Is it better to use swiss pass or rent a car?

Question

We are 4 adults, arriving in Zurich- for a 3 day stay in Lucerne. We plan to visit Mt. Titlis and maybe Interlaken during our stay.

Is it cheaper to rent a car for our 3 day trip, or should we just go with taxis/public transport with some swiss pass?

Our trip is from 23rd-26th August and the forecast shows rain in Engelberg- is Titlis worth it during such a time?

Mt. Titlis round trip seems to cost almost 100 swiss francs per person, but some tour operators charge the same amount for tours from Lucerne to Titlis. Which option is more economical? Is there any way to get cheaper tickets to visit Titlis?

Answer 1

It is not just "travel pass" versus rental car.

Consider this:

• With a rental car you still will have to pay for mountain railways. The Titlis trip costs about 100,- pp.
• Add to that parking. Also do not forget that hotels do not always have parking, and when they have it is seldom free.
• Many popular trips cannot be conveniently done using a car.

So you will end up using public transit anyway.

OTOH. A Swiss Travel Pass is overkill. You do not need unlimited public transit in the whole country. And it does not cover the Titlis either.

No, your best option is the Tell Pass.

The Tell Pass is a regional pass that covers all public transit in the region around Luzern. It also covers most mountain railways. It covers the Titlis, the Rigi, the lake steamers, the Stanserhorn bahn, and even the train to Interlaken. For 220,- pp you have all that. So you could decide to even do more than just the Titlis.

And in summer there is a 2 for 1 offer, where certain hotels will give you the second Tell Pass for free if you stay there at least 3 nights. Have a look if your accommodation takes part.

You will find everything about the Tell Pass here: https://www.tellpass.ch/en

Answer 2

Adding some more info about the Tell Pass:

• See the summer 2023 Tell Pass map for where it is valid.

• You may want to maximize the scenic locations you visit by using a Tell Pass, and taking as many trains (and buses and gondolas) as possible while it is valid. Even if doing so, 3 days is too short to visit every point of interest in the region. So choose a few favorites in advance. The last-minute weather may affect your final decision.

Adding some more info about train travel:

• Look up train (and other public transport) schedules at sbb.ch or in the SBB app. You can also buy tickets at both places with a credit card. Queuing at Zürich airport railway station ticket booth (or vending machine) is a privacy-conscious option: that doesn't ask for name and date of birth of all travellers.

• The cheapest option to travel from Zürich airport to Luzern with a Tell Pass is buying a single ticket from Zürich airport to Baar (17.40 CHF per person), and taking the S24 to Zug, and changing to any IR train going to Luzern. The Tell Pass is valid from Baar (earlier than Zug).

• The fastest option to travel from Zürich airport to Luzern is taking an IC+IR train combination (transfer at Zürich HB) or the direct IR train. For these, you need to buy a single ticket from Zürich airport to Zug (19.60 CHF per person). The Tell Pass is valid from Baar (earlier than Zug), but since that IR train doesn't stop at Baar, you can't use the Tell Pass from Baar, only from Zug.

• For a more scenic but slower train ride from Zürich airport to Luzern, go via Arth-Goldau. For that you have to transfer at Zürich HB (only if you take the IC train), Zug and Arth-Goldau. The price is the same as above, the Tell Pass covers the journey from Zug.

Spectacular mountain stations covered by the Tell Pass:

• Titlis
• Ice Flyer
• Pilatus Kulm
• Rigi Kulm
• Fronalpstock
• Klingenstock
• Engstlenalp
• Bonistock
• Brienzer Rothorn
• Schneehüenerstock
• Bürgenstock
• Einsiedeln
• Klausen Passhöhe
• Kemmeriboden
• (probably some others, your mileage may vary)

Enjoy the scenery!

Answer 3

Your question is really a lot of questions, so not ideal (and really not allowed on this site). In any case some answers:

Swiss people tend not to use taxi. You can do most things without taxi (but if you are busy businessmen always at phone).

Then it depends on you. On train all group see much more: better view and no driver. You can also walk and discuss, point things and plan. But you trade flexibility. Trains (and busses) are good to link localities (so places with inhabitants or workers). It is far less convenient to spot few natural places, or to do some alpine passes (infrequent busses, so you cannot stop and explore, but maybe at summit).

Interlaken, Lucerne, Engelberg are easy to reach with trains. But if you want to see more spectacular parts (Lauterbrunnen valley, etc.) train/bus are not ideal.

Personally I think Piz Gloria (Schiltorn) is much better and less touristy and cheaper. Possibly less thing to do on top, but you are there for the mountains, so... (no walking on ice, etc. just a 007 exposition). Or Zermat (which it is touristic and nice). Engelberg: I'm impressed by the numbers of busses in there, and not much more.

About weather. It is far from your arrival, so nobody know. At that time, you may see first snow on mountains. Titlis and Jungfrauhoch have better entertainment inside buildings, and you get the spirit of mountain: you may see the sky and 3 minute later you cannot see your hands. Some magical environment we read in books. But nothing more. I'm not sure it is worth the travel (OTOH once in lifetime may be interesting). If you have flexibility, plan to go on top of mountains when forecast is good (and stable).

Also parking is very expensive in all Swiss cities (and hotels in cities).

Depending on the numbers of day in Switzerland, try to do both.

Answer 4

For 4 adults, renting a car is very likely to be cheaper. Assuming 3 nights in Lucerne (i.e.. 4 days total), you should be able to get a decent sized car for less than US$500 (plus gas), whereas a rail pass would be almost $1400 (plus the occasional ride share or taxi for local stuff).

You can try to splice it all together with individual public transportation tickets, but for 4 adults, a single car is just a really cost efficient mode of transportation.

It takes a about 10 minutes to price this out online for your specific details (exact dates, car preferences, itinerary, etc). I suggest to do this draw your own conclusions.