Transport > Europe > Train travel > Train travel in Switzerland
Train travel in Switzerland
Everything in Switzerland, and especially Swiss trains, has a well earned reputation for efficiency. Spotlessly clean, well maintained trains run to destinations throughout the country making even the smallest towns easily accessible.
Most trains are run by SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) although many smaller routes are served by a number of excellent private railway companies. SBB's position as the largest railway company in Switzerland makes it the train operator of choice for most budget travellers since it forms the backbone of most train routes and more importantly all SBB trains accept Eurail and InterRail passes.
Swiss railpasses
In addition to the big international rail passes, SBB also offers several travel passes of its own including:
Swiss Card
This travel pass is valid for one month for a return journey from either an airport or border station to any destination within Switzerland and back. Any further train travel (plus travel on post buses, boats and some private railways) within Switzerland is half price during the validity of the pass. This pass is not available to residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein and costs £107 in second class or £150 in first class.
Swiss Pass
The Swiss Pass is valid for unlimited travel on SBB trains and the local bus networks of 36 towns and cities. The Swiss Pass also entitles the holder to discounts on many private railways.
The Swiss Pass also includes free entry to around 450 museums throughout Switzerland.
| Travel validity | Adult (1st class) |
Adult (2nd class) |
Youth (1st class) |
Youth (2nd class) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4 days |
£229 |
£153 |
£172 |
£115 |
8 days |
£332 |
£221 |
£249 |
£166 |
15 days |
£402 |
£268 |
£302 |
£201 |
22 days |
£464 |
£309 |
£348 |
£232 |
1 month |
£510 |
£340 |
£383 |
£255 |
Swiss Flexi Pass
This pass is similar to the Swiss Rail Pass, except it allows unlimited travel only within specified travel days over a one month period. The Swiss Flexi Pass is valid for three, four, five, six and eight days of travel within a one month period.
This pass also entitles you to half price bus, ferry boat and train travel on non travel days during the validity of your pass.
The Swiss Flexi Pass also includes free entry to around 450 museums throughout Switzerland.
| Travel validity | Adult (1st class) |
Adult (2nd class) |
|---|---|---|
3 days in one month |
£220 |
£146 |
4 days in one month |
£266 |
£178 |
5 days in one month |
£308 |
£205 |
6 days in one month |
£351 |
£234 |
Swiss Half Fare Card
If you plan on travelling extensively in Switzerland, but don't intend making enough trips over a short period to justify one of the above travel passes, the Swiss Half Fare Card may be a better deal. With this card you need only pay half the regular fare and it is valid in both 1st and 2nd class on SBB trains and many private railways.
The Swiss Half Fare Card costs £58 for one month.
InterRail One Country Pass – Switzerland
European residents are eligible to buy the Switzerland Interrail One Country pass, which is a flexi pass that gives you three to eight days of unlimited train travel in Switzerland within a one month period.
| Travel validity | Adult (1st class) |
Adult (2nd class) |
Youth (2nd class) |
|---|---|---|---|
3 travel days in one month |
£137 |
£102 |
£67 |
4 travel days in one month |
£175 |
£130 |
£84 |
6 travel days in one month |
£238 |
£176 |
£115 |
8 travel days in one month |
£288 |
£213 |
£139 |
Please note that Interrail passes can only be sold to European residents. You should order the Swiss Pass if you live outside Europe.
|
|
|
