Car vs train pass 15 days in Switzerland
Aug 9th, 2015, 07:00 PM
#1
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Car vs train pass 15 days in Switzerland
My wife and I are travelling 15 days in Switzerland hoping to cover most of the country. The Swiss pass train ticket system is an option as is a car rental. Does anyone have any experience with the cost of liability insurance coverage for rental cars? Thank you
Aug 9th, 2015, 07:16 PM
#2
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There is NO way that I would use a rental car in Switzerland, which offers incredibly efficient and comfortable trains and buses. The scenery in much of the country is SO spectacular that I would not want to spend a single unnecessary moment behind the wheel, when I would have to watch the road, if I could admire the vistas and not have to worry about the road at all. AND in Switzerland, you have a relatively inexpensive luggage forwarding option - bonus! JMO. Have you checked the Swiss rail website?
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Aug 9th, 2015, 08:12 PM
#3
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The question on the "cost" of (third party) liability insurance is irrelevant in Switzerland. Liability is integrated into the basic rental fee and it is not something you can negotiate in or out. It is always in.
I suspect you have not test booked a car in Switzerland to see what the conditions say.
For example, Kemwel says
Required Coverage
Third party liability coverage is required for all rentals commencing in Switzerland. Kemwel includes third party liability insurance on all rental rates in Switzerland.
Autoeurope says
Required Coverage
Fire and third party liability insurance is mandatory and is included in all rentals.
Rick Steves says
The basic rates you’ll see quoted nearly always include unlimited mileage, value-added tax, and legally required third-party liability insurance.
Car vs. Train is not a decision that can be made in vacuum. The destinations matter. There are many destinations such as Zermatt, Wengen, Mürren, etc, where cars are not allowed. You are required to park you car elsewhere and take trains.
I suspect you have not test booked a car in Switzerland to see what the conditions say.
For example, Kemwel says
Required Coverage
Third party liability coverage is required for all rentals commencing in Switzerland. Kemwel includes third party liability insurance on all rental rates in Switzerland.
Autoeurope says
Required Coverage
Fire and third party liability insurance is mandatory and is included in all rentals.
Rick Steves says
The basic rates you’ll see quoted nearly always include unlimited mileage, value-added tax, and legally required third-party liability insurance.
Car vs. Train is not a decision that can be made in vacuum. The destinations matter. There are many destinations such as Zermatt, Wengen, Mürren, etc, where cars are not allowed. You are required to park you car elsewhere and take trains.
Aug 9th, 2015, 11:58 PM
#4
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Car or train: all depends on the season and the places you plan to visit.
Many mountain roads are closed or slippery (snow, black ice) in winter.
The following places can NOT be reached by car (only by public transport):
Zermatt, Jungen, Gspon, Belalp, Riederalp, Bettmeralp, Fiescheralp, Muerren, Gimmelwald, Wengen, St. Petersinsel, Braunwald, Isola/Engiadina, Rigi, Golzern, Rasa, Comino, Isole di Brissago, Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola San Giulio.......
Glacier3000, Glacier de la Plaine Morte, Gornergrat, Mittelalallin, Kleinmatterhorn, Monte Moro Pass, Gemmi Pass, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Schynige Platte, Brienzer Rothorn, Alpen Tower, Joch Pass, Titlis, Stanserhorn, Pilatus, Alp Grum/Bernina, Muottas Muragl, Corvatsch, Weissfluhjoch, Piz Vorab, Saentis.....
Many mountain roads are closed or slippery (snow, black ice) in winter.
The following places can NOT be reached by car (only by public transport):
Zermatt, Jungen, Gspon, Belalp, Riederalp, Bettmeralp, Fiescheralp, Muerren, Gimmelwald, Wengen, St. Petersinsel, Braunwald, Isola/Engiadina, Rigi, Golzern, Rasa, Comino, Isole di Brissago, Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola San Giulio.......
Glacier3000, Glacier de la Plaine Morte, Gornergrat, Mittelalallin, Kleinmatterhorn, Monte Moro Pass, Gemmi Pass, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Schynige Platte, Brienzer Rothorn, Alpen Tower, Joch Pass, Titlis, Stanserhorn, Pilatus, Alp Grum/Bernina, Muottas Muragl, Corvatsch, Weissfluhjoch, Piz Vorab, Saentis.....
Aug 11th, 2015, 02:49 PM
#5
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I'm going to Switzerland next June and opting for the 15 day travel pass. The only way I could see a car being attractive at all is if you were footing the bill for a group of four or something like that--for two, it seems to me that the convenience of a train is too good to pass up, and there are so many places that you can only go by train that you are going to end up riding them, anyway, even if you were to opt for a car.
