🚗 Should we rent a car or get a train pass?

This was the biggest question I had when planning our Switzerland trip! Here’s why I ultimately decided to rent a car 👇

For our group of 6 people (3 adults + 3 kids):

• Car rental: $800 for 8 days (booked in advance — prices jump if you wait).

• 8-day Swiss Travel Pass: $1,635 for 3 adults (kids under 16 free).

The Swiss Travel Pass is amazing — it covers almost all trains, buses, and boats across the country. But keep in mind: even with the pass, you still pay half-price for most mountain cable cars and gondolas. For us, the price difference just didn’t make sense.

The car gave us flexibility:

• No waiting for train connections.

• Easy to stop at playgrounds, lakes, and viewpoints along the way.

• A lot less hassle with luggage and snacks for three kids.

• Parking was never an issue

👉 Ultimately, it’s up to you. If you’re a smaller group or prefer not to drive mountain roads, the train system is fantastic and can be a fun part of the Swiss experience. But for our family, the car was cheaper and easier.