In 2026, you generally do not need both, but the choice depends on your specific itinerary. The Eurail Global Pass covers the main "intercity" rail lines in Switzerland (SBB), but it offers limited coverage for local buses, trams, and private mountain railways. In contrast, the Swiss Travel Pass is a "super-pass" that includes all public transport (trains, buses, boats) in 90+ cities, free entry to over 500 museums, and significantly deeper discounts (often 50% or more) on high-altitude excursions like the Jungfraujoch or Pilatus. If you are only taking a few major trains between Swiss cities, the Eurail Pass is sufficient. However, if you plan to explore the deep Alps, use local city transit, or visit multiple museums, the Swiss Travel Pass provides much better value and convenience. In 2026, many travelers opt for the Swiss Half Fare Card in combination with a Eurail Pass to bridge the gap, allowing them to buy mountain tickets at half price while using their Eurail days for long-distance travel.
You do not "need" both, but having a Swiss Travel Pass in addition to a Eurail Pass can be highly beneficial if your itinerary is focused on deep exploration of Switzerland. While the Eurail Pass covers the main "intercity" rail lines between major Swiss cities (like Zurich, Bern, and Geneva), it has significant limitations in the mountains. Eurail generally does not cover local city transport (trams/buses), lake boats, or most private mountain railways like the one to Murren or the Gornergrat in Zermatt. The Swiss Travel Pass, however, offers 100% coverage on these local networks and provides free entry to over 500 museums. Crucially, for high-altitude excursions like the Jungfraujoch, Eurail only provides a 25% discount, whereas the Swiss Travel Pass often offers a more integrated value. If you are only taking 2–3 major trains across the country, Eurail is enough; if you plan to use cable cars, buses to remote villages, and visit museums, the Swiss Travel Pass is the superior, all-inclusive tool.