Swiss Pass Calculator Spreadsheet

Last Updated on October 17, 2025 by Charlotte

If you’ve spent any time trying to figure out which Swiss rail pass to buy, you’re probably already exhausted. Between the Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, Berner Oberland Pass, and Jungfrau Pass—and all the possible combinations—it starts to feel less like vacation planning and more like solving a logic puzzle. When we were planning our own trip, we kept thinking: Why isn’t there just a calculator for this? So, we made one. This post walks you through how to use our Swiss Travel Pass Comparison Calculator, a free Google Sheet designed to help you estimate your travel costs, compare pass combinations, and find the best-value option for your itinerary.

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Heads up! Updated Calculator Available!

This calculator has been replaced by an improved V2.0 with expanded coverage and better accessibility. This spreadsheet version is archived for reference but is no longer actively maintained after October, 2025.

Try The New Swiss Travel Pass Calculator

How to Use Our Swiss Travel Pass Calculator

This free tool helps you estimate the total cost of your Swiss trip with different rail pass options so you can confidently choose the one that offers the best value. Below, we’ll walk you through how to use the calculator step-by-step using a sample itinerary as a demo. If you are new to the world of nation-wide and regional Swiss passes, you can check out our blog post that gives a full run-down here, or browse through the summary below. Next, we’ll pop over to the spreadsheet.

A Quick Overview of the Main Swiss Travel Passes

Duration: 30 days
Area Covered: All of Switzerland
Lifts Included: 50% off most lifts, including Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn
Public Transport: 50% off nearly all trains, buses, boats, and city transport
Price: CHF 120
Best For: Flexible travelers or those basing in one region and doing multiple lift rides without covering long distances across Switzerland
Includes: The Swiss Family Card for free, that lets kids under 16 travel for free as long as they’re accompanied by a parent with a valid pass.

Where to Buy the Swiss Half Fare Card

You can buy the Swiss Half Fare Card online in just a few minutes, and it’s valid for 1 full month from your selected start date.

Official SBB site (Swiss Rail) – Trusted source for national passes like the Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card
GetYourGuide – A completely refundable and trusted source for the Half Fare Card. This is a great option if your plans aren’t locked in yet and you might need flexibility.

Traveling with Kids? Don’t Forget the Free Swiss Family Card

If you’re buying the Swiss Half Fare Card (or any national pass), make sure to request the Swiss Family Card. It’s completely free and lets kids under 16 travel for free as long as they’re accompanied by a parent with a valid pass!

Duration: 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days
Area Covered: Entire country
Lifts Included: Fully includes some (like Mt. Rigi), 50% off most others including Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn
Public Transport: Unlimited national trains, buses, boats, trams, and even premium scenic trains (seat reservation fees still apply)
Price: From CHF 244 +
Best For: Travelers doing multi-city trips, long-distance scenic routes, or who want the ease of one pass to rule them all
Includes: The Swiss Family Card for free, that lets kids under 16 travel for free as long as they’re accompanied by a parent with a valid pass.

Where to Buy the Swiss Travel Pass

You can purchase Swiss travel passes online, at train stations in Switzerland, or through select travel agencies. I recommend buying online in advance to save time, and to take advantage of digital delivery options.

Official SBB site (Swiss Rail) – Trusted source for national passes like the Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card
GetYourGuide – A completely refundable and trusted source for the Swiss Travel Pass. This option is especially helpful if you think your travel plans might change or if you need to cancel last minute.

On my most recent trip to Switzerland, I purchased a Swiss Travel Pass through GetYourGuide because there was a solid chance that my itinerary would change. Luckily, the trip worked out, and we had an amazing time.

Traveling with Kids? Don’t Forget the Free Swiss Family Card

If you’re If you’re buying the Swiss Half Fare Card (or any national pass), make sure to request the Swiss Family Card. It’s completely free and lets kids under 16 travel for free as long as they’re accompanied by a parent with a valid pass!

Duration: 3,4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 consecutive days
Area Covered: Jungfrau Region (Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Grindelwald, etc.)
Lifts Included: Most lifts are fully covered except Jungfraujoch, which is discounted from Eigergletscher
Public Transport: Local/regional transport only
Price: From CHF 200 and up (varies by season)
Best For: Travelers based in the Jungfrau region who plan to hike and ride lifts daily

Where to Buy the Jungfrau Travel Pass

If you’re basing yourself in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, or Grindelwald and plan to explore the region by lift and cogwheel train, the Jungfrau Travel Pass can be a great deal. Here’s how to buy it and what to keep in mind.

Official Jungfrau Website – The most direct source. You can select your travel dates and download a digital version.
GetYourGuide – A completely refundable and trusted source, good for if your travel plans might change.
Train stations in the region – You can buy the pass in person at any local rail station (e.g. Interlaken, Grindelwald).

Duration: 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 consecutive days
Area Covered: Wider than Jungfrau—includes Brienz, Spiez, Gstaad, Kandersteg, Meiringen, and more
Lifts Included: Extensive coverage including Schilthorn, Brienz Rothorn Bahn, and many other mountain routes
Public Transport: Regional trains, buses, and lake boats
Price: From CHF ~230 and up
Best For: Travelers basing in Interlaken or exploring a wide range of Berner Oberland towns with heavy lift use

Where to Buy the Berner Oberland Pass

Covering a larger area than the Jungfrau Pass, the Berner Oberland Pass includes scenic towns like Spiez, Meiringen, and Gstaad—making it ideal for broader regional exploration. Here’s how to buy it and plan ahead.

Official Berner Oberland Pass Site – Offers the most current pricing and digital purchase options.
Rail stations in the region – Available at train stations across the Berner Oberland.

Travel Tip

Heads up! There have been some recent Summer 2025 changes to the Berner Oberland Pass.

Whereas the BO pass had announced they removed coverage of Schynige Platte, this route has actually been covered in full again (I last checked this press release on July 10th 2025 for your reference). You can read the press release here.
In comparison to the 2024 pass:
- “From 2025, you will receive a 25% discount on the following lines:
  - Wengen – Kleine Scheidegg
  - Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg
  - Eiger Express Grindelwald Terminal – Eigergletscher
  - Eigergletscher – Jungfraujoch
  - Kleine Scheidegg – Eigergletscher
- From 2025, you will pay half price on the following lines:
  - Interlaken – Harder Kulm
  - Grindelwald – First“

Why These Combos Often Disappoint

The additional cost of purchasing both passes typically exceeds the savings
Each pass already provides discounts on many of the same services
Single-journey tickets for limited needs outside the regional coverage are often cheaper

When to Consider a Combo (Rarely)

You’re taking multiple long-distance trains before/after your regional stay
You have an unusually lift-heavy itinerary plus significant travel outside the region
You’re splitting your time evenly between the Jungfrau region and other parts of Switzerland

Before Purchasing Both

Compare actual costs based on your specific itinerary and planned activities
Consider if one comprehensive pass might be simpler and more cost-effective

Most travelers are better served by choosing either a single regional pass OR the Half Fare Card based on their primary activities, rather than combining them.

Step 1: Make a Copy of the Swiss Travel Pass Calculator

To get started, you’ll need to make your own editable version of the spreadsheet.

Click this link: Swiss Travel Pass Calculator – View Only
In the top left, click File → Make a Copy
Save it to your Google Drive so you can customize it for your trip

How to save a copy of our Switzerland Best Travel Pass Calculator to your own Google Drive.

💡 This calculator is view-only by default. You’ll need your own copy to enter your itinerary details and see your personalized results.

Once you’ve got your copy open, you’re ready to plug in your travel plans.

Step 2: Enter Your Trip Details

Once you’ve made a copy of the spreadsheet, it’s time to fill in the basics of your trip.

Number of Travel Days and Pass Length

Start by entering the total number of days of your trip, and the number of days you need a pass if you’ll be using public transportation or mountain lifts. This helps the calculator match you with pass options that fit your trip length (like a 3-day Swiss Travel Pass or an 8-day regional pass).

Step 1 of the Swiss Travel Pass Calculator, enter the length of your trip in days, and the length of your desired pass

Your Itinerary

Next, enter the towns you plan to visit or stay in using the drop-down menus, including your arrival and departure points. If you’re traveling across Switzerland (e.g. from Lucerne to Zermatt or Zurich to Interlaken), make sure to include each city as they often cost the most and have the greatest impact on which pass is best.

Tip: You can leave a City as the default “Select Your City” option if you only plan to visit a few destinations.

The Travel Itinerary in the Swiss Travel Pass Calculator when fully populated

Step 3: Enter Mountain Lifts You Plan to Ride

In the final part of the calculator, enter the major lifts or mountain trains you plan to take, like Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, or First Gondola. These are often the most expensive parts of your trip, and the biggest factor in whether a regional pass or Half Fare Card will save you money.

Step 3: Selecting the lifts you plan to ride from the drop down menu in the Swiss Travel Pass Calculator

You don’t need to know the exact prices, just pick your planned routes from the drop-down list. The calculator will estimate the cost with and without passes so you can clearly see the savings.

Step 4: View Your Results and Compare Pass Options

Once you’ve entered your travel days and you itinerary, and planned lift rides, the calculator will automatically generate a cost breakdown for each pass option.

Step 4) See your results from the Swiss Travel Pass Calculator

What You’ll See

The results section compares the total price, total savings per each pass type, percent savings per each pass type, and the “Savings Verdict” for each travel pass type:

Full-price travel (no pass)
Half Fare Card only
Swiss Travel Pass
Jungfrau Pass
Berner Oberland Pass
Regional Pass + Half Fare Card combos (like Berner Oberland or Jungfrau)

Below the results table, the “Overall Top Pick” table highlights which pass has the greatest savings based on your itinerary.

read the guide

Swiss Travel Passes Compared: Which One Is Right for You?

Confused by all the different Switzerland rail and travel passes? This guide breaks down the options: Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, and Regional Passes, to help you choose the one that fits your trip best.

Compare Passes

Example Itineraries and Pass Comparisons in Our Swiss Travel Pass Calculator

Want to see the calculator in action? Here are a few sample itineraries to show how the costs stack up across different Swiss rail passes. You can follow along with these sample itineraries in the tabs in our calculator.

Case Study: 7-Day Itinerary from Zurich to the Jungfrau Region

This traveler spent a week exploring the Bernese Oberland region, beginning in Zurich and passing through Lucerne, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, and Grindelwald. Their journey included five popular mountain lift rides, including Schilthorn and First Gondola, with a mix of intercity train legs and local alpine rail segments.

Key Cost Drivers

Lift-heavy itinerary: With five lifts, including high-value ones like Schilthorn (CHF 108) and First Gondola (CHF 76), lift costs represented a major portion of the total fare.
Some intercity rail: Travel from Zurich to Lucerne, and later from Grindelwald to Zurich, added intercity rail costs, although most travel occurred within the Berner Oberland.
Broad regional coverage: Because many lift and rail segments received a 50% discount, flexibility became more important than full coverage.

Best Value Pass: Swiss Half Fare Card

The Swiss Half Fare Card shines for mixed itineraries like this one. It offers 50% off both intercity and regional transportation, as well as all the included lifts. Since no single regional pass (like the Berner Oberland or Jungfrau) covers both intercity trains and every lift taken, the Half Fare Card delivers across the board savings with maximum flexibility. This traveler saved CHF 186.35, or 34%, compared to full-price tickets. While other pass combos provided partial coverage, none matched the overall savings or ease of use for this broad and scenic weeklong itinerary.

Case Study: 5-Day Cross-Country Itinerary from Zurich

This traveler spent five days exploring Switzerland by train, with overnight stays in Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Zermatt, and bookend days in Zurich. Their itinerary included scenic train journeys, visits to classic alpine villages, and a single bucket-list lift ride to Jungfraujoch via the Eiger Express.

Key Cost Drivers

Long-distance rail travel: Intercity routes like Zurich → Interlaken and Interlaken → Zermatt contributed heavily to total transport costs.
One premium lift: The trip to Jungfraujoch cost CHF 238, which was only partially discounted by most passes.
Moderate local transit: Daily village-to-village rail use added up but didn’t justify the cost of a high-value regional pass.

Close Contenders: Swiss Half Fare Card and the Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Half Fare Card narrowly edged out the Swiss Travel Pass in terms of savings, making it the most cost-effective option for this particular 5-day itinerary. However, the margin is slim, and the added convenience of the Swiss Travel Pass may be worth the small price difference. With the Half Fare Card, travelers must purchase a discounted ticket for every leg of the journey. In contrast, the Swiss Travel Pass acts as an all-in-one ticket across trains, buses, and boats nationwide, no need to stop at ticket machines or to worry that your phone is charged so that you can buy your tickets on the app. If you value ease and flexibility over maximizing savings down to the franc, the Swiss Travel Pass is still a strong contender. This is especially true if your itinerary grows to include more intercity routes or spontaneous detours.

read the guide

Where to Stay in the Bernese Oberland

Not sure whether to stay in Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Wengen, or Grindelwald? This guide compares scenery, price, transportation, trail access, dining, and vibe, so you can pick the perfect fit.

Find Your Home Base

Editor’s Note: What I Chose for My Own Trip

On my own trip to Switzerland, I stayed in Wengen and explored the surrounding region daily, hopping between Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, and Kandersteg. I opted for the Swiss Travel Pass, even though this calculator told me the Half Fare Card would’ve saved me a few extra francs. I don’t regret it at all. Why? Because the Swiss Travel Pass gave me peace of mind. I didn’t have to calculate fares, stop to buy tickets, or worry about whether an intercity train was included. I could just get on and go. And for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, that freedom was worth it. That’s what this calculator is for, to help you decide what kind of traveler you are, and whether you want to prioritize savings, flexibility, or both.

Final Thoughts: Which Swiss Rail Pass Should You Choose?

As you’ve seen, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing a Swiss rail pass, and that’s exactly why I built this calculator. Whether you’re hiking through the Bernese Oberland, city-hopping across the country, or cruising on alpine lakes, the best value depends entirely on your route, timing, and travel style.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants ultimate freedom, to hop on any train without thinking, the Swiss Travel Pass might be worth the premium. If you’re looking to maximize value and don’t mind a bit of planning, the Swiss Half Fare Card can save you a surprising amount. And if you’re staying local in the Alps? A regional pass like the Berner Oberland or Jungfrau Pass could be all you need.

The key is: you don’t have to guess. Use the calculator. See the numbers. Then make the choice that’s right for you.

Safe travels and smooth train rides!

–Charlotte

How The Swiss Travel Pass Calculator Works: Methodology + Assumptions

All fares are based on standard adult 2nd class prices from the official SBB fare tables. These prices:

Are not “supersaver” prices (which are non-refundable and train-specific)
Do not fluctuate with demand or time of booking
Are what you’d pay if you bought a ticket at the station without a pass
Were manually gathered from the SBB App, and are not “live” prices being dynamically updated in real time.

For each leg of your trip:

If you’re going between cities, the calculator checks if both cities are covered by a given pass.

If fully covered, the fare is CHF 0.
If partially covered, it adds either half the fare (with the Half Fare Card) or the full fare.
If not covered at all, the full fare is included.

Users enter the lifts they plan to take from a dropdown menu.

Each lift has a listed full fare, and a lookup table indicates whether each pass offers free, 50%, or no coverage.
The calculator multiplies the lift cost by the coverage factor based on the selected pass(es).

Each city in the dropdown has an estimated average rides per day and cost per ride.

If the city is covered by the pass (e.g., Swiss Travel Pass or Berner Oberland Pass in Wengen), the cost is set to CHF 0.
Otherwise, estimated local costs are added for each day you stay.

Pass prices are pulled from a dictionary of 2025 prices for each pass type and duration.

If your trip is longer than the available pass length, the calculator assumes you buy multiple passes (e.g., two 3-day passes).
Combination passes (e.g., Swiss Travel Pass + Jungfrau Pass) use the discounted combo rates where applicable.
If your trip length falls between available pass durations (e.g., a 5-day trip but only 3-day and 6-day passes exist), the calculator automatically selects the next-highest available duration (in this case, the 6-day pass) to ensure full coverage.

For each pass type, the calculator sums:

Pass price(s)
Uncovered intercity fares
Uncovered lift costs
Local transit costs

Then it compares that total to full fare and ranks the passes by total savings.

This calculator is designed to give you the best possible estimate — but it’s still just a planning tool. A few things to keep in mind:

Prices can change. We’ve used recent 2025 fares and pass prices, but Switzerland isn’t immune to updates. Always confirm current rates before booking.
This tool doesn’t pull live data. It’s not connected to SBB or any booking platforms, so it won’t reflect current availability or discounts.
Supersaver tickets are not included. These are advance-purchase, nonrefundable tickets that can be cheaper than standard fares — but they’re not compatible with most passes, and they vary day to day.
Scenic train reservation fees aren’t included. If you’re taking trains like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express, remember you’ll still need to pay for seat reservations.
Local transit is estimated. We’ve built in average ride costs per day per town, but actual use may vary.
Lifts must be entered manually. If you don’t list a lift, the calculator can’t account for its cost or coverage.
Pass durations are rounded up. If your trip is 5 days and a pass only comes in 3 or 6 days, the calculator selects the 6-day version to ensure you’re covered.
Not every route or lift is included. We’ve done our best to include the most popular cities, train routes, and mountain lifts, but Switzerland has a lot of options. If you don’t see a route or lift listed, you can still estimate its cost and add it manually for comparison.
This tool is for estimating, not exact totals. If you want a precise, to-the-franc breakdown of your trip, you’re always welcome to dig into the fares and do the math manually — but for most travelers, this calculator will get you close enough to make a confident decision.

Ready to find your best pass? Click here to try our Swiss Travel Pass Calculator.

And if you have any questions about how it works, or just want a second opinion on your route, feel free to drop a comment below. I read every one and I’m always happy to help!