Breathtaking scenery awaits you in Switzerland and you can take it all in thanks to the different Swiss Rail Passes available. If you’re planning to spend the majority of your time travelling around this stunning country, we recommend you buy a Swiss Rail Pass – not only will you get to enjoy unlimited travel on Swiss trains, but also buses, boats, cable cars and public transport in more than 90 cities.
On this page, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the different Swiss Rail Passes, how to use them, FAQs and much more. Need more information on the Swiss rail network? Check out our dedicated travel guide to trains in Switzerland.
What’s a Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Travel Pass is a single ticket that lets you travel around Switzerland as much as you want by train, bus and boat for a set amount of travel days. You can use a Swiss Travel Pass if you’re a tourist and permanently reside outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
What types of Swiss Travel Pass can I buy?
There are three types of Swiss Travel Pass you can buy:
Swiss Travel Pass Flex
The Swiss Travel Pass Flex offers a set number of travel days (3, 4, 8 or 15) in a given time period (1 month). On your travel days, which don’t need to be consecutive, you can take as many trains as you want. With the Swiss Travel Pass Flex, you can also get discounts on Swiss attractions and museums.
From CHF 267
Prices correct as of January 2022
Other Swiss Rail Passes
There are two other types of Swiss Rail Pass you can buy to save money on your train journeys. Keep reading for more details.
Swiss Half Fare Card
If you’ve planned just a few or relatively short trips around Switzerland and want to save money, why not buy the Swiss Half Fare Card – you’ll get one month of half-price tickets on most trains (both in First and Second Class), buses, boats, and public transport. Children under the age of 16 travel for free if accompanied by an adult who is a holder of a Swiss Family Card.
Like the Swiss Travel Pass, you can use the Swiss Half Fare Card if you’re a permanent resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
From CHF 120
Tell-Pass – Central Switzerland
If you’re travelling around Central Switzerland, this is the right pass for you. The Tell-Pass is an all-inclusive transport pass which provides unlimited travel on trains, buses, boats and cable cars across the Lake Lucerne region in Central Switzerland.
You can choose between 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 consecutive days of travel. You can also get discounts on different attractions and museums in the region with the Tell-Pass.
From CHF 190
Prices correct as of May 2023
How does a Swiss Rail Pass work?
Receiving your Pass
Once you complete your booking, you’ll receive an email with your Pass attached as an eticket and ready to be used – no paper, no fuss!
Using your Pass
The Swiss Rail Pass is so easy to use – simply jump on board the train, bus, boat or cable car you want and you’re good to go! You don’t need to go anywhere to get your Pass stamped either, all you need to do is to show it to the ticket inspectors when asked.
Some trains require seat reservations
Panoramic trains like the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express usually require a seat reservation, which will come at an additional cost. Make sure you book your seat in advance if you plan to travel on one of these trains.
Other Rail Passes to travel around Europe and beyond
At Trainline, we sell international rail passes for many countries and continents across the globe, including Europe, Great Britain and Japan. Keep scrolling to see which passes you can buy with us, tap the blue button to book your pass straight away or tap 'Find out more' to read our dedicated guides to each pass.
Interrail
With the Interrail Pass, you can discover Europe by train and travel across the continent with 10,000 destinations to discover.
Suitable for:
European residents travelling in the European economic space
Travelling in multiple countries or just one
Trips from 1 week to 3 months
Eurail
With the Eurail Pass, you can discover Europe by train and travel across the continent with 10,000 destinations to discover.
Suitable for:
Non-European residents and non-European passport holders
Travelling in multiple countries or just one
Trips from 1 week to 3 months
BritRail Pass
Using the BritRail Pass, you can explore England's cities and coasts, Scotland's Highlands and Wales' scenic coasts using one simple ticket.
Suitable for:
All non-UK passport holders travelling within Great Britain
Travelling by train around England, Scotland and Wales
Trips from 2 days to 1 month
Japan Rail Pass
Discover all that the Land of the Rising Sun has to offer with a Japan Rail Pass. Travel between regions, cities and Japan's biggest attractions with one simple pass.
Suitable for:
All non-Japanese residents or Japanese passport holders
Visiting more than one city in Japan
Travel on bullet trains, local trains and buses
Japan Rail Regional Passes
Just sticking to one region during a visit to Japan? The JR Regional Pass allows for unlimited travel (for a certain time period) within one region and could be a cheaper option.
Suitable for:
All non-Japanese residents or Japanese passport holders
Shorter trips
Travel on bullet trains, local trains and buses
Swiss Travel inspiration
Check out some of the most popular ways to spend your time in Switzerland. Our travel experts have put together exciting itineraries to get you inspired.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still need some answers about the different Swiss Rail Passes, have a look at some of the most commonly asked questions by rail travellers in Switzerland below.
When should I buy a Swiss Travel Pass?
We recommend you buy a Swiss Travel Pass if you’re planning to travel around Switzerland quite frequently and you want to save time and money – you’ll be able to jump on any train at any time without having to wait to buy a single ticket first.
How much is the Swiss Travel Pass?
The price of the Swiss Travel Pass may change based on the type of pass you want to buy. For example, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is from CHF 267.
Where can I buy the Swiss Travel Pass?
You can buy your Swiss Travel Pass online with us. Simply click on the ‘Buy your Swiss Pass’ button at the top of the page and you’ll be redirected to the SBB page, where you can buy the type of pass you’re interested in.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Golden Pass Line?
Yes, you can travel with the Swiss Travel Pass on the Golden Pass Line, as well as on other panoramic routes, including the ones served by the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express.