Swiss travel pass – Where to buy & How to buy (updated)
Travelling around in Switzerland is much simpler compared to most European countries, thanks to its extensive network of efficient public transport. The public transport in Switzerland comprises of trains, funicular, cable car, buses, trams and boats. Most of the tourists here use a Swiss Travel Pass to get moving around the city. Scroll to know the authenticated information like where to purchase swiss pass & how to buy a swiss pass and much more.
Adventurous Switzerland getaway
What is a Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Travel Pass system allows tourists to travel through 75 towns and cities of Switzerland. Depending on the type of pass you choose, you will be entitled to unlimited access to public transport for a limited time or you can avail half fare concessions and other discounts on travelling charges.
Let us quickly have a look at the type of Swiss Travel passes available:
Note: All the prices mentioned are from the official site. The prices vary depending on the retailers.
Swiss Travel Pass
A Swiss Travel Pass allows unlimited travel on the Switzerland Travel System network which includes rails, buses and boats. These passes come with a validity of 3,4, 8 and 15 days. You can buy one using any valid ID or passport. With this pass, you can also take advantage of free entrance to around 500 museums in Switzerland and avail 50% discount on most mountain railways and cable cars.
Children aged 6-15 years accompanied by at least one parent can travel for free. Children travelling without their parents receive a 50% reduction of the adult individual Swiss Travel Pass. It must be noted that this pass is only available to non-residents of Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein. If you don’t travel on such a consecutive day using the Swiss Travel Pass, it still counts as a travel day.
Swiss Travel Pass Flex
A Swiss Travel Flex Pass allows unlimited travel on the Switzerland Travel System network for a validity of 3,4, 8 and 15 non-consecutive days within a month. The facilities that you can avail on the selected days is same as the Swiss Travel Pass. This pass can only be purchased by the non-residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein
Swiss Transfer Ticket
The Swiss Transfer Ticket is ideal for the non-residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein spending their holidays in a single location. It is a return ticket from the Swiss border or one of Switzerland’s airports to your destination. Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne and Lugano are also counted as border or airport stations. The ticket is valid for a month, but each journey must be completed in a day and on the most direct route.
Also, this Transfer Ticket cannot be purchased in Switzerland and are only available at foreign points of sales or online. Children aged 6-15 years accompanied by at least one parent can travel for free. Children travelling without their parents will receive a 50% reduction of the adult individual Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Flexi Pass.
Swiss Half Fare Card
The Swiss Half Fare Card will allow you to take unlimited rides in trains, bus, boats and some cable cars at half the original price within a month. This pass is only available to non-residents of Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein. Children aged 6-15 years accompanied by at least one parent can travel for free. Children travelling without their parents will receive a 50% reduction of the adult individual Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Flexi Pass. The card is priced CHF120.
Swiss Coupon Pass
With the Swiss Coupon Pass, you can enjoy unlimited discounts and offers like “2 for 1” and other great discounts in 11 different tourist destinations namely- Bern, Basel, Zurich, St. Gallen, St. Moritz, Lugano, Zermatt, Montreaux, Geneva, Interlaken and Luzern. 100 exclusive coupon passes will also offer 50% discount on various restaurants, city tours, entrance fees to attractions, and up-grades on train and boat with a total value of over CHF 4500.
The Swiss Coupon Pass is valid for one year and cannot be accumulated. When travelling in groups, only one coupon will be accepted per group. Given below is a list of items for which the discounts are valid:
- Tourist attractions, adventure parks, museums
- Guided Tours on foot, by coach, mini-train and Segway
- Restaurants (Swiss and international cuisine)
- Swiss Tavolata (Swiss rural dining experience)
- UNESCO Sites and Swiss Castles
- Swiss mountain and cruise tours and dining experiences
- Entrance fees for pools and thermal baths
- Rentals (cars, motorcycles and sports equipment)
- Chocolate-, milk-, and cheese-experiences
Also Read- Switzerland travel – Top things to do with family during Swiss vacations
How to Buy a Swiss Travel Pass?
You can buy a Swiss Travel Pass online from here. Passes can be also purchased at staffed rail stations.
How Does it Work?
Once you purchase the Swiss Travel Pass of your choice and pay using your credit or debit card, you will immediately receive a confirmation email with the e-tickets and the original hard copy of the tickets will be couriered to your address in 3-4 days. Once you receive your pass, it needs to be validated by railway personnel if the start date of the pass is not filled out yet. You can have the pass validated at a staffed Switzerland station. In case, the start date of the pass is already printed on it, you can validate the pass yourself. For this, you will need to fill out a few details like your name, passport number and the country of residence.
When you board any public transport, you need to show your pass to the ticket controller. In addition to this, you may also be asked to show your passport. For discounted or paid rides, you need to get a valid ticket before boarding the vehicle. Most train rides do not require a seat reservation. However, for those which do, like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, the seat reservations must be done separately as they are not included in the pass. To check out the complete list of areas covered by the Swiss Travel pass, check this.
Also Read- Lovable Lucerne – Top things to do in Lucerne during your Switzerland holidays!
Here are the top attractions where you can use the Swiss pass.
Bernina Express
The Bernina Express is a direct free train ride from Chur to Tirano in Italy for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders. It crosses the canton of Graubünden from the north to the south. In Summer, the Bernina Express also runs from Davos and St. Moritz as well.
Bettmerhorn
A cable car ride from Betten to Bettmerhorn will allow you to enjoy a first class view of the largest glacier in the Alps. With a Swiss Travel pass or a Swiss Flexi Pass, you can travel for free till Bretten and avail 50% discount on the cable car ride thereafter
Boat trip Basel
The boat ride is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders and there are several docks where one can get on or off the boats, but the main one is in the centre of Basel.
Boat trip Lake Brienz
The boat ride in Lake Brienz is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders. The main boat docks are in Brienz and Interlaken, both of which can be reached by car or by train.
Boat trip Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Switzerland, it can be reached on foot from any of the towns along the lake. The boat trip is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders.
Boat Trip Lake Lucerne
You can reach Lucerne by car or train and take the boat ride which is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders.
Boat trip Lake Lugano
Enjoy the view of the picturesque villages in the Lake Lugano region. You can reach Lugano by car or train and take the boat ride which is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders.
Boat trip Lake Maggiore
For a day boat trip to Lake Maggiore, the boat docks in Locarno and Ascona are the best places to board. Naturally, the ride is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders.
Boat trip Lake Thun
You can reach Thun or Interlaken by car or bus and then enjoy the boat trip in Lake Thun. It is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders.
Boat trip Lake Zurich
You can reach Zurich by car or by train and from there the main boat docks in Zurich can be reached on foot or by tram. The Boat ride is free for people with a valid Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass.
Brienzer Rothorn Mountain
Travel to Brienz for free on train or boat. From Brienz, take a train to Rothorn at 50% discount. At Brienzer Rothorn, board the steam cogwheel for a wonderful round trip with a breathtaking view of the mountain top. The ticket to the steam engine can be purchased online.
Cardada-Cimetta Mountain
Reach Locarno by train and take a funicular up to the Cardada-Cimetta mountaintop. Both the rides are free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders
Castles of Bellinzona
The three castles of Bellinzona are a UNESCO World Heritage site and can be reached by train which is free if you have a Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass
Centovalli Railway
The Centovalli route connects Domodossola in Italy to Locarno in Switzerland. Domodossola is the start of the Centovalli route and can be reached easily from Brig by train. The train ride is free of Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders
Corvatsch Mountain
Reach Surlej by bus or car and take a cable car from the village of Surlej near St. Moritz to Corvatsch mountain. The entire route is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders
Eggishorn Viewpoint
The Eggishorn is a peak located in the south of the Aletsch glacier. Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders can take a free train to Fiesch and then board a cable car from Fiesch to Eggishorn at 50% discount.
Glacier Express
The Glacier Express is a direct train from Zermatt in the canton of Valais to St. Moritz in the canton of Graubünden, and vice versa. Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders can ride it for free. Seat reservation is required.
Golden Pass line
The Golden Pass starts in Lucerne and ends in Montreux covering Meiringen, Interlaken, Spiez, Zweisimmen and Gstaad on the way. Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders can ride it for free and reservation is not mandatory.
Gornergrat Mountain
You have to reach Zermatt by train and then take a cogwheel to Gornergrat. Train to Zermatt is free and cogwheel tickets can be purchased at a 50% discount if you are a Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holder.
Gotthard Panorama Express
The Gotthard Panorama Express is a combined boat and train journey from Lucerne to Lugano, or vice versa connecting the north and the south of Switzerland. Seat reservation and surcharge is mandatory. A boat ride from Lucerne to Flüelen and train from Flüelen to Lugano is free for a Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holder
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
The Jungfraujoch can be reached by cogwheel train which can be boarded on multiple stations. All trains to the Jungfraujoch depart from Kleine Scheidegg. Kleine Scheidegg can be reached via Interlaken. A Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Flexi Pass will let you travel from Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch at a 25% discount. Ticket to Jungfraujoch can be purchased online or bought from any Switzerland railway station. The ticket prices vary by the season. June to August is the most expensive while November to early December is the cheapest.
Klein Matterhorn – Glacier Paradise
Klein Matterhorn can be reached by gondola from Zermatt. Zermatt can be reached by train. Train to Zermatt is free and a cable car ticket can be purchased at a 50% discount by the Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders
Mittelallalin Summit
Mittelallalin can be reached by gondola from the village of Saas-Fee. Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders can take a free bus to Saas-Fee and then take a gondola or funicular from there at a 50% discount.
Monte Brè
Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders should take a free train ride to Lugano and then board a bus to Cassarate for free. From Casarette, a funicular can be booked at a 505 discount rate that reaches to Monte Bre
Monte Generoso
Enjoy a scenic ride on the cogwheel train to the highest peak in the Lake Lugano region, Monte Generoso. Take a train from Capolago to Riva S. Vitale for free and another train from Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta at 50% discount if you are travelling with the Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass
Monte San Salvatore
Mount San Salvatore offers one the most stunning viewing point in Lugano. Take a free train ride from Lugano to Paradiso and from Paradiso, to Monte San Salvatore you can take a funicular ride at 50% discount if you already have a valid Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass
Monte Tamaro
Known to be a famous hiking area and home to the Santa Maria Degli Angeli church, Monte Tamaro can be reached on a gondola from Rivera-Bironico to Alpe Foppa. The ride can be availed at a 50% discount if you have a valid Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass. You can reach Rivera-Bironico on a train
Niesen Mountain
The Nielsen mountain looks similar to a pyramid and offers a panoramic view of the Lake Thun and the Bernese Alps. You can first take a free train ride to Mülenen and then hop on a funicular to Mount Niesen at half the standard rate if you have a valid Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass
Mount Pilatus
Pilatus is a mountain range that can be reached by cable car from Kriens or Alpnachstad. To do that, you need to take a bus from Lucerne to Kriens, the ticket can be purchased at a 25% discount or a train from Lucerne or Alpnachstad at a 50% discount. The discount is valid only for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass users
Rhine Falls
Take a free train ride to the Rhine falls using your Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass. On reaching there, the activities like boat trips are not on discount and need to be availed with the full price.
Mount Rigi
The most convenient way to reach Rigi is by train. First, take a train to Arth-Goldau for free followed by another free train ride from Arth-Goldau to Mount Rigi. The free rides are only valid for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass users
Rochers-de-Naye
A cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye departs from the rail station in Montreux and tickets can be purchased at a 50% discount. Montreux can be reached by train, car or boat for free if you have a Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass
Schilthorn
The Schilthorn offers one of the best views of the massive Jungfrau. It can be reached by cable car only. You can board a cable car at Stechelberg or Mürren and reach Schilthorn. The ride is free for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders
Schynige Platte
The only way you can reach Schynige Platte is by cogwheel train from Wilderswil near Interlaken. Wilderswil can be reached by train which is free if you have a Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass. These passes will also allow you to avail a 50% discount on the ticket price of the cogwheel train that runs from Wilderswil to Schynige Platter
Stanserhorn
Stanserhorn offers several hiking trails and there is a panoramic restaurant to enjoy good food with a view too. To get here, you can reach Stans by train and then take a cable car from there to Stanserhorn. Both the rides will be free if you have a Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass
Swiss Museum of Transport
The museum is located along the Lake Lucerne and can be reached by train to Lucerne which is free for the Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass users, however, they have to pay 50% entry fee for the museum
Swissminiatur
Swissminiatur is a small theme park where you can explore the mini version of Switzerland. The theme park can be reached by train, car or boat. If you take a train, you need to reach Melide which will be free of cost for Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass users. The entry fee to the museum will be available at a 50% discount to them.
Mount Titlis
The Titlis can be reached by cable car from Engelberg. Engelberg can be reached by car or by train. Train to Engelberg is free and the cable car ride from Engelberg to Mount Titlis can be availed at 50% discount. The entire offer is only applicable to Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass users
Weissfluhgipfel – Parsenn Davos
You can reach the Weissfluhgipfel by taking the funicular from Davos. Swiss Travel pass/Swiss Flexi Pass users can ride to Davos in train for free and take the funicular or cable car from Davos to Weissfluhgipfel. This route is 100% chargeable for all.
1. Is a Swiss Travel Pass refundable?
A. No, the Swiss Travel Pass is non-refundable and non-cancellable once the e-ticket is printed
2. Can I buy a Swiss Travel Pass at Zurich airport?
A. Yes, you can purchase it at the SBB Counter at the Zurich Airport subject to availability
3. Is a Swiss Pass and Swiss Travel pass same?
A. No, a Swiss Pass is a chip card for Swiss citizens using public transport. The Swiss Travel Pass can be purchased by the non-residents of Switzerland who want to travel around the country.
4. Who is eligible for the Swiss Travel Pass?
A. The Swiss Travel pass is valid for individuals of 16 years of age and above who are non-residents of Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein
The Swiss Travel Pass system is a boon to the tourists who want to explore the country without churning out too much money on private taxis and cars. You can reach out to us at Pickyourtrail and we will help you build a custom itinerary for your Swiss trip.
5. How do I report a lost Swiss Travel Pass?
A. In the unfortunate event of your Swiss Travel Pass getting lost or stolen, don’t take more than 24 hours to report the loss of your pass to the SBB Contact Centre. If you need a new card, you will be charged CHF 30. Please note that you can only order the replacement card from the SBB Contact Center if you pay by credit card. For cards with a technical defect, a replacement will be done for free.
Also Read- Get, Set, Go! – Top adventurous activities for your Switzerland holiday!
The Swiss Travel Pass system is a boon to the tourists who want to explore the country without churning out too much money on private taxis and cars. You can reach out to us at Pickyourtrail and we will help you build a custom itinerary for your Swiss trip.
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