Swiss Pass/Family Card
 

I want to buy First Class Swiss Pass for myself, my husband and two children under 15. Looks like I can buy two 'Swiss Saver Pass' with free 'Family Card' since we will travel together, right? I want to make sure it is same as 'Swiss Pass' and there is no fine print saying otherwise. Also, do I need just one Family Card to cover both children? With these passes and Family Card, can we ride city buses and trams?

Yes, one family card will cover the entire family and as you already know the children must be less than 16 y.o. This is the very same as the regular SwissPass and yes, you can use it on a variety of city transportation systems in Switzerland

Yes the free Family Passes - available to any kid under 15 as long as they travel with one parent (grandparents don't qualify) means they have the same Swiss Pass as you do only they're free. One family card covers both kids. Yes you can ride most buses, boats, trams in many cities, etc. as long as you're using a day on your pass.
Prices have tended to be a bit cheaper if you buy these in the US than in Switzerland for some reason - was true in 2005 - i haven't checked 2006 but suppose still is - i recommend calling Budget Europe (800-441-2387), Swiss rail experts if you have any questions like you ask here - they are a RailEurope agent (RE markets these passes in US) but don't charge some of RE's handling fees. This year the Swiss Pass also qualifies for 50% discounts on everything in Switzerland not covered by the pass - basically only a few things aren't covered, like trains to mountain tops - like Jungfrau and 50% off that is a savings of $60-70! New this year with Swiss Passes is that if you have a flexipass - certain number of days of travel out of a one month period - you get the 50% discounts on nearly everything that moves in Switzerland, except cows, for the whole month - last year you had to use a day of travel on Swiss Passes to get the discount, which was only 25% last year. Thus folks who may normally buy a consecutive-day pass may now opt for a cheaper flexipass and then get 50% off everything, even trams in cities, for the month. Really if you have any questions call Budget Europe - i've dealt with for years on passes and highly recommend. Again the Family pass and Swiss pass are exactly the same for your purposes. Check www.sbb.ch for Swiss Pass prices in Swiss Francs - but i believe they charge SF20 each for a kid on a family pass whereas they are free in the US purchases.

Intrepid1 (is there an Intrepid2?) is correct in saying kids under 16 - i wrongly said under 15.

Pal,

No there is no "2" and I suspect a lot of people here wish there weren't even a number "1" but anyway, since we see eye to eye on so many rail things perhaps you'd like to ride the rails with me sometime!

Yes for sure but only if you're the real Intrepid1 and not 2! I'll probably be going again in September 2006 - when do you go?

Actually, I'm traveling to the UK in April in order to take a steam locomotive drivers course for a couple of days over in Norfolk. After that doing some railing across Canada in May. No plans for after that..at least not yet. Where are you going???

The Swiss Pass is a GREAT deal for a family. The steamer boats and the lakes are lovely, and you will especially enjoy first class on the boats. I think we got our passes from Rick Steves --it was the same as others were selling it for plus we got free guide books...

Intrepid3:
i'm undecided but usually do some in France where i have relatives, Switzerland if possible and UK, my favorite train place. May go to some Czech towns i've never seen like Ceske Krumlov - or down into Italy to Greece??
Since this thread seems dead i'd be intrigued to hear more about your steam train driving thing - why? Best wishes.