Swiss Family Card Benefits: Kids Travel Free & Attraction Savings

# Swiss Family Card Benefits: Free Entry & Discounts on Top Attractions

Planning a family adventure through Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes? You’re likely dreaming of pristine lakes, towering peaks, and charming villages. But you’re also probably crunching the numbers, as Switzerland is notoriously expensive. While many know the Swiss Family Card offers free travel for kids, its most powerful secret lies in the incredible Swiss Family Card benefits attractions provide, turning a pricey trip into a surprisingly affordable one. This card is your golden ticket not just for trains, but for unlocking free museum entries, deep discounts on iconic mountain excursions, and countless family-friendly experiences.

What Exactly is the Swiss Family Card?

Before we dive into the savings, let’s clarify what this magical card is. The Swiss Family Card is a completely free add-on for parents who purchase a Swiss Travel System ticket, such as the popular Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card.

It allows children between the ages of 6 and 15 (up to their 16th birthday) to travel for free on the entire Swiss public transport network, as long as they are accompanied by at least one parent holding a valid ticket. Children under 6 travel for free anyway and don’t require a card.

Key takeaway: If you’re buying a Swiss Travel Pass for yourself, you must get the free Swiss Family Card for your kids. There is absolutely no reason not to.

How the Swiss Family Card Unlocks Attraction Benefits

Here’s the simple yet brilliant rule that makes this card so valuable: a child holding a Swiss Family Card receives the exact same benefit at an attraction as their accompanying parent’s pass provides.

This “mirroring” effect is the key to saving money on Swiss travel for your family.

• If your Swiss Travel Pass gives you free entry to a museum, your child with the Swiss Family Card also gets in for free.
• If your Swiss Travel Pass gives you a 50% discount on a mountain railway, your child also gets that 50% discount.
• If your pass gives you a 25% discount on an excursion, your child gets the same 25% discount.

This synergy transforms the Swiss Travel Pass from a simple transport ticket into a comprehensive family savings pass. You are no longer just saving on train fares for your kids; you are saving on the entire experience.

Free Entry: Swiss Museums Kids Can Visit for Free

One of the most significant Swiss Travel Pass attraction discounts is free access to over 500 museums across the country, thanks to the integrated Swiss Museum Pass. Because of the mirroring rule, this benefit extends directly to your children via the Swiss Family Card. This means countless opportunities for education and fun without spending an extra franc.

Some of the top family-friendly museums where kids get in free include:

• Swiss Museum of Transport, Lucerne: An interactive paradise for kids and adults, featuring trains, planes, automobiles, and a planetarium. It’s a must-visit.
• Chillon Castle, Montreux: Explore this stunning medieval fortress on the shores of Lake Geneva. A fairytale experience for the whole family.
• FIFA Museum, Zurich: A dream for any soccer fan, with interactive exhibits and incredible memorabilia from the world of football.
• Ballenberg, Swiss Open-Air Museum: Discover over 100 historic Swiss buildings and see traditional crafts in action. It’s a living history lesson.
• Natural History Museum, Bern: Famous for its dioramas and the preserved skin of Barry, the legendary St. Bernard rescue dog.

To see the full list of participating locations, you can explore the official Swiss Museum Pass map, which details every one of the 500+ free-entry attractions.

Discounted Mountain Excursions for the Whole Family

Switzerland’s mountain peaks are legendary, but the cable cars and cogwheel trains to reach them can be expensive. This is where the Swiss Family Card discount attractions benefit truly shines, often cutting the cost of these bucket-list experiences in half for the entire family.

Because the Swiss Travel Pass offers a 25-50% discount on most private mountain railways, your child with a Swiss Family Card gets the same deal.

Popular Mountain Excursions with Significant Discounts:

• Schilthorn: Ride the cable car to the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, famous from the James Bond film. The Swiss Travel Pass offers a 50% discount, meaning your child also rides for 50% off.
• Mount Titlis: Experience the world’s first revolving cable car, the Titlis Rotair. Your Swiss Travel Pass grants a 50% discount, and so does the Swiss Family Card. You can check the latest Titlis Rotair pricing and operating dates on their official site.
• Gornergrat: For arguably the best view of the Matterhorn, this cogwheel railway is a must. The ride is 50% off with a Swiss Travel Pass, a benefit that extends to your kids.
• Mount Pilatus: The Golden Round Trip from Lucerne is an iconic Swiss journey, and it’s 50% off for both adults and children with the respective passes.
• Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe: This is a special case. The Swiss Travel Pass provides a 25% discount on the expensive final leg of the journey from Wengen/Grindelwald. However, children with a Swiss Family Card travel from Wengen/Grindelwald to the top for a small, fixed fee (currently CHF 20) instead of the percentage discount, which represents a massive saving. Always confirm the current Jungfrau Railways children’s fare before you go.

Swiss Family Card vs. Swiss Travel Pass: Attraction Discounts Compared

To make it crystal clear how you save, let’s compare the benefits side-by-side for a family at some of Switzerland’s most popular spots. This table demonstrates how the Swiss Family Card mirrors the adult’s Swiss Travel Pass benefits.

Swiss Museum of Transport (Lucerne)

• Adult with Swiss Travel Pass: Free Entry
• Child (6-15) with Swiss Family Card: Free Entry

Chillon Castle (Montreux)

• Adult with Swiss Travel Pass: Free Entry
• Child (6-15) with Swiss Family Card: Free Entry

Mountain Railway to Schilthorn

• Adult with Swiss Travel Pass: 50% Discount
• Child (6-15) with Swiss Family Card: 50% Discount

Cogwheel Train to Jungfraujoch

• Adult with Swiss Travel Pass: 25% Discount
• Child (6-15) with Swiss Family Card: Fixed Price (e.g., CHF 20) – HUGE saving!

Lake Geneva Cruise (CGN)

• Adult with Swiss Travel Pass: Free (included in network)
• Child (6-15) with Swiss Family Card: Free (included in network)

Rhine Falls Boat Trip (Schaffhausen)

• Adult with Swiss Travel Pass: Discounted
• Child (6-15) with Swiss Family Card: Discounted (mirrors parent’s discount)

This clear comparison shows that the benefits for kids travel free Switzerland attractions are substantial, making a comprehensive family itinerary much more affordable.

Maximizing Your Savings: A Sample Family Itinerary

Let’s put this into practice. Imagine a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids aged 8 and 11) on a 3-day trip.

• Day 1: Zurich to Lucerne. The family takes the train (free with STP & SFC). In Lucerne, they visit the Swiss Museum of Transport.
• Without passes: Train (~CHF 100) + Museum (~CHF 120) = ~CHF 220
• With passes: CHF 0
• Day 2: Mount Titlis Excursion. The family takes the train to Engelberg (free) and then the cable cars up to Titlis.
• Without passes: Cable cars ~CHF 384 for the family.
• With passes: Adults get 50% off, kids get 50% off = ~CHF 192 (50% saving)
• Day 3: Lucerne to Geneva. The family takes the train (free) and enjoys a Lake Geneva cruise (free).
• Without passes: Train (~CHF 296) + Cruise (~CHF 100) = ~CHF 396
• With passes: CHF 0

Over just three days, the savings on attractions and transport are enormous, easily justifying the cost of the adult Swiss Travel Passes. You can find more itinerary ideas and tips for planning your family trip to Switzerland on the official tourism website, which is an excellent resource for finding family-friendly activities.

Swiss Family Card Attractions: Your Key Questions Answered (FAQ)

Is the Swiss Family Card really free?
Yes, 100%. When you purchase a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, or Swiss Half Fare Card online or at a station, you can add your children (not grandchildren or other relatives) to your order for free.

Do I need a card for my 5-year-old?
No. Children under the age of 6 travel for free on all Swiss public transport and typically get free or reduced entry to attractions. They do not need any ticket or pass.

How do I get the Swiss Family Card?
You can easily get it when you purchase your adult pass. On the official SBB website or through authorized resellers, you’ll see an option to add children to your booking. Their names will be printed on a dedicated card or directly on your e-ticket. For comprehensive details, the official Swiss Travel System page on the Swiss Family Card is the best source of information.

Does the card work if I buy single-journey tickets?
No. The Swiss Family Card is an add-on for tourist rail passes like the Swiss Travel Pass. It is not available for standard point-to-point tickets.

The Verdict: An Essential Pass for Family Travel

The Swiss Family Card is far more than a simple free travel ticket for children. It is the key that unlocks a treasure trove of experiences across Switzerland for a fraction of the cost. By mirroring the powerful benefits of the parent’s Swiss Travel Pass, it provides free entry to hundreds of museums and secures massive discounts on the country’s most spectacular mountain excursions. For any family looking to explore Switzerland without breaking the bank, securing this free card is the smartest and most valuable travel decision you can make.

Ready to explore more ways to save on your European adventure? Check out our other in-depth guides in our Rail Passes category for expert tips and comparisons.