What is the Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Rail Pass allows you to travel on trains, buses and even boats across Switzerland as long as they fall under the Swiss Travel System. Say goodbye to the hassle of buying single-fare tickets, saving you both time and money.
You’ll also be entitled to special fares on TGV Lyria (railway lines connecting France and Switzerland) on Swiss leg of your journey. On top of transport, the Swiss Travel Pass also allows you free entrance to up to 500 museums and exhibits around Switzerland.
How long is the Swiss Travel Pass valid?
The Swiss Travel Pass is valid for 3 to 15 days of consecutive travel. You can also choose a Swiss Travel Pass Flexi, which is good for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days within a 30-day period.
What counts as a travel day with a Swiss Travel Pass?
The travel days are considered to be a calendar day. The validity period starts at 12:00 a.m. on the day of validity and ends at 5:00 a.m. on the following day. For example, if you get a 3-day pass, the actual valid hours would be 77 hours starting from 12:00 am on the first day.
What is the Swiss Travel Pass Flex?
The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is good for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days within a month, depending on whether you travel in first or second class. Pass holders are eligible for all additional benefits offered by the Swiss Travel Pass on the specified travel days.
What public transport does the Swiss Travel Pass cover?
The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on the whole boat, rail and Postbus network in Switzerland. Here's an easy guide on what transportation in Switzerland the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for:
Transport Type | Coverage | Fare for Swiss Travel Pass holders | Fare for Swiss Half Fare Card holders |
---|
InterCity trains | Connect major cities in Switzerland | Free | 50% |
InterCityExpress trains | High-speed trains between Germany and Switzerland | Free for in-Switzerland routes | 50% for in-Switzerland routes |
EuroCity trains | Cross border trains to/ from other European countries like Germany and Italy | Free for in-Switzerland routes | 50% for in-Switzerland routes |
Regio trains | Operate within the same region and connect local towns | Free | 50% |
InterRegio trains | Connects cities and regions | Free | 50% |
RegioExpress trains | Connect regional destinations with larger Swiss cities | Free | 50% |
PanoramaExpress / Panoramic trains | Scenic trains across Switzerland | Fare included, seat reservation not included | 50% |
Sub-urban trains / metro | Operates within most big cities like Zurich | Free | 50% |
Buses | | Free | 50% |
Trams | | Free | 50% |
Boats / ferries | | Free | 50% |
Rock-railroad | | Conditional | 50% |
Gondola lift / aerial tramway / cog railway | | Conditional | 50% |
Is Jungfraujoch free with a Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Travel Pass does not cover the entire trip to the Jungfraujoch but the pass will take you as far as Wengen or Grindelwald.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid for mountain excursions?
The Swiss Travel Pass includes access to Stoos, Brunni, Klewenalp, Stanserhorn, and Rigi. For other mountains and cableways that aren't covered by the Swiss Travel Pass such as Gornergrat, Titlis, passholders can still enjoy a 50% discount.
Not all mountain excursions are included in the Swiss Travel Pass, popular excursions such as Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), Titlis, and Glacier 3000 require pass holders to pay the fare with a certain discount.
Here's a guide on which mountain excursions the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for:
Mountain Excursion | Fare for Swiss Travel Pass holders | Fare for Swiss Half Fare Card holders |
---|
Mount Rigi | Free | 50% |
CabriO Stanserhorn | Free | 50% |
Stoos | Free | 50% |
Pilatus | 50% | 50% |
Titlis | 50% | 50% |
Brienzer Rothorn | 50% | 50% |
Schynige Platte | 50% | 50% |
Harder Kulm | 50% | 50% |
Grindelwald First | 50% | 50% |
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe | 50% | 50% |
Schilthorn | 50% | 50% |
Glacier 3000 | 50% | 50% |
Rochers-de-Naye | 50% | 50% |
Gornergrat | 50% | 50% |
Sunnegga, Zermatt | 50% | 50% |
Rothorn, Zermatt | 50% | 50% |
Matterhorn | 50% | 50% |
Monte Generoso | 50% | 50% |
Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on Swiss Panoramic trains?
The Swiss Travel Pass covers the cost of your ticket, however seat reservations are required and most routes require an additional fee. If you have a 2nd class Pass but would like to travel in 1st class on any of these services, you can pay for a class upgrade.
The ticket fare for all 5 panoramic trains are included in your Swiss Travel Pass! But seat reservation with an additional reservation fee is required. Swiss Half Fare Card holders can enjoy 50% off on ticket fares.
Premium panoramic trains | Fare Swiss Travel Pass holders | Fare for Swiss Half Fare Card holders |
---|
Luzern-Interlaken Express | Free | 50% |
GoldenPass Express | Free | 50% |
Bernina Express | Free | 50% |
Bernina Express bus | Free | 50% |
Glacier Express | Free | 50% |
Gotthard Panorama Express boat | Free | 50% |
Gotthard Panorama Express train | Free | 50% |
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.
If I activate my flexible pass for the wrong date, can I deactivate it?
Yes, the ticket of the Swiss Travel Pass Flex for an activated travel day can be deactivated as often as desired. The deactivation must be made before the start of the travel date (ie. the day before the travel day at 23:59), after that no activation can be made.
Does a Swiss Travel Pass validity start on activation date or first travel date?
Validity ends at 05:00 in the morning after the pass expiry date. Passes are given a start date at the time of purchase. This is the first date of travel and, the pass will only be valid from this date.
When does a ticket have to be activated for today?
A Swiss Travel Pass Flex ticket must be activated before boarding at the latest. The delivered ticket is valid immediately after activation for traveling and it is not possible to deactivate it.
Can I extend my Swiss Travel Pass?
No you can't "extend" the validity period of an existing Swiss Travel Pass but you can purchase a 3-day pass to add to your number of travel days.