The Swiss Pass offers Unlimited Travel
by Train, Bus and Boat

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 boat 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.

Before You Buy a Swiss Pass

If you decide to use the Swiss Pass only occasionally, do check the normal prices for point-to-point tickets first.

Use the SBB timetable in the right column to figure out single and/or return fares. Enter the departure and arrival cities ("From" and "To"), click "Search Connection", then choose first or second class, one way or return and then click "Fare/Buy". You don't have to fill out your name. Just click the right option listed under "Reduction" and the price will pop up.

Also, have a look at the over 400 discounted Switzerland train travel offers. You find them listed under "Leisure & Holiday" by clicking on the "Traffic information" link in the SBB timetable widget to your right. It's a little homework, but well worth some extra planning time. Maybe you even get more ideas for your vacation.

Different 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.

Which discounted option (Pass, Swiss Card, Half Fare Card or Transfer Ticket) to choose depends on:

• How many days will you spend on the train?
• Will you travel every day (consecutive days) or spend time at a particular place between your travel days?
• How many mountain rides will you include?
• 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

• Unlimited travel throughout the Swiss Travel System network.
• Free public transport in most cities and towns (trams and buses).
• All of the Classic Scenic Train Routes are included (seat reservation compulsory on these routes, and the fee is not included in any ticket or pass).
• Free access to over 400 museums on the days of travel.
• 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 (Grindelwald and/or Wengen to Jungfraujoch: 25% discount).
• Extra bonuses see right column.
• Prices for 4, 8, 15 or 22 consecutive days or 1 entire month.

Swiss Pass 2. Class	Swiss Pass 1. Class
CHF 272.00 for 4 days CHF 393.00 for 8 Days CHF 476.00 for 15 Days CHF 552.00 for 22 Days CHF 607.00 for 1 Month	CHF 435.00 for 4 Days (Special offer see below) CHF 629.00 for 8 Days CHF 762.00 for 15 Days CHF 883.00 for 22 Days CHF 971.00 for 1 Month

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.
• You are entitled to the same benefits the Swiss Pass offers; the only difference is the lower price.
• Prices for 4, 8, 15 or 22 consecutive days or 1 entire month.

Saver Pass 2. Class	Saver Pass 1. Class
CHF 231.00 for 4 days CHF 334.00 for 8 Days CHF 405.00 for 15 Days CHF 469.00 for 22 Days CHF 516.00 for 1 Month	CHF 370.00 for 4 Days CHF 534.00 for 8 Days CHF 648.00 for 15 Days CHF 751.00 for 22 Days CHF 825.00 for 1 Month

All Passes can be bought online directly at the Swiss Railways.

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.
• Prices for 4, 8, 15 or 22 consecutive days or 1 entire month.

Youth Pass 2. Class	Youth Pass 1. Class
CHF 204.00 for 4 days CHF 295.00 for 8 Days CHF 357.00 for 15 Days CHF 414.00 for 22 Days CHF 455.00 for 1 Month	CHF 326.00 for 4 Days CHF 472.00 for 8 Days CHF 571.00 for 15 Days CHF 662.00 for 22 Days CHF 728.00 for 1 Month

Buy the Youth Pass directly online at the Swiss Railways.

Flexi Pass

This is a convenient choice when you plan to stay at the same vacation spot for local 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 train ride or two, then consider the Swiss Flexi Pass.

You can select the travel days within a month. This way, you can skip that scenic train trip on a rainy day and wait for sunshine.

What's more, between the first and last activated travel day the Flexi-Pass acts acts as a Half Fare Card and you are entitled to a discount of 50% for each additional trip.

On the selected travel days you are offered:

• Unlimited access to the entire Swiss Travel System network, including the Classical Scenic Train Routes (reservation fees not included).
• Free transport on trams and buses in most cities and towns.
• Free admission to over 400 museums on a Flexi Pass day of travel.
• 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. Up to Jungfraujoch 25% discount. Although if you choose to a travel on a non-Flexi-Pass Day and use the pass as a half fare card, you receive a 50% discount.
• All free bonuses (listed in the right column) are applicable on those days.
• Prices for 3, 4, 5 or 6 non-consecutive days within one month.

On all days between the first and last travel day you receive:

• 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

Flexi Pass 2. Class	Flexi Pass 1. Class
CHF 260.00 for 3 Days within a month CHF 315.00 for 4 Days within a month CHF 364.00 for 5 Days within a month CHF 414.00 for 6 Days within a month	CHF 416.00 for 3 Days within a month CHF 504.00 for 4 Days within a month CHF 582.00 for 5 Days within a month CHF 662.00 for 6 Days within a month

Saver Flexi Pass

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

• 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.
• Prices for 3, 4, 5 or 6 non-consecutive days within one month.

Saver Flexi Pass 2. Class	Saver Flexi Pass 1. Class
CHF 221.00 for 3 Days within a month CHF 268.00 for 4 Days within a month CHF 309.00 for 5 Days within a month CHF 352.00 for 6 Days within a month	CHF 354.00 for 3 Days within a month CHF 428.00 for 4 Days within a month CHF 495.00 for 5 Days within a month CHF 563.00 for 6 Days within a month

You can buy all Flexi Pass Options online directly from the Swiss Railways

Where are the Swiss Passes valid?

The map below shows you where you can travel unlimited with any of the Swiss Passes, and where you receive a discount.

Train routes are marked red, Post Bus routes yellow, mountain transportation show a black line and ship/boat lines are white.

• Unlimited travel with all Swiss Passes on all uninterrupted red, yellow, black and white lines.
• Where lines are dotted (red, yellow, black and white), the Swiss Pass entitles you to a 50% discount, except up to the Jungfraujoch. There you receive 25%.
• No reduction on blue lines.

Swiss Card

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

• Prices: CHF 195.00 (second class) and CHF 276.00 (first class).
• Included in the price are free transfers in the chosen class from the border or airport to your final destination and back.
• 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 Swiss Pass bonuses apply.

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 most likely 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 of its validity, 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 120.00 - you choose if you want to travel first or second-class (class change any time possible; the Half Fare Card prize stays the same).
• Valid for one month.
• 50% discount on all your tickets on the Swiss Travel System Network, including up to Jungfraujoch.
• 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 of your journey 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 fill up quickly.
• 50% discount on public transportation in 48 cities.
• The Family Card is free, and children up to 16 years of age travel free as long as one parent or grandparent accompanies them.
• You can buy it at any train station or directly online from the Swiss Railways.

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.

The Transfer Ticket is valid, even if your point of entry and departure is not the same. For example, you arrive in Geneva, travel from there to your holiday destination and then leave Switzerland via Zürich Airport or via any border train station.

• Prices: CHF 135.00 (second class) and CHF 216.00 (first class). (Check the price of a normal point-to-point return ticket before you buy).
• Valid for one month, but each trip has to be completed in one day on the most direct route.
• 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 through your travel agent or online from the Swiss Railways Ticket Shop.

Free Family Card

If you purchase one of the above Swiss Pass options, Swiss Card or Half Fare Card, and travel with your children, you can request a free Family Card and your children up to the age of 16 (one day shy of their 16st birthday) will travel for free. If you book online, you can request the card at the same time (ad your request to "Notes" on the billing form). Or you can get the card at any of the staffed train stations.

Where to Buy?

• You can buy all Swiss Passes from your travel agent, upon arrival at any Swiss Airports, any staffed train station (cash or credit card) or online directly from the Swiss Railways.
  
  You can pay for them in CHF (Swiss Francs), EURO or GBP. There are no additional fees, except delivery charges.
  
  Tip: To avoid high delivery charges, choose "Airport Collection" when you book online.

• If you rather purchase in Dollars, you can buy the passes online from RailEurope. All passes are listed on the same page. All you need to do is choose the days you want to travel, and the best option for your needs will pop up.
• If you are interested in a Global Eurail Pass or any other option valid for more countries than just Switzerland click here.
• Transfer Ticket: can only be purchased BEFORE you depart from home; either from your travel agent, online from Swiss Railways (CHF, EURO and GBP) or Rail Europe.
• Swiss Card: From your travel agent, at any border train station, and at the airports (but not within Switzerland), online from Swiss Railways or Rail Europe.
• Swiss Half Fare Card: From your travel agent, at any staffed train station throughout Switzerland or online directly from the Swiss Railways.

Prices valid for 2013. This page was last updated January 1, 2013