Can You Use The Swiss Travel Pass In Zermatt?
If you’re visiting Zermatt this year, you’ve likely researched how to get to Zermatt. You’ll know it’s an entirely car-free destination, which means you will have to arrive in Zermatt by train.
You may have also seen that you can buy a Swiss Travel Pass to cut the costs of train travel in Switzerland.
But now you’re wondering whether you can use the Swiss Travel Pass for anything else. Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover Zermatt?
That’s why we have created this article - to outline the Swiss Travel Pass, what is included in the pass, and whether the Swiss Travel Pass can save you money in Zermatt. (Spoiler: it definitely can!)
Essentially, we round up everything you need to know about the Swiss Travel Pass and Zermatt.
So, let’s dive into: Can you use the Swiss Travel Pass in Zermatt?
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission, if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
Disclosure: we were fortunate to be invited to visit Zermatt by Zermatt-Matterhorn, the official tourism board. While Zermatt-Matterhorn hosted us, all of the opinions and thoughts shared in this article are genuine and our own. We only recommend activities and places we would pay to visit… and Zermatt is definitely one of those!
Watching the sunset over the Matterhorn from our hotel balcony
What is the Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one pass that allows visitors to explore all of Switzerland by rail, bus or ferry.
It gives you access to discounts on selected mountain railways and discounts and free public transport in over 90 towns and cities in Switzerland.
Essentially, if you need to get around Switzerland, you need the Swiss Travel Pass.
How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost?
You can buy a Swiss Travel Pass for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days.
A Continuous Swiss Travel Pass covers you over consecutive days, whereas a Flexi Swiss Travel Pass covers you for a number of days over a certain time frame.
A 4-day consecutive pass was perfect for our magical 4-day Zermatt itinerary in Winter!
Here’s a few examples of what the Swiss Travel Pass costs (accurate as of early 2024):
3-day Continuous Swiss Travel Pass (2nd Class) = ~£218/$273
3-day Flexi Swiss Travel Pass (2nd Class) = ~£250/$313
8-day Continuous Swiss Travel Pass (2nd Class) = ~£375/$470
8-day Flexi Swiss Travel Pass (2nd Class) = ~£393/$493
Visiting Zermatt soon? Download a reliable Switzerland eSIM to avoid data roaming charges during your trip!
What’s included in the Swiss Travel Pass?
The most obvious inclusion of the Swiss Travel Pass is that you are eligible for free, unlimited rides on public train, bus and ferry routes for the duration of your pass.
This includes unlimited travel on premium panorama train rides in Switzerland like the Glacier Express.
You are also entitled to 50% reductions on a selection of other public transport routes throughout Switzerland.
In total, the Swiss Travel Pass can be used on public transport in more than 90 towns and cities in Switzerland.
Finally, with a Swiss Travel Pass you are entitled to 50% reductions on a number of mountain railways and cables, including those in Zermatt (see below).
What does the Swiss Travel Pass cover in Zermatt?
Aside from covering the cost of your train travel to Zermatt, the Swiss Travel Pass also includes a few handy perks in Zermatt:
50% off a Gornergrat Cog Train Ticket
50% off a Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Ride
50% off the Sunnegga Funicular Ride
Free entry to the Matterhorn Museum
Unlimited free bus journeys in Zermatt
Get 50% off a Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Ride with the Swiss Travel Pass
Will the Swiss Travel Pass Save Me Money in Zermatt?
So, this question isn’t actually as straightforward as you’d expect. It isn’t a case of saying that the Swiss Travel Pass will save everybody money when they visit Zermatt.
To make things simpler, we have provided two tables below. The first is an example of a Zermatt itinerary where you would save money by buying the Swiss Travel Pass. The second table gives an example of a Zermatt itinerary where you would not save money by purchasing the pass.
Scenario 1: Where you WOULD save money by buying a Swiss Travel Pass (3-day Itinerary in July from Geneva Airport)
| Activity | Cost without Swiss Travel Pass | Cost with Swiss Travel Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Return Ticket from Geneva Airport | 160 CHF | N/A (Unlimited train rides with Swiss Travel Pass) |
| Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | 120 CHF | 60 CHF |
| Gornergrat Cog Train | 132 CHF | 66 CHF |
| Sunnegga Funicular | 29 CHF | 14.50 CHF |
| Matterhorn Museum | 12 CHF | Free |
| Swiss Travel Pass | N/A | 240 CHF |
| Total Price | 453.00 CHF | 380.50 CHF |
*As you can see, buying a Swiss Travel Pass would save you 72.5 CHF if you followed this example itinerary.
Scenario 2: Where you WOULD NOT save money by buying a Swiss Travel Pass (3-day Skiing Itinerary in March from Geneva Airport)
| Activity | Cost without Swiss Travel Pass | Cost with Swiss Travel Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Return Ticket from Geneva Airport | 160 CHF | N/A (Unlimited train rides with Swiss Travel Pass) |
| Swiss Travel Pass; | N/A | 240 CHG |
| 2-Day Ski Pass (*gives you free access to Sunnegga, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat) | 178 CHF | 178 CHF |
| Sunnegga Funicular | Free | Free |
| Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | Free | Free |
| Gornergrat Cog Train | Free | Free |
| Total Price |
338.00 CHF |
418.00 CHF |
*Here, you can see that buying a Swiss Travel Pass wouldn’t be cost-effective because while skiing in Zermatt, your ski pass covers everything that you’d save money on with the Swiss Travel Pass.
While it is impossible to give a definitive answer as to whether a Swiss Travel Pass will save you money in Zermatt, we have given examples scenarios below and suggested whether a Swiss Travel Pass would be essential or not.
I am skiing in Zermatt and visiting other places in Switzerland: you should buy a Swiss Travel Pass.
I am skiing in Zermatt but not visiting anywhere else in Switzerland: you probably don’t need to buy a Swiss Travel Pass.
I am visiting Zermatt in Summer and visiting other places in Switzerland: essential to buy a Swiss Travel Pass.
I am visiting Zermatt in Summer but not visiting anywhere else in Switzerland: you should buy a Swiss Travel Pass.
We know it is a little confusing, but we hope these scenarios have given you a good example of whether you should be buying a Swiss Travel Pass or not.
Skiing in Zermatt? You might not need the Swiss Travel Pass
How to Buy the Swiss Travel Pass
The easiest and cheapest way is to buy the Swiss Travel Pass online here. You will be sent an e-pass via email, which you can show anytime you wish to use your Swiss Travel Pass on public transport in Switzerland.
FAQs about the Swiss Travel Pass and Zermatt
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Glacier Express?
Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass does cover the famous Glacier Express, but there are mandatory, advanced fees associated with seat reservations. The Swiss Travel Pass also covers alternative panoramic trains in Switzerland like the Bernina Express and the Golden Pass Line.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass include the Gornergrat Cog Train?
Unfortunately, the Gornergrat Cog Train in Zermatt is owned and operated by the BVZ group, so as it is not a public Swiss railway, it is not included in the Swiss Travel Pass. This said, the Swiss Travel Pass does grant you 50% off a Gornergrat Cog Train ticket.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?
As with most cable cars in Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass does not cover the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, but having a Swiss Travel Pass will give you 50% off a Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ticket.
50% off the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise with the Swiss Travel Pass
There we have it, folks, our round-up of everything you need to know about the Swiss Travel Pass and Zermatt. As you can hopefully see, there are instances when buying a Swiss Travel Pass can save you a lot of money in Zermatt, particularly during the summer. We hope this article has made things a little bit clearer for you.
What are you waiting for? Buy your Swiss Travel Pass here!
