Hi Carolyn, first of all, very informative videos in your channel. I really like how you explain really well the ins and outs of travelling to Switzerland. Inviting guests over to talk further about the most FAQ (transportation, different passes, etc). Podcasts are wonderful!!! I am a stalker now 😉 I have few questions and hopefully you can assist. 1) I am from the USA. Does the swiss travel pass (half fare) required to have passport size photos before they can issue the card at the staffed public transport point of sale? 2) We are planning to visit the Matterhorn. Our son (who is 11 yrs old at time of travel) is travelling with us. If we are going to purchase half fare card with Swiss Family Card (for my son), does he travel for FREE at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat? Thank you in advance!☺
Thank you so much for your kind words. 😊 To answer your questions - 1 - the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card (which are two different products) do not require you to have a passport sized photo in order to purchase. You can buy either of them online from our web shop and you only need to enter your passport details. You can also purchase in Switzerland and just present your passport for proof of ID. You should carry a copy of your passport (or the original) when travelling as the ticket inspector may ask to see this and your STP/HFC. 2 - I believe the Swiss Family Card will give your 11 year old a 50% discount off the Gornergrat excursion (see link to price list below), however with a Junior Travelcard (cost CHF30) they travel for free. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion is free for children accompanying parents who have a Half Fare Card/Swiss Travel Pass. Gornergrat link - assets.contenthub.dev/xshiytapvw9a/72106efdb877ab9c8bbf0147049c807b/Preise%20GGB%202024.pdf Matterhorn Glacier Paradise link - www.matterhornparadise.ch/de/buchen/tickets/matterhorn-glacier-paradise Holidays to Switzerland web shop (for pass purchases) - holidaystoswitzerland.com/shop
Thank You Caroline for all your advice. Since we are going to be in the Berner Oberland area for 9 days traveling to a lot of mountain peaks, would we be missing out if we skipped Mount Pilatus while we were visiting Lucerne and concentrated on just taking a boat tour and seeing the city we will have two days there. Thanks.
Hi, apologies for the late reply. I don't think you will feel like you've missed out by not visiting Mt. Pilatus (even though it is great and there are lots of fun things to do at the intermediate station of Frakmuntegg). You can easily fill two days in Lucerne without doing a mountain excursion and there are heaps and heaps of opportunities for mountain excursions in the Bernese Oberland. If you'll be in Lucerne on a Friday or Saturday night (May to Nov, approx.), the cable cars to Mt. Stanserhorn run until around 10.30pm so you can make the most of the long daylight hours and visit in the evening without cutting into your sightseeing time during the day. Have a fantastic trip!
Hi Carolyn, first of all, very informative videos in your channel. I really like how you explain really well the ins and outs of travelling to Switzerland. Inviting guests over to talk further about the most FAQ (transportation, different passes, etc). Podcasts are wonderful!!! I am a stalker now 😉
I have few questions and hopefully you can assist.
1) I am from the USA. Does the swiss travel pass (half fare) required to have passport size photos before they can issue the card at the staffed public transport point of sale?
2) We are planning to visit the Matterhorn. Our son (who is 11 yrs old at time of travel) is travelling with us. If we are going to purchase half fare card with Swiss Family Card (for my son), does he travel for FREE at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat?
Thank you in advance!☺
Thank you so much for your kind words. 😊
To answer your questions -
1 - the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card (which are two different products) do not require you to have a passport sized photo in order to purchase. You can buy either of them online from our web shop and you only need to enter your passport details. You can also purchase in Switzerland and just present your passport for proof of ID. You should carry a copy of your passport (or the original) when travelling as the ticket inspector may ask to see this and your STP/HFC.
2 - I believe the Swiss Family Card will give your 11 year old a 50% discount off the Gornergrat excursion (see link to price list below), however with a Junior Travelcard (cost CHF30) they travel for free. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion is free for children accompanying parents who have a Half Fare Card/Swiss Travel Pass.
Gornergrat link -
assets.contenthub.dev/xshiytapvw9a/72106efdb877ab9c8bbf0147049c807b/Preise%20GGB%202024.pdf
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise link - www.matterhornparadise.ch/de/buchen/tickets/matterhorn-glacier-paradise
Holidays to Switzerland web shop (for pass purchases) - holidaystoswitzerland.com/shop
Thank You Caroline for all your advice. Since we are going to be in the Berner Oberland area for 9 days traveling to a lot of mountain peaks, would we be missing out if we skipped Mount Pilatus while we were visiting Lucerne and concentrated on just taking a boat tour and seeing the city we will have two days there. Thanks.
Hi, apologies for the late reply. I don't think you will feel like you've missed out by not visiting Mt. Pilatus (even though it is great and there are lots of fun things to do at the intermediate station of Frakmuntegg). You can easily fill two days in Lucerne without doing a mountain excursion and there are heaps and heaps of opportunities for mountain excursions in the Bernese Oberland. If you'll be in Lucerne on a Friday or Saturday night (May to Nov, approx.), the cable cars to Mt. Stanserhorn run until around 10.30pm so you can make the most of the long daylight hours and visit in the evening without cutting into your sightseeing time during the day. Have a fantastic trip!