inclusions of swiss travel pass

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

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

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!

The Swiss Travel Pass & Zermatt: All You Need to Know

Switzerland can be an expensive country to travel round, but we are big fans of the ‘Swiss Travel Pass’ for visitors to Zermatt.

With one of the best rail networks in the world, it makes sense to travel by train to Zermatt and the ‘Swiss Travel Pass’ can help make it a bit more affordable.

In this article by Zermatt specialists, Matterhorn Chalets , we look at all the key questions you need to know about the Swiss Travel Pass.

Concierge Service If you book your accommodation in Zermatt with Matterhorn Chalets, we can book excursions and transfers for you through our concierge service .

What is the Swiss Travel Pass?

How much is the ‘swiss travel pass’.

• How much is the ‘Swiss Travel Pass Flex’?

Will I save money with the Swiss Travel Pass?

Are there any discounts for children or younger people, what’s included in the swiss travel pass, what does the swiss travel pass include in zermatt, where can i buy the swiss travel pass.

• Finding accommodation in Zermatt

A ‘ Swiss Travel Pass’ gives visitors to the country unlimited travel across the Swiss travel system for a continuous period of 3, 4, 8 or 15 days.

There is another variation, known as the ‘Swiss Travel Pass Flex’ which offers unlimited travel on flexible days (rather than on consecutive days).

It’s also available for either 3, 4, 8 or 15 travel days, but across an overall period of a month. 

A 3-day Swiss Travel Pass costs GBP211 and an 8-day pass GBP354 (as at March 2023). You can check all the current prices at their website

A second class return ticket from Zurich to Zermatt typically costs CHF118. From Geneva it’s slightly less at CHF98.

However, if you want to break your journey over several days and spend more time in Switzerland, or you plan to take advantage of the discounts offered in Zermatt (see below), then a Swiss Travel Pass is likely to be a better option.

The ‘Swiss Travel Pass Flex’ is typically a better choice than the regular ‘Swiss Travel Pass’ if you’re plan to stay put between journeys (say if you are coming to Zermatt for a week).

The Swiss Travel Pass Youth ticket means that young people under 26 can claim a 15% discount on the pass.

Children under 16 do not need a ticket at all, and travel for free as long as they are travelling with an adult who has a valid ticket.

One single ticket

The way the Swiss Travel Pass works is that you either download it to your phone, or with a physical copy, simply sign your ticket before starting your first journey.

You then have to show it the ticket inspector together with your passport or identity card when asked.

The obvious inclusions are that you qualify for unlimited free travel on all the train, bus and ferry routes around Switzerland.

If that wasn’t enough holders are also eligible for a 50% discount on other routes (shown in the map below as dotted red, yellow or black lines)

In addition, also included are discounts on certain mountain railways and lifts (see below for more Zermatt-specific info).

It can be useful for any stays in Switzerland as users are eligible for unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities around this country, and free entry to more than 500 museums.

There are additional discounts for Swiss Travel Pass holders in Zermatt. These include a 50% reduction on the Gornergrat railway , Klein Matterhorn Glacier Paradise 3S lift , Sunegga funicular and Rothorn cable car.

Remember that all these lifts are included in a regular Zermatt lift pass, if you are buying one of these to go skiing, and that the bus service around Zermatt is already free for all lift pass holders.

Access to Zermatt’s excellent museum is also free for holders of the Swiss Travel Pass.

However, if you’re planning to come to Zermatt for a short trip, or for our many non-ski activities , then these discounts represent an extra bonus from the Swiss Travel Pass.

Please note that these discounts can change at any time. For the latest offers, please check the Swiss Travel Pass website .

You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass online at their website .

Accommodation in Zermatt

Matterhorn Chalets can help you find the right accommodation for you in Zermatt, whether you’re looking for  self-catered apartments ,  hotel  or a more  traditional chalet .

Concierge Service

Guests who have booked their accommodation in Zermatt with Matterhorn Chalets can use our concierge service to book their transfers, restaurants, lift passes and lessons. Simply  contact Ed or Suzanne  for more details on +41 79 247 15 88

Attachments

• swiss-travel-pass (147 kB)

Enquiry Form

How would you like us to contact you.

* indicates a required field

The Ultimate Guide to the Swiss Travel Pass 2024

If you’re planning any Switzerland travel, and particularly if you are planning to travel Switzerland by train, you most likely have heard about the Swiss Travel Pass for tourists.

The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-inclusive pass which not only allows you to travel via the Swiss rail system, but also provides entry into a range of attractions and travel on buses and ferries as well. 

In this article, I will provide a detailed summary of the Swiss Travel Pass so you know the various Switzerland rail pass options available and you can determine exactly which offers the best value for you.  I will also cover all the Swiss pass inclusions as well as the Swiss pass price. 

To avoid confusion, the Swiss Travel Pass is also often referred to as a Swiss Pass, Swiss Railway Pass, Swiss Rail Pass and any similar combination of words.

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

What's in this Article

Is the Swiss Travel Pass Worth It?

The Swiss Travel Pass provides tourists with not only exceptional value but also makes travel within Switzerland extremely convenient.  Whilst its initial outlay may appear expensive, once you add up the price of individual Swiss rail tickets, plus the entry to a few museums, you will see that in no time at all you have easily made the cost back in value from this Swiss pass for tourists.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about making bookings, carrying around multiple Switzerland train tickets, or being concerned with missing a train – because you can simply catch the next one!

Even the popular Switzerland scenic train routes are included in this pass!  That’s right, panoramic trains like the Glacier Express and the Golden Pass train are covered by the Swiss rail pass.

So if you have been dreaming of doing one of the stunning Switzerland rail tours, you can use the pass to arrange your very own Switzerland train tour .

The Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex are available for a number of different durations. In addition to the traditional 3, 4, 8 and 15-day passes, a 6-day pass was also introduced in 2022.

>> Buy your Swiss Travel Pass here. <<

What is a Swiss Travel Pass? 

Whilst the term ‘Swiss Travel Pass’ encompasses all the various different types of Swiss Travel Passes (discussed below), there is also a pass just called the ‘Swiss Travel Pass’.

Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is a consecutive travel pass, meaning you can use it every day it is valid for. These passes come in 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15-day durations and are available in either first or second class. > Check Swiss Travel Pass prices.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex 

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex can be used on a set number of days during a 1-month period.  

For example, you can use your pass on 3 days within the 1-month period – but not every day.  The passes come in 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15-day durations. The Swiss flexi pass is also available in either first or second class. > Check Swiss Travel Pass Flex prices.

Swiss Travel Pass Youth 

If you’re after a hefty Swiss Travel Pass discount and are under 25 years of age, then you are in luck.  The Swiss Travel Pass Youth is available for people aged under 25 and is basically either the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Travel Pass Flex but at a huge 30% discount. > Check Swiss Travel Pass Youth prices.

Swiss Half Fare Card

If you’re not keen on the upfront investment of any of the Swiss Travel Passes mentioned above, another great option is the Swiss Half Fare Card. This allows you to purchase Swiss train tickets at a discount of 50%. You are also entitled to a discount on other public transport, but the discount is not always as much as 50%.

The Swiss half price card is valid for 1 month and, depending upon how long you intend on visiting Switzerland and how much train travel you will be doing, may well be the best option for you.  > Check Swiss Half Fare Card prices.

Swiss Family Pass / Swiss Family Card 

If you’re traveling with children under the age of 16, then the Swiss Family Card is a must! The Swiss Family Pass allows children to travel for free and is completely free of charge when a parent holds one of the Swiss Travel Passes mentioned above.

Children under 6 years of age don’t require a Swiss Family Travel Pass as they travel for free regardless. You will, however, need a Swiss Family Card for children aged 6 to 15 years. You should request one when you purchase your Swiss Travel Pass .

If a child under 16 years of age is traveling alone without a parent, they receive a 50% discount on the various Swiss travel system tickets and passes.

Swiss Travel Pass Cost

The cost of the train pass in Switzerland depends upon the type of pass you purchase as well as the number of days you choose.

The tables below list the different Swiss train pass prices for the consecutive and flexible passes (all prices are in Swiss francs).

Swiss Travel Pass prices [2024]

Swiss travel pass flex prices [2024].

Both the consecutive and flexible passes are available to people under 26 years of age with a 30% discount off the regular Swiss Travel Pass cost. The discounted passes are known as the Swiss Travel Pass Youth and Swiss Travel Pass Flex Youth. > Buy your Youth Pass here.

What Are the Swiss Pass Benefits?

As mentioned above, there are a stack of Swiss Pass benefits – it’s not just all about Swiss train tickets for tourists.  The Swiss Travel Pass benefits are as follows:

• Without a doubt the biggest saving with the Swiss Train Pass for tourists is the inclusion of all long-distance buses, ferries and trains in Switzerland. This even includes all the Swiss Scenic trains, so you could plan your entire train travel in Switzerland by taking the most scenic route (note that some scenic routes require a supplement and / or reservation – see below for more information).  
• The pass also covers the use of public transportation in Switzerland in 90 towns and cities.
• There are a ton of great attractions covered by the pass too. In fact, the pass provides entry into over 500 different attractions in Switzerland .  All the best museums are included.
• Three of the most popular Switzerland mountain excursions from Lucerne are also included. These day trips are Stanserhorn, Stoos and Rigi.  There is no limit to how many trips you do – do them all and go back again if you want to!  Other mountain excursions receive discounts of up to 50%.
• One of the most popular mountain excursions in Switzerland is a visit to Jungfraujoch – the highest altitude railway station in Europe.  You can even get discount Jungfraujoch tickets with Swiss Pass. Whilst the Swiss Travel Pass Jungfraujoch tickets are not completely included, you do get a 25% discount and, of course, kids travel free if they hold a Swiss Rail Family Pass. 

Should I Buy a Swiss Travel Pass or Individual Switzerland Train Tickets?

In most cases you are always going to be better off purchasing at least some form of Swisspass rather than purchasing individual Switzerland train tickets.

When it comes to purchasing individual tickets for Switzerland train trips, there are many variables that determine the price.  The main factor is when you book the tickets as well as the timing of the actual train travel. 

Booking last minute tickets tends to be most expensive, which means you can’t be very flexible with your travel.

The benefit of having the rail pass Switzerland is not only will you save money (which I can pretty much guarantee you will), but you can also be more flexible with your train travel. There is no need to snap up cheap tickets, because the pass will cover your train tickets regardless of the price. 

If the majority of your time in Switzerland will be spent in the Interlaken region, you can compare the value of the Swiss Travel Pass to the Berner Oberland Pass and Jungfrau Travel Pass to see which is the best value for your itinerary .

Also remember that with the Swiss Travel Pass, museums and other attractions are also included, so you will get free entry into a range of places as well.

In order to determine whether you should book individual Swiss train trips or purchase a Swiss rail pass for tourists, I recommend you complete the following tasks:

• List out all the individual train trips in Switzerland you intend to take and using the SBB site find out how much it would cost for point to point tickets;
• List out all the mountain excursions and attractions you plan on visiting and look up the admission costs on the attraction’s websites; and
• Add up the totals from above and compare this total to the cost of the different Swiss train travel pass options mentioned above.

If the cost of the individual Swiss train journeys and attractions you plan on visiting are more than the Swiss Travel Pass price, then you will benefit from purchasing a pass.

Best Place to Buy Swiss Travel Pass

Do you need to buy a Swiss Travel Pass in advance? Whilst you can buy this Swiss rail pass at most rail stations in Switzerland, in order to start using your pass as soon as you arrive in Switzerland, the best place to buy Swiss Travel Pass is online.

Unlike some other European rail passes, you can print the Swiss pass at home, which makes purchasing them online super easy and convenient. Purchase your Swiss Travel Card and then, as soon as you arrive in Switzerland, you can start taking advantage of all the benefits that come with the pass.

Also, note that the Swiss Travel Pass is only available for purchase by people who permanently live outside of Switzerland.

TIP: After receiving your Swiss Travel Pass by email and downloading it to your phone or device, I recommend printing out a copy and carrying this with you at all times.  This eliminates any problems if your phone is lost or damaged during your trip, or your battery goes flat.

How to Use the Swiss Travel Pass

When you receive your Swiss rail travel pass, you are ready to hit the rails.

If you are travelling on a consecutive day pass you simply board the train and show your pass to the ticket inspector when requested to do so.

However, if you are traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, you are required to enter the date of your first travel day before commencing your journey.  You can do this at activateyourpass.com

It’s important to know that your pass is valid from midnight from the first day of validity until 5 am on the following morning on the last day of validity.

Timetable/schedules for Swiss rail travel

With the fantastic Swiss train schedule, you’ll be able to get pretty much anywhere you want to go in Switzerland.  However for precise times, you can look up the Swiss rail timetable on the SBB Mobile App .  

This app will not only help you plan what Swiss train routes you need to take to reach your destination, but will also provide you with helpful information as to which platform you need to go to and provide real time updates, so you’ll know whether the train is going to be on time or late.

Swiss Rail Map

It is recommended that you download the Swiss train map so you know exactly where the Switzerland train pass applies. However, as you can see from the Swiss travel pass map, it is fairly comprehensive and most Swiss railway journeys are covered.

The Swiss Travel Passes are valid for train, boat and bus routes marked on the map with a continuous line, whilst travel on public transport is included in towns and cities marked on the map with a red/white dot.

Where a dotted line appears, travel is available at a 50% discount.

Swiss Travel Pass Mountain Excursions

If you’re interested in any of the scenic Switzerland railway routes, below is some brief information.

GoldenPass Line – included with Swiss Travel Pass

The GoldenPass Line, which runs between Luzern and Montreux, includes two different trains. It takes in three different mountain passes (including the famous 4000-metre Alpine peaks) and goes past eight stunning lakes. If you ride all three trains, the entire journey will take around 5.5 hours.

From Lucerne to Interlaken Ost, the Luzern-Interlaken Express passes five stunning mountain lakes as well as waterfalls and rivers.  You also might be lucky to see glimpses of Eiger, the Mönch and Jungfrau.  This train journey takes just under two hours.

Between Interlaken Ost and Montreux, you will travel on the brand new GoldenPass Express. You’ll travel through narrow valleys and alongside the River Simme, mountain villages, alpine forests and of course, you’ll get fantastic views of Lake Geneva.

Both trains on the Golden Pass Line are completely covered by the Swiss Travel Pass with no reservation or supplement required.  However, to avoid disappointment it is recommended to make a reservation.

For the Luzern-Interlaken Express section, the optional seat reservation fees are between CHF 10 and CHF 14 depending on the date of travel.

For the section between Interlaken and Montreux, seat reservations cost CHF 20 in 1st or 2nd class. In this sector, seat reservations are compulsory in the new Prestige Class, and they cost CHF 40.

BUY YOUR SWISS TRAVEL PASS HERE

Glacier Express – included with Swiss Travel Pass

All aboard the Glacier Express, also referred to as the slowest express train in the world.  At 8 hours, the journey between Zermatt and St Moritz may not be fast, but it certainly is stunning.

The entire Glacier Express journey makes its way between the Alps, through narrow valleys, tight curves, 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges.  

However you don’t need to take the entire trip as the journey is split up into four different sections all with their own unique scenery: Zermatt to Brig, Brig to Andermatt, Andermatt to Chur and Chur to St Moritz or Chur to Davos.

Each section of the Glacier Express is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass with no supplement required, however a reservation is mandatory.  Seat reservation fees are as follows:

• CHF 49 for 1st or 2nd class and;
• CHF 470 for Excellence class

Please note: There will be no Glacier Express trains running from 16 October to approximately 9 December, 2024 (date to be confirmed.)

Bernina Express – included with Swiss Travel Pass

The Bernina Express is a 4-hour train journey from Chur to Tirano.  Across two sections, this scenic route takes you through alpine forests to the Poschiavo Valley in the Mediterranean.  

Along the route you will pass right through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rhaetian Railway where you pass by glaciers as well as palm trees.  The rail journey entails passing 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges.

Passengers can take the journey from Chur to Pontresina and / or Pontresina to Tirano.  During the Summer months there is also the option of taking a 3-hour bus ride from Tirano to Lugano.

Each section of the Bernina Express is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass with no supplement required, however a reservation is mandatory.  Seat reservation fees are as follows:

• Summer season (1 June to 30 September): CHF 26;
• Shoulder season (1 March to 31 May and 1 to 31 October): CHF 24;
• Winter season: (1 November to 28 February): CHF 20

All prices are per adult, one way.

If you plan to take the Bernina Express bus connection between Tirano and Lugano, you need to make bus reservations, too! Seat reservation fees for the bus are CHF 16 during summer season, CHF 14 during shoulder season, and CHF 10 during winter.

Gotthard Panorama Express – included with Swiss Travel Pass

Up until recently this scenic route was known as the Wilhelm Tell Express.  Now called the Gotthard Panorama Express, this 5.5-hour journey takes passengers from Lucerne to Lugano, with the first part of the journey being via boat on Lake Lucerne.

The train journey component of the trip will take you through the historical Gotthard route which passes by the Wassen Church and numerous tunnels including the Gotthard tunnel between Göschenen and Airolo, which opened in 1882.

The last part of the trip takes travellers past stunning Mediterranean landscapes, complete with palm trees.

This train trip is only available to first class passengers, so if you only hold a second-class Swiss Travel pass you will need to upgrade your ticket.  In addition, you will also be required to pay a surcharge of CHF 24 per person.

The Gotthard Panorama Express does not operate year round. It will recommence service on 20 April 2024 and operate until 20 October 2024.

My Experience Using the Swiss Travel Pass

I’ve used a Swiss Travel Pass on numerous occasions when travelling in Switzerland and love the ease with which you can get around.  Here are some of the reasons I love it:

• Arriving at the airport with a pre-purchased Swiss Travel Pass in hand, it is simply a matter of hopping aboard a train bound for the city.  There’s no need to queue at the ticket counter to purchase a ticket.
• Getting around the city on public transport is easy, too. Again, there’s no need to buy tickets, you just hop on a local train, tram or bus (or boat, in some cases) and go where you want.
• With entry to so many museums covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, it’s great to be able to show your pass at the ticket desk and be waved through for free.  Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva, Thun Castle, FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne are just a few of the 500 or so museums that are included with the pass.
• Being able to experience some of Switzerland’s panoramic train rides is another reason I love the Swiss Travel Pass.  I’ve used it to travel for free on the Glacier Express, GoldenPass Line and the Bernina Express.
• Mountain excursions play a big part in my visits to Switzerland, too and with the Swiss Travel Pass there are big discounts available.  Excursions to Mt. Rigi and Stanserhorn are free for pass holders and rides on most other cable cars and funiculars come with a 50% discount.
• The Swiss Travel Pass is great if you are travelling with children, as we have done on many occasions.  When purchasing our Swiss Travel Pass, we simply requested a Swiss Family Card and our two children travelled for free.

As you can see, there are many reasons that make buying a Swiss Travel Pass a good idea.

I hope you have found this guide to the Swiss Travel Pass useful and you can now confidently purchase the right pass – either Consecutive or Flexible – for your train travel in Switzerland.

Top image courtesy Swiss Travel System .

PIN FOR LATER

Carolyn's love affair with Europe started on her first visit over 30 years ago and it continues, just as strong, today. She visits Europe annually and enjoys writing about her discoveries and sharing her tips with fellow travellers.

You Might Also Like...

Where to stay in Lauterbrunnen

My recommended accommodations in Switzerland

Zermatt, the perfect luxury getaway destination

Innsbruck Sightseeing: 18 Best Things to Do

Berner Oberland Pass 2024: Your guide to this all-inclusive Swiss travel pass

Swiss Travel Pass – All You Need To Know (2024 Guide)

Are you planning a trip to Switzerland? The Swiss Travel Pass is a fantastic way to get around the country and save money on transportation, museums, and mountain excursions.

It may not be 100% clear how the Swiss Travel Pass works at first and, with all the inclusions, you may be confused about what it offers.

In this guide, I’ll fill you in on all the details of how to use your Swiss Travel Pass, what’s included, and much more so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your journey.

Table of Contents

QUICK ANSWERS: SWISS TRAVEL PASS

Before I dive into the main topic of the Travel Pass, here are some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions from first-time visitors.

WHAT IS THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS?

The Swiss Travel Pass is a convenient and affordable way to discover Switzerland.

It provides unlimited access to Switzerland’s public transportation, including trains, buses, and boats.

Also, it provides free admission and discounts to more than 500 museums and attractions.

Plus, with the Swiss Rail Pass, you can get up to 50% off mountain excursions to explore Switzerland’s scenic routes.

From bracing mountain hikes to peaceful rail journeys – you will enjoy picturesque landscapes hassle-free aboard most mountain railways, like the Glacier Express.

Lastly, it offers great flexibility since you can pick up passes for different durations – 3, 4, 8, or 15 days – consecutively or not.

Get the all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass!

Get unlimited rides on trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland with an all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass!

Simply show your Swiss Travel Pass e-ticket on your smartphone to instantly start your rail adventure.

IS THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS WORTH IT?

Yes! Without a doubt, the Swiss Pass is definitely worth it.

Not only will it get you unlimited travel free with all types of public transport, but you can also enjoy discounts and free entry to museums, scenic spots, and more.

It’s a very convenient way to save money while exploring the diverse cultures and magnificent landscapes that the country has to offer.

So if you’re looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to make the most out of your trip to Switzerland, then the Swiss Travel Pass is a great start!

SWISS TRAVEL PASS PRICE

The price depends on the type of pass you’re getting and if you choose the consecutive days or the flexible option.

It starts at 232 CHF ($253 USD) but can get higher than that, and the prices for flexible tickets are slightly more expensive.

Before the prices, let me add that children aged 15 and less do not pay, they get the Switzerland Travel Pass for free.

Here’s an overview of the Swiss Pass cost:

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS?

See below for all the benefits and inclusions of the Swiss Pass:

• Free entrance to over 500 museums
• Unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat in over 90 cities
• Travel on panorama trains (seat reservation fees and supplements are excluded)
• Included mountain excursions: Rigi, Stanserhorn, Brunni, and Stoos
• Up to 50% discount on many other mountain excursions.

Despite Switzerland being one of the most expensive countries in the world , when getting the Swiss Travel Pass, everything gets much cheaper as a traveler.

RELATED GUIDE: Best Things To Do In Lucerne

SWISS RAIL PASSES

We always refer to it as the “Swiss Travel Pass” – however, there are 4 different types of Switzerland pass you can get, all for different prices and benefits:

SWISS TRAVEL PASS

The first pass is the regular Swiss Travel Pass, which is a Switzerland travel card and gives you unlimited access to trains, buses, and boats that cover all corners of the landlocked country.

You’ll even get travel discounts on museums, cable cars, and free mountain excursions. In short, it’s an easy way to get more bang for your buck when traveling Switzerland .

With the regular pass, you can get all the above for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days.

SWISS TRAVEL PASS FLEX

The Flex Pass , compared to the continuous Swiss Pass mentioned above, gives you a chance to use it on different days.

This is particularly great if you plan on walking around Zurich for a couple of days or going to Lauterbrunnen and don’t plan on using it.

For instance, if you get the 3-day flex pass and travel from January 10th to January 15th, you can choose to activate your pass on the 11th, 12th, and 14th only, which gives you a lot more convenience.

Just like the regular pass, you get unlimited train rides, buses, and boats, as well as discounts on cable cars and mountain excursions throughout the country.

While it’s a little more expensive, I recommend getting the Flex Pass if you don’t plan to use transportation or visit museums every single day.

SWISS HALF-FARE CARD

If you want to travel around Switzerland in an affordable and convenient way, a Swiss Half-Fare Card is exactly what you need.

For a much cheaper price, you’ll get unlimited 50% discounts on the entire Swiss rail, bus, and boat network.

In addition, you still get 50% off on popular mountain excursions.

All in all, it’s a great pass that allows you to save money on the Swiss travel system and is especially great if you don’t plan on taking the train or bus every single day.

Note that children travel free in Switzerland, so the discounts only apply to adults and young adults aged 16 years old and more.

SWISS COUPON PASS

The last type of pass you can get is the “Coupon Pass,” also called the Swiss Family Card.

It provides 2-for-1 offers and up to 50% off at restaurants, city tours, museums and attractions, as well as trains and boats.

All in all, it adds up to over 4,500 CHF worth of savings if you use it extensively.

That being said, while it is advantageous, it’s nowhere near as beneficial as the other Swiss Rail Passes listed above.

WHICH SWISS TRAVEL PASS SHOULD YOU BUY

All in all, the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex are the best options for anyone looking to explore Switzerland.

Both allow you unlimited access to public transportation including trains, buses, trams, and some boats, as well as discounts on various attractions and museums.

The Swiss Rail Pass is valid for consecutive days, while the Flex version allows more freedom with flexible travel days within the selected period.

So if you’re looking to get around Switzerland without breaking the bank, these are the ticket options for you!

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 DAY SWITZERLAND ITINERARY BY TRAIN

HOW TO USE THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS

Using the pass is as easy as it gets in every possible way.

First of all, purchase the travel pass, select your travel dates and the options – consecutive or flexible pass – and then fill in the short form with a valid travel document.

After purchasing it, you’ll receive a PDF document by email with a QR code. Once in Switzerland, you can then show the QR code to the train, bus, or boat staff.

I recommend taking a screenshot of the QR code and saving it on your phone. Alternatively, you can add it to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for more convenience.

HOW THE DAYS ON THE SWISS RAIL PASS WORK

Your Swiss Rail Pass becomes active on the day you selected upon purchase.

So if you purchased a 3-day pass for February 15th, you’ll be able to use it from 12.00 AM that day (midnight).

Then you’ll be able to use public transportation on the 15th, 16th, and 17th.

Note that the pass works until 5.00 am the day after the expiry date to allow you to travel during the night if needed.

SWISS TRAVEL PASS – FAQ

Does the swiss train pass cover all of switzerland.

Yes, the travel pass covers all of Switzerland and you can use public transport everywhere in the country – trains, buses, trams, boats, and even some mountain railways.

No matter where you plan to go in Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass has got you covered to travel cheaply.

IS IT CHEAPER TO BUY THE SWISS PASS IN ADVANCE?

The price always remains the same regardless of how early or late you purchase it. For this reason, you can take your time buying it.

That being said, it’s important to note that these passes are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, so make sure it is the right decision before buying.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS?

With the Swiss Pass, you basically get the keys to the country.

Public transportation is free and unlimited (trains, premium panoramic trains, boats, buses), and the entrance to over 500 museums and attractions are included too.

On top of that, most mountain excursions and cable car networks are discounted by 50%, giving you endless benefits.

With all these benefits, there is no reason why your next trip to Switzerland shouldn’t be an unforgettable one!

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS?

While you get endless benefits and inclusions with the Switzerland Travel Pass, not everything is included.

The following isn’t included and has to be paid separately:

• Hotel rooms
• Private taxis
• Seat reservations
• Food and drinks at restaurants
• Special cruises like dinner cruises

That said, you still get access to many other benefits like free ticket discounts and transportation options, which definitely make the trip more affordable.

IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR SENIORS?

No, unfortunately, there are no discounts for seniors.

However, the Swiss train pass is cheaper for those from 16 to 24 years old, and children younger than 16 years old travel for free.

WHICH MOUNTAIN EXCURSIONS ARE INCLUDED?

The included mountain excursions are Rigi, Stanserhorn, Brunni, and Stoos.

And while the others aren’t included, you get a 50% discount on most of the other mountain excursions, which is a bargain!

SWISS HALF-FARE CARD VS SWISS TRAVEL PASS

Both passes offer travelers amazing savings and access to various public transport options throughout Switzerland, but there are key differences.

The Swiss Half Fare Pass allows you to get half-price fares on all Swiss travel system services, with discounts on some private rail lines and mountain railways as well.

The Swiss Travel Pass offers free travel on all public transport for up to 15 days of consecutive use. It also provides discounts on select mountain railway lines and museums.

The more adventurous traveler who plans on seeing most of the sights is likely better off with a Swiss Travel Pass.

On the other hand, those who want to take it easy and explore only the main cities are probably better off going with the half-fare card.

Whichever one you decide is best for you, both are sure to help make your next visit to Switzerland much more enjoyable and affordable.

More Switzerland Travel Guides

Click the button below to view all articles related to Switzerland!

WHAT TO PACK FOR SWITZERLAND

When visiting Switzerland, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden money wallet.

Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!

Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!

Travel Backpack

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!

Quick-Dry Travel Towel

The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!

Portable PowerBank

Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you found this article useful and if you have any questions about the Swiss Travel Pass, the Swiss Flex Pass, or any other Switzerland train passes, please drop me a comment below this post and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

Search and book accommodation worldwide.

Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.

Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.

Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.

Search all rental cars in your next destination.

Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

Click here to find out how you can support the site organically .

Many thanks!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail.

Work with us

Support the site

Plan Your Trip

Travel guides

Destinations

Hotel guides

Find best tours

Travel Gear

Travel resources

How to start a blog

Photography guides

Follow On Socials

© 2024 Jonny Melon Adventure Travel Blog. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms | Sitemap

Swiss Travel Passes

Interrail Switzerland Mobile Pass with Access to Swiss Rail Network

• You can cancel these tickets up to 180 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Access Switzerland's national rail network and get unlimited travel with a pass valid for 11 months after purchase.
• With varied options like 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8-day access for 1 month from the date of activation, plan your itinerary conveniently.
• Mingle with other travelers with a 2nd class ticket or choose a quiet, 'do not disturb' experience with the 1st class.
• Skip the long winding queues by simply downloading the app and scanning your pass.
• 3/4/5/6/8 days validity within 30 days post-activation
• Unlimited access to Switzerland's national rail network
• 1st/2nd class seats
• Ample luggage space
• Reserved seats
• Tip: Plan your journey and connections ahead of time as Swiss public transportation is known for its punctuality.
• This experience is wheelchair, pram, and stroller accessible.
• This pass is specific to EU residents. It cannot be sold to non-European travelers or used in the country of residence of the traveler.
• Seat/bed reservations for mandatory bookable trains need to be purchased at an additional cost to the rail pass.
• Before Activation: The pass must be activated through the Eurail Rail Planner App within 11 months after the date of purchase and before the first travel.
• Please click here for a detailed guide to activating your Interrail Pass.
• After Activation: The 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8-day passes are valid for 30 days after activation.
• Note : Unused and unactivated passes can be canceled up to 6 months from the last possible activation date indicated on the mobile pass.
• These tickets are valid for 11 months from the date of purchase.

Swiss Continuous Travel Pass with Access to Train, Bus & Boat

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Benefit from access to tickets for regular and premium trains, buses, and boats with the cost-effective Swiss Travel Pass.
• Enjoy 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days of access to Switzerland's public transit in more than 90 cities and towns.
• Opt for 2nd tickets or exclusive 1st class tickets on panoramic trains & Swiss boat trips.
• Get unlimited travel on premium panorama trains such as the Glacier Express, Luzern Interlaken Express, and more.
• Your pass includes mountain excursions to Brunni, Stanserhorn, and Stoos along with discounted tickets on mountain railways and cable cars like Jungfraujoch!
• Swiss Travel Pass in Switzerland (route map here )
• 1st or 2nd class seats (optional)
• Unlimited access to train, bus, boat, and mountain railway tickets
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Golden Pass MOB, Gothard Panorama Express, and Luzern Interlaken Express
• Unlimited use of public transit in more than 90 towns & cities within Switzerland
• Free admission to 500+ museums - click here to know more.
• Mountain excursions to Brunni, Klewenalp, Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
• Discounts available for mountain railways and cable cars
• Tip: Always carry your pass with you, as ticket inspectors may request to see it on trains and at attractions.
• Staff is available for guests requiring disability assistance.
• This pass is valid only for residents outside of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
• Cards are pre-validated at the time of purchase and can be purchased 6 months in advance.
• Children under 16 travel free when accompanied by a parent.
• This is a public transportation service, seating will be on a first-come first-serve basis.
• Travel for free on a few designated routes by simply presenting your pass and passport/proof of residence to the conductor on the train. No need to buy a separate ticket beforehand!
• While seat reservation is not necessary for most of the routes, please confirm before you travel as the seat reservation fee is not included in the pass.
• An electronic voucher will be sent to your email instantly after booking confirmation.
• Your pass will be activated on the day selected during booking.
• For example, if you picked the 3-day pass, your pass is valid for 3 consecutive days. It ends at 5am on the day following the last day.
• Note : Unused and unactivated passes are refundable up to 1 day prior to the 1st date of validity. Thereafter, fees are applied on the 1st day of validity or later, if evidence of non-use is supplied. For this, Rail Europe needs to be contacted. The claim for a refund will be refused if no proof of partial non-use is presented.

Swiss Half Fare Card: 50% Discounts on Train, Bus, Boat & Mountain Railway Tickets

• Benefit from a 50% discount on unlimited tickets for regular and premium trains, buses, and boats with the super-saver Swiss Half-Fare Card.
• Enjoy 1-month validity and discounted rates on the public transportation system as you explore must-see regions of Switzerland.
• Travel by cable car, and get unlimited 1st and 2nd class travel on trains, as per your convenience.
• Directly purchase locally corresponding discounted tickets to travel on your desired route like the Glacier Express, Gotthard Panorama Express, and more.
• Swiss Half-Fare Card in Switzerland (route map here )
• 50% discount on train, bus, boat, and mountain railway tickets
• 1st and 2nd class train seats
• Tip: Carefully outline your travel plans and calculate the expected count of train, bus, boat, or cable car trips throughout your stay in Switzerland as this card is valid for 1 month.
• Tickets with the Half-Fare Card discount can be purchased online, at manned railway stations during opening hours, from the ticketing machines at rail stations, or through the SBB app.
• After activation, the card is valid for 1 calendar month.

Swiss Flexible Travel Pass with Access to Train, Bus & Boat

• With this flexible Swiss Travel Pass, get unrestricted access to regular and premium trains, buses, and boats for any 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days in a month.
• Get free and unlimited access to the public transport system spanning over 90 cities and towns in Switzerland.
• Take unlimited journeys on panorama trains, including the Glacier Express and Luzern Interlaken Express, and enjoy free access to over 500 museums.
• Your pass covers mountain excursions to Brunni, Stoos, and more, with up to 50% off on mountain railway and cable car fares, like those to Jungfraujoch.
• Want a quiet journey? Opt for a 1st class ticket for a 'do not disturb' experience or mingle with fellow travelers with a 2nd class ticket.
• 3/4/6/8/15 days flexible validity
• 1st or 2nd class seats
• Unlimited access to train, bus & boat
• Unlimited travel on panoramic trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Golden Pass MOB, Gothard Panorama Express & Luzern Interlaken Express
• Unlimited access to public transport in over 90 cities in Switzerland
• Entry to 500+ museums
• Mountain excursions to Rigi, Stanserhorn & Stoos
• Discounts on mountain railways & cable cars
• Discounts on Lyria trains between France & Switzerland
• Discounts on Nightjet trains through Switzerland
• Tip: For popular scenic routes like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express, consider making reservations in advance to secure your seat.
• This pass is only valid for residents outside of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
• Click here to view the area of validity.
• Cards are prevalidated at the time of purchase and can be purchased 6 months in advance.
• This is a public transportation service, seating will be on a first come first serve basis.
• Travel for free on a few designated routes by simply presenting your pass and passport/proof of residence to the conductor on the train. No need to buy a separate ticket beforehand.
• You will need to activate your pass at www.activateyourpass.com. You will receive a valid ticket for each activated travel day. You can either print your ticket or display it on your mobile device.
• This pass gives you a selected number of travel days. For example, With a 3-day pass, you can take as many trips as you want within a calendar day – midnight to 5am on the following day.
• These 3 days (or the option of days you pick) do not need to be used continuously. It can be any 3 days within 1 month from the first date of validity.
• Activated tickets can be deactivated/changed any number of times until 1 day prior to the selected travel day. On the selected travel day, an activated ticket cannot be deactivated anymore.

What are Swiss Travel Passes?

Seamless travel through the length and breadth of Switzerland via the super-efficient Swiss Travel System; that is the promise of a Swiss Travel Pass. Convenient, affordable, and time-saving, this travel card gives you access to Swiss trains, buses and boats. Trains like the Golden Pass Express, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express, included in your pass, make for scenic rides. Along with making movement easy, the pass also includes access to museums and other perks, to make your Swiss escapade even sweeter!

Types of Swiss Travel Passes

Swiss continuous travel pass.

Eligibility: Non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein

• Choose from 3/4/6/8/15 consecutive day passes
• Access to trains, buses, boats & premium trains like the Glacier Express
• 1st & 2nd class seating available
• Perks like discounts on cable cars, mountain excursions & entry to 500 museums

Swiss Flexible Travel Pass Flex

• Choose from 3/4/6/8/15 random day passes offering great flexibility
• 1 month validity with a choice of 1st or 2nd class tickets
• Extensive coverage with unlimited use of trains, boats, buses & premium trains like the Bernina Express
• Inclusions like free entry to 500+ museums, mountains excursions & discounts on cable cars

Swiss Half Fare Card

• 50% discount on public transport like trains, buses & boats
• Valid for 1 month
• Applicable on premium train routes like the Golden Pass, Bernina Express etc.
• Extensive area of validity

Reserve your seats

• Most Swiss trains do not require a seat reservation. You can simply get on board and take an available seat.
• Panoramic trains like the Bernina Express , the Chocolate Train, the Glacier Express , the Gotthard Panorama Express, and international trains require mandatory reservations, which can be done online or at the train station.

Swiss Travel Pass activation

Confirmation Mail

• Upon payment, you will receive email confirmation.
• Swiss Half Fare Card & Swiss Continuous Travel Pass can be found as a pdf attachment to the mail.
• In the case of a Swiss Flexi Travel Pass, a receipt will be found as an attachment in the mail.

• The passes come pre-validated and the start date will be the date chosen while booking. 

• Swiss Flexi Travel Pass should be activated at www.activateyourpass.com using the receipt from the booking voucher. You will receive a valid ticket for each activated travel day.

Print it out

• Swiss Half Fare Card & Swiss Continuous Travel Pass pdfs should be printed out.
• For Swiss Flexi Travel Pass, the activated travel day ticket can be produced digitally or physically, upon inspection.

Learn more on How to use the Swiss Travel Pass

*Please note that the activation process varies with different Swiss cards, so be sure to refer to them for more specific information.

Plan your journey with Swiss Travel Passes

• Valid ID: Keep your pass and a valid photo ID handy at all times during travel as they will have to be produced for inspection.
• Assistance: There are staff to help those who require assistance.
• Plan Ahead: A little bit of planning goes a long way while using train passes. Take stock of the routes and trains you intend to take and choose a Swiss travel pass accordingly.
• Make reservations: If you require seats or if the train necessitates mandatory reservations, book your seats ahead of time.

• Customization: Depending on your budget and whether you would like a communal or a more private experience, choose a 1st or 2nd class Swiss pass.
• Premium trains: Don't miss out on the premium trains included in your Swiss Travel Pass like Glacier Express & Bernina Express, famous for their incredible views. Read more about the Swiss scenic trains included in your pass.
• Benefit from inclusions: Be sure to take advantage of the perks that come with Swiss Travel Passes like mountain excursions to Brunni, and Stanserhorn; museum admissions, and discounted cable car tickets.
• Arrive Early: The trains work on a first come first serve basis, so arrive early at the stations. Getting to the station early will also help you navigate calmly and avoid stress. 

Download the Swiss Travel Pass and use it to easily map your Swiss journey. All major city connections along with the mode of transport are mentioned on the map.

Frequently asked questions about Swiss Travel Passes

A Swiss Travel Pass is a single valid travel document that gives you access to the entire transport system in Switzerland. Non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein can use it to gain entry to trains, buses, boats in 90+ Swiss cities.  

Depending on the validity and the features included, a Swiss Travel Pass is available at various price ranges starting from CHF 124.86. You can also avail of reduced pricing for youth and children.

You can purchase a Swiss Travel Pass online and save time and money while doing so.

While a Swiss Continuous Travel Pass mandates that the pass should be used on consecutive days, a Swiss Flexi Travel Pass will let you use the pass on random calendar days within a month. In the latter case, the days needn’t essentially be consecutive.

The validity of your Swiss Travel Pass depends on the type of ticket purchased. Please refer to your ticket details for more information.

Most Swiss trains do not require a prior reservation with a Swiss Travel Pass. In some premium trains like Glacier Express , Bernina Express , and some international trains, you have to make a seat reservation despite having a valid Swiss Travel Pass. Read more on Swiss Travel Pass seat reservation .

Yes, Swiss Travel Passes come at reduced rates for youth and children. Please check your ticket details for more information.

Cancellation and refund policy varies with the type of Swiss Travel Pass purchased. Kindly refer to your ticket for more specific information.

For those using a Swiss Flexi Travel Pass , a travel day is a day you have chosen to activate your pass, which means you would be traveling on that particular day using your Swiss Flexi Travel Pass. For the Swiss Continuous Pass , every day within the validity period is a travel day.

Swiss Half Fare Card offers a 50% discount on ticket fares. You should purchase the tickets from the local train station with your pass and then board the train.

The activation process varies slightly with the type of Swiss Travel Pass chosen. You can read more about pass usage and activation on how to use the Swiss Travel Pass .

Navigate to myswitzerland.com

Destinations

Your swiss holiday time.

Holiday destinations

• Summer holiday destinations
• Winter sports & ski resorts
• Family destinations

Attractions

• Top attractions
• UNESCO World Heritage sites / biospheres
• Travel by train, bus or boat
• Top museums
• Swiss Parks
• Scenic nature

Experiences

Additional content about subnavigation experiences.

• Family excursions
• Food & Wine
• Group excursions
• Guided tours

Summer & Autumn

• Bicycle & Mountain bike
• Adventure & Sports Summer
• Zoo & animal experiences
• Ski and snowboard
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoe and winter hiking
• Tobogganing
• Winter excursions
• Christmas in Switzerland

Cities & culture

• Parks, Gardens and Squares
• Architecture

Experience Tour

• Car, motorcycle - Grand Tour
• Train, bus, boat – Grand Train Tour
• Mountain excursions

Accommodation

• Typically Swiss Hotels
• Wellness & Spa
• Family Hotels
• Bike Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Inspiring Meeting Hotels
• Swiss Historic Hotels
• Luxury hotels
• Winter sports hotels

Other types of accommodation

• On the farm
• Bed and Breakfast
• Mountains huts
• Group accommodation

Transport & Stay

• Travel to Switzerland
• Barrier-free travel
• Tickets public transport
• Service & support
• Money and shopping

About Switzerland

• General facts
• Custom and tradition
• History of Switzerland
• The Swiss Art and Culture Scene
• Health Travel
• Sustainability

Weather & Climate

• Climate in Switzerland
• Snow Report
• Water and pool temperatures
• City offers
• Touring offers
• Wellness offers
• Nature and outdoor offers
• Offers for families

Where are you from?

• België (Nederlands)
• Belgique (Français)
• Deutschland
• Netherlands
• Russia (Россия)
• Schweiz (Deutsch)
• Suisse (Français)
• Svizzera (Italiano)
• Switzerland (English)
• United Kingdom
• Canada (English)
• Canada (Français)
• China 中文简体
• China 中文繁体
• Gulf countries العربية
• Japan 日本
• Korea 한국어
• United Arab Emirates
• New Zealand
• International

Language, region and important links

• Slovenština

Service Navigation

• Help & Contact

Bonus Benefits with the Swiss Travel Pass

Mountain railways.

Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Travel Pass Flex are entitled to at least 25% reduction on most mountain railways. Travelling to the top of Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos is even free of charge with a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

Swiss Travel Pass: 500 museums included

Switzerland is home to a vast variety of fascinating museums. And you can visit more than 500 of them free of charge with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Advertisement

The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway between Disentis and Andermatt.

Your benefits at this store:

• Low prices guaranteed
• Secure booking guaranteed
• Immediate confirmation

Exclusive to this online shop:

• Several articles are available as „e-ticket“ and can be printed at home. E-tickets will be sent separately.

Benefit even more now:

• Don't forget to add the new Swiss Coupon Pass to your order.

This is an official website for the sale of the Swiss Travel Pass as well as other Swiss Rail Passes within the Swiss Travel System.

Which Museums are included in the Swiss Travel Pass?

The Swiss Travel Pass offers free entry to more than 500 Museums , including the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Château de Chillon and the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum.

How long is a Swiss Travel Pass valid for?

The Swiss Travel Pass is valid for 3, 4, 8 or 15 consecutive days in 1st or 2nd class.

Where is the Swiss Travel Pass valid?

The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on the whole boat, rail and Postbus network in Switzerland, as shown here .

Which mountain excursions are included?

Trips up to Stoos, Brunni, Klewenalp, Stanserhorn and Rigi are included in the Pass. A 50% reduction is offered on most other mountain and cableways (Gornergrat, Titlis, etc).

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on Swiss Panoramic Railways?

Your ticket price is included in the Swiss Travel Pass but seat reservations are compulsory and a supplement must be paid non most routes. It is possible to pay for a class upgrade if you have a 2nd class Pass but would like to travel in 1st class non one of these services.

Are there any further inclusions?

The Swiss Travel Pass also offers free entry to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland.

What is the Swiss Travel Pass Flex?

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is valid for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days of your choosing in 1st or 2nd class within one month. On listed travel days, pass holders are entitled to all of the same additional benefits as the Swiss Travel Pass. Please note however, that on the days between specified travel days, additional benefits, such as 50% discounts and museum entries, are not valid.

We use cookies that are necessary for running the website and for providing you services. Additional cookies are only used if you consent to it. They serve statistical purposes or for displaying individual offers and ads. For more information, read our data protection statement and cookie policy .

By clicking "Agree" you consent to our use of cookies.

Swiss Travel Pass

Starting From USD 261

Book Swiss Travel Pass

Type of pass : continuous.

• Unlimited travel within the set selected days For example: If you choose Consecutive 8 Days Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimited times on Swiss Public Transport for 8 days.
• Pass is valid from the selected start date For example: If the selected start date is 1 st Jan 2024, then your pass is valid till 8 th Jan 2024 midnight.

Type of Pass : flexi

• Unlimited travel within 1 month from the selected start date For example: If you choose Flexi 8 Days Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimited times for any 8 days in one month
• Pass is valid from the selected start date For example: If you select start date as 1 st Jan 2024, then your pass is valid till 30 th Jan 2024 and you can travel unlimited for any 8 days within these 30 days.

Type of First class

• The First Class pass means a passenger can access the first-class sections of public transport like Train and Boat.
• In a train, the first-class seating is more spacious and has a separate section
• In a boat, the first -class section is the upper deck of the boat

Type of Second class

• The Second Class pass means a passenger can access only the second-class sections of public transport.

Combo Offers

Combo Offer Conditions

• Last date of purchase: 30 th Apr 2024
• Offer applicable only on the 2 nd Class ticket of the Swiss Travel Pass
• Important Note: No two promotions / offers can be clubbed together.

About Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss travel pass is the ideal ticket to travel across switzerland..

You can enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to visit more than 90 cities, reach peaks of many mountains, and sail through beautiful lakes in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass. You also benefit from free entrance to 500+ museums, discounted city tours, and access to private and scenic trains with a pre-requisite seat reservation.

Swiss Travel Pass offers children up to the age of 16 travel free of charge, just select Swiss Family Card when you purchase your pass. There are two broad types of Swiss Travel Pass: Continuous and Flexi, with an option to choose from 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days. So, whether you are travelling alone or with family, Swiss Travel Pass is the most preferred option to experience Switzerland, while helping you save money in your journey.

The Swiss Travel Pass is a must-have for any traveller to Switzerland.

Apart from it being an ‘all-in-one’ pass which allows a traveller to access all modes of public transportation within the country, it also offers numerous other benefits on the mountain excursions.

You can use trains, buses and even lake ferries to reach any destination including popular cities like Montreux, Lausanne, Zermatt, Geneva, Bern, Basel, Zurich and Lucerne.

Just reach your station or bus terminal or pier and hop on to the next available train or bus or boat for your destination. Allow them to take you through the most picturesque sceneries of your dream destination.

The Switzerland Rail Pass is the perfect partner whether you are looking to travel from town to town, or up to the mountains or off into the sunset on a cruise, hop on and off trains, buses and ferries at any time according to your wish for the day or time.

You only have to remember that there are some scenic train and bus routes that require a mandatory reservation. It would be wise to check with the ticket office before you board any such transport as it may not include in your Swiss Travel Pass cost .

If you are not looking to travel to a new destination but only within the town you are staying at, you can still use the Swiss Pass to move around town on the local buses or trams.

This way you can cover each of the towns and their attractions seamlessly with your Swiss Pass and make the most of it.

It is jam packed with bonuses! Free public transportation, discounted city tours (check at the local tourism offices in each place or at the stations), free entrances to over 500 museums, free boat trips and more are included in your Swiss Pass price.

The Swiss Travel Pass benefits not just passengers who want to be constantly on the move.

If you are one of those travellers who wants to spend time in each place and move to other places only after a few days, you can opt for the Swiss Travel Pass Flex which will allow you to use your days as and when you need them within a period of one month.

So be it the adventurous, the avid or the leisure traveller, you will have the chance to make the most of your Switzerland Rail Pass. Switzerland tourism also benefits from such an inclusive pass that eases the overall cost of the travellers and helps in exploring the alpine country freely.

Don’t forget your Swiss Pass is the most family friendly pass ever! It allows your children under 16 years to travel absolutely FREE with the Swiss Travel Pass Family Card !

Types of Swiss Pass

Validity: Valid on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days Both the above passes are available in 1st and 2nd class and also offer the youth pass option for travellers under 25 years of age.

There are 2 types of Swiss Travel Passes:

Continuous and Flexi Swiss Passes

• Continuous Swiss Travel Pass The pass allows the passengers to travel on consecutive days depending on the number of days the pass is purchased for.
• The Swiss Travel Pass Flex This pass offers the same services and benefits as the Swiss Travel Pass but gives greater flexibility since it allows you to utilize the chosen number of days within a one month period.

Major Benefits of Switzerland Rail Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is packed with benefits, some of which are listed below

• Unlimited Free travel on all public buses, boats and trams and trains in over 90 cities
• Free travel on panoramic trains (reservations may be needed)
• Free admission to over 500 museums
• Free mountain excursions: Rigi, Stoos and Stanserhorn
• Up to 50% Swiss Travel Pass discount on other mountain excursions
• Children under 16 years of age accompanied by at least one parent holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass, travel FREE with the Swiss Family Card.
• Available in electronic version making it really simple
• The Swiss Travel Pass is worth it when compared to multiple single-journey tickets

How and Where to Buy Swiss Travel Pass

Make sure that your Swiss Travel Pass is purchased from a reliable supplier. You can buy Swiss Travel Pass online on swisstours.com and the same will be instantly sent to your email id.

How to choose your Swiss Rail Pass

Depending on your Switzerland itinerary , create your Swiss Travel Pass itinerary. If you are in Switzerland for a short duration, it would be best to have a pass covering your entire stay. This way you will be able to use the pass on a daily basis for intercity and local public Switzerland transport as well.

If you are staying for a relatively longer period and are sure you will not be travelling every day, then you may want to consider the Swiss Travel Pass Flex so that you can use it only for your intended days of travel.

Basic steps to identifying your ideal Swiss Pass would be

• List your travel days and requirements
• Find out the point to point sector fares for the same
• Compare it to the cost of the available Swiss Pass cost

What are Swiss Travel Pass Inclusion?

Your Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel all the public boats, trains, trams and buses in 90 cities and towns in Switzerland.

It also includes free transport to some of the mountains and discounted travel on many others. The pass also allows free entrance to over 500 museums on your Switzerland trip.

Top free museums

The Switzerland Train pass allows free entrance to almost 500 museums.

Some of the more popular ones are the Open-air museum in Ballenberg, The Tinguely Museum in Basel, the Richard Wagner Museum in Lucerne and the Einstein Museum in Bern.

Free and Discounted attractions

The Swiss Travel Pass allows free travel to some really popular mountains.

Travel to them for some amazing views over towns, lakes and nearby regions.

Just show your Switzerland train pass at the base stations of these mountains and take the next available transport to the peaks.

Free mountain excursions

• Stanserhorn

Top discounted mountains with Swiss Pass

Enjoying mountain excursions is always included in every traveller’s things to do in Switzerland

No Switzerland tour package is complete without visiting the most popular mountains. There are many mountains in each region that you can visit.

Your Swiss Travel Pass will allow you to avail of either discounted fares to reach these peaks by train, funicular or cable cars.

Some of the most popular mountain excursions and the places that you can reach them from are as follows :

• Jungfraujoch , Interlaken
• Mount Titlis , Lucerne
• Mount Pilatus, Lucerne
• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Zermatt
• Gornergrat, Zermatt
• Sunnegga Paradise, Montreux
• Glacier 3000 , Gstaad

Free boat cruises

Your Switzerland Rail Pass also covers the transport on some of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland. Some popular cruises listed below. You just have to show your pass and hop on these cruises

There are also other lake cruises in Switzerland like the boat trip on the Rhine from Basel, on which you can use your with Swiss Travel Pass discount.

How to use a Switzerland Train Pass

The Switzerland Pass is super easy to use. All passes are now electronic passes making it really simple.

The Swiss Travel Pass 2022 is a pre validated pass. It is ready for travel once you have received and printed the same.

The PDF file that you receive will have a code that train staff can scan from your smart phone. However, officially you need a printout too, which is why it is always good to carry an A4 sized printout of the swisspass with you at all times

Once your swiss rail Pass is valid, you can use it for the number of days you purchased it for. The time of start does not matter.

The swisspass works on calendar days, which means if you have an 8 days Switzerland itinerary and purchased an Swiss Pass 8 Days starting on the 5th of May, the pass will be valid till midnight on the 12th of May.

You do not need seat reservations for trains and buses in Switzerland. You can simply board with your Swiss Travel Pass.

However there are exceptions - the panoramic trains like the Glacier Express which require a mandatory seat reservation at an extra cost. Seat reservations are not included in the swiss rail pass cost.

If you are travelling to a mountain or using any other discounted service, you must keep in mind that one of your Swiss Travel Pass will be used that day. You will be requested to show your Swiss Train Pass and the purchased mountain voucher at the boarding point of such services.

Electronic passes or e-Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Rail Pass is an electronic pass.

The electronic Switzerland Rail Pass can be shown on your smart phone or as an A4 size print whenever requested for by the checker.

Remember that you must also have your passport in hand incase it is asked for along with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Where is the Switzerland Travel Pass valid

Your Switzerland Travel Pass is valid throughout the country. Some of the most popular places that you can visit and stay at with your Swiss Train pass are

It is the industrial, financial, and cultural centre of the country and one of the most cosmopolitan and dynamic Swiss cities. Throughout the city centre, green space extends to the shores of Lake Zürich, which are lined by attractive public parks, and up to the slopes of Zürichberg.

Zürich’s lively and well-preserved Altstadt (Old Town), part of the city centre, boasts an architectural legacy including the Romanesque Grossmünster, built by Charlemagne in the 700s; the 13th-century St. Peter’s Church; and elegant guild houses and patrician residences, some of which are used as restaurants or for civic functions.

Among the must see places in Zurich are the Grossmünster, The Fraumunster, Uetliberg- Zurich;s own mountain, Zurich Lake and the famous Bahnofstrasse where you can see all the high end luxury shops and indulge in some retail therapy. Don’t forget your Swiss Pass price includes the tram network of the city making all these places very accessible to you.

Lucerne or Luzern as it is called, is divided into two parts by the Reuss River, which is crossed by seven bridges within the town.

Lucerne has one of the most picturesque settings in Switzerland. The Spreuerbrücke (1407), which is now considered the oldest bridge, is roofed and decorated with 56 paintings including scenes from the Dance of Death from the early 17th century.

Until its destruction by fire in 1993, the Kapellbrücke or the more popularly called Chapel Bridge, was the oldest bridge.

The old town is distinguished by well-preserved 14th-century town walls with nine watchtowers, quaint alleys, and squares. It houses the old town hall, the historical museum, St. Peter’s Chapel, the Hofkirche, the Lion Monument and the Swiss Museum of Transport .

You can use your Swiss Train Pass to cover the things to do in Lucerne town using its buses and boat cruises.

You can take one of the free boat cruises or opt for the Lucerne Dinner Cruise or the Saphir boat cruises both of which are discounted on the Switzerland Travel pass

Interlaken is a town in Central Switzerland in the Bernese Highlands. The town gets Its name from its position nestled between 2 lakes: Lake Brienz to the east and Thun to the west. It is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most frequented summer tourist resorts.

The main attraction of this tiny town is its main avenue, the Höheweg, which is lined with numerous watch and jewellery shops, souvenir shops and hotels that range from modest hostels to luxury and boutique hotels.

Interlaken commands a magnificent view of the Jungfrau to the south and is a starting point for many Alpine excursions.

Closer to home it has the Harder Kulm which you can visit for a lovely snack and an amazing view over the town. Your Swiss Travel Pass allows you to travel on the buses and trains that connect this city and run between Interlaken ost (East) and West.

Interlaken is also a perfect base if you want to stay for a few days and cover the rest of the country from there. Among the things to do in Interlaken includes the Trummelbach falls, and Giesbach Falls.

The nearby towns of Thun, Brienz and Grindelwald are also a huge attraction. You can also take a boat cruise for free on the Lakes with your Swiss Travel Pass or else opt for the adrenaline pumping jet boat cruise (payable).

The town itself is at an elevation of 5,302 feet and commands some of the finest views in Switzerland and is also a popular centre for mountaineering and winter sports. Cableways are numerous, and the highest in Europe leads up the Klein-Matterhorn.

Equipped with your Switzerland Train pass, you can visit one or more of the most popular mountain excursions: the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise with Swiss Pass discount, the Gornergrat or the Rothorn Paradise.

Zermatt is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland in winter .

Your Swiss Travel pass allows you unlimited access on all of these peaks.

A town that offers it all, lakes, mountains and vineyards, Montreux offers a picture perfect landscape.

It is the perfect base from which you can cover the full Geneva region including Geneva and Lausanne.

Montreux and the nearby region has been immortalised by many celebrities. Freddy Mercury’s album cover for Made in Heaven is picturised here, Charlie Chaplin chose to spend the last 2 decades and more of his life in the region. Visit the Chillon Castle, walk the lake promenade, visit the casino and enjoy the unmatched beauty of this lakeside resort with your convenient Swisspass.

Take a boat cruise and reach Lausanne, visit the nearby cheese factory in Gruyeres or the buildings of the UN and the famous jet D’eau in Geneva.

Your Switzerland Train Pass will allow you to get up close to all of the must-see places in the region

Montreux and the nearby region has been immortalised by many celebrities. Freddy Mercury’s album cover for Made in Heaven is picturised here, Charlie Chaplin chose to spend the last 2 decades and more of his life in the region.

Visit the Chillon Castle, walk the lake promenade, visit the casino and enjoy the unmatched beauty of this lakeside resort with your conveneient Swiss Travel pass.

If you are on honeymoon in Switzerland , Montreux is a must-visit place for you.

Your Switzerland Train Pass will allow you to get up close to all of the must-see places in the region.

Lugano, the largest city in the Canton of Ticino is situated in the Southern Italian speaking belt.

Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid viewpoints. Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular all round tourist destination.

Lugano is famous for its lake promenade with lush green vegetation, parks with sub- tropical plants and wood carvings.

It also has 2 mountains which make for nice excursions Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, give you an outstanding panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery.

From Monte Brè there is a walk down to the village of Brè, which has preserved its typical Ticino village centre, and enhanced it with works of art.

From the San Salvatore another popular walk leads down through the beautifully situated Carona to Lake Lugano at Morcote. Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a splendid way to round off the day.

Other excursions are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature at Melide.

All in all Lugano is a place to eat, chat and enjoy the mild Mediterranean atmosphere. The Swiss Travel Pass will help you to discover this regions. You can use it on the buses, boats and trams that connect the region.

Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a splendid way to round off the day. Other excursions are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature at Melide ( Swiss Miniatur ).

All in all Lugano is a place to eat, chat and enjoy the mild Mediterranean atmosphere. The Swiss Pass offers you to discover this regions. You can use it on the buses, boats and trams that connect the region.

Scenic routes on Switzerland Train Pass

All you need to do to avail of this amazing journey is purchase a reservation for the segment needed and then use the same with your Switzerland Travel Pass.

Journey time:

Total journey time: The entire route takes almost 5.5 hours.

Segments: Montreux to Zweisimmen, Zweisimmen to Interlaken, Interlaken to Lucerne

Highlight: VIP seats Montreux to Zweisimmen

Your Swiss Travel Pass offers you to travel on some of the most beautiful routes and trains that the country offers.

Glacier Express

Sit back and prepare to be amazed!! You are aboard the Glacier Express, the slowest express train in the world!!

The panoramic journey on the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps is one to remember. Start off in St. Moritz, the playground of the rich and famous and travel to Zermatt, the home to the world's most photographed mountain, the Matterhorn.

This 8-hour journey takes you over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. Along with the eyes, feast your palate as well! Order the meal freshly prepared on board and served at your seat.

All you have to do now is learn more about the route through the Alps via headphone – making sure you don't miss a single highlight.

To make the experience even more special, opt for the Glacier Express Excellence The new Excellence Class sets standards as high as the mountain peaks along the legendary route.

All you need to do to avail of this amazing journey is purchase a reservation for the segment needed and then use the same with your Switzerland Train pass

Total journey time: 7.30 hours

Zermatt to St Moritz or vice versa

Along the way: Oberalp pass, Rhine Gorge, Landwasser viaduct

Bernina Express

Go from snow- capped mountains to palm fringed lakes all in a day! Switzerland’s South is arguably the most stunning. It is also the melting pot of its various cultures and languages.

Traverse through this enchanting wonderland of diverse landscapes through towns dotted with castles, lake rivieras and UNESCO World heritage sites on the unique Bernina Express journey via bus and train.

Travel in Spring if you want to see the perfect combination of green valleys and lots of snow in the mountains. In winter, the section from St. Moritz to Tirano is especially worth it.

Book the most famous routes from St Moritz to Lugano via Tirano in Italy on this famous train and bus combination and make your holiday truly special with a discount with the Swiss Pass .

All you need to do to avail of this amazing journey is purchase a reservation for the segment needed and then use the same with your Switzerland Rail Pass

Average journey time: 4 hours

Chur / Davos / St Moritz to Tirano

Bus from Tirano to Lugano

Highlights: 196 bridges, 55 tunnels, UNESCO World Heritage site

Golden Pass Line

A cross-country journey like no other! The 3 train journeys that make up the amazing Golden Pass Line route takes you from the pristine Lake Geneva region, past the Bernese Oberland and into the historical heart of Switzerland.

Start your Switzerland Tour by taking off from Montreux say goodbye to the Mediterranean ambience and the views of Lake Geneva.

In Zweisimmen, be prepared for a treat if you have booked early enough and are privileged enough to get the seats with the drivers eye view. Then sit back and relax on the Lucerne Interlaken Express which passes through amazing lake vistas and the Brunig pass before getting you into Lucerne.

Why To Buy Swiss Travel Pass

• Unlimited Access to Rail, Boat, and Bus in 90+ Towns and Cities
• Free Entry at 500+ Museums
• Up to 50% Discount on Many Mountain Excursions and Rail Travel
• Children Entry Free

How It Works

Select your swiss travel pass.

Choose the right Swiss Travel Pass that suits your requirements in terms of number of days, and class of travel.

Confirmation

Follow the step-by-step booking procedure which allows you to view rates, select total number of passengers and see your total amount payable before you make the final booking.

Make the Payment

After selection of the pass and submission of your details (name, date of birth, email id etc.) you will be directed to the 3D secured payment page where you can make payment by Debit/ Credit Card/ Net Banking/ UPI.

Time to Travel like a Swiss

Once you have made the payment, you will immediately receive a confirmation email from us. You can download your e-Swiss Travel Pass from your email (a download link will be in the email).

* If you need assistance in selecting the right Swiss Travel Pass for you, please contact us.

* If you are travelling to multiple countries in Europe, you can also book rail passes of other countries with us.

Photo Gallery

FAQs on Swiss Travel Pass

What is a swiss travel pass.

A Swiss Travel Pass is a pass that allows you to access unlimited travel on a train, bus, boat, and tram across Switzerland’s public transport and provides up to 50% discounts on excursions.

Where can I use my Swiss Travel Pass?

You can use your Swiss Travel Pass in the whole Swiss Travel System : in all trains, post buses, trams & even boats.

How do I book the Swiss Travel Pass online with Swisstours?

• Book your pass on www.swisstours.com by clicking on the Swiss Travel Pass tab on the home page.
• From the list of passes, select the Swiss Travel Pass that suits your travel requirements in terms of the number of days, 1st or 2nd class and consecutive or Flexi days’ pass.
• If you need help selecting the most appropriate pass, contact our specialists at [email protected]
• After selection of the pass and submission of your details (name, date of travel, and other mandatory information) you will be directed to the payment page to make the payment.
• Once the payment is complete, you will immediately receive an e-Swiss Travel Pass voucher in your email as an attachment.

How can I validate my Swiss Travel Pass?

Effective 1st September 2015, the Swiss Travel Pass is a pre validated & closed dated pass.

The traveller will need to provide their first day of use of the pass while making the booking. This date will be printed on the pass.

Travellers must carry a valid passport in order to travel with this rail pass.

What is an adult pass?

A passenger 25 yrs and above is entitled to purchase an adult Swiss Travel Pass.

What is a youth pass ?

A person under 25 yrs can purchase a youth Swiss Travel Pass.

Are there family passes?

The Swiss travel system offers the Swiss family card. This card provides free travel for children under 16 years when travelling with atleast one parent.

What is the difference between a Consecutive-day pass and a Flexi pass?

A consecutive-day pass provides unlimited rail travel on all days for the chosen duration of the pass. This pass is preferred by those who wish to travel every day during their stay in Switzerland. A flexi pass is valid for a specific number of days which can be used consecutively or non-consecutively within a longer period. This pass is preferred by those who wish to travel only on certain days during their stay in Switzerland.

Till what age can children travel free on the Swiss transport system?

Children under 16 years of age accompanied by at least one parent can travel free on the Swiss travel system. Children travelling without parents can still avail of a 50% discount on the Swiss travel pass.

Is reservation on trains compulsory if I have a Swiss Travel Pass?

Swiss Travel Pass is valid on trains operated by SBB (Schweizerische BundesBahn), the national railway company of Switzerland. For domestic trains operated in Switzerland, seat reservations are not required. Exceptions are the special scenic trains such as Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Golden Pass and Wilhelm Tell Express. For these trains, a supplement and/or seat reservation is required for Swiss Travel Pass holders.

What is the cancellation charge if I am unable to use my Swiss Travel Pass?

• Refundable up to 2 days prior to first date of validity with an administrative fee of CHF 10 per pass.
• Thereafter, no refund. If pass is used or flexi days are activated, non-refundable.
• Once the pass has been cancelled the passenger will not be able to use it.

Can Mountain excursions be bought along with the Swiss Travel Pass?

Yes, you can surely buy the mountain excursions online with the Swiss Travel Pass and benefit from upto 50% discounted rates. Once you have purchased your Swiss Travel Pass you can add the desired mountain excursions to your shopping cart and pay for all services at one go.

The mountains in the combo offer are added to the Swiss Pass. Kindly select your number of Swiss Pass days and click ‘Book Now’ to proceed with the combo offer.

A Swiss Half Fare Card is valid for one month. It doesn’t have to be the first day of a month. You can choose any start date you want. For example: you can start the validity period on August 10. In this case, September 9 is the last day you can use it.

Validity ends at 5: 00 AM of the day following the last day.In the above example, validity ends on September 10, 5: 00 AM.

• Once booking is complete, you will receive a PDF file on the email ID entered at the time of boking. Keep that on your smartphone. The file contains a code that train staff can scan. Alternatively carry a print on plain A4 paper.
• The pass is good to use as it has all the necessary information, such as the start date, passenger name, and birth date. Your passport number won't be included on the card. If your name is too long to fit, it might be shortened on the pass, but that's not an issue.
• You don’t have to link your pass to any account, such as a SwissPass account or the SBB App.
• Proof of owning a Swiss Half Fare Card is not required at the time of ticket purchase; it will be verified on board.
• Most trains in Switzerland don't require seat reservations. With your Swiss Half Fare Card and a discounted ticket, you can board the train. However, panoramic trains require compulsory seat reservations.

You must secure your discounted tickets prior to boarding. Tickets can be purchased on the SBB app or website, from ticketing machines at the stations or at staffed rail stations during operating hours.