The Swiss Pass
Enjoy your Holiday Train by Train

The more you plan to use Public Transport the better you are off buying one of the Swiss Pass options. I love the fact that one can hop on the train, the tram or city bus, take a postal bus or a ship without having to run around for tickets. What's more, you get tons of additional bonuses. If you plan to use the train extensively, this might be for you.

The Swiss Travel System offers unlimited access to a network of more than 20'000 kilometres (approximately 12,500 miles) on trains, buses and ships.

First things First

Did you already plan your Swiss holiday? Should you need more information on how to use the Swiss rail system, you may want to check out my Switzerland Train Travel Tips.

Before You Buy a Swiss Pass

If you decide to use the Swiss Pass only occasionally, do check the normal price for point-to-point tickets first, as well as the more than 400 discounted Switzerland train travel offers. Some of them are discounted up to 50%. It's a little homework, but well worth some extra planning time. Maybe you even get more ideas for your vacation.

The Synoptic Map of the Swiss Travel System will show you where your Swiss Pass, the Swiss Card/Half Fare Card and the Swiss Transfer Ticket are valid, where you receive up to 50% discount and which mountain-top excursions are not included

Different Swiss Passes for Different Needs

The Swiss Pass is a special offer for Tourists and can only be purchased by travellers who live outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. That does not mean that you only can buy the Swiss Pass before you leave home - You can buy all of them (except the Transit Ticket) on any train station in Switzerland. The only thing you need is a valid passport or an identity card - no photo needed. For example, you can buy the Swiss Pass upon arrival at any airport or border station without delay. If you are picked up at the airport you can buy your Swiss Pass on any train station later.

You can tailor the Swiss Pass to your needs. How many days will you spend on the rails? What Classic Scenic Train Routes are on your itinerary? How far away is your final destination from your entry point (border or Airport)? The better you pan out your trip the more value you get from your pass.

Swiss Pass

What's included in the Swiss Pass?

• Prices: From CHF 266.00 (second class) and CHF 425.00 (first class) to CHF 590.00 (second class) to CHF 944.00 (first class).
• Choose between 4, 8, 15 or 22 consecutive days or 1 entire month.
• Unlimited travel throughout the Swiss Travel System network.
• Free public transport in 41 cities (trams and buses).
• All of the Classic Scenic Train Routes are included (you do have to pay for the seat reservation though).
• Free access to over 400 museums.
• If you have children, ask for the free Family Card and your children between 6 and 15 years of age (one day shy of their 16th birthday) travel for free in the presence of at least one parent or grandparent.
• Up to 50% discount on most mountaintop excursions and cable cars.

Swiss Saver Pass

Two are already a crowd for the Swiss Travel System Network. If you travel with a companion or in a group, each one of you will receive a discount.

• You receive 15% discount on the regular Swiss Pass prices (see above).
• You are entitled to the same benefits the Swiss Pass offers; the only difference is the lower price.
• Extra bonuses see below.

Swiss Youth Pass

If you are under 26 years of age, you are eligible for the Swiss Youth Pass.

• You receive 25% discount on the regular Swiss Pass prices (see above).
• You are entitled to the same benefits the Swiss Pass offers; the only difference is the lower price.
• Extra bonuses see below.

Swiss Flexi Pass

This is a convenient choice when you plan to stay at the same vacation spot for local outdoor activities or a wellness vacation. But you still want to see the country on a few days - maybe a trip from one end of Switzerland to the other or take a Classical Scenic ride or two, then consider the Swiss Flexi Pass. You can select the days within a month. This way, you can skip that scenic train trip on a rainy day and wait for sunshine.

• Prices: From CHF 254.00 (second class) and CHF 406.00 (first class) to CHF 405.00 (second class) and 648.00 (first class).
• Choose between 3, 4, 5 or 6 non-consecutive travelling days within a month.

On the selected days you are offered:

• Unlimited access on the entire Swiss Travel System network, including the Classical Scenic Train Routes.
• Free transport on trams and buses in 37 cities.
• Free admission to over 400 museums.
• Free Family Card for your children between 6 and 15 years of age if at least one parent or grandparent travels with them.
• 50% reduction on most mountaintop excursions and cable cars.
• All free bonuses (listed below) are applicable on those days.

On all other days between the first and last travel day your are offered:

• 50% discount on all mode of transportations on the Swiss Travel System Network, including on most mountaintop excursions and cable cars
• Excluded are the rest of the benefits. Those are only valid on the 3, 4, 5 or 6 selected days

Swiss Saver Flexi Pass

If you travel with a companion or in a group, all of the travellers will receive a discount.

• You receive 15% discount of the regular Swiss Flexi Pass price.
• You enjoy the same benefits that the Swiss Flexi Pass offers; the only difference is the lower price.
• Free bonuses see below.

Swiss Card

If you mostly stay in one place but still want to ride the train occasionally, consider buying a Swiss Card.

• Prices: CHF 186.00 (second class) and CHF 275.00 (first class).
• Included in the price are free transfers in the chosen class from the border or airport to your final destination.
• Valid for one month between the first and last transfer day from the Swiss border or/and airports to your destination and back.
• 50% discount on unlimited tickets on trains, buses and boats between transfers.
• Each trip has to be completed within one day.
• Children between 6 and 15 years of age travel free with the Family Card if at least one parent or grandparent travels with them.
• The Swiss Card can only be purchased before your departure, on any border train station or at the train station in airports and the online Ticket Shop (but not within Switzerland).
• None of the bonuses apply.

Swiss Half Fare Card

Let's say you arrive at Zürich or Geneva Airport (or anywhere for that matter) and you want to spend your holiday (or business trip) mostly in that area but still want to use public transport occasionally to travel around Switzerland - In that case, your transfer would be short and to buy a Swiss Card would not be the best option. You would be better off buying a Swiss Half Fare Card instead.

Also, if you return several times to Switzerland within these four weeks, you can use the same Half Fare Card. Whereas the Swiss Card ends after your last transfer to the border or airport, even if you didn't use up all of the four weeks.

• Price: CHF 110.00 - you choose if you want to travel first or second-class.
• Valid for one month.
• 50% discount on all your tickets on the Swiss Travel System Network. You can even choose to travel one way second-class and then decide you want to travel first class part of your trip. Just buy a class change for that leg and you are good to go. That comes in very handy if you have to travel during commuter times or on busy ski weekends. During that time, second-class coaches can be overcrowded.
• The Family Card is free as well, and children between 6 and 15 travel free as long as one parent or grandparent accompanies them.

Swiss Transfer Ticket

Check this option if you only need a transfer ticket from the Swiss border or any airport to your final destination and back. This is a good option if you either stay put at the same place all the time or rent a car for most of your Swiss vacation.

• Prices: CHF 130.00 (second class) and CHF 208.00 (first class). (Check the price of a normal point-to-point return ticket before you buy).
• Valid for one month
• Only valid from any Swiss border or Airport to your final destination and back.
• The Family Card can be obtained free of charge for children between the age of 6 and 15 for free travel if accompanied by one parent or grandparent.
• Can only be bought before you leave home or in the online Ticket Shop.

Where to Book the Passes?

Swiss Travel System Network Online Ticket Shop. Prices in Swiss Francs (CHF).

Rail Europe sometimes offers Specials and Promotions. It's also a convenient stop if you want to include travel outside Switzerland. Enter the Keywords "view rail passes" (without the quotes) in the the search box and it will bring you to a list of all Europe Rail passes available, including Swiss Pass, Swiss Card and Transfer Tickets. Prices are listed in your own currency.

Extra Bonuses

• Mountain Top Trains, Cable Cars: The Synoptic Map will show you where you will receive up to 50% discount.
• Museums: Admission to almost all Swiss Museums are free, including the Open-Air Museum Ballenberg.
• Swissminiatur Melide: Switzerland's landmarks and highlights are reproduced in a miniature landscape in a scale of 1:25. This delightful outdoor experience is offered with a discount of 20%.
• The Furka Steam Train: This steam engine train will pull you from Realp (1420m/4659 ft.) to the Furka (2160m/7087 ft.) and trhough the mountains to Gletsch (1760m/5774 ft.), where you will be transferred to a postal bus to Meringen or Oberwald. Discount: 20%.
• City Tours: You receive up to 50% discount on many city tours. For example, Basel offers 50% discount on a guided city tour; Bern offers 50% discount for the audioguided city tour; Geneva, Lausanne and Lucerne 20% on a guided city tour; Zürich offers 50% discount on an escorted walk through the old town and Schaffhausen offers 50% discount on escorted city tours on certain days. Always take your Swiss Pass with you and ask for discounts.
• Hotels: Best Western Swiss Hotels, Bookmark Hotels (boutique style), Minotel Worldwide, Sorell Hotels, Sunstar Hotels, Swiss Backpackers, Swiss premium Hotels, Swiss Quality Hotels International, unikatHotels and The Victoria-Jungfrau Collection - all offer up to 20% discount. Again, ask everywhere even if they are not listed.