises, knowing which pass to choose can have a huge impact on your itinerary, budget, and overall travel experience.

When we visited Switzerland last summer, we opted for the Berner Oberland Pass, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of our entire trip. Not only did we save a significant amount of money, but the freedom to hop on trains, gondolas, buses, and even boats without constantly reaching for our wallet gave us more time to focus on what mattered most—enjoying the alpine scenery as a family.

Whether you’re planning a grand tour across multiple regions or staying rooted in the mountains around Interlaken, understanding the different types of Swiss rail passes is essential to making the most of your time—and your budget.

Overview of Rail Passes in Switzerland

Switzerland offers several rail pass options tailored to different types of travelers. Below, we break down the most popular ones to help you decide which one best fits your itinerary.

Berner Oberland Pass

Best for: Travelers based in the Interlaken region who want broad access to local transportation, mountain excursions, and boats.

This regional pass covers the stunning Berner Oberland area, including popular destinations like Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Mürren, and Wengen. It’s especially handy for travelers planning to explore the Jungfrau region and its surrounding attractions without venturing too far afield. The Berner Oberland Pass website has maps of the area of validity to view to see if this is the right fit for your trip.

Pros:

• Unlimited travel for 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days of travel on trains, buses, boats, and cable cars within the Berner Oberland.
• Pass can be purchased up to 6 months in advance of the first day of validity
• No need to buy tickets for each leg of your trip—just show your pass and go.
• Tickets can be printed at home and/or added to your phone’s wallet (we used our Apple Wallet to easily scan our passes for each journey).
• Includes travel to the Schilthorn and provides discounted rides on premium routes such as Jungfraujoch, Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, and First in 2025.
• Children from 6 up to 16 years of age and dogs travel with the Berner Oberland Pass at a flat rate of CHF 30 when the pass is purchased in conjunction with a main pass (adult pass).
• Children under 6 travel for free

Cons:

• Only valid in the Berner Oberland region—won’t cover trips to cities like Zurich, Basel, or Geneva.
• May overlap with other national or local passes if you’re traveling more broadly.

Additional Perks:

• Discounts on local attractions, cable cars, funiculars, and museums.
• Included access or reduced rates for many iconic mountain excursions.

Jungfrau Travel Pass

Best for: Visitors focused on mountain adventures in the Jungfrau region.

The Jungfrau Travel Pass offers unlimited travel for 3-8 days on a range of alpine transport systems and is ideal if your main goal is to explore famous mountain destinations like Kleine Scheidegg, First, and Männlichen.

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage of mountain routes including cable cars, funiculars, and trains.
• Access to popular destinations like Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Harder Kulm, and Schynige Platte.
• Great value for those planning multiple mountain excursions in a short time.
• Ticket can be presented as a mobile ticket on the smartphone without printing.
• Children between 6-15 years of age travel with the Jungrau Travel Pass at a flat rate of CHF 30 when the pass is purchased in conjunction with a main pass (adult pass).
• Children under 6 travel for free

Cons:

• Doesn’t include boat travel or transport outside the Jungfrau region.
• Less suitable if you’re planning to explore beyond this area.

Extra Benefits:

• Up to 50% discounted access to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe (from May to August, a seat reservation is mandatory to travel to this destination).
• 10% discount in the Top of Europe Shops

Swiss Travel Pass

Best for: Travelers exploring multiple regions and cities throughout Switzerland.

This all-in-one nationwide pass grants unlimited travel for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days across Switzerland’s excellent public transportation system, including scenic routes like the Glacier Express and GoldenPass Express. The Swiss Travel Pass website has the area of validity and highlights available to view.

Pros:

• Nationwide coverage of trains, buses, boats, and many mountain railways.
• Great for multi-city itineraries, scenic rail journeys, or cultural trips.
• Children ages 6 up to 16 years accompanied by at least one parent (holding a Swiss Travel System ticket) travel free of charge with the complimentary Swiss Family Card.
• Children under 6 years of age who are accompanied by a holder of a valid Swiss Travel System ticket travel free of charge.

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost than regional passes.
• Some premium scenic trains still require reservations and additional fees.

More Savings:

• Up to 50% off many mountain excursions not fully included in the pass.
• Free access to over 500 museums across the country.

Half Fare Card

Best for: Travelers who prefer flexibility or aren’t using public transport every day.

The Half Fare Card lets you purchase tickets for nearly all public transportation across Switzerland up to 50% off at the cost of CHF 120 per month.

Pros:

• Extremely flexible—ideal for travelers with more relaxed or limited travel schedules.
• Works well with point-to-point tickets, especially for occasional journeys.
• Can be used in combination with other passes or regional offers.
• The Swiss Family Card enables children aged at least 6 and under 16 to travel free of charge when accompanied by a parent with a valid Swiss Half Fare Card.
• Children under 6 years of age travel free of charge.

Cons:

• You still need to purchase a ticket for each individual trip.
• Doesn’t provide the same “hop-on-hop-off” convenience.
• No free museum access or bundled attractions.

Which Pass Is Right for You?

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

• Staying around Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen for 3–7 days? The Berner Oberland Pass offers the best value and access to boats, cable cars, and scenic routes.
• Planning to summit every mountain in the Jungfrau region? Go with the Jungfrau Travel Pass for in-depth alpine exploration.
• Touring Switzerland from Zurich to Zermatt to Lugano? The Swiss Travel Pass is your best bet for cross-country freedom.
• Only taking a few trains during your trip? Opt for the Half Fare Card and pay as you go at a discount.

Why the Berner Oberland Pass Was Worth It for our family

Looking back on our Swiss adventure, the Berner Oberland Pass was a game-changer. Every day, we woke up with the freedom to choose where to go without worrying about ticket costs or logistics. On just one of our days, we caught an early train to Wengen, then a gondola up to Mannlichen, after hiking the Lieselotte Trail down to Holenstein we hopped on the gondola down to Grindelwald. After exploring Grindelwald we then returned to Lauterbrunnen via train—all covered by our pass.

The ease, savings, and simplicity this pass provided made our travels more enjoyable and less stressful. Especially for families or first-time visitors, having everything bundled into one pass lets you focus on the experience rather than the planning.

Family-Friendly Adventures in and around Lauterbrunnen

Check out my other blog post regarding our travels in Switzerland including our first day in Switzerland, our adventure exploring Murren and Gimmelwald above Lauterbrunnen, riding the Gelmerbahn funicular to a stunning Swiss reservoir, and discovering the best kid-friendly hikes in the Swiss Alps. Additionally, I’ve shared insights into other family-friendly activities in the Lauterbrunnen Valley area, perfect for those traveling with children. I have even made a printable 5 day itinerary for the Swiss Alps with kids.

Ready to Choose Your Switzerland Rail Pass?

Still unsure which pass fits your itinerary? Start by mapping out your destinations and estimating how often you’ll use public transportation. The right rail pass not only saves you money—it saves you time and simplifies your travel.

Start planning your Swiss rail adventure today—and travel smarter with a pass that fits your journey.