swiss travel day pass

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Day Passes for public transport.

If you would like to spend a whole day travelling all over Switzerland on public transport, Day Passes are the ideal practical solution. Day passes are also available for children, dogs and bicycles, by the way. Tip: With an Saver Day Pass, you can even travel for as little as CHF 29.

Saver Day Pass.

The earlier you book, the more you benefit.

From just CHF 29 – even without a Half Fare Travelcard.

Day Pass for the Half Fare travelcard.

Travel flexibly on a date of your choice.

From just CHF 78 – with a Half Fare travelcard.

Day Pass Children.

The great value alternative for children under 16.

From as little as CHF 19 per child.

Day Pass for Schools.

For school classes and youth & sports groups with children and young people from 6 to 25.

For CHF 15 per person.

Bike Day Pass.

Take your bike with you on public transport for a whole day.

For CHF 15.

Day Pass Dogs.

And your four-legged friend can join you for the day.

For CHF 25.

Friends Day Pass for Youth.

The Day Pass for up to four young people.

From just CHF 80.

Tandem Day Pass.

For all GA Travelcard for Youth holders: take a companion with you and enjoy attractively priced travel for two for a whole day.

For CHF 20.

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Welcome to Switzerland Travel Centre! You are welcome to contact us by e-mail or by phone on +41 43 210 55 00 .

1-Day Travelpasses

Discover the beauty of Switzerland with SBB day travel passes.

Saver day pass

With the Saver Day Pass you can travel throughout Switzerland for a day on all routes in the GA area from as little as CHF 29 with a Half-Fare travelcard and from CHF 52 without a Half-Fare travelcard. The earlier you book, the cheaper you travel.

1-day travelpasses

With the Half-Fare travelcard, you can travel all over Switzerland for one day. And discover the most beautiful regions by public transport. The Half-Fare travelpass is available from just CHF 78.

Swiss Travel Pass FAQs: Helpful Answers for 2024

The Swiss Travel Pass is designed for backpackers, city hoppers, families, and railway lovers. It offers a cost-effective way to travel across Switzerland by public transportation.

You’re probably wondering: How much does it cost? And are there any discounts? We often get these and many other questions about the Swiss Travel Pass.

Deciding whether the Swiss Travel Pass is right for you can be overwhelming. Our comprehensive overview of benefits could be a good starter. But first-timers will end up with many unanswered questions, still.

So, we decided to answer them once and for all. We've got you covered, from where to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass to its activation and available discounts to the refund policy. Whether you're a curious first-time visitor to Switzerland or want to plan a Swiss itinerary for your friends from abroad, keep reading for answers to the most common Swiss Travel Pass FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Swiss Travel Pass

Purchase and refunds.

The Swiss Travel Pass is valid for consecutive periods of 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days and must be activated within six months of the purchase date.

The Swiss Travel Pass can be purchased on the official SBB website, at SBB ticket offices and authorized resellers, or worldwide through online travel agencies such as RailEurope .

The Swiss Travel Pass is available for anyone with a permanent residence outside of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. This includes any foreign nationals and Swiss people with a permanent address abroad. It’s important that Swiss who live abroad can produce the following forms of identification while traveling on a Swiss Travel Pass: a Swiss passport, plus a residence permit, driving license, or residence certificate from abroad.

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass offers discounts for children and teenagers up to 16 years. Youth from 16 up until their 25th birthday enjoy a 30% discount with the Swiss Travel Pass Youth. However, there are no discounted rates for senior citizens. Children up to 6 years travel for free on all Swiss public transport. From the age of 6 to 16, they travel for free with a parent who is a holder of a Swiss Travel Pass and a Swiss Family Card. The latter is a free add-on that can be requested at a train station or during the online purchase of a Swiss Travel Pass. On the SBB website, simply add the child as a passenger under “‘Add passengers” in order to receive the Swiss Family Card automatically.

The Swiss Travel Pass price does not vary between online outlets and ticket booths in Switzerland. But time is money, and purchasing it in advance may save you precious time during your trip. Simply skip the lines at the ticket office and hop onboard public transportation! You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass a maximum of 60 days before the day you want it for, right up to the day before travel.

You can secure your Swiss Travel Pass up to 11 months ahead , ensuring availability during peak seasons and potentially benefiting from early booking discounts. Early purchase also lets you focus on other trip planning aspects.

Yes, you can get a refund if the Swiss Travel Pass is returned to the vendor before you start using it. If you have already started your journey, you may get a partial refund if you provide proof of illness or injury, if you had to stop your trip unexpectedly, or if you have a confirmation from a railway office.

If you lose your Swiss Travel Pass, contact the Swiss Federal Railways as soon as possible by submitting a loss report . They can cancel the pass to prevent unauthorized use and issue a new one at a fee. However, If you lose your pass or it gets stolen, you cannot get a refund.

Unfortunately, travel passes can only be refunded if they are returned to the issuing office prior to the first day of validity. Generally speaking, you cannot change dates of an active pass.

The Swiss Travel Pass is available as a PDF attachment that can be downloaded to a mobile device. We recommended keeping a printed copy as a backup, just in case you run out of battery on your smartphone. Both paper and digital versions are accepted, but it is important to carry a photo ID each time you travel.

Buy a Swiss Travel Pass at GetYourGuide

Purchase the Swiss Travel Pass online at the most reputable vendor starting at CHF 244. You will receive an immediate email confirmation with a PDF ticket.

What the physical Swiss Travel Pass contains:

How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost in 2024?

As of January 1, 2024, the prices for the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex will increase an average of 5.9 percent compared to 2023. The prices for both passes will continue to be offered for 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days.

Swiss Travel Pass Price 2024: Fares, Discounts, Price Changes

What's the difference between the consecutive swiss travel pass and the swiss travel pass flex.

There are two types of Swiss Travel Passes: the consecutive Swiss Travel Pass. and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. Both passes offer unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, but there are some key differences between the two.

The consecutive Swiss Travel Pass is valid for a specified number of consecutive days , such as 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. You can use the pass for continuous travel within the specified days.

On the other hand, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex allows you to choose a certain number of non-consecutive days within one month.

For example, if you have a 15-day Flex pass, you can travel for 15 days within one month, but these days do not have to be consecutive. The Flex Pass is ideal for travelers who wish to have more flexibility in their itinerary and have the freedom to choose when and where to travel.

When choosing between the two passes, consider your travel itinerary, stay duration, and budget. If you plan to travel extensively around Switzerland and visit many museums, then the Swiss Travel Pass is a good option. However, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is a better choice if you want more flexibility in your itinerary and have the freedom to choose when and where to travel.

Activation and logistics

The Swiss Travel Pass for consecutive days does not need to be activated. When you purchase your pass from an online travel agent, they send an email directly to your account. You will receive a PDF file containing a QR code the train staff can check and scan. You may also receive a link in the email that will allow you to add the code to any wallet app on your smartphone. Alternatively, you may print out the PDF on a sheet of paper. The pass is ready to be used if it contains information such as your start date, passenger name, and birth date. If you have purchased a consecutive ticket, you must fill in your start date during the check-out. Your pass will automatically be activated on that particular date and run for the preset number of days. Once in Switzerland, present the pass and your passport or ID to the conductor on board.

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex must be activated in Switzerland before each day of travel. There is a dedicated website where you have to enter your ticket reference number and name to validate the travel days.

A travel day on the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is based on the calendar day, allowing for travel within the validity period of the pass. However, remember that travel days are not calculated on a 24-hour basis, and the final day of validity ends at 5 AM on the following day.

The Swiss Travel Pass is unavailable for purchase by Swiss residents, as it is primarily marketed toward tourists visiting Switzerland. It is only available to those with a permanent residency outside of Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Swiss residents have other options, such as the Half Fare Card, the GA, or other regional passes that may suit their travel needs.

Benefits and perks

No, the Swiss Travel Pass does not guarantee a seat on a train. With a valid pass, you can board any train that has seats available, including trains such as the Glacier Express that explicitly require a seat reservation. Contact the conductor to make a seat reservation on the spot.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers most of the public transportation services in Switzerland. Some private transportation services may require an extra fee or reservation. Have a look at the area of validity map to see exactly which lines are included.

The Swiss Travel Pass offers free entry to over 500 museums and other attractions. Some special exhibitions and events may require an additional fee, even with the pass. Download a list of participating museums or read our suggestions for free Swiss Travel Pass museums to visit.

You bet. The Swiss Travel Pass is available in both the first and second classes. Make your choice during the check-out when you purchase the pass, but remember that you can pay the differential to first class if you ever decide to upgrade on the spot.

The Swiss Travel Pass allows unlimited travel on all trains, buses, and boats operated by the Swiss Federal Railways and other participating companies, including the famous Glacier Express and GoldenPass Express lines.

Yes, city transportation is a key benefit of the Swiss Travel Pass. It is valid for transportation to and from the airports in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, as well as other airports in Switzerland.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass the same as the Swiss Pass?

Good question! No, the two passes are not the same. Consider the Swiss Travel Pass a golden ticket for tourists, granting them access to various transportation options. Swiss Pass is the former name.

Today, the SwissPass is a chip card and digital account intended for Swiss residents. It lets them load annual public transport passes and other products onto an electronic card.

As a tourist, it's important to remember that the Swiss Travel Pass and SwissPass are two distinct products, each catering to different needs. Adding your Swiss Travel Pass to a SwissPass online account would be like trying to use a library card to buy groceries - it simply doesn't make sense.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it will depend on your individual needs and preferences. The Swiss Travel Pass offers many benefits that can greatly enhance your travel experiences in Switzerland.

Key benefits include saving money on transportation, free access to museums, and the convenience of not purchasing individual tickets.

Read our dedicated post to find out: Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

Get our ultimate free guide! Swiss Travel Pass: How to make it work in 2024

The free guide includes a round-trip itinerary starting in Zurich for budget travelers. It “hacks” a three-day Swiss Travel Pass to make it last for a five-day stay…

Got any more questions?

We hope to have answered your pressing Swiss Travel Pass FAQs. If you have any additional inquiries, please leave a comment or send an email. We will research the answer and reply as soon as possible.

Definitive Swiss Travel Pass Solo Traveler’s Guide (2024)

Benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass in 2024

Swiss Travel Pass Overview and Insights for 2024

Dimitri Burkhard

As the founder, editor, and community manager of Newly Swissed, Dimitri owns the strategic vision. He is passionate about storytelling and is a member of Swiss Travel Communicators. Dimitri loves discovering new trends and covers architecture, design, start-ups and tourism.

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Swiss Travel Pass Flex

Without limits: Travelling through Switzerland by train, bus and boat – and maximum flexibility to boot. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is the perfect ticket for quick deciders. It is valid on 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 freely selectable days within one month, thus combining scope and services of the Swiss Travel Pass with the advantage of increased flexibility.

On validated travel days:

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat.  View area of validity
• Unlimited travel on premium panoramic trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply).
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities.
• Free admission to more than  500 museums .
• Mountain excursions included:  Rigi ,  Stanserhorn  and  Stoos
• Up to 50% discount on many other mountain excursions.
• Up to 30% discount on SBB RailAway offers. Available at all ticket counters within Switzerland.
• Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday accompanied by at least one parent (holding a Swiss Travel System ticket) travel free of charge with the complimentary  Swiss Family Card .
• Children under 6 years of age who are accompanied by a holder of a valid Swiss Travel System ticket travel free of charge.
• The Swiss Travel Pass is available as e-ticket.

Information

• A seat reservation and/or supplement is required to travel on some trains/buses/boats such as Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express and Palm Express.
• Swiss Travel System tickets are available to persons with residence outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein
• In Switzerland, fares apply in Swiss Francs as detailed in the chart. (In case of cash payment in EUR, USD or GBP: current exchange rates apply.)

General provisions and legal information

Price – Adult

Non-consecutive days can be selected individually.

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024

Price – Youth

Non-consecutive days can be selected individually. Valid for young travellers up to their 25th birthday (30% discount).

Swiss Family Card

With the Swiss Family Card , children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday travel free of charge.

On request, a Swiss Family Card is provided free of charge, entitling children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday to travel free if accompanied by at least one paying parent.

Bonus Benefits with the Swiss Travel Pass

Regional passes, sales outlet swiss travel system.

How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

Mark Williamson/GettyImages

Switzerland's rail system is among the most modern and efficient in Europe. It includes commuter trains, long-distance routes connecting Swiss cities and connecting Switzerland to the rest of Europe, and smaller trains that stop at quaint towns and villages. It also includes scenic trains that pass through stunning landscapes and mountain ranges, as well as cogwheel trains and funiculars that connect to high-altitude mountain towns. The broader Swiss public transport system is also comprised of buses, boats, and even some ski gondolas and cable cars.

Visitors to Switzerland who don't wish to rent a car will find that the Swiss travel system can take them just about anywhere in the country they want to go. We'll allow, however, that the system for planning and booking travel is not the most intuitive for first-time users—there's an extensive range of choices for tickets and travel passes, plus more than one site for purchasing. We'll help you make sense of it below.

Read on for a guide to using Swiss trains and other forms of transportation, plus information on whether the Swiss Travel Pass is the right deal for your journey to Switzerland.

Taking the Train in Switzerland

If you are only taking a few train trips in Switzerland, you can most likely get by with point-to-point tickets, as opposed to a travel pass. To buy these, you'll use the Swiss Federal Railways (abbreviated SBB) website. SBB runs regional (R, RE, and IR) trains throughout the country, as well as S-Bahn commuter trains and IC and ICN intercity trains. Regional trains are slower but stop at all or most stations, regardless of size. S-Bahn commuter trains offer frequent service between cities and their suburbs and may connect cities that are in relative proximity. Fast intercity trains stop at major towns but do not serve smaller municipalities.

Purchasing Tickets

The SBB website sells one-way or round-trip tickets between Swiss cities, as well as the City Ticket, which includes travel to a city—Bern, for example—plus a one-day travel pass for public transportation in that city. To use the site for a single trip, follow these steps:

• Select a point-to-point ticket. Insert your point-to-point destinations, and select a date of travel up to two months in advance.
• Select your preferred train time/route and enter passenger information. Options will appear, including the City Ticket and upgrades to First Class. On shorter train rides, you probably don't need to spend the extra money—30 percent or more—for the First Class coach, as Second Class on Swiss trains is comfortable and clean. First Class seats are larger and farther apart from one another, and the coaches are usually less crowded, which may be preferable on a longer trip. Note that when SBB initially calculates a fare, it does so with the assumption that you have the half-fare Travelcard, a discount card that must be purchased. Since you probably won't be traveling with this card (see more below), you have to select "No discount" in the discount cards field—and your ticket price will double as a result.
• Complete your purchase with a credit card. You will be issued a voucher, which you can either print out or keep on your handheld device.
• Persons with disabilities can, when searching for tickets, select "Barrier-free travel" from the pull-down menu labeled "Standard view" to see only trains that have wheelchair accessible carriages.
• Supersaver tickets are available on select routes and times and can offer discounts of up to 70 percent.
• Kids travel free. Children up to 16 years of age travel free with a parent, so long as that parent has a valid ticket. But you must pick up a Swiss Family Card before traveling—it's available at every station or point of sale.

If you've purchased your tickets online, you will not have a seat reservation, which is generally not required on domestic Swiss trains. Simply climb aboard a first- or second-class carriage, depending on your ticket class, and find a seat. Once the train is underway, a conductor will come by and scan your ticket. A digital sign inside each coach shows the next station, so you should have plenty of time to gather luggage and exit the train when it stops.

Each train seat or group of seats is fitted with an electrical outlet and may have a USB charger. Intercity trains may have restaurants with tableside service, or bars offering drinks and light snacks, including hot items. Long-distance intercity trains have a family coach as the first or last car—it's a kid-friendly coach with games and a soft play area.

If you prefer to purchase tickets in-person or on the same day of travel, you can do so at the SBB counter or office in any Swiss train station. For a surcharge, you can also reserve seats when you purchase, which is not possible online. Alternatively, if you can proceed without human assistance, you can buy tickets from SBB machines in all stations.

Other Forms of Transportation

Small towns and mountain locations not served by trains are connected with a series of cogwheel trains, funiculars, and cablecars, as well as buses run by PostBus, a subsidiary of Swiss Post. Across Switzerland's many lakes, tour boats and ferries carry leisure and commuter passengers. There are also a handful of famous scenic train rides in Switzerland which require special tickets and reserved seats.

• Boat service on Swiss lakes is usually administered locally or regionally around the lake. In Zurich, for example, boat travel can be purchased from ZVV, the Zurich Transportation Network , which runs the city's buses, trams, trains, and boat services.
• Cogwheel trains, funiculars, and cablecars are either run by the local/regional authority or by private entities—the latter, especially when they connect to ski resorts.
• The Bernina Express and Glacier Express scenic mountain trains are run by the Rhaetian Railway service, but can also be purchased through the SBB website. Tickets for the Golden Pass train between Montreux and Lucerne can be bought on the Golden Pass website .
• Bus tickets for buses run by PostBus can be purchased through the SBB site, which will automatically suggest bus travel when train travel is not available.

Swiss Travel Pass: What's Included & How Much It Costs

If you are planning to do a lot of traveling within Switzerland and want to try out its many forms of transportation, the Swiss Travel Pass may be worth the investment. The pass is available only to visitors from outside Switzerland and includes free travel on almost the entire network of trains, boats, cogwheels, funiculars, and more. Those not free with the pass are deeply discounted. The pass also includes free public transportation in more than 90 Swiss cities and towns and free admission to more than 500 museums across the country.

Swiss Travel Passes also allow for free travel for children, but as with regular rail passes, families need to pick up the Swiss Family Card before they initiate travel. The pass, while expensive, simplifies the travel process for visitors. If you prefer not to travel over three, four, eight, or 15 consecutive days, the Flex Pass allows for a set number of days of travel within 30 days and is well-suited to those planning a more extended stay in Switzerland.

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Swiss Travel Pass 2024: What’s Included & What’s Not (& Is It Worth It)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 25, 2024

When planning a trip to Switzerland, you’ll likely see the Swiss Travel Pass mentioned everywhere.

But what exactly is the Swiss Travel Pass, what does it include, where can you buy it (hint – here ;)), and is it worth it?

We get so many questions from our readers about the Swiss Pass (and Swiss Pass Flex), which discounts it offers, and whether it covers some of the most popular destinations in the Swiss Alps. Many first-time visitors find it a bit confusing and I keep answering the same questions all over again…

So to save all of us some time, here is our complete guide to the Swiss Travel Pass. It should answer all your questions, give you a good overview of what exactly is included (and what is not), and help you decide whether it’s worth getting it for your trip.

READ ALSO: Switzerland Itinerary for First Trip

What is the Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is a ticket for international visitors that includes unlimited travel on public transportation in Switzerland for a selected number of days. You can buy this pass for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days of travel.

All the information is available on the official website of the Swiss Railways (SBB), but apparently, it’s still too confusing for many people (thus, this article).

TIP: You can also find the most important information in a nutshell and purchase the pass on GetYourGuide . We recommend this website for all tickets/tours/passes and we personally use it for all our trips, not just in Europe. It’s very simple to use.

Good to know: Traveling by train is the most convenient way to cover bigger distances in Switzerland and explore many of the nicest places in the country (not just cities, but also mountains). Furthermore, public transportation in Switzerland is very efficient and we sometimes joke that you can set your watch by how punctual the trains are. So for the majority of international visitors, it doesn’t even make sense to consider renting a car, and that’s what makes the Swiss Travel Pass so popular.

Below, you can find our explanation of what is and is not included with the Swiss Travel Pass, and how it differs from the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. Read on!

Swiss Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel Pass Flex

To make things a bit more confusing, there are two types of Swiss Pass: the regular one and the Flex Pass , which is 15% more expensive.

What’s the difference? Both these passes include exactly the same tickets and offer the same discounts (that differ depending on your age). The main difference is that the flex pass allows you to freely choose on which days you use it within its month-long validity, whereas the regular pass is valid on consecutive days (depending on which validity you choose, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days).

So, for example, you are visiting Switzerland for 5 days and you plan on traveling by public transport daily during your entire stay. In that case, you can simply get a regular pass for 5 days.

On the other hand, if you are in Switzerland for a longer time, but will be visiting different regions and spending a few days in each before traveling further, then it’s better to get a flexible pass. That way, you can use it only on those days when you will be taking public transportation a lot. Further below, you can find a bit more information about how to use both these passes.

Important to know! This is where it starts to get confusing to foreigners visiting Switzerland for the first time because they think that they will be using public transport every day, also in the mountains. But there is a big difference between let’s say an inter-city train between Zurich and Geneva or a train that brings you to Gornergrat in Zermatt or Jungfraujoch in Berner Oberland.

!!! The majority of gondolas, funiculars, and mountain trains are not part of the Swiss public transport network (and thus not included with the Swiss Travel Pass). However, to make things yet a bit more confusing, there are a couple of exceptions here too. You can find more info below, but first – how much does it cost.

How to use Swiss Travel Pass & Travel Pass Flex

For all passes , you can either print it on a white A4 paper or show an electronic version of the pass on your smartphone or tablet. You can also add it to your Apple Wallet, for example. Since the pass is issued in your name, you might be asked to show your ID as well.

Using the regular Swiss Travel Pass is pretty straightforward since it’s valid for a set number of consecutive days. You’ll simply have to show a printed or electronic version of the pass.

Using the Flex Pass is a bit more complex since you can choose the specific dates on which you will be using it. To avoid misunderstandings, you will have to activate the dates on which you want to use your pass online on this website . It’s important to activate the dates before your first journey, so e.g. you cannot do it when you are already on a train.

You will get all the information and clear instructions when you get the pass, so don’t worry about it too much in advance. Also, you can still adjust your chosen dates as long as you do it before midnight at the start of the day on which you want to use it.

How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost in 2024?

The price of the Swiss Travel Pass depends on several factors: your age, the number of days, and whether you opt for a regular pass or flex. In addition, you can choose to travel in the 2nd Class or upgrade to 1st Class.

Additional discounts: Children under 6 are free of charge. Children from 6 to 16 travel free when accompanied by a paying parent (you need to order a ticket for them, but it’s free, and you will get the necessary instructions). Youth from 16 to 25 get almost 30% discount.

Here are the prices of the regular pass in Second Class in 2024 for adults:

3 DAYS: 244 CHF. 4 DAYS: 295 CHF. 6 DAYS: 379 CHF. 8 DAYS: 419 CHF. 15 DAYS: 459 CHF.

Good to know: Flex Pass costs 15% more and you’ll have to pay over 55% extra if you opt for First Class tickets.

As you can see, the longer the duration, the cheaper the price that you pay per day. If you just get it for 3 days, it costs you about 81 CHF per day, whereas if you get it for two weeks, it costs you just around 30 CHF per day – a huge difference!

Further below, you can find our observations on whether it’s worth getting the Swiss Travel Pass. But first, let’s take a look at what exactly is included.

What is included with the Swiss Travel Pass

This is what IS INCLUDED with the Swiss Travel Pass:

• Unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats that belong to the public transport network. So all the inter-city trains as well as trams and buses in more than 90 towns and cities are included. Passenger ferries (not cruises) on Lake Lucerne or the lakes near Interlaken are included as well.
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (however, there might be extra fees for advance seat reservations). These include the famous Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, and a few other panoramic train routes.
• Free entry to over 500 museums in Switzerland . You can find a complete list of all the museums here .
• Free travel on the following mountain excursions : Mt Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos. All of these are located close to Lucerne and are among our top recommendations for the best day trips from Lucerne .
• Up to 50% discount on mountain excursions all over Switzerland. So you get a big discount on the majority of the cable cars, mountain trains, funiculars, etc. There are also discounts on certain lake cruises and similar.

Below, you can find a bit more info about what is not included with the Swiss Pass (but where you get a discount).

What is not included (but gives you a discount)

Because I get this question almost daily, here is once again an explanation of what IS NOT INCLUDED with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Mountain excursions are not included with the Swiss Travel Pass (with the exception of Mt Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos as mentioned above), but you do get a discount on most of them. Under ‘mountain excursions’ they mean cable cars, gondolas, funiculars, cogwheel trains, trains to the mountain peaks, etc.

Here are a few examples of the most popular mountain excursions that our readers ask about and where the Swiss Pass does not include free travel, but gives you a discount:

• Grindelwald-First cable car – 50% discount.
• Mt Pilatus cable car and/or cogwheel train – 50% discount.
• Mt Titlis gondolas – 50% discount.
• Schynige Platte railway – 50% discount.
• Oeschinensee cable car – 50% discount.
• Gornergrat railway and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise gondolas – 50% discount.
• Jungfraujoch – about 25% discount. Or about 40% if you only go to Kleine Scheidegg.

There are many other destinations in the Swiss Alps where you get similar discounts with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Also, most lake sightseeing cruises are not included, whereas regular, scheduled passenger ferries are included with the Swiss Travel Pass. So if you are taking a ferry that stops in various places, your pass will be valid, but if you want to take a scenic cruise on e.g. Lake Geneva or Lake Lucerne, you’ll have to pay for it.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

One of the most frequently asked questions by our readers is whether it’s worth getting the Swiss Travel Pass. My answer is always the same – it depends. Here are a few examples:

If you are traveling around Switzerland for a longer time (6-10 days or more) and plan on visiting many different areas all over the country using public transportation, then the Swiss Travel Pass is definitely worth it. The pass gives even better value if you are traveling with children.

If, however, you are only coming for a few days, renting a car, and/or planning on staying in one region in the mountains (where this pass only gives you a discount and not free travel), then it’s usually not worth it. In that case, look for a regional card of the area that you are visiting.

Most likely, your trip includes a mix of destinations that you only visit for a day as well as others where you stay for several days. In that case, you can look up the prices of all the mountain excursions that you are planning to do, see how big the discount is with the Swiss Travel Pass, add the price of the pass itself, and then compare that versus the prices of individual tickets of all the transportation and places you plan to visit. (Good luck with the math! It’s doable, but you’ll need a lot of time and patience).

In most cases, the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it, especially if you are traveling for at least 6-8 days and are visiting multiple destinations in Switzerland. Plus, it saves you lots of time, research, and math. Another advantage is that you can just take the next suitable train, boat, etc. without having to waste time looking for tickets.

Furthermore, you can always opt for a Swiss Pass Flex that you only use on travel-intensive days. And then get a regional card to use on the other days, when you are staying in one area. The longer you stay in one place (typically, 3-4 days or longer), the better value you get with the regional cards.

Where can you buy the Swiss Travel Pass?

You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass online, at every major railway station in Switzerland (including Zurich or Geneva airports), and also at some tourist offices in the main cities.

We recommend getting it online in advance as it will save you time and stress (you’ll have enough to think about upon arrival as it is).

You can get the Swiss Pass on the official SBB website , but also via various online retailers, such as our GetYourGuide as mentioned before (our personal favorite one-stop shop for all tickets). The price is normally exactly the same everywhere and you get the same discounts for kids, etc.

At the moment of writing, GetYourGuide allows you to cancel for free up to 3 days in advance (and it’s really easy to cancel or amend your tickets). You can buy a regular Swiss Travel Pass here and a Swiss Travel Pass Flex – here .

In any case, it’s best to buy your tickets at least a few days before your trip. When you purchase a pass, you will receive detailed instructions on how to use it (or how to activate the individual travel dates if you opt for the Flexi Pass).

So, this is our guide to the Swiss Travel Pass. I hope that it answers all your questions and helps you decide whether it’s worth it for your trip.

TIP: If you are planning your itinerary in Switzerland, check out our Switzerland travel page . It contains an overview of all our travel guides for a wide variety of destinations all over the country. We live in Belgium and Switzerland is just a half-day drive from home. So we visit Switzerland at least a few times a year – in summer as well as in winter. On our blog, you’ll find many detailed guides for all of our favorite places.

READ ALSO: Traveling to Europe: How to Plan a Trip & Useful Tips

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Sunday 28th of April 2024

Hi, what's the difference between second class and first class and which do you recommend?

Monday 29th of April 2024

Hi Lan, there are a few benefits in the 1st class vs. 2nd. You have more space and more comfortable, adjustable seats on the train. First-class passengers can also sit on a higher deck on most boat trips. Some trains also have 'quiet zones' in the 1st class, but that's more interesting for business travelers who want to work during their journey. Hope this helps.

Saturday 30th of March 2024

Hi Jurga My wife and I will be traveling to Swizerland and planning to go thru several places from Zurich to Lucerne - Interlaken -Lauterbrunnen-Murren-Wengen-Gimmewald-Gridelwald and train to Milan.

Is the Swiss Pass a good option getting around for 10 days?

Thursday 4th of April 2024

@Jurga, Jurga, thank you very much for your response.

One more question: I read that the Bernese Oberalnd Pass better to use in my situation. What do you recommend between the two? Thank you.

Hi Robert, yes, if you are staying for 10 days and plan on using public transportation daily, a Swiss Pass definitely a good idea.

Sunday 24th of March 2024

Thanks. Good information. One question: If I buy a flex pass for, say, 6 days, but will be in Switzerland for 9 days and 8 nights, is the pass good for local busses, say in Bern or Zurich, on days I am not traveling between regions, without it counting as a full day of use?

Monday 25th of March 2024

@Jurga, thanks for the helpful answer. We'll buy two 8 day passes. Only 20 Francs more than the 6 day flex pass. Cheers!

Hi Bruce, I'm afraid that any use will count for that day (also museums, buses, etc.). With the flex pass, you will have to activate the dates on which you are using it online (you'll get the instructions when you get the pass) and if someone checks it on the day you didn't activate it for, you may get a fine. It might be simpler/cheaper to buy a local ticket if you need it for just one or two short rides on those days and keep your Swiss Pass for the days when you embark on the much more expensive journeys.

Sunday 3rd of March 2024

Thank you Jurga, for your Travel Pass explained, you saved my sanity! The official sites are good but not usually for a first-time visitor. Like how you explained one should board the N1 trolley and not the bus from Lucerne railway station to get to Kriens. Additionally, your guides to Lucerne and the various day trips from the picturesque city are very insightful. I am now confident with my decision to take the acclaim Swiss public transportation from Geneva to Lucerne in the spring for a girls' trip. Fingers crossed ;)

Monday 4th of March 2024

Glad to help, Jacqi. Have a great time in Switzerland!

John Altshuler

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Most helpful discussion of the various Swiss passes I've seen so far.

Wednesday 28th of February 2024

Glad to help, John. Have a great time in Switzerland!

Home » Trip Planning » Train Travel

Saver Day Pass – How to Guide and Best Day Trips

• Switzerland
• Last Updated: 7 Aug 2023
• By Tanya, Founder of Swiss Family Fun

If you buy something through a link here, we may earn a commission. See our disclosure policy . Note that p rices and opening times may change without notice.

With the Saver Day Pass, you get one day of unlimited travel in Switzerland on the public transportation network, including trains, trams, buses and boats. You can purchase this pass up to six months in advance and is cheaper the earlier you buy it.

Budget travelers can save a lot of money using this pass, especially if you plan Swiss day trips completely covered by the pass (I have several suggestions below). We also love the convenience of needing only one ticket to visit multiple destinations during the day. Plus spontaneous travelers have maximum flexibility, since you don’t have to choose your destinations ahead of time.

Below I explain how to buy and use the pass. I also suggest the best excursions covered by the pass, so you can maximize the value.

How much does the Saver Day Pass cost?

Swiss travel pass vs. saver day pass, supersaver ticket vs. saver day pass, day pass calendar, day pass option during ticket purchase, how to use the saver day pass, where can you travel with a sbb saver day pass, discounted excursions with saver day pass, 1. mt rigi classic round trip from lucerne, 2. day trip to jungfrau region, 3. stanserhorn, 4. rochers de naye near montreux, 5. diy panorama train trip from zurich, 6. day trip to lugano & lake cruise, 7. day trip to ascona-locarno & lake cruise to brissago islands, other mountains free with saver day pass, lake cruises free with sbb day pass.

Note: The Saver Day Pass terms and coverage may change without notice. Check SBB.ch for current info . Before purchasing a day pass, verify opening times of mountain railways and attractions on the desired travel dates to avoid disappointment.

A Saver Day Pass starts at CHF 52 or CHF 29 with a Half Fare Travelcard for a 2nd class ticket (1st class is also available). You can purchase the Saver Day Pass up to six months in advance. The price increases as more tickets are sold for that particular day and it can sell out. Both Swiss residents and tourists can buy this pass.

You cannot buy a Saver Day Pass on the same day of travel. But you can buy a regular day ticket, which costs CHF 150 or CHF 75 with Half Fare Travelcard. A full price day ticket functions the same as a Saver Day Pass.

For families: For children age 6-15, purchase the Half Fare version. Under age 6 travel free. The SBB Junior Travelcard is valid when the parent travels with a Saver Day Pass.

Remember that unlike other passes, the Saver Day Pass does not include discounts on mountain railways. So if you are planning a mountain excursion, include those costs in your budget.

Good reasons to buy a Saver Day Pass

The Saver Day Pass is a great way to minimize the costs of Swiss travel, for both locals and tourists. Here are a few scenarios where we find the Saver Day Pass particularly useful.

• Anyone doing a round trip to a far destination (over 3 hours). For long journeys, the Saver Day Pass is almost always cheaper than the regular round trip ticket
• Tourists that have a fixed travel day, e.g. from the airport to a destination like Interlaken or Zermatt. If you purchase far in advance, a saver day pass may be cheaper than a one-way ticket.
• You live in Switzerland and want to help your visitors save money on a planned day trip together.
• You haven’t chosen a destination yet or want to be spontaneous during the day. Since the Saver Day Pass covers the whole country, you can change your mind anytime before and during the day.
• You want to travel to several destinations in a single day. With a Saver Day Pass, you can go anywhere without buying separate tickets, unlike a point-to-point ticket which is tied to a particular route.
• Swiss residents that don’t travel often enough on public transportation to justify purchasing a Half Fare or GA Travelcard. 

But remember the Saver Day Pass can only be used on a specific day, no refunds. So if your travel plans change or there is bad weather, you cannot use the Saver Day Pass on another day.

Both the Saver Day Pass and Swiss Travel Pass include unlimited travel on public transportation in all of Switzerland. But the Swiss Travel Pass differs in a few important ways.

The Swiss Travel Pass can only be purchased by tourists (non Swiss residents). It can be purchased for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days. It includes a 50% discount on most mountain excursions and free admission to 500+ museums. Children under age 16 travel free with their parent. Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass

Buy Swiss Travel Pass now

When purchasing tickets on SBB.ch, you’ll often see a Supersaver Ticket option next to the Point to Point and Saver Day Pass options. Although Supersaver also has “saver” in the title, it’s very different from the Saver Day Pass.

The Supersaver Ticket is a discounted one-way ticket for a specific connection on a specific day and time. You cannot use it for any other train that same day and no refunds. These tickets can be heavily discounted, especially if you buy them far in advance. But they are very inflexible and usually not a good idea unless you are 100% sure you will be on that exact train.

How to buy a Saver Day Pass

You can buy a Saver Day Pass on SBB.ch or the SBB Mobile app, not at a SBB ticket office or automated machine.

We usually purchase a Saver Day Pass on SBB.ch . Here you can browse a calendar, showing the current day pass price for each day for the next 6 months (to see the calendar, click the Purchase Online button). Prices may increase at any time, so don’t delay if you want to lock in a particularly low price.

The calendar is helpful if you are just looking for a cheap ticket and are flexible on your travel day. This is a quick way to buy a ticket for a specific day, but aren’t sure yet where you might go.

When purchasing round trip tickets on SBB.ch or the SBB Mobile App, you will often see the Saver Day Pass option with the price difference to other ticket options. In the example below, I searched for a round trip ticket from Zurich to Geneva. In this case, a day pass costs CHF 57 less than a Point-to-Point ticket. In some cases, the day pass will cost more than the Point-to-Point ticket.

Important: Do not confuse the Saver Day Pass with the Supersaver Ticket, which is only valid on a specific train connection on that day and time.

If you have a Swiss Pass account (typical for Swiss residents), the Saver Day Pass will be saved to your account and will be linked to your SBB Mobile App and Swiss Pass card. You can optionally print out the Saver Day Pass with the QR Code.

If you purchased the Saver Day Pass with a guest account, you can print the Saver Day Pass with the QR Code.

If you are asked for a ticket while traveling, show your Saver Day Pass QR code on the printed ticket or SBB Mobile App. For mountain excursions, you may need to show your Saver Day Pass at the ticket window to get a voucher for the mountain railway.

The Area of Validity map on SBB.ch shows the exact connections covered by the Saver Day Pass. In general, it covers everything in the cities and lowlands like trains, trams, public buses, as well as some boats and cable cars that service alpine villages. The SBB Saver Day pass is valid for one day of travel in this network, ending at 5:00am the following day. 

Before purchasing a day pass, double check the validity for your desired route. Also verify opening times of mountains and attractions you plan to visit to avoid disappointment.

Note that some boats, mountain buses, and mountain railways do not appear on this map since they are privately owned are not covered by any passes. 

Unlike the Swiss Travel Pass and GA Travelcards, the Saver Day Pass does not give a 50% discount on mountain railways. However, SBB Railaway offers discounts on various excursions (mountains, museums, etc.) if you travel there by public transportation. See SBB Railaway offers .

When booking a SBB Railaway offer, choose “Individual journey not including public transport” since you are using the Saver Day Pass to travel to the destination.

In some cases, you may have to select the “Discount Card” option when booking, as shown below in an one example from 2023.

In this case, you would select “Day Ticket” as your discount card. 

In some cases, you may be asked to show your Saver Day Pass at the destination to verify your discounted entry price to the attraction.

7 Free excursions with the Saver Day Pass

Here are my favorite outings to do with a Saver Day Pass, particularly when I’m hosting visitors and we need to stick to a tight budget.

Note: Remember that some mountain transport closes for breaks between summer and winter season. So verify that the mountain transport is open before starting your journey.

Mt. Rigi is one of the few mountains that is fully covered by the Saver Day Pass. So this is a good choice to limit extra costs for your day.

Take a train to Lucerne. Directly in front of the train station, you’ll find the dock, where you can catch a boat to Vitznau. Then a cogwheel mountain train to Rigi Kulm where you’ll have fabulous panorama views of the Lake Lucerne region. You can optionally hike partway down the mountain. Then a cable car back to the lake and boat back to Lucerne.

Learn more about the Rigi Classic Round Trip .

Cost with Saver Day Pass: FREE!

Cost full price 2023: CHF 123/adult from Lucerne

A fantastic use of the Saver Day Pass would be a day trip from Zurich or Lucerne to the Jungfrau Region. The train ride to Interlaken is almost as impressive as the Jungfrau region itself, passing many beautiful lakes and mountains.

For the most scenic journey, make sure to travel through Luzern – Meiringen – Interlaken Ost – Lauterbrunnen, not connecting via Bern. On the way home, you can travel instead through Bern, which is faster.

If you want to minimize extra costs while in the Jungfrau Region, this scenic loop to Mürren and Gimmelwald is completely covered by the day pass. Starting in Lauterbrunnen, you ride a cable car up to Grütschalp. Then transfer to the mountain train to Mürren, a short but spectacular journey. You can wander the Mürren village and optionally hike, perhaps to Gimmelwald. Then a cable car down to the valley and bus back to Lauterbrunnen. If you have time, it’s a short and free walk to the Staubbach Falls on the edge of the village.

If you want more, there are lots of add-ons for an extra fee, like the Allmendhübel funicular to alpine playground , Trümmelbach Falls or Schilthorn Peak Experience .

Cost full price 2023: about CHF 43/adult round trip from Interlaken

Stanserhorn is a tall mountain near Lucerne with gorgeous views of lakes and mountains in all directions. To reach the top, you start with a vintage funicular train. Then a special cable car where you can stand on open air roof to the top of the mountain at 1898m. At the top, there is a short path to wander to different viewpoints, a restaurant, picnic areas, and a marmot enclosure.

Learn more about Stanserhorn

Cost full price 2023: CHF 74/adult for round trip on mountain railways 

This mountain rises high above Lake Geneva with views of both the Swiss and French alps. From Montreux, you ride a vintage cogwheel train up the mountain to Rochers de Naye. At the top, you can enjoy the views from a safely fenced observation deck, wander along the cliffs, visit an alpine flower garden, eat at the restaurant, and make friends with the resident marmots.

Learn more about Rochers de Naye

Cost full price 2023: CHF 70/adult round trip from Montreux 

The Premium Panorama trains are a great way to see Switzerland, with extra large windows, reserved seats, dining cars and minimal connections. But they can be expensive and seats often sell out in summer. Plus these 

However, you can travel many of the same routes on regular trains, all on a discounted Saver Day Pass. Here’s a gorgeous train tour that starts and ends in Zurich, traveling part of the Glacier Express and Gotthard Panorama Express routes.

Sample timeline:

• Zürich to Chur 8:38 – 9:52
• Chur to Disentis 9:55 – 11:11
• Disentis to Andermatt 11:14 – 12:22
• Walk around Andermatt & have lunch (90 mins)
• Andermatt to Göschenen 13:50 – 14:06
• Göschenen to Zürich 14:09 – 15:55

The loop takes about 8 hours, with a 90 min break in Andermatt where you can wander the village and get lunch. The entire journey is included in the Saver Day Pass. You may want to purchase a 1st class day pass for a bit more comfortable ride.

You pass by many beautiful lakes, rivers and mountains along the way. Below is one of the scenes you’ll pass by, the Walensee and Churfirsten mountain range. 

Cost full price (2023): CHF 150 for a regular day pass

For extra credit, you could even add on a mountain train ride by stopping at Arth-Goldau (on the train from Göschenen to Zürich) and ride the cogwheel train up to Rigi Kulm . Then back down to Arth Goldau and train back to Zürich.

Lugano in southern Switzerland is popular for it’s Mediterranean vibe, with delicious Italian food and more sun and warmer temps than other parts of Switzerland. A day trip there by car can be a nightmare with long traffic backups at the at the St. Gotthard tunnel. But by train, its a dream with fast direct trains from both Zurich and Lucerne.

Boat rides on Lake Lugano are covered by the Saver Day Pass. So we suggest doing the Golden Tour , which stops in Morcote, “most beautiful village in Swizerland” according to many.

Or perhaps the Classic or Grotti Tour, which visit several tiny “Grotto” villages along the lake, including Gandria, which many consider the most charming of the bunch. See Lake Lugano tours and timetables .

Cost full price (2023): CHF 150 as a day trip from Zurich or Lucerne

If you also want to visit mountains tops near Lugano, we suggest San Salvatore or Monte Generoso . These are discounted with Half Fare, but not the Saver Day Pass.

Another nice Ticino day trip is to Ascona-Locarno, which is on the shores of Lago Maggiore. The town centers and lakeside boardwalks are lovely to wander. Since the lake ferries are included in the Saver Day Pass, we suggest cruising to the Brissago Islands, which is a large botanical park spread across two islands (small fee to enter the park).

If you also want to visit mountains tops near Lucarno, we suggest Cardada-Cimetta . It is discounted with Half Fare, but not the Saver Day Pass.

The following mountains have one or more mountain lifts that are free with the Saver Day Pass. Most of these cable cars/mountain trains take you to the alpine village, but not to the mountain tops. These are considered “public transportation” and therefore covered by the pass.

Zürich region: Felsenegg : cable car from Adliswil to Felsenegg

Central Switzerland: Mt. Rigi:  mountain trains from Arth-Goldau or Vitznau and Kräbel–Rigi Scheidegg cable car Klewenalp & Stockhütte Wirzweli : cable car from Dallenwil to Wirzweli Niederrickenbach : cable car from Dallenwil to Niederrickenbach Stoos: cable car from Morschach to Stoos village Engelberg Ristis : cable car from valley to Ristis middle station

Jungfrau region: Stechelberg–Mürren Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp cable car Grütschalp–Mürren mountain train

Berner Oberland: Niederhorn : funicular from Beatenbucht to Beatenberg middle station Hasliberg : cable car from Meiringen to Hasliberg Reuti middle station

Eastern Switzerland: Flumserberg : cable car from Unterterzen to Tannenboden Braunwald : funicular to Braunwald village. Other lifts

Western Switzerland: Rochers-de-Naye

Valais, southern Switzerland: Riederalp : cable car from valley to Riederalp alpine village

The SBB Day Pass and GA pass also cover boat rides on these lakes. This just covers basic transportation, not special themed cruises, like dinner cruises, which cost extra.

Eastern Switzerland: Zürichsee Greifensee (half-fare discount) Hallwilersee Zugersee Bodensee (only the Swiss side, not German side)

Lake Lucerne region Vierwaldstättersee (aka Lake Lucerne)

Berner Oberland: Thunersee & Brienzersee

Western Switzerland: Lake Geneva (see my friend Hana’s post about cruising on this lake ) Murtensee, Bielersee & Lac de Neuchâtel

Ticino: Lago di Lugano Lago Maggiore (only the Swiss side, not Italian side)

• TAGS: Swiss Public Transport

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22 Responses

Hi, Tanya, Your website has been very helpful for planning my trip to Lucerne. I have a saver day day pass for Friday, May 3rd. Original plan was to go up to Mt Rigi for hiking but the weather does not look good. So instead we want to go to Lauterbrunnen from Lucerne. From what I understand is the journey is covered by saver day pass. At Lauterbrunnen we want to walk the valley to see waterfalls and then go up to Murren. From Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp (cable car) is covered and then we will transfer to mountain train to Murren that is also covered. Which way coming down from Murren is covered by saver day pass? via cable car to Stechelberg ? Or do we need to come down the same route? Thank you so much!

Sorry I’m late in responding. I hope you had a nice day. The Lauterbrunnen-Grutschalp cable car, Mürren BLM mountain train, and the Stechelberg-Gimmelwald-Mürren cable cars are all covered by the Saver Day Pass.

Hi Tanya. If I have the Saver Day Pass, and I want to go to Lauterbrunnen & Wengen. Is it free for the train ticket from Bern to Lauterbrunnen & bus to Wengen ( and back to Bern) ? Thank you

Hi Maria, The Saver Day Pass covers all public transportation. It would cover the train between Bern and Lauterbrunnen as well as the mountain train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen, which is considered public transportation. It would cover the return journey on these same connections. Have fun!

Does the train from Zurich to Innsbruck is included in Saver Day pass? Or I have to purchase a ticket separately?

The Saver Day Pass only includes train inside Switzerland. You would need to purchase a ticket from the border of Switzerland to Innsbruck in Austria.

Can I use a Saver Day Pass to ride the Bernina express form Tirano to St. Moritz? I already have the seat reservation. but I need to buy the train ticket.

Hi Maggie, my understanding is that you can use the Swiss Travel Pass for the train ticket on the Bernina Express. But I suggest contacting the vendor that sold you the seat reservation to verify this.

Hello, is the saver day pass included FREE for cable car up to Grütschalp and mountain train to Mürren ?

Hi Connie. If you purchase a Saver Day Pass, it includes the Grütschalp cable car and the Mürren BLM mountain train to Mürren and the cable car from Mürren down to Stechelberg and the bus back to Lauterbrunnen. It’s a great value.

Can you use the saver day pass on golden pass? We want to go from montreux

You can, but you also need a seat reservation that you’ll need to pay extra for.

Very helpful, useful specially for first timer traveler. May I ask, : The Saver Day pass is just for one day, but I will be there in switzerland for 3 days, so therefore, I need to buy 3 days tickets Saver Day pass.. Am I right? If yes, is that the same price?

You could get three Saver Day Passes, one for each day of your travel. Or you may prefer the Swiss Travel Pass, which you could purchase for 3 days. The Swiss Travel Pass gives you discounts on many mountain railways, unlike the Saver Day Pass which is more limited.

Stanserhorn Cabrio funicular and cable car are 100% free with GA! Thank you

Thanks for the tip! I’ve updated the post to include this as a suggested day trip.

Do I have the same discount with “Saver day pass” as with SBB Day Pass?

The Saver Day Pass is exactly the same 1 day SBB Day Pass. You can just buy it cheaper in advance.

Very nice overview! Thank you very much not only for this post but for the whole blog. It has been a valuable source of information and inspiration for our trips from Zurich since we have moved to Switzerland. And just to share our experience – Rochers-de-Naye near Montreux is also free with SBB/Gemeinde/Coop Tageskarte.

Great tip, thanks! I just went there for the Santa house and definitely want to go back in summer.

Thanks so much! This took a work and is very much appreciated!

Glad you like it!

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How to Buy, Activate and Use the Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one transport pass that makes it easier and more affordable to travel around Switzerland, where the public transport system is renowned for its efficiency. 

Also sometimes referred to as the Swisspass, Swiss Train Pass or Swiss Pass, the pass is valid for various durations.

It even gives holders access to discounted travel on many mountain railways and cable cars as well as trains, buses and boats. 

Now you have decided to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass, where do you buy it? When and how can you activate it? And how do you actually use the Swiss Travel Pass? 

In this guide we cover everything you need to know before setting off on your travels around the incredible country of Switzerland. 

From how to buy the Swiss Travel Pass and whether or not your type of pass needs activating to how to use your pass on the go, this article covers it all. 

[ This post may contain compensated links. Please see my  disclosure policy  for more information. ]

What's in this Article

Where to buy the Swiss Travel Pass

Let’s get started by taking a look at where you should buy your pass. 

First, you need to decide whether to purchase a regular Swiss Travel Pass (for travel on consecutive days) or a Swiss Travel Pass Flex. The differences are explained in > this article.

Then it’s super simple to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass. I recommend you buy the pass via GetYour Guide , an authorised reseller of Travel Switzerland.

What’s great about using GetYourGuide is that they offer full refunds on many products, including the Swiss Travel Pass, if you cancel up to 24 hours before use. 

Consecutive Day Swiss Travel Pass Prices

Swiss Travel Pass Flex Prices

How to buy your Swiss Travel Pass step-by-step

The GetYourGuide site is also really user-friendly. After clicking the link to purchase your pass ( this link for the consecutive day pass and this link for the Flex pass ), the first step is to choose how many adults, youths (aged 16 to 25) and children (aged 6 to 15) are travelling. 

This can be done directly beneath ‘About this activity’. Kids aged 5 or under don’t need a ticket or a pass, as they travel for free.

Next, select the start date you want: you can skip through months here by clicking the arrow on the top right.

Then, when you have selected the date you will first use your pass, click on ‘Check availability’. 

Now you can choose the pass you’d like to buy.

Add the pass you want to your cart. 

📍 I recommend double checking at this point that you have selected the right class of travel and duration. 

Then click ‘Checkout’. 

Next it’s just a case of adding your billing details as with any online purchase. 

You’ll also be asked to complete the full names and dates of birth for each traveller. Make sure these match your passports exactly to prevent any problems later on. 

How you’ll get your Swiss Travel Pass

Once you have made your purchase, when and how is your pass delivered? 

The Swiss Travel Pass (for travel on consecutive days) will be emailed to the address you provided in the booking process, and will come in the form of a PDF attachment which can be downloaded to your mobile device.

I highly recommend printing a paper copy of this as a back-up, though you can simply present the mobile version when using transport in Switzerland. 

While both paper and digital versions of the pass are accepted, your phone could suddenly run out of battery and then you’d have no way of proving you have a pass! 

You should also carry your passport or another form of photo ID each time you travel. 

> Click here to buy your Swiss Travel Pass

How you’ll get your Swiss Travel Pass Flex

If you purchase a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, you will receive a purchase receipt and a voucher by email.

The voucher is NOT valid for travel.

Each day you wish you travel you should activate your pass (see the instructions below). By doing this, you will receive a valid ticket for travel on that date.

> Click here to buy your Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

When and how to activate the Swiss Travel Pass

There is often confusion about whether or not a Swiss Travel Pass has to be activated. The answer varies according to the type of pass you’ve bought so follow the instructions below to learn how to activate your Swiss Travel Pass.

Activating your Swiss Travel Pass (consecutive days)

The regular, consecutive days Swiss Travel Pass does not need to be activated. All you need to do is show it to the ticket inspector when requested.

Activating your Swiss Travel Pass Flex

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex, however, must be activated in advance and before each day that you use the pass. You can do this via Activate Your Pass here .

Your pass should be activated before your first trip, and you’ll need to enter your reference number as well as your full name and date of birth. 

For every travel date you activate, a valid ticket will be generated. This e-ticket can then be seen at activateyourpass.com . You can show this e-ticket to the ticket inspector on your phone or tablet, or use a printed copy. 

What if your plans change along the way? 

If you have already activated a travel date that you want to change, the Swiss Travel Pass allows you to change these as much as you want to until the start of each validity period.

The validity period commences at 23:59. Once the clock hits midnight, you can no longer change or deactivate this particular ticket. 

For example, if you have activated your Swiss Travel Pass Flex to be used on 17 July and you no longer wish to use your pass that day, you can change the date of travel until 23:59 on 16 July.

How to use the Swiss Travel Pass

So now let’s cover how to use the Swiss Travel Pass Flex or consecutive-days pass. 

When travelling with a Swiss Travel Pass – either consecutive days or Flex, you simply board the train and sit wherever you wish in the correct carriage for your class of travel. 

The only exception to this is when travelling on the Bernina Express or Glacier Express, which we cover below.

When requested by the ticket inspector, simply present your Swiss Travel Pass.  You may also be asked to present some photo ID, such as your passport to verify that you are the pass holder.

Using the Swiss Travel Pass on panoramic trains

The Bernina Express and Glacier Express , two of Switzerland’s most famous premium panoramic trains, are the only Swiss trains on which reserving a seat is compulsory.

The actual ticket price of the journey on these trains is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass but seat reservation fees are compulsory and should be purchased online well in advance of your travel date.

Seat reservations for the Bernina Express can be purchased here and Glacier Express seat reservations can be purchased here .

On all other panoramic trains* – Luzern – Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Line and Gotthard Panorama Express – seat reservations are not required. Simply board the train and sit anywhere in the correct carriage for your class of your travel.

*Note that the Gotthard Panorama Express only offers 1st class train travel. If you hold a 2nd class Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex you must pay a class upgrade for this journey.

Additionally there is a compulsory supplement of CHF 16 for each passenger that travels on the Gotthard Panorama Express. > Purchase class upgrades and the compulsory supplement here .

Using the Swiss Travel Pass on buses, boats and mountain transport

Don’t forget that Swiss Travel Pass holders can also use boats, buses and some mountain transport services. Even when this isn’t the case, you may qualify for a generous discount as a pass holder. 

When boarding boats and buses, simply show your Swiss Travel Pass when you enter.  For free (where applicable) or discounted travel on cable cars, funiculars and mountain railways, present your pass at the ticket counter.

Selected museums also allow pass holders to enter for free. Just show your Pass at the ticket counter.

Travelling beyond the Swiss border with a Swiss Travel Pass

When travelling to an area beyond that covered by the pass – such as into another country – you’ll need to buy a ticket for that sector. This will apply, for example, to journeys into France, Italy, Germany or Austria. 

International tickets are generally not available for purchase on the Swiss Railways website or app so we recommend buying them from the railway of the country concerned.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers travel as far as the major rail border points of Basel and Le Chatelard-Frontiere on the French border, Chiasso on the Italian border, Konstanz on the border with Germany and St. Margrethen on the Austrian border.

Some postal bus services within Liechtenstein and Austria are also covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

You can view a map of the Area of Validity of the Swiss Travel Pass > here .

The SwissPass app 

Is there a Swiss Travel Pass app? No, there isn’t.  

Many travellers notice a reference to the SwissPass on the SBB Mobile app however this refers to a digital travel account for residents only. 

A SwissPass account is for Swiss citizens only, not tourists, and is a separate product that uses a chip and pin card.

The Swiss Travel Pass doesn’t have to be added to an app. All you need is to be able to show the ticket inspector a paper or digital copy, and photo ID if requested.

The excellent SBB Mobile app ( which we explain here ) can be used for checking timetables but it is not necessary (or possible) to connect your Swiss Travel Pass to the app.

Another app that is useful is the Swiss Travel Guide app which has an integrated map and timetable and points out more than 500 Swiss highlights.

Planning a trip to Switzerland? At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers. Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 10 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide. 🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭

Buying, activating and using the Swiss Travel Pass summary

The Swiss Travel Pass allows you to use the clean, fast and efficient public transport system in Switzerland. It can be used on trams, buses and boats as well as trains, and can save you a lot of time and money. Exclusive free entry to museums and generous discounts can also apply. 

Buying your pass is easy, and purchasing it through our preferred supplier means you won’t even lose money if your plans change, as long as you cancel 24 hours before the start date. 

Only the Swiss Travel Pass Flex requires activation, which is easy to do via this link . 

Once you have your chosen pass, I recommend taking a paper copy as well as the digital version as back-up. Also carry your passport or other photo ID in case it’s requested. 

Unless you want to travel on the popular scenic Swiss train routes, seat reservations are not normally required. 

Wherever your Swiss Travel Pass takes you, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with beautiful Switzerland and will want to return time and time again!

How to Buy, Activate and Use the Swiss Travel Pass – Summary

Now that you have read this guide, you can confidently buy, activate (if necessary) and use your Swiss Travel Pass.

This all-in-one transport pass is the perfect hop on hop off ticket for travelling in Switzerland.

🇨🇭 Ready to buy yours? > Click here to buy the Swiss Travel Pass and > Click here to buy the Swiss Travel Pass Flex .

If you’re still unsure whether the pass is the best value for your trip, we answer the question Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it? here .

Switzerland Travel Essentials

Rail passes.

Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Half Fare Card

Eurail Global Pass

Regional Rail Passes

Berner Oberland Pass

Jungfrau Travel Pass

Rail Packages

Self-Drive Packages

Itinerary Planning

Digital Guides

Carolyn Schönafinger

Carolyn Schönafinger is a frequent visitor to Switzerland, the country she fell in love with more than 30 years ago. She now visits Switzerland every year in her quest to explore every inch of the country. Carolyn is a certified Switzerland Travel Expert and she has achieved the Swiss Travel System Travel Expert diploma. She loves sharing her Switzerland travel expertise and helping others to plan their dream Swiss vacation on this website and the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast. Read more

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15 Days in Switzerland- Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card? - Interlaken Forum

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15 Days in Switzerland- Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card?

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You may want a national card/pass and possibly a regional pass, but without having your specific train/bus/ boat/ gondola/ funicular trips nobody can say which pass/card is best.

Generally, we say the Half Fare Card is best, especially if you want to go to the Jungfraujoch as it gives a 50% discount on this pricey fare. The Swiss Travel Pass provides only a 25% discount.

Some people prefer the STP for its convenience of not having to buy individual tickets. But they fail to realize it provides free fare to inhabited locations only, so you end up buying tickets to go up the mountaintops. The STP also gives free entry to numerous museums. Note: tickets are "really" easy to buy at staffed ticket countesr where everybody speaks English, at the ticket machines which can be set to "speak" English, online, and on the app.

The Half Fare Card costs 120 chf and is valid for 30 days for international guests. It acts as a discount card, giving you a 50% discount on almost all ticket prices.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/guests-abroad/swiss-halffare-card.html

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