[FREE 2024 guide] How to use trains in Switzerland?!
Switzerland
Across the country, Swiss trains are serviced by SBB (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen). We highly recommend downloading the SBB app and making an account to keep track of your tickets and passenger group (if traveling with friends or family).
All prices shown are estimates of 2nd class adult tickets provided for reference as of June 2024
Ticket & Pass Types
Your transport options include point-to-point tickets or day passes:
Tourist Tip!
For any SBB ticket purchased from the SBB website (including non-refundable ones) you have a 30 minute window to request a full refund! We once panicked after buying the wrong non-refundable ticket but had no issue getting our money back.
Regular tickets
Regular tickets are valid for travel from one station to another. They can be used for any train on that specified route for the specified day.
Note that regular priced tickets can quickly become the most expensive option for tourists. Tickets are usually fixed price which means they can be purchased day of, but do not include any of the many discounts SBB offers.
Supersaver tickets
Supersaver tickets provide a discount of up to 50% off of the regular fare price. However, they are valid only on the specified train and connection(s) chosen during checkout. These tickets have limited availability. For popular routes, we recommend booking at least 2 months in advance.
Supersaver tickets are worth it for tourists if the total ticket price for all your trains that day is less than 52 CHF. Otherwise you're better off getting a Saver Day Pass (see below).
If there is a delay or missed connection that is SBB's fault, you can take another train without issue. But if you miss your train yourself, you will be required to buy another ticket.
Tourist Tip!
If you are using the SBB app/website to buy a Supersaver ticket, there is a setting to change your minimum connection time. By default, the website choses the shortest time (usually about 5 minutes). To ensure we make our connections, even with delays, we usually increase it to 15 minutes.
Saver Day Pass
Based on our travels, we have found the Saver Day Pass to be the most economical and flexible option for tourists. The base price is 52 CHF. You purchase the pass for a specific date, and tickets go on sale 6 months in advance. Ticket prices increase as the date approaches, maxing out at 119 CHF. We recommend purchasing at least 2 months in advance.
The Saver Day Pass includes unlimited travel on almost all forms of transportation within the entire country of Switzerland. This includes trains, buses, ferries, and local public transportation within cities.
The best part of the Saver Day Pass is many tourist activities are included. This is a huge savings because a single ticket to these attractions can already be more expensive than 52 CHF.
Tourist attractions fully included in the Saver Day Pass:
Scenic Boat Rides:
Rhine River in Basel, Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Zurich
Mountain Top Trains & Cable Cars:
Rigi, Rochers-de-Naye, Stanserhorn
Scenic Trains*:
Bernina Express, Centovalli Railway, Glacier Express, GoldenPass, Gotthard Panorama Express, Lötschberg Mountain Railway, Voralpen-Express
*Note that for scenic trains, all passengers must purchase a train ticket and a seat reservation separately. The Saver Day Pass covers the ticket cost but each passenger must still purchase a seat reservation.
Tourist Tip! (Especially for Geneva, Lausanne, & Montreux)
As of 2024, the Saver Day Pass includes FREE fare all the way to Rochers-de-Naye (a panoramic mountain top of the Swiss Alps). The more expensive Swiss Travel Pass only provides a 50% discount to Rochers-de-Naye. A single regular ticket to Rochers de Naye summit can cost more than 100 CHF. For Geneva, Lausanne, & Montreux travelers, choose the Saver Day Pass to save money!
With all of these transport options and tourist activities included, we believe the Saver Day Pass provides the most value for the average tourist.
Swiss Travel Pass
The Swiss Travel Pass is specifically designed for tourists. You can get unlimited traveling for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days. Prices vary based on the duration you choose, with adult tickets ranging from 244 to 459 CHF.
Note that there is also a flex version which allows you to use the pass for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 NON-consecutive days within 1 month. Adult ticket prices range from 279 to 479 CHF.
Tourist Tip!
With the Swiss Travel Pass, children under 16 can travel with an adult for free! Just include the free Swiss Family Card to your cart when purchasing from the SBB website.
Trains, buses, boats, and city transport are all included (just like the Saver Day Pass). The main advantage of the Swiss Travel Pass is that it also includes museum entry and a discount for tickets to Switzerland's most famous mountain peaks.
For example: Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a 50% discount on the cable car from Grindelwald to First, and a 25% discount for the ticket to Jungfraujoch. Both of these are popular mountain top attractions from accessible from the town of Interlaken.
Read about what to do in Interlaken in our FREE guide here:
Half-Fare Travelcard
The Half-Fare Travelcard is not a ticket or pass. It is an annual pass that gives you a discount on your purchases.
An adult Half-Fare Travelcard costs 190 CHF per year. Most locals use this option, however the cost is not usually economical for short stay tourists.
For reference, the Travelcard saves purchasers 23 CHF off of each Saver Day Pass. This means that the card begins saving you money if you plan to purchase 9+ individual Saver Day Passes in one year.
SBB App
The SBB App is honestly our favorite public transport app out of the countries we've been to. This is because of two reasons:
1. All of your tickets are automatically organized and are easily accessible from the app home screen.
2. You can save and track multiple train/boat/bus journeys. This was a life saver for our day trips because we were never sure how long we wanted to spend out exploring. This let us save multiple options so we could easily catch any of our trains and its connections and be sure we got on before the final train of the night.
Tourist Tip!
Sign into the app BEFORE buying your ticket/pass. There is no way to add a pre-purchased ticket to your SBB account.
Do I need to validate my ticket?
No, in Switzerland there is no need to validate your ticket before getting on the train. There will be ticket inspectors on board especially for long or popular routes. They will scan your digital ticket or punch your physical ticket.
Tourist Tip!
For both the Saver Day Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass, you are required to bring ID. The inspector asked for our passports, but accepted my CA drivers license (not sure if this always works).
Getting around the station
Swiss trains are typically known for their reliability. We've found that arriving to the station 30 minutes before your train provides plenty of time to reach your train, even for anxious travelers. For large stations, your train platform maybe not be announced until 10 to 20 minutes before departure.
Tourist Tip!
The Departure Boards list the final destination of each train. This is important to note if you have a journey where you get off before the final stop of the train.
For example if you are traveling from Bern to Basel, your ticket may list Bern -> Olten & Olten -> Basel. You won't find a train labeled Olten because it is a stop on the way to Zürich. Therefore, you must board the Zürich train.
Multiple trains typically do not depart at the same time, so check the time of your departure. And don't hesitate to ask a staff member if you are confused!
While on the train
Luggage
There is no luggage size or weight limit for SBB trains. However, you will be responsible for bringing them on and off the train and securing them safely during travel. There are limited luggage racks located at the ends of each car. You'll also have space for a backpack or mini luggage above your seat.
Bathrooms
Most trains have public bathrooms/toilets, which are free to use. Note that they may not be the cleanest options.
Train Ticket Inspectors
It is common to have ticket inspectors on board, especially for trains between popular destinations. Be prepared to present your ticket (digital or physical). Note that certain passes require passengers to present valid ID in addition to the ticket. We've always found inspectors who speak English. It's common for them to speak at least English, German, and French.
Where to start your Swiss Adventure
We've found Bern to be our favorite "home-base" for Switzerland train day trips! Read about the beautiful & historic city of Bern in our FREE guide!
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