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swiss travel pass routes

Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss travel pass flex, half fare card.

swiss travel pass routes

Your Passport to Swiss Travel Pass Experience

Swiss Rail Pass

Transform your Swiss journey with the Swiss Travel Pass 2024 ! Effortless travel awaits as you navigate Switzerland’s extensive train, bus, and boat networks. Embrace the ease of unlimited travel, enjoy exclusive museum access, and embark on scenic routes like the Glacier Express. Tailor-made for every traveler, the Swiss Travel Pass is your key to an unforgettable Swiss adventure. Discover more and grab your pass on our website now – your Swiss exploration starts here!

Exterior of Gotthard Panorama Express Train

  • Enjoy limitless travel across the Swiss Travel System network.
  • Available in 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15-day options.
  • Gain complimentary entry to over 480 museums and exhibits.

View of Brienz Rothorn overlooking Lake Brienz, 50% discount with Swiss Travel Pass

  • Choose your travel days flexibly within a month.
  • Access the Swiss Travel System network for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 non-sequential days.

Luzern-Interlaken Express train beside Lake Brienz

  • Explore Switzerland at 50% off standard fares.
  • Valid for trains, buses, boats, and select mountain railways.

10 Benefits of Swiss Travel Pass

  • Unlimited Travel: Enjoy unlimited access to trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland with this all-in-one pass.
  • Premium Panoramic Trains: Experience Switzerland’s stunning landscapes on premium panoramic trains, fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
  • Flexible Options: Choose from various pass durations—3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days—to suit your travel plans.
  • Museum Access: Gain free entry to over 500 museums and exhibitions throughout Switzerland.
  • Mountain Excursions: Receive up to 50% discounts on mountain adventures, including cogwheel trains, cable cars, and funiculars.
  • Family-Friendly: Children under 16 can explore Switzerland for free when accompanied by a parent with one of our available pass options.
  • Convenience: Skip the ticket lines and hop on and off public transport with ease.
  • City Travel: Many city trams and buses are also included, making urban exploration a breeze.
  • Boat Cruises: Enjoy scenic boat rides on Swiss lakes as part of your pass benefits.
  • Savings: The all-in-one pass often results in significant savings compared to buying individual tickets.

Swiss Travel Pass: Your Worldwide Passport to Switzerland

The Swiss Travel Pass from MySwissTravelPass.com offers an unparalleled opportunity for travelers from the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and beyond to immerse themselves in the splendor of Switzerland. This pass is more than just a travel document; it’s your all-access pass to the heart of Swiss culture, nature, and history. With its hassle-free approach to traversing the nation’s varied landscapes and cities, the Swiss Travel Pass ensures that every moment of your Swiss journey is spent in awe, not in line.

Whether you’re setting off from the bustling streets of Singapore or the serene landscapes of Australia, the Swiss Travel Pass adapts to your travel needs, providing a smooth, comprehensive experience. Recognized for its excellence and convenience, MySwissTravelPass.com brings this essential travel tool to your fingertips. For explorers seeking to delve into the rich tapestry of Switzerland with ease and sophistication, the Swiss Travel Pass is the perfect companion, promising a journey that’s as seamless as it is spectacular.

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Getting around Switzerland — How to Maximise Your Swiss Travel Pass

swiss travel pass routes

Here’s how we summited 6 mountains across 11 destinations over 10 days in Switzerland under S$2.3k with the Swiss Travel Pass

First published: 18 Nov 2018

Swiss Travel Pass Infograph 1 - Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Train travel in Switzerland can be pricey, and trust me, we had our share of budget shock when we tallied up the costs for our 10-day Swiss adventure .

swiss travel pass routes

Hold onto your seat, because the transportation portion alone added up to a jaw-dropping S$1,913.97 . But with the legendary Swiss Travel Pass we managed to slash our transport expenses to only S$843.87 . Yep, that’s more than 40% off !

Here’s what we wished we knew for planning our Switzerland trip. This guide is quite extensive, so simply click on the section you want more info on:

1) Getting around Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass (What is it, perks, etc.) 2) First Class vs. Second Class 3) Consecutive vs. Flexible 4) Prices and Discounts 5) Swiss Travel Pass vs. Swiss Half Fare Card 6) How to use the Swiss Travel Pass 7) Getting up the most beautiful Swiss Mountains with Swiss Travel Pass 8) Premium Panoramic Train Rides 9) FAQs about the Swiss Travel Pass

Getting around Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass

Train ride over the Landwasser Viaduct - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

1) Local and intercity trains are free — some express trains like the ones mentioned below require a top-up reservation fee (see ‘Premium Panoramic Train Rides’)

2) Buses are free — including the hourly bus from Leuk to Leukerbad (for Leukerbad Thermal Pools), which is a 30-minute ride up the scenic mountain off Leukerbad town.

3) Cogwheels & Mountain Cableways are partially covered — Rigi & Schilthorn are free, while others are available at a 25 – 50% discount. More on that later!

4) Boat rides are free — other than getting from point to point, some boat rides are extra scenic and worth the ride even if it’s long and doesn’t really go anywhere. Scenic rides worth checking out: Lake Lucerne, Lake Brienz and Lake Geneva.

5) Entry to  over 500 museums for free — including the FIFA World Football Museum in Zürich,  Château de Chillon in Montreux and  Matterhorn Museum in Zermatt.

Swiss Travel Pass: First Class vs. Second Class

Switzerland Train - Swiss Travel Pass Guide 101

When buying a Swiss Travel Pass , you’ll have to choose between First Class (premium), and Second Class tickets. Here’s what to expect when buying First Class:

1) Comfort — More legroom, bigger windows, and spacious seats

2) Better Views — Seats with scenic views in panoramic trains and boats (where available)

3) Conducive for Work — Fewer people/noise and more power points

There’s a whopping price difference between First Class and Second Class seats (~S$210 for 3-day consecutive tickets), but if you’re on a budget, the seats in Second Class are more than comfy enough for a long train ride.

Swiss Travel Pass: Consecutive vs. Flexible

Pilatus Cogwheel Train - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

The Swiss Travel Pass comes in options of 3 to 15 days. You can also choose between ‘Flexible’ or ‘Consecutive’ — the latter being the cheaper option.

For the ‘Flexible’ pass, it’s valid for travel days within a one-month period from the starting date. So you can easily change your travel plans as and when!

But if you’re planning to jump from one city to the next in a fixed itinerary, you can consider getting the ‘Consecutive’ pass instead.

Since we had 10 days in Switzerland, we got the 8-day Swiss Travel Pass, rented a car for the first two days, and activated the Swiss Travel Pass on day three.

Swiss Travel Pass: Prices and Discounts

Swiss Travel Pass from Klook - Swiss Travel Pass Guide

We got our Swiss Travel Pass via Klook . Confirmation for the e-ticket was almost instant and all you need to do is save the QR code on your phone. The train conductors will ask for it on board.

Here’s the price breakdown for the Swiss Travel Pass , as of Jan 2024:

Good news for those travelling with children 15 years old and below: they get to travel for free as long as they’re accompanied by an adult with a Swiss Travel Pass. Just request a Swiss Family Card at any railway station!

*Pro-tip: Purchase the pass on Klook rather than the official site for further discounts!

Swiss Travel Pass vs. Swiss Half Fare Card

Swiss Travel Pass vs Swiss Half Fare Card (2024) - Getting around Switzerland

A budget-friendly alternative is the Swiss Half Fare Card , selling for a flat price of ~S$170 — almost half the price of the cheapest Swiss Travel Pass.

The Swiss Half Card gives you 50% off major transportation within a month. Notably, some perks from the Travel Pass are absent, like free museum admissions, and partial discounts for mountain cableways.

How to use the Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Travel Pass

Once you’ve purchased your Swiss Travel Pass online , you’ll receive a QR code which will be your e-ticket. Save it on your mobile phone so you can show it to the train conductor on board.

For  Flexible Passes ,  register your travel dates so your pass will be valid on the days you’re travelling.

For  Consecutive Passes , your Swiss Travel Pass will be automatically activated on the date selected during booking.

Some trains like the Glacier Express will need reservations beforehand — read more about Premium Panoramic Trains below !

*Pro-tip: Download the SBB mobile app to look up train, boats, and bus timings on the go.

Travelling with the Swiss Travel Pass

Lake Lucerne Boar Ride - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

So how do you maximise your Swiss Travel Pass? We went to Switzerland a while back, and this detailed breakdown lists how we saved over ~S$1k .

Areas we covered: Lucerne, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfrau, Grindelwald, Montreux, Vevey, Zermatt and St. Moritz, Felisur, Zürich

Mountains:  Pilatus, Rigi, Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald First and Gornegrat

Scenic Trains:  Golden Pass Route (Lucerne – Montreux) and The Glacier Express (Zermatt – St.Moritz)

Getting up the most beautiful Swiss Mountains with the Swiss Travel Pass

Gelmerbahn Funicular - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Let the sights (not the hike) take your breath away 😉

While most Swiss mountains can be hiked up for free, the train rides are experiences of their own. From the iconic ‘Toblerone’ mountain  (Matterhorn) to the highest train station in Europe  (Jungfraujoch) , here are the six mountains we managed to fit into our Switzerland itinerary .

Click Read More for the full guide.

*The Swiss Travel Pass covers all transportation to the starting points listed below.

1) Matterhorn (Zermatt)

Matterhorn view -Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Better known as the Toblerone mountain, climbing to the peak of Matterhorn is a bucket list item for many. But personally, seeing the sunrise light up Matterhorn turned out to be core memory.

Matterhorn at Sunrise from Rifflesee - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

The best viewing spot would be from Rifflesee , up on Gornegrat . Even better if you arrive at dawn before the sun even peaks through the horizon. If the winds are minimal, the lake serves as a perfect mirror of the mountain top.

Matterhorn Gornegratbahn - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

If you don’t want to hike in the dark (or catch more sleep), the fastest way up is via the Gornegratbahn . The station is just outside the Zermatt Bahnoff.

Zermatt Gornegrat Hike - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Get off Rotenboden station, and take a 5-minute walk to Rifflesee. This view was one of the best payoffs given its accessibility. After you’re done at Rifflesee, hop back on the funicular up to Gornegrat station for a panoramic view of the surrounding Swiss Alps.

The hike down is incredibly scenic and straightforward. It takes about 3.5 – 4 hours but you can decide to take the train from any of the four stations along the way (Rotenboden – Riffleberg – Rifflealp – Findelbach). Each station is about an hour’s hike to the next.

When you’re tired, just purchase a one-way ticket down from any of the stations. The lower the station, the cheaper the ticket so it depends on how much you want to hike.

Cost: CHF55 (~S$83) (one-way up to Gornegrat Station) Starting point:  Gorgnegratbahn base station just outside Zermatt train station Swiss Travel Pass:  50% off the Gornegratbahn (CHF27.50, ~S$42 one-way)

2) 5-Seenweg (Zermatt)

Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

If you have more time in Zermatt, the well-marked 5 Lakes Trail (Seenweg) is also worth the hike. The trail passes through five lakes (Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grunsee, Moosjisee and Leisee) with Matterhorn consistently in the background.

You can begin the hike from Zermatt or, save 3 hours by taking the funicular to Sunnegga, followed by the gondola lift to Blauherd where the hike begins. The hike from Blauherd to Sunnegga (which passes through the five lakes) is mainly downhill and should take around 2.5 hours. From Sunnegga, you can take the funicular back to Zermatt.

Cost: CHF39 (~S$56) Starting point:  Zermatt Swiss Travel Pass:  50% off the funicular from Zermatt to Blauherd and cable car from Blauherd to Sunnegga

3) Pilatus (Lucerne)

Pilatus View - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Overlooking the city of Lucerne, Mount Pilatus is famous for its Golden Round Trip, which covers five different forms of transport to ascend and descend the mountain.

Pilatus Cable Car Lucerne View - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

This route is possible both ways, starting clockwise from Lucerne: take a boat/train to Alpnachstad and take a cogwheel * train up to Pilatus Kulm. This cogwheel is famous for being the steepest in the world!

*Note: The cogwheel railway only runs from mid-May to mid-November. Check the exact dates on the site to be sure!

Fräkigaudi Sommer Pilatus Toboggan -Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

On the descent, take the cable car down to Fräkmüntegg where you’ll find the longest Toboggan sled in the world (CHF8/ride, ~S$11.40). Don’t worry about walking back up as you’ll be dragged on your Toboggan with an attached wire.

From Fräkmüntegg, continue down to Kriens station to catch bus no. 1 back to Lucerne station.

*Pro-tip: Check the weather before taking the boat ride — if the weather isn’t great, save time and take the train instead. The lake tends to fog up on most mornings.

Pilatus Tomslihorn Hike - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

At the top, there are various hikes ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours. We highly recommend the 40-minute hike on Tomslihorn, accessed from the right side of the Pilatus Kulm Restaurant.

Cost: CHF108 (~S$155) (Round trip from Lucerne) Starting point:  You can start from either Alpnachstad or Kriens.   To Alpnachstad, either take a boat (1hr 18mins) or train (17mins) from Luzern. To Kriens, it’s a 5min ride on bus no. 1 and a short walk to the cableway station Swiss Travel Pass:  50% off the cogwheel from Alpnachstad – Pilatus Kulm – Kriens (CHF36, ~S$52)

Pilatus Bahn at Alpnachstad - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Alpnachstad Station

*Pro-tip:  If you’re on the Swiss Travel Flex Pass , save a day on the pass and sign up for a   Half-Day Pilatus Tour   instead — tickets are fully covered from Lucerne station to Pilatus and back.

4) Rigi (Lucerne)

Mount Rigi - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Slightly lower than Pilatus, the peak of  Rigi is at the perfect height for a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding Swiss Alps as well as Lake Lucerne and the city below. But the best part?  Swiss Travel Pass holders get to travel up entirely free!

Cost: CHF72 (~S$103) Starting point:  Arth-Goldau or Vitznau Swiss Travel Pass: Free — cogwheel trains from Arth-Goldau and Vitznau are fully covered

5) Jungfrau (Interlaken/Fiesch)

Jungfraubahn - Swiss Travel Pass Guide

At 3,454m above sea level, Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe and is covered in snow all year round. At the peak, there’s the Spinx Observatory where you’ll get a close-up panoramic view of Mt Eiger and Mönch. On top, there’s also an Ice Palace to explore, and one of the most iconic mailboxes — yes you can actually mail out postcards from it!

Ride up Jungfraujoch - Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

But perhaps our favourite part of the experience wasn’t so much arriving at the top of the station, but the entire hour-long journey on the train. The views were simply breathtaking, and in hindsight, given more time, it would have been enjoyable as a hike too!

It’s best to visit Jungfrau while based in Interlaken since it’s nearest, but if you’re short on time, check out  Jungfrau on a day trip from Lucerne or even Zurich.

Cost: CHF201.60 (~S$305) (roundtrip from Lauterbrunen) Starting point:  From Lauterbrunnen, take the train to Kleine Scheidegg Swiss Travel Pass:  25% off the train from Wengen Station to Jungfraujoch (CHF132, ~S$189 round trip from Wengen). The first two stops from Lauterbrunnen (bef Wengen) are covered.

6) Schilthorn (Lauterbrunnen) *free with the Swiss Travel Pass

007 Schilthorn -Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Schilthorn  is one of the few mountains fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass! From the top, you have a panoramic view of the Bernese Alps and the three big mountains of Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger. On a clear day, you can even spot Mont Blanc.

Thrill Walk at Schilthorn - Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Try the 200m Thrill Walk on glass floors and wire ropes across the vertical face of the cliff.

Piz Gloria revolving restaurant - Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

You might say this looks right out of a movie scene, because it is! At the top of Schilthorn is a revolving restaurant, the Piz Gloria which was featured in the 1969 James Bond movie . Restaurant meals in Switzerland are expensive so if you could only pick one place to splurge, the menu at Piz Gloria is worth the experience. It’s also not a lot more expensive than regular restaurants in the city.

Cost: CHF131.40 (~S$188) (Round trip from Interlaken) Starting point:  Stechelberg or Mürren Swiss Travel Pass: Free — cable cars from both Stechelberg and Mürren are fully covered

7) Grindelwald First

Bachalpsee on Grindelwald -Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

If you’ve done the first five in this list, you must be wondering by now if this is “just another mountain”. But there are a few reasons why Grindelwald First is worth the trip.

Grindelwalk First Flyer - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

For adventure seekers, the famous route is to first take the gondola up to First Station, then take a glider, mountain bike, and Trottibike scooter down to each station till you reach the base. This is a dream for kids, and kid-at-heart 😛

Grindelwald First Mountain Bike - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

If you’re keen to take on all the rides, there’s an adventure package (CHF120, ~S$172) that includes all the activities and unlimited use of the gondola.

Bachalpsee on Grindelwald -Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

But before you start your descent, check out Bachalpsee . It’s an easy 40-minute hike from First Station (one-way) and a great place to set up a picnic.

Grindelwald First Cliff Walk by Tissot - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

At the top, there’s also the  First Cliff Walk by Tissot  which I can imagine to be quite pretty, if not for the thick fog that we were engulfed in that day.

Cost: CHF120 (~S$172) for Adventure Package, CHF60 (~S$86) for gondola roundtrip Starting point: From Grindelwald train station, walk 10 mins to Grindelwald Firstbahn, or take 2 stops on bus no. 121, 122, or 123 Swiss Travel Pass: 50% off the Gondola from Grindelwald – First Station (CHF30, ~S$43)

Premium Panoramic Train Rides

Glacier Express - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Travelling by train in Switzerland isn’t just about getting from one point to the next but an experience of its own. I don’t sit still well for long but I was constantly glued to the views beyond the large panoramic windows.

There are five Premium Panoramic Trains in total but here are three we managed to include in our 10-Day Switzerland Itinerary .

1) Luzern–Interlaken Express (Luzern – Brienz – Interlaken) *free with the Swiss Travel Pass

Switzerland Itinerary_Glacier Express View

This route passes through some of the most dazzling lakes, waterfalls, and rivers. The good news is that it doesn’t require reservations, and runs once every hour from 6AM. (check the SBB mobile app to confirm the exact timing)

Airtime Paragliding in Lauterbrunnen - Ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Guide

Interlaken is a great base for many outdoor adventures including paragliding in Lauterbrunnen, hiking in Grindelwald, or even experiencing the world’s steepest funicular!

Frequency:  Every hour from 6:06AM Duration: 1hr 50mins Swiss Travel Pass:  Fully covered, no reservations required

2) Golden Pass Route (Interlaken – Zweisimmen – Montreux) *free with the Swiss Travel Pass

Vevey Big Fork in Lake Geneva - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

The MOB Panoramic train only runs from Zweisimmen to Montreux, but combined with the route above (Lucerne – Interlaken), this makes up the Golden Pass Route and is known to be one of the most accessible yet scenic train rides around. This train doesn’t require reservations, and is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. The train runs 6 times a day, every 2 hours from 8:25AM.

Duration: 1hr 50mins Swiss Travel Pass:  Fully covered. Reservations  not mandatory but recommended during peak seasons in July and August.

swiss travel pass routes

Photo credit: goldenpass.ch

From Montreux, the MOB Panoramic train also has special day excursions on the Chocolate Train  to Gruyères, known as the land of chocolate. Swiss Travel Pass holders get a discounted rate of CHF59 which includes the train journey to Montbovon, onboard coffee, and chocolate croissant, as well as entry to the cheese and chocolate factories.

Schedule: 9:50AM – 5:15PM (May – Sep) Swiss Travel Pass:  CHF59

3) Glacier Express (Zermatt – Chur – St Mortiz)

Landwasser Viaduct - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

The highlight of the Glacier Express is the journey between Chur and St Moritz as it passes through the Landwasserviaduct — a 65m high, single-tracked railway viaduct with six impressive arches.

Town of Felisur - Switzerland Swiss Travel Pass Guide

It’s also the “world’s slowest express train” at ~39km/h; but no one’s complaining because it’ll give you ample time to take in the varied landscapes while dining on board. From valleys and canyons to rivers and towns, the train passes through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges!

Frequency: 1 – 3 times/day depending on season Duration: 7hr 50mins Swiss Travel Pass:   Reservations are compulsory and not included with the pass — CHF33 (~S$47) for the entire route, CHF22 (~S$32) for shorter sections of the route. Optional meals are sold separately.

*Pro-tip: For the best views of the Landwasserviaduct, reserve a seat on the right side of train between Chur – St-Moritz. Seats for this train sell fast so book as soon as the window opens (up to three months in advance).

Other Premium Panoramic Express Trains

The two other scenic trains covered by the Swiss Travel Pass are the Gotthard Panorama Express (from Luzern) and Bernina Express (from Chur). Both trains end up in Lugano and require reservations. Note that some of these trains don’t run during the winter season (Mid-October to end March).

Swiss Travel Pass - detailed breakdown

Click on the image to view the full breakdown

We hope this Swiss Travel Pass guide was useful! For a list of all the trains we took with the Swiss Travel Pass, click on the image above !

FAQs about the Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Rail Pass - Switzerland

1) Where can I find the train timings and routes?

If you’re planning on a computer, check out the SBB website . When you’re on the go, download the SBB app on your phone — available on both the App Store and Google Play — so you can check the train timings while travelling.

2) How do you enter the train stations with a Swiss Travel Pass?

In Switzerland, there are no gantries at train stations so it runs quite heavily on trust. However, scenic trains — especially those that ride up the mountains — almost always have rail staff walking through the cabins to check for tickets/rail passes. Just have your rail pass or phone ready when you’re on the train.

3) Are train reservations required?

Glacier Express view - Switzerland

Only selected premium panoramic trains like the Glacier Express require it. You can hop on and off any of the local trains and buses without reservation or extra tickets.

Reservation fees are not included in the Swiss Travel Pass.

4) Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on local buses?

Yes! The great thing is you don’t have to fumble for your pass/ticket when boarding. Just board from any of the doors. In our entire trip, there was only one occasion we were asked to show our Swiss Travel Pass on the bus.

5) Is there luggage storage on the trains?

The premium panoramic trains usually have luggage racks with ample space near the doors, but the intercity ones have limited storage. Only cabin/compact-sized luggage can comfortably fit between the seats and overhead compartments on intercity trains.

Surprisingly, it’s actually a lot more convenient to travel around Switzerland with a backpack, especially if you’re staying in Airbnb apartments and hostels because they often don’t have elevators.

6) Misc: Eating on trains? Pets? Toilets?

One of the best things about long train rides is having your lunch with an ever-changing panoramic view at the side. Food is allowed but you might want to avoid bringing food with strong smells. No one will tell you off because the Swiss are nice that way, but it’s good social etiquette nonetheless!

For pets, dogs are allowed on all transportation and 99% of them are really obedient!

Apart from the city trains in Zürich, all other trains we took had toilets.

I dare say if you didn’t hop on a train in Switzerland, you’ve not been to Switzerland. It truly is the quintessential way to experience the country.

This post was brought to you by Klook .

For more travel inspiration, follow our adventures on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube !

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10 comments.

Hi TravelIntern,

How do I get 25% off jungfraujoch tour from Lucerne with the Swiss Railway Pass?

the 25% discount only applies for the ride from Wengen Station to Jungfraujoch. Just make sure you have your Swiss Travel Pass with you during the train rides. You can buy your tickets from Wengen station or from the train staff with your credit card. As long as you have your STP with you, you’ll be charged 25% off the full ticket price.

Hi Cherie, what camera did u use to capture all these beautiful pics?

Thank you! Our team mainly uses the the Sony Alpha series. This trip we had the a73 and a6500.

Hello! How do i reserve the premium panoramic trains?

Hey Lynn, which premium panoramic train were you looking to book? You need to make reservations from the train’s official website for example the Glacier Express can be booked on https://www.glacierexpress.ch/en/ and the MOB train can be reserved here: https://mob.ch/en/reservation-procedure

Hi travel intern, Just wanna ask did you guys did bookings for the Panorama Gondolas at Mt Pilatus?

Hey Xavier, the gondolas run constantly during opening hours so no bookings are needed!

Wonderful recommendations! Which month of the year did you travel to Swiss?

Around August!

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Swiss trains run like clockwork, so they say.  And they pretty much do.  The whole of Switzerland is covered by a frequent, punctual and efficient integrated train network that's really easy to use.  In most cases you can just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.  Swiss Federal Railways (= SBB in German, CFF in French or FFS in Italian) runs most mainline trains, but there are many smaller private operators running local & regional routes.

Train travel within Switzerland

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Swiss scenic trains

International trains to/from switzerland, station guides, other train travel information, useful country information, how to check times & buy tickets, do you need to book in advance, which website to use.

The following websites all link to the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) ticketing system and can all sell regular tickets , Saver Day Passes & advance-purchase Supersaver fares .  The price is the same whichever website you use.

Booking opens 6 months in advance.  You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 1, Swiss Federal Railways, www.sbb.ch

You can check train times & fares and buy tickets for any journey in Switzerland at the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website www.sbb.ch .

Prices are in CHF.  Be warned, the first price that www.sbb.ch shows you is usually only half the true price, because Sbb.ch assumes you have a Swiss Half Fare card as the majority of Swiss citizens do.  When you change Select discount to No discount the price doubles, so be aware of this when costing your journeys.  There's no booking fee.

Option 2 , Thetrainline.com

You may find it easier to check times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com , in CHF, €, £ or $.  It too can sell all tickets types, regular tickets , Saver Day Passes and advance-purchase Supersaver fares .  There's a small booking fee.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Option 3 , Omio.com

Omio.com  is also really easy to use, in CHF, €, £ or $.  There's a small booking fee.

The SBB system not only covers SBB's own trains, it covers all Swiss public transport including private train operators and connecting ferries, buses and funicular railways.  Trains run every hour or every 30 minutes, even more frequently on core routes.  Trains, buses & ferries connect efficiently, and connections of even just a few minutes are reliable and easy to make.

Standard fares

There is one regular flexible fare between any two Swiss stations via a given route, good for any departure that day.  The price is fixed and availability is unlimited, you can buy at this price at the station on the day if you like.  You sit anywhere you like.

If you buy one of these full-price full-flex tickets at www.sbb.ch , www.thetrainline.com or www.omio.com , it is valid on any train between those stations by the route stated on the date you bought it for, even if you selected a specific train.

A round trip ticket costs the same as two one-ways.  The return journey must be made the same day if the journey is less than 116 km.  If the journey is more than 116 km the return journey may be made any day up to 10 days after the outward leg.  But you may as well stay flexible and just buy two one-ways.

With a regular Swiss ticket, you can break your journey (in other words, stop off) on the way as long as you complete the whole journey that same day.

Supersaver fares

For longer-distance journeys you may be offered a Supersaver advance-purchase ticket.

Supersaver fares are up to 70% cheaper than the regular flexible price.  You can buy Supersavers a minimum of 1 day in advance.  There is limited availability at each price point, the further ahead you book and the less popular the train you choose, the cheaper it's likely to be.

Supersaver fares are only good for the specific train you book, no refunds, no changes to travel plans.

However, if you miss your train, the Swiss Railways let you use the ticket as credit towards a full-fare ticket for a later train - just go to the ticket office and pay the difference between the Supersaver price and the regular full-price fare.

Obviously, be careful when using a train-specific Supersaver fare for an onward journey in connection with a train arriving from Paris or Milan or when arriving on a flight, unless you leave a long time buffer to absorb delay.

Using www.thetrainline.com or www.o mio.com , Supersaver or Saver Day Passes will appear in the search results if they're available.  Using www.sbb.ch , a black triangle with a % symbol will appear to the left of any departures in the search results which have a Supersaver fare available.  Select that departure and the Supersaver price will appear during the buying process when you click Options for the outward journey .  Supersaver fares can only be bought online, and only at www.sbb.ch , www.thetrainline.com or www.omio.com .  They will not appear if you look further ahead than 60 days.

Saver Day Pass

For longer-distance journeys you might also be offered a Saver Day Pass if it's cheaper than a full-fare full-flex ticket.

A Saver Day Pass gives you a whole day of unlimited travel on the entire Swiss transport system, covering all SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) trains and most private railways, post-buses & ferries.  Saver Day Passes come in 1st & 2nd class versions, with or without Half Fare Card discount.

The price of a Saver Day Pass varies, you'll see a different price on each date which increases like air fares as that date approaches.

A Saver Day Pass starts at CHF 52, cheaper than a full-price ticket from Zurich to Geneva (although a Supersaver fare might still be cheaper still).  If you wait until the day before travel, it could cost CHF 106.

You can buy a Saver Day pass by running an enquiry at www.thetrainline.com or www.omio.com for a random long-distance route (for example, Zurich to Tirano), then looking for Saver Day Pass as a fare option.  You can also buy at www.sbb.ch or in person at Swiss stations.

Booking opens 6 months in advance.  Saver Day Passes cannot be bought on the day.  No refunds, no changes after buying it.

The routes covered by a Saver Day Pass are shown on the official Swiss train map as solid red, yellow or black lines.

Routes shown as dotted red, yellow or black lines are not covered, this includes a few smaller private railways and some well-known tourist mountain railways such as the Jungfrau Railway & Gornergrat Railway.  Unlike the Swiss Travel Passes , the Saver Day Pass doesn't get you any reduction on these dotted-line routes, if you want to use them you pay full-price.

One thing confuses people about the map:  Solid lines become dashed lines where the line is in a tunnel.  Dashed isn't the same as dotted !

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Swiss Passes & Half Fare Card

Switzerland is one of the few remaining European countries where expensive point-to-point fares and lack of compulsory reservations makes railpasses good value and convenient.  You can buy passes online from the Switzerland Travel Centre , a Swiss Federal Railways subsidiary.  But I'm often asked if a pass makes sense, or whether to go for a Half Fare card.  Incidentally, the Swiss Transfer Ticket was discontinued in 2019.

A Saver Day Pass is a useful one-day all-Switzerland pass, easily bought online or at the station up to the day before see the section above .

Swiss Travel Pass

A Swiss Travel Pass gives unlimited travel across the Swiss travel system for a continuous period of 3 days, 4 days, 8 days or 15 days.

A Swiss Travel Pass Flex gives unlimited travel across the Swiss travel system for either 3, 4, 8 or 15 travel days with an overall period of a month.  A Swiss Travel Pass Flex is more economical than a regular non-Flex Swiss Travel Pass if you plan to stay put between journeys.  The overall one month starts on any date you like, then you can 'spend' each of your unlimited travel days on any dates you like within that period.

Check prices in CHF, USD, GBP or Euros at www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com , an international site run by a subsidiary of SBB (Swiss Railways).

Is a Swiss Travel Pass cheaper than point-to-point tickets? 

Swiss rail fares are expensive, so a Swiss pass can save money, depending what you plan to do and whether you're adult or youth.  First check the price of the pass that suits you, then divide the price by the number of days travelling you plan to do to get the pass cost per day.  Are the journeys you plan to make each day cheaper than this?  If so, don't buy a pass.  Or do they cost more than this?  Then buy a pass!  You can check fares at www.sbb.ch .  It's not rocket science!

What does the pass cover?

See this official map of the Swiss rail network .  A Swiss Travel Pass (continuous or flex) gives you unlimited free travel on all the train, bus & ferry routes shown as solid red, yellow or black lines on the map.  Swiss Travel Passes give you a 50% discount (not free travel) on the routes shown as dotted red, yellow or black lines.

One thing that confuses people: A solid line becomes a dashed line when it's in a tunnel, but it's not the same as a dotted line!  Routes on which you only get a discount, not free travel, notably include the Jungfrau Railway & Gornergrat railway.

How to buy a pass

Buy at www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com .  Anyone from any country can buy here, in CHF, £, $ or €.  This is an official Swiss Railways shop, owned by SBB Swiss Railways.

Print your own pass or show it on your phone

You get an e-ticket/print-at-home option for Swiss Travel Passes and Swiss Travel Pass Flex, so you'll get your pass immediately with no delivery charges.  You can print it out or show it on your phone via their pass activation page at www.activateyourpass.com .

Would an Interrail or Eurail pass be cheaper?

You should compare the cost of a Swiss Travel Pass with the cost of an Interrail One-Country Pass for Switzerland (if you're a European resident) or Eurail global pass (if you live outside Europe) as Interrail & Eurail passes can be significantly cheaper.

Like Swiss Travel Passes, Interrail & Eurail passes give unlimited travel on Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the major private train operators such as the Rhätische Bahn (RhB), Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon (BLS).

Before 2017 there were some significant private railway operators that a Swiss Pass covered but an Interrail or Eurail pass did not, but in 2017 Interrail/Eurail coverage was extended to include many more private operators, notably the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) which operates the line to Zermatt and half of the Glacier Express route.  From 10 December 2023, the Berner Oberland Bahn joins the scheme, so Interlaken to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen are now covered too.

That leaves only the post-buses, lake boats and a few minor private railways which the Swiss Travel Pass covers but an Interrail or Eurail pass doesn't.  The line up the Jungfrau is not covered, but Interrail or Eurail passes give a 25% discount on normal fares.

Compare the lines covered by Interrail & Eurail on this map with the lines covered by a Swiss Travel Pass on this map .  On both maps, solid lines mean covered, dotted lines mean not covered (although there may be a discount).  Dashed lines simply means line in tunnel.

Swiss Half Fare card

Most Swiss residents have an annual half-fare card giving 50% off normal fares.  Visitors can buy one lasting a month.

The discount applies to Standard fares , Supersaver fares and Saver Day Passes .

The 1 month Half Fare Card costs CHF 120, so (obviously) only pays for itself if you plan to clock up more than CHF 240-worth of train journeys.  That's 3 full-price one-way trips between Lausanne and Zermatt, or 4 one-way trips between Basel and Interlaken, for example.

Again, it's not rocket science:  Use www.sbb.ch , www.thetrainline.com or www.o mio.com to check fares the journeys you plan to make, and halve this cost.  Does this exceed CHF 120?  Then buy the Half Fare Card.

Children 6-15 travel free with a family Half Fare card if accompanied by a parent.  This is a worthwhile benefit!

Buy online at www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com with prices in CHF, €, £ or $.

What are Swiss trains like ?

Classic intercity (ic) & interregional (ir) trains, double-deck intercity (ic) & interregional (ir) trains, icn tilting intercity (ic) trains.

These ICN Pendolino trains can tilt, enabling them to go round curves faster than normal trains.  They have cut journey times on several curvaceous Swiss InterCity routes.  Designed by Pininfarina, they feature a restaurant car and can reach 200km/h (125mph) although they don't often reach that speed in service.  You'll find these trains operating IC trains on these routes Geneva-Basel, Geneva-Zurich, Lausanne-Basel, Lausanne-Zurich, Basel-Lucerne-Lugano-Chiasso and Zurich-Lugano-Chiasso.  When using the journey planner at www.sbb.ch these trains are shown with a TT symbol in the facilities section, for Tilting Train.

Giruno Intercity (IC) & EuroCity (EC) trains

On the Basel/Zurich to Lugano route you'll find the latest Giruno trains, the international ones going through to Milan being classified EuroCity.  Giruno trains have low-floor accessible entrance doors, hence the rather strange seating arrangement inside.

Swiss private operators

Swiss local trains are run by SBB or a plethora of local private operators.  The trains come in all shapes & sizes, some old, some new.  Below left, a local train run by Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn (MGB) on the Brig-Zermatt line.  Below right, a train from St Moritz to Chur run by the Rhätische Bahn (RhB).

Seat maps : Click here

Travel tips.

Maps of the European rail network:   See the section on the Train travel in Europe page about rail maps .

Language problems

First-time visitors often think this will be a problem, but it hardly ever is.  At stations, signs are usually in English as well as German, French & Italian, or they use easy-to-understand pictograms.  On-train announcements on long-distance trains are often made in English.

First or second class?

Swiss fares are expensive, even in 2nd class.  And a 1st class ticket costs 75% more than a 2nd class one.  You don't get anything extra in 1st class on Swiss domestic trains - no free food or drink, no limo transfers, spa treatments or executive lounges.  Just wider seats, plusher seats, more elbow room as seats are usually 2+1 across the car width instead of 2+2 as in 2nd class, fewer people per car, fewer families and loud kids, more business travellers - see the photos above .  So unless it's a special occasion, or your company is paying, or you are rich, stick with 2nd class whilst within Switzerland as most travellers do.

Tip:   A yellow stripe above the windows or door indicates a 1st class car on Swiss trains.

Luggage on trains

There are no baggage fees or weight limits, and you don't check your bags in, you simply take them with you onto the train, placing them on the racks at the end of each car, or above your head.  More information about luggage on European trains .

Left luggage at stations

Many larger Swiss stations have left-luggage lockers in various sizes, up to suitcase-sized.  More information on left luggage lockers & prices .

Food & drink on Swiss trains

Many Swiss long-distance trains have a waiter-service restaurant car, not cheap but a real treat!  A few regional trains now have vending machines selling hot drinks, cold drinks and snacks, operated with contactless bank cards.

Or feel free to bring your own food and drink (even a bottle of wine, if you like) onto the train, there's no rules against that on the rails!

First class lounges at stations

The lounges for first class passengers at Zurich & Geneva have been closed.  More information about station lounges .

You can take a bike in the luggage van on most Swiss trains if you buy a Swiss Bike Card , for more details, see the bicycles by train page .

Dogs & pets

In Switzerland, dogs of any size can travel for half the 2nd class fare - although for longer journeys there's a Dog Day card which can be cheaper.  Small dogs up to 30cm high at the shoulder can travel free if they are in a carrier.  You'll find information on the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch .  You can easily buy Swiss tickets at the station when you get there.

For more information about dogs & pets on trains in Europe, see the dogs & pets page .

Bernina Express:  More information

Glacier express:  more information, jungfrau bahn :  more information, golden pass line : montreux - interlaken - lucerne.

This is a mainly narrow-gauge route from Montreux to Interlaken & Lucerne via the well-known ski resort of Gstaad.  It's slower than using mainline trains, but very scenic and marketed to tourists as the Golden Pass route.   Until December 2022 it involved 3 trains, but it can now be done with just two: Montreux to Interlaken and Interlaken to Lucerne.  The first train is a new gauge-changing service, it runs from Montreux to Zweisimmen on the standard-gauge tracks of the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon (BLS) Railway then from Interlaken to Lucerne on the metre-gauge Brunig Railway operated by the Zentralbahn.  The new trains adjust their wheelsets at Zweisimmen.  They have 1st & 2nd class panorama cars and a new luxurious Prestige class.

As with other tourist trains, reservation is necessary if you want to travel in the panoramic tourists cars, but regular trains run frequently over the same route and these need no prior reservation.

The website for the joint service is www.goldenpass.ch .  But I find it easier to find Montreux-Lucerne Golden Pass times using the journey planner at www.sbb.ch - just make sure you put Zweisimmen in the via box, click advanced options and put Interlaken Ost in the second via box before running the enquiry.  Then it will find journeys with 1 or 2 changes via this slower scenic Golden Pass route, rather than the faster mainline route.

Gornergrat, Matterhorn, Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Titlis, Schilthorn

If you live in the UK, you can buy excursion tickets up these mountains here:  www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com

Invest in a good guidebook, even in the age of the internet.  For the independent traveller, I think this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks provide the same excellent level of practical information and historical background. You won't regret buying one!

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Holidays, vacations & tours of Switzerland

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or short break for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Check out their 8-day Switzerland's Lakes & Mountains tour (link to their UK site) or Swiss Lakes & Mountains tour (link to their US & Canada site) which includes both the famously scenic Glacier Express and Bernina Express trains.  Also see their 5-day Classic Bernina Express & Glacier Express tour (link to their UK site) or Classic Bernina Express & Glacier Express tour (link to their US & Canada site) which also combine these two classic Alpine routes.

UK flag

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Switzerland by train including the Glacier and/or Bernina Expresses based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461 .  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/switzerland .

Hotels & accommodation in Switzerland

Personal recommendations.

In Zurich , for something special, look no further than the superb Hotel Schweizerhof , located right next to Zurich station.  One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags across the road.

In the St Moritz-Pontresina area , the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl is an amazing place to stay perched on the top of a mountain, with clean simple and (for Switzerland) inexpensive rooms.  It's reached via the Muottas Muragl funicular railway from Punt Muragl station, between Pontresina & St Moritz.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

US flag

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass (by Train )

July 8, 2023

The Ultimate Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass. 

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass

As the train weaves its way into the Swiss Alps, the view from the window pretty much changes from rolling hills carpeted with forests and vineyards to snow-capped peaks peeping out in the distance, chocolate box houses laden with flowers to glistening lakes and glacier-fed streams. Every nook and corner of this country makes you feel like you’ve just stepped into a pretty postcard.

There is so much to take in – be it the nature trails, hiking trails, or breathtaking panoramic views as the train maneuvers from one idyllic Swiss village to another.

While planning our trip to Switzerland we were overwhelmed with so many options; we had a tough time finalizing our itinerary as there were too many places we wanted to add to our list.

To help you get started, we’ve listed our itinerary recommendations,  when and where to go in Switzerland. You can spend months exploring pretty little Swiss villages, taking detours, crossing cute bridges, chasing waterfalls, or just stumbling upon Swiss villages that are only accessible by cable cars.

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass - Chur

Since we were in Switzerland for 11 days, we opted for the Swiss Travel Pass for 8 days for unlimited travel in Switzerland.

Swiss Travel Pass is one of the most convenient ways to travel the length and breadth of the country. You don’t have to worry about renting a car, car parking fees, insurance, and fuel charges.

BENEFITS OF A SWISS TRAVEL PASS

The entire country is well-connected by public transportation.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains, buses, and boat transfers in Switzerland.

You can also  request a free Family Card  for children up to the age of 16. They can travel for free if accompanied by at least one parent

It covers mountain excursions like Rigi Kulm, Schilthorn, and Stanserhorn. You get a 50 % discount for  all other Mountain Excursions and a 25% discount for Top of Europe – Jungfrau. 

It also covers public transportation, museum visits, and trains to/from Liechtenstein ( neighboring country.

You can just hop in and out of any regional train, you don’t need to book anything in advance. But make sure, you see the availability and timings of trains before being adventurous 😉

For the timing of the trains, you can download the SBB app and Swiss Travel Guide app. 

Other Attractions entirely covered by the Swiss Travel Pass –

The train route to Wengen and Grindelwald are entirely covered. Post that you get 25% discount on the ticket to the Top of Europe – Jungfrau.

  Golden Pass line ( Lucerne <-> Interlaken <-> Montreux ) is entirely covered by Swiss Travel Pass. It is advisable to reserve seats if you want to experience the best view of the Alps. The train journey can be broken into three legs –

  • Montreux to Zweisimmen
  • Zweisimmen to Interlaken 
  • Interlaken to Lucerne

You can visit car-free villages like Zermatt, Murren, and Wengen.

Uetliberg and Rhine Falls from Zurich.

Chillon Castle in Montreux

Free access to over 500 museums

Mount Stanserhorn from Lucerne ( 15 minutes train ride). It has the first open-air cableway in Switzerland.

Cruises on the Vierwaldstättersee  (Lake Lucerne), Lake Brienz

You only have to pay reservation charges for panoramic trains like Glacier Express & Bernina Express .

Note: If you are under the age of 26 the prices are less, find the list and exact fares at the Swiss Travel Pass official website. You can also opt for half price card where everything is half-priced or Super Saver Card depending on your itinerary.

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass 1

Swiss Pass ( Consecutive Days )

You can also avail Flexi card if you are not planning to travel every other day.

Switzerland is utterly expensive if you factor in the cost of transportation, accommodation, mountain excursion tickets, food expenses as well as the exchange rates. If you are planning to visit on a shoestring budget, you might definitely struggle. Just to give you a rough idea.

Coffee – 3-5 CHF

Burger King Veg Meal – 8-9 CHF

Decent meal at a fancy restaurant for two – 25-50 CHF

Bottle of water – 2-4 CHF

The best thing you can do is to visit supermarkets like COOP, MIGROS , and LIDL and stock up on food, snacks, and water for your journey.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Switzerland is a year-round destination but the landscape varies drastically with every season. So, pick and plan based on the season else you will be disappointed. 

Best Time to Visit – May End to October

Busiest Months – July & August ( Long days with sunsets around 21:00, rolling meadows, snow-free trails )

Ski Season – Dec-March ( Ski towns like Zermatt, Davos, Gstaad, Murren, Wengen, and St. Moritz are super expensive and crowded)

Note – From early April to mid-May you might find some ski towns completely dead and shops/hotels closed for the spring break. During this time the prices of hotels drop too and the weather is also unpredictable.

CURRENCY – Swiss Franc but Euro is also accepted in almost all places.

TOURIST VISA – You need a valid Schengen Visa.

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass - Pass

Few things to consider before planning your Swiss Itinerary

  • Length of Stay
  • Important:  Season / Month you are traveling
  • Places you want to see and taking their geographic proximity from each other into account.
  • Itinerary ( Things to do & Places To Visit )
  • Public Transportation vs Renting a Car
  • Accommodation Option – ( Hotels vs Airbnb vs Chalets )

Our Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass - Places To Visit

Here we share our 11 days Switzerland itinerary with a Swiss Travel Pass for 8 days. We used our pass from Day 4 to Day 11. 

Day  1 – Fly into Zurich

Day 2 – Boarded the train to St. Moritz via Chur from Zurich.

Day 3 – Explored the beautiful town of St. Moritz and visit the famous Engadin mountains.

Day 4 – Boarded the famous Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt ( You can board the glacier express from other towns as well as like Chur, Brig, Andermatt, Visp, and Zermatt )

Day 5 – Explore the beautiful town of Zermatt . ( Since the weather was not favorable and it was raining we headed to Brig and visited the Spa town – of Leukerbad . )

Day 6 – Boarded the train to Interlaken, explored Interlaken, and visited the nearby beautiful town – Iseltwald

Day 7 – Explored the Jungfrau Region – Murren, Gimmelwald and Schiltorn Summit.

Day 8 – Explored Wengen and Lauterbrunnen. You can also visit Top of Europe- Jungfrau and return via Grindelwald to Interlaken.

Day 9 – Boarded the famous Golden Pass line that connects Lucern via Interlaken to Montreux. (We boarded the train from Interlaken to Lucerne. ( Lucern to Interlaken and Montreux to Zweisimmen is touted as one of the most scenic train rides ). We highly recommend stopping at the beautiful Swiss town of Brienz and doing a boat tour and also visiting Giessbach falls . If you have time also do visit the beautiful village of Lungern . The glistening lake of Lungernersee is worth the stop.

Day 10 – Explore Lucerne in the first half and take a train to Mt. Titlis/ Rigi /Pilatus . ( The mountain excursion to Rigi is completely covered by a Swiss Travel pass, so we opted to go to Rigi but it entirely depends on you.) For the other two mountain excursions, you get a 25% discount if you have the Swiss Travel Pass.

Day 11 – Back to Zurich/ fly back home. Do visit Rhine Falls if you have more time at hand, make the best use of the Swiss travel pass, and tick off the neighboring country — Liechtenstein from your list.

( PS: If you are not interested in visiting Ski towns, you can skip and instead include Montreux, Gstaad, Geneva, Bern, and Basel to your itinerary . )

Day 1-  Fly into ZURICH

Zurich was our jumping-off point to the pretty Ski town of St. Moritz. We visited the old town of Zurich on our very first day. Unfortunately, the moment we arrived, it started pouring and we could not explore much.

Things To do in Zurich

After arriving in Zurich, if you have time on hand, we recommend that you take a day or two to explore the beautiful town of Zurich and discover all that awaits you before embarking on your Swiss sojourn.

Things To Do in Zurich

  • Explore the old town ( Fraumünster, Swiss National Museum, Grossmünster )
  • Art lovers can visit Zurich’s  Kunsthaus
  • Eat at Hiltl which is the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant or drink Beer at  El Lokal or Zueghauskeller
  • Take a  cheese fondue cruise  along the lake
  • Pamper yourself at Thermalbad & Spa Zurich
  • Admire The View From Lindenhof Hill
  • Take a leisurely boat ride along the River Limmat
  • Explore Zurich west
  • Shop at Bahnhofstrasse ( Prime shopping street )
  • Hop on a train to Uetliberg or Adlisberg for the amazing views.
  • Visit the Glass Biodomes at the Botanical Gardens
  • Visit the Rhine Falls
  • Head to Felsenegg for a spectacular view of Zurich.
  • Day Trips option – Lucerne, Jungfrau Region, Interlaken, Engelberg, Bern, Black Forest in Germany, Liechtenstein ( Neighbouring country )

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass - Boat Rides in Zurich

Where to stay: We stayed at Hotel Welcome Inn, Kloten which was quite close to the airport.

Options:  Hotels in Zurich | We would recommend you stay close to the city center if you are planning to explore the city.   

Day 2-3:  St. Moritz

Nestled within a picturesque setting in the Swiss Alps. The famous ski town is home to some of the best luxury resorts in Europe and is quite popular among skiers.

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass - St. Moritz

We boarded the train from Zurich Central Station to St. Moritz. We had to change our train in Chur. The train ride from Chur to St. Moritz was one of the most scenic routes as it passes over viaducts and through helical tunnels. We highly recommend doing this train journey during winter. The train line from Thusis to St. Moritz has a UNESCO world heritage status.

swiss travel pass routes

We arrived in St. Moritz around noon and had the entire day to ourselves. We walked around the village, went to a spa, and pretty much did nothing on our first day. You can head to the Engadin mountains and take in the 360 degrees panoramic views while sipping some beer.

Things To Do in St. Moritz

  • Take In The View: Head to Muottas Muragl, Corviglia, Corvatsch . If you don’t ski, there are restaurants to sit and eat at while enjoying the mountainous backdrop. There are also hiking trails.
  • Activities like Hiking, Skiing, Toboggan, Paragliding, Snowboarding, Cresta run, Ice Hockey
  • Pamper yourselves at  Ovaverva Spa
  • Visit Segantini Museum
  • Board the famous panoramic trains like  Bernina Express and The Glacier Express .
  Do read our post on St. Moritz – Places to see in St. Moritz  

Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass - Places To Visit in St. Moritz

Where to Stay: We stayed at a beautiful property – Hotel Reine Victoria in St. Moritz. The hotel is at a stone’s throw distance from the Ovaverva spa and the location was perfect for a leisurely walk to the city center and back.

Options:  Hotels in St. Moritz  

Board the famous Glacier Express – St. Moritz to Zermatt

Things to do in Zermatt

Zermatt is one of the countless charming villages in the Swiss Alps and is famous for the one and only the famous Matterhorn mountain. This car-free village is quite popular during the winter months, skiers from all around the world flock to Zermatt for their ski vacation. It might get a bit crowded over long weekends though.

Things To Do in Zermatt

  • Take In The View:  Hop on the train to Breithorn (4,000 m) or Gornergrat (2883 meters), Klein Matterhorn, Hörnli Hut ( Basecamp for Matterhorn ), Sunnegga
  • Explore the Zermatt village
  • Matterhorn Museum
  • Walk the  Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge or Europe Bridge
  • Catch the cable car up to Schwarzee (2583 m), Trockner Steg (2939 m), and then the Glacier Paradise , at an altitude of 3883 meters.
  • Gorner Gorge
  • Hiking Trails are quite popular during the summer months.
  • Helicopter Tours and Paragliding

swiss travel pass routes

Where to Stay – We stayed at the hotel Hotel Couronne Superior which is quite close to the museum and railway station. It also has rooms with impressive views of the Matterhorn.

Other options –   Hotels in Zermatt  

 Explore Interlaken & Jungfrau Region

Interlaken is a perfect base to explore the Jungfrau region and the Geneva area. The river snaking its way throughout the city, snow-capped mountains peaking from one side, the glistening lake, and the rustic Swiss charm make it an ideal base to explore the stunning Jungfrau region and many other pretty Swiss villages. We stayed at Wilderswil in Interlaken.

Wilderswill, Interlaken

You can also stay at Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen and explore the region.

We’ve listed down everything you can do or visit in and around Interlaken below.

Things to See   & Do in and Around Interlaken

  • Explore the town in Interlaken
  • Visit St. Beatus Caves : Legend has it that St. Beatus chose this cave for his hermitage after driving a fire-breathing dragon to Lake Thun. The limestone caves offer a stunning view of the stalactites and stalagmites. There is also a cave museum and guided tours are available every 30 mins. ( Covered by Swiss Travel Pass )
  • The Oberhofen Castle : Situated on the shores of Lake Thun, this 13th-century castle boasts some amazing architecture. A great place to explore the lifestyle of the bygone era. A short boat ride on Lake Thun lands you in this beautiful castle.
  • Visit Iseltwald — a beautiful town near Interlaken.
  • Funicular ride to the top of Harder Kulm
  • The Sigriswill Suspension bridge
  • Visit the Weissenau Nature Reserve
  • Visit Thun Castle and cross the impressive Panoramabrucke Sigriswil near Lake Thun
  • Visit Giessbach Falls  situated on the southern shore of Lake Brienz. You can also stay at the Grand Hotel Giessbach which is right next to the fall.
  • Adventure activities like skydiving, paragliding, etc.
  • Top Of Europe   Jungfrau – One of the most popular tourist attractions in the Jungfrau region. The train journey to Wengen or Grindelwald is covered by Swiss Pass and then you need to pay to visit the Top of Europe (you get a 25% discount on the remainder of the journey). You can book the tickets online or on the spot.

swiss travel pass routes

Explore the Jungfrau Region

Jungfrau region is a place where you want to slow down, pause, or linger at points of interest. If you want to cover more grounds, we would suggest starting early as there is much to see and chances of getting distracted and spending way too much time in one place are guaranteed.

Things to do in Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen ( 15 minutes train ride from Interlaken )

Nestled within a valley in the Jungfrau region, Lauterbrunnen gave J.R.R. Tolkien the inspiration for his Elven City of Rivendell in his Lord of the Rings Trilogy.   It is one of the prettiest villages in the Jungfrau region and is known as the Valley of Waterfalls.

StaubacFalls Lauterburnnen

  • Visit  Trummelbach Falls ( Price – 11 CHF per person ), Staubbach Falls, Mürrenbach Falls, and Talmuseum  (To learn about the local life and history of the valley ).
  • Murren ( 20 minutes cable car + train ride from Lauterbrunnen) – This pretty car-free village is another favorite and is a perfect place to spend 1-2 nights admiring the stunning mountains.   
  • Gimmelwald ( 5-7 minute cable car ride from Murren ) 
  • Visit Schiltorn ( Piz Gloria ) ( 10 min cable car ride from Murren ) – Home to the first revolving restaurant at the height of 2970 meters and the James Bond Museum. The view from the top is breathtaking.

Note: To Visit Piz Gloria you have the option to take a cable car  from Stechelberg which is just 10 minutes away from the Trummelbach waterfall. You can do the entire circle in a day – Once you get out of the station, board the bus for Trummelbach waterfall, visit Trummelbach waterfall, board the bus to Stechelberg, buy a ticket for Piz Gloria, you can stop at Gimmelwald , Birg, and on your way back, get down at Murren and walk to the train station. It will hardly take 10 minutes to cross the village and reach the train station. Take a train & cable car from Grütschalp back to Lauterbrunnen.

Option 2: From Lauterbrunnen, you can take the cableway to Grütschalp. Then change to the narrow gauge train to Mürren the train station in the north of the village.

  • Wengen (15-minute train ride from Lauterbrunnen) – At the foot of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau mountains. Wengen is another pretty car-free resort town. You can view the entire Lauterbrunnen Valley from the top.
  • More adventurous travelers also have the opportunity to go on skydiving and paragliding tours for some of the most awe-inspiring views of the mountainside.

swiss travel pass routes

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Swati & Sam (@thetalesofatraveler) on Nov 16, 2018 at 8:42am PST

swiss travel pass routes

  Grindelwald 

Another popular town you can stay in and explore is the Jungfrau region.

  • First Cliff Walk for amazing views
  • Ziplining with The First Flyer in First Grindelwald – ( Price – 29 CHF )
  • Eiger Trail
  • Hike to the stunning Bachalpasee Lake. It takes about 1.5 – 2 hours to reach the lake.
  • Visit Sphinx Observatory
  • Reichenbach Falls
  • Visit Schynige Platte

swiss travel pass routes

Other nearby places you might consider visiting

Swiss Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass - Leukerbad

  • Visit a Spa Town ( Leukerbad ) – Truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The village is peppered with thermal pools/spas all around. Where to Stay – Hotel Le Bristol
  • Lake Blausee   ( 29 minutes from Spiez ) and  Oeschinensee in Kandersteg
  • Aare Gorge ( 1,400m-long limestone alpine river gorge  )
  • Oberstockensee and Hinterstockensee in Erlenbach ( Two beautiful lakes which are quite easy to reach )
  • Engstligenalps falls in Adelboden and t he suspension Hostalde bridge Frutigen
  • The suspension Trift bridge in Gadmen ( 43 Km from Interlaken )
  • Goms Bridge , Bellwald ( Entrance fee – FREE )
  • Gstaad – A beautiful Alpine village that is quite popular for winter activities
  • Nearby Cities – Brig, Visp, Spiez, Isletwald, Bern

swiss travel pass routes

Where to Stay: We stayed at Alpine-Inn by Jungfrau Hotel at Wilderswil. There are beautiful hotels and chalets in and around Interlaken.

Options:  Hotels in Wilderswil | Hotels in Interlaken | Hotel in Murren

Train from Interlaken to Lucerne

From Interlaken, the scenery gets even better as you inch toward Lucerne. Lucerne is a charming town and can be easily covered in a day.  The main attraction that Lucerne has on offer is the Chapel Bridge. It is the oldest covered bridge in Europe. The interiors are adorned with paintings that date from the 17th century.

We explored the old town on our first day and Mt. Rigi on the second day.

swiss travel pass routes

Things To Do In and Around Lucerne

  • Stroll around the historic Town: Buildings are adorned with beautiful facades so keep an eye on the walls as you explore the old town.
  • Boat ride in Lake Lucerne ( Covered by Swiss Travel Pass )
  • Church of St. Leodegar which is quite close to Lake Lucerne
  • Lucerne Townhall ( Lucerne Rathaus ) is also a beautiful piece of architecture.
  • Swiss Museum of Transport ( Covered by Swiss Travel Pass )
  • Tour a nuclear bunker –  Sonnenberg Bunker
  • Another covered bridge – Spreuerbrücke
  • Mountain Excursion to Mt. Rigi ( Entirely covered by Swiss Travel Pass) / Mt. Pilatus ( board the world’s steepest cogwheel railway)  / Mt. Titlis ( You get a 25% percent discount on the other two. The tickets can be booked online or on the spot.
  • Visit Stans ( Covered by Swiss Travel Pass )
  • Visit Museum Bellpark ( Covered by Swiss Travel Pass )
  • Visit Lungern – The charming town which is just an hour away
  • Take in the amazing view of Lake Lucerne from Morshach

swiss travel pass routes

Where To Stay: We stayed at Ibis Styles, Lucerne . There are other lovely properties in and around Lucerne as well.

Options:  Hotels in Lucern  

Day 11 – Fly out from Zurich / Bern

You can also do a quick stop at the capital city of Switzerland and fly out from Bern depending on your flight timings. We had a flight from Zurich so we boarded the morning train from Lucerne and headed straight to Zurich airport.

This concludes our 11-day tour around Switzerland! There is so much beauty and charm that we can’t wait to revisit and explore more.

You can also club other countries – Lake Como or Milan in Italy from Zermatt/ St. Moritz, visit the Bavarian region and Austrian Tirol region from Appenzell, Visit Liechtenstein from Zurich, visit Colmar in France from Bern, the Black Forest in Germany from Zurich.

If you have any other queries, feel free to comment below.

If you do find our article useful in planning your trip, don’t forget to send a note/picture of your trip to us ( Email:  [email protected]) for our Testimonial section.

Related Posts

Things to Do in St. Moritz

Things To Do In Leukerbad

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swiss travel pass routes

May 13, 2018 at 2:28 pm

I would love to visit Switzerland, such beautiful views from the train journey. Love your pics!

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May 16, 2018 at 12:25 pm

beautiful pics

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May 16, 2018 at 2:56 pm

truly awesome post sharing

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May 18, 2018 at 1:59 am

Your photography is absolutely stunning. I love the clarity and colors of that you shoot. Fantastic. Traveling Switzerland by train seems like an amazing option. The views (and captures) you had from the track on the high passes were beautiful.

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May 18, 2018 at 7:19 am

Switzerland 🇨🇭 you can’t beat the beauty of this country. The details you have provided will help any traveller plan their visit. The visuals compliment the blog as well. Thanks for sharing such details The travel pass is a great tip for Switzerland travellers

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May 18, 2018 at 1:23 pm

I am always happy to read a good guide to Switzerland because I can’t recommend it enough to everyone…although it is insanely expensive! The Golden pass and using the public transportation is an excellent way to travel in Switzerland! But I personally got very bored on the Glacier express 😜 but I know that many would love it!

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May 18, 2018 at 5:12 pm

Done bookmarking this post! It is a dream to visit Switzerland and reading a good guide just makes me more excited. We will definitely make sure to try traveling by train.

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May 19, 2018 at 1:15 pm

Your post made me nostalgic and reminded me of our stay in Swiss for 8 years. Swiss is surely a paradise on earth and you guys have clicked stunningly beautiful pictures. Zermatt, Muerren, and Wengen – all these car-free zones are some of my favorite places. We lived in Zurich and each and every inch of that place has been filled with good and sweet memories. Interlaken trips were like a day picnic for us. I agree with you that the most scenic train route is from Chur to St. Moritz, that we did in the initial year during winter. But nothing can beat Swiss by roads. We have driven on all the scenic routes, countryside, and small and beautiful towns and villages. Adored seeing this beautiful place through your lens. You both complement each other so beautifully. Thanks a lot for sharing this post with us.

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May 19, 2018 at 2:52 pm

What a great idea to travel by train and see all those different locations! I have not even heard about the Swiss Travel Pass before, but it seems like the best thing to use in order to get around. We were thinking about going to Switzerland next year but were unsure yet about how to manage logistics, so this blogpost has helped a big deal! Spending time in Interlaken makes sense since there seem to be lots of great places around. Thanks for sharing this!

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May 20, 2018 at 11:28 pm

Awesome awesome trip it is! I’m yet to head the real Swiz (coz it was so sunny in Basel that I wouldn’t consider it Swiz!). Thanks for the tip about the fantastic trains of Swiz. Good to know that not only it covers travel but also gives discounts on various sites.

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May 21, 2018 at 7:08 am

Those Views are just breathtaking and I have to say your pictures are just mind blowing loved them! I have to be honest I am not a fan of Winter we don’t get snow where I come from but If I ever get the chance to experience a real Winter I would love to go to Switzerland!

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May 23, 2018 at 2:24 pm

Amazing photos! I always wanted to go by train in Switzerland. I’ll bookmark your post for later.

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May 23, 2018 at 6:23 pm

Yaaass!! I love purchasing passes like the Swiss Travel Pass! The cost differential makes all the difference, and it gets you out and doing things that you normally won’t consider or didn’t know about. I’ve been dreaming of Switzerland lately, so I might just need to start saving up for the big 15 day pass. Grindelwald has been on my bucket list for ages!

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May 24, 2018 at 5:00 am

Oh wow your photos are beautiful and you really managed to make the most of your 11 days! I’m British so don’t need a visa for Switzerland, and it’s pretty close and accessible to me but somehow I still haven’t visited. This post has certainly given me the push I need to finally get to looking for flights (except not for ski season, I hate snow haha)

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May 25, 2018 at 8:11 pm

Switzerland is bestowed with such a hypnotic beauty. The panoramic views are to die for! Thanks for the detailed information about the country as well as the Swiss pass guide. I’m saving this post for future reference. Switzerland has been on my bucket list for so long. Your pictures are awesome and perfectly justify the beauty of the place. I simply can’t take my eyes off them.

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May 26, 2018 at 1:51 am

Those views are amazing and what a very informative post, I am planning a trip to Switzerland this year and I have noted your tips and saved your page. The great thing about this is I don’t need a visa as I am from the UK.

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May 26, 2018 at 11:43 pm

This sounds amazing! I’ve only been to Switzerland once and didn’t take advantage of the Swiss pass, but I really want to go back and use the pass to see some mew places! Interlaken in particular has been on my list for a long time. I might be going back to Switzerland in September, so I’ll definitely be looking into this!

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May 28, 2018 at 3:15 pm

Very nice blog and loved your pics. Wanted your advice to plan a trip for 3 days. We are planning to go to Lucern from Milan and send the next 3 days there. since we don’t have much time in hand, what are things we should include in our itiniery and could be easily doable. We are travelling in September.

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June 4, 2018 at 5:57 am

What a great blog sir 😊 शुभकामनाएं

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June 4, 2018 at 9:11 pm

Great tips for planning a trip to Switzerland. One of the things I really want to do in Switzerland is some hiking and see all those mountain villages. However, using the travel pass does sound like a very convenient and relatively economical way of getting around. St Moritz looks like a stunning place to visit.

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June 4, 2018 at 11:39 pm

I love train travel! It’s so civilized and relaxed and a great way to enjoy the scenery. And where could there be better scenery than Switzerland? Beautiful!

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June 4, 2018 at 11:42 pm

What a great pass to have and I can’t believe that kids under 16 travel for free everywhere in Switzerland on that pass? That is such good value. Your itinerary looks amazing and so do the photos. Switzerland is so picturesque and definitely on my bucket list for the future. Bookmarked for the itinerary!

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June 5, 2018 at 3:50 am

I love how beautifully colour coordinated the two of you are! Really sweet, my husband would’ve never agreed to do that LOL. Your pictures are amazing, and I realise that although renting a car in Switzerland was a fantastic idea, it meant that we missed out on some beautiful train journeys! Also, we did not make it to St Moritz and Matterhorn and those were my two big misses, we went the other way (Lucern, Geneva, Chamonix) but I always regretted missing these two places. I guess it means I need to go back 😉

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June 5, 2018 at 5:43 am

Your post revived my Swiss trip and I loved Switzerland through rail trip. Glacier Express goes through scenic route and as this train has long and wide windows, the views from train are amazing. Zermatt also looks very beautiful and worth visiting.

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June 5, 2018 at 1:28 pm

This is an excellent guide to train travel in Switzerland. The Glacier Express is just incredible, and it’s great to know how many car-free towns I can visit using this pass. Switzerland is very expensive, so I would really invest in this to save for my dinner!

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June 5, 2018 at 6:31 pm

Oh wow. The photos are amazing and the price isn’t as bad as I imagined. That said, I think I would be bankrupt if I spent 15 days in Switzerland so I might have to opt for one of the shorter options and visit Zermatt and other cute towns.

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June 6, 2018 at 9:08 am

I have visited Switzerland during summer and it was utterly gorgeous. You post makes me want to plan a trip during winters, it looks completely different and gorgeous. Yet to explore Zermatt and St. Moritz, would love to visit when these places are completely covered in snow.

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June 12, 2018 at 12:35 pm

This is awesome.You captured the beauty of swiss during winters and Loved it its helpful post for planning travel to switzerland.

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June 20, 2018 at 4:11 pm

I stayed in a beautiful village called Engelberg when i visited Switzerland. It’s just an hour drive from Lucerne and the quaint little village was everything a person dreams about Switzerland.

A great and detailed itinerary indeed… Cheers

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June 22, 2018 at 7:25 pm

This was fantastic! I love that you included a budget to help determine whether the Swiss Travel Pass was worth it financially as well. I’m a budget traveler so that’s really important to me. Your photos are also spectacular so I’m dying to head to the Alps ASAP! And the train ride would be the best way to explore the Alps. Great post!

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July 26, 2018 at 5:44 am

very lovely place…. i am loving this place….

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July 31, 2018 at 12:15 pm

Well written, extremely helpful and awesome pictures. Only question is how did you covered the itinerary with a 8 day pass, i.e Day 2 to Day 9 or ??. It appears that you have used your pass even on Day 10 to visit Mount Rigi!!

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July 31, 2018 at 1:01 pm

We used the Swiss Travel pass from Day 3 to Day 10 🙂

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November 12, 2018 at 12:09 pm

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February 8, 2019 at 7:08 am

Lovely Blog Beautiful Pictures The information shared by you will be helpful to me for my trip planned for July 2019 Thanks a Lot

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July 25, 2019 at 1:14 pm

how beautifully you have written this article,,,its mesmerizing us …thank you so much for your amazing article which has given me so much to know.

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September 6, 2019 at 11:26 pm

The travel blog Ive been looking into. Thank you.

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How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

swiss travel pass routes

Mark Williamson/GettyImages

Switzerland's rail system is among the most modern and efficient in Europe. It includes commuter trains, long-distance routes connecting Swiss cities and connecting Switzerland to the rest of Europe, and smaller trains that stop at quaint towns and villages. It also includes scenic trains that pass through stunning landscapes and mountain ranges, as well as cogwheel trains and funiculars that connect to high-altitude mountain towns. The broader Swiss public transport system is also comprised of buses, boats, and even some ski gondolas and cable cars.

Visitors to Switzerland who don't wish to rent a car will find that the Swiss travel system can take them just about anywhere in the country they want to go. We'll allow, however, that the system for planning and booking travel is not the most intuitive for first-time users—there's an extensive range of choices for tickets and travel passes, plus more than one site for purchasing. We'll help you make sense of it below.

Read on for a guide to using Swiss trains and other forms of transportation, plus information on whether the Swiss Travel Pass is the right deal for your journey to Switzerland.

Taking the Train in Switzerland

If you are only taking a few train trips in Switzerland, you can most likely get by with point-to-point tickets, as opposed to a travel pass. To buy these, you'll use the Swiss Federal Railways (abbreviated SBB) website. SBB runs regional (R, RE, and IR) trains throughout the country, as well as S-Bahn commuter trains and IC and ICN intercity trains. Regional trains are slower but stop at all or most stations, regardless of size. S-Bahn commuter trains offer frequent service between cities and their suburbs and may connect cities that are in relative proximity. Fast intercity trains stop at major towns but do not serve smaller municipalities.

Purchasing Tickets

The SBB website sells one-way or round-trip tickets between Swiss cities, as well as the City Ticket, which includes travel to a city—Bern, for example—plus a one-day travel pass for public transportation in that city. To use the site for a single trip, follow these steps:

  • Select a point-to-point ticket. Insert your point-to-point destinations, and select a date of travel up to two months in advance.
  • Select your preferred train time/route and enter passenger information. Options will appear, including the City Ticket and upgrades to First Class. On shorter train rides, you probably don't need to spend the extra money—30 percent or more—for the First Class coach, as Second Class on Swiss trains is comfortable and clean. First Class seats are larger and farther apart from one another, and the coaches are usually less crowded, which may be preferable on a longer trip. Note that when SBB initially calculates a fare, it does so with the assumption that you have the half-fare Travelcard, a discount card that must be purchased. Since you probably won't be traveling with this card (see more below), you have to select "No discount" in the discount cards field—and your ticket price will double as a result.
  • Complete your purchase with a credit card. You will be issued a voucher, which you can either print out or keep on your handheld device.
  • Persons with disabilities can, when searching for tickets, select "Barrier-free travel" from the pull-down menu labeled "Standard view" to see only trains that have wheelchair accessible carriages.
  • Supersaver tickets are available on select routes and times and can offer discounts of up to 70 percent.
  • Kids travel free. Children up to 16 years of age travel free with a parent, so long as that parent has a valid ticket. But you must pick up a Swiss Family Card before traveling—it's available at every station or point of sale.

If you've purchased your tickets online, you will not have a seat reservation, which is generally not required on domestic Swiss trains. Simply climb aboard a first- or second-class carriage, depending on your ticket class, and find a seat. Once the train is underway, a conductor will come by and scan your ticket. A digital sign inside each coach shows the next station, so you should have plenty of time to gather luggage and exit the train when it stops.

Each train seat or group of seats is fitted with an electrical outlet and may have a USB charger. Intercity trains may have restaurants with tableside service, or bars offering drinks and light snacks, including hot items. Long-distance intercity trains have a family coach as the first or last car—it's a kid-friendly coach with games and a soft play area.

If you prefer to purchase tickets in-person or on the same day of travel, you can do so at the SBB counter or office in any Swiss train station. For a surcharge, you can also reserve seats when you purchase, which is not possible online. Alternatively, if you can proceed without human assistance, you can buy tickets from SBB machines in all stations.

Other Forms of Transportation

Small towns and mountain locations not served by trains are connected with a series of cogwheel trains, funiculars, and cablecars, as well as buses run by PostBus, a subsidiary of Swiss Post. Across Switzerland's many lakes, tour boats and ferries carry leisure and commuter passengers. There are also a handful of famous scenic train rides in Switzerland which require special tickets and reserved seats.

  • Boat service on Swiss lakes is usually administered locally or regionally around the lake. In Zurich, for example, boat travel can be purchased from ZVV, the Zurich Transportation Network , which runs the city's buses, trams, trains, and boat services.
  • Cogwheel trains, funiculars, and cablecars are either run by the local/regional authority or by private entities—the latter, especially when they connect to ski resorts.
  • The Bernina Express and Glacier Express scenic mountain trains are run by the Rhaetian Railway service, but can also be purchased through the SBB website. Tickets for the Golden Pass train between Montreux and Lucerne can be bought on the Golden Pass website .
  • Bus tickets for buses run by PostBus can be purchased through the SBB site, which will automatically suggest bus travel when train travel is not available.

Swiss Travel Pass: What's Included & How Much It Costs

If you are planning to do a lot of traveling within Switzerland and want to try out its many forms of transportation, the Swiss Travel Pass may be worth the investment. The pass is available only to visitors from outside Switzerland and includes free travel on almost the entire network of trains, boats, cogwheels, funiculars, and more. Those not free with the pass are deeply discounted. The pass also includes free public transportation in more than 90 Swiss cities and towns and free admission to more than 500 museums across the country.

Swiss Travel Passes also allow for free travel for children, but as with regular rail passes, families need to pick up the Swiss Family Card before they initiate travel. The pass, while expensive, simplifies the travel process for visitors. If you prefer not to travel over three, four, eight, or 15 consecutive days, the Flex Pass allows for a set number of days of travel within 30 days and is well-suited to those planning a more extended stay in Switzerland.

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Claudia Travels

Let’s use the SBB Swiss Travel Pass! A handy guide to Swiss train travel

The Swiss railway system is one of the most efficient in Europe, in fact you could almost say it runs like clockwork. There nothing I love more when visiting my favorite alpine country than taking a Swiss train. Except maybe hiking through it. There are fast commuter trains connecting cities in Switzerland and the rest of Europe , while smaller trains link pretty Swiss towns and villages . Scenic routes glide through stunning Swiss mountains and valleys of views and waterfalls . The Swiss railway network is part of a modern public transport system that also includes buses, boats, cable cars and even ski gondolas!

Like most things in Switzerland, train tickets can be expensive, but luckily there are some easy ways to keep your costs down. This travel guide will provide some useful tips on traveling by train in Switzerland and show you how to save money on rail travel in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass.

red swiss train in field of yellow wildflowers

Swiss Travel Pass: traveling by train in Switzerland

Train travel in Switzerland is easy and convenient but there are a few things that are handy to know before you travel to Switzerland. 

The  SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) network  operates three different types of train:

  • IC and ICN InterCity trains are fast and stop at major cities and towns
  • S-Bahn trains are commuter trains that run frequently between cities and their suburbs
  • R, RE and IR regional trains are slower but stop at most stations

There’s no difference in ticket prices between the different trains, only in the speed of your journey. 

Seat reservations aren’t generally required on domestic Swiss trains, so you simply need to get on board and find a spot. On board your train, you’ll find that you have easy access to electrical outlets and USB chargers for your convenience. There may be a restaurant car serving Swiss food , either with table service or a bar that offers light snacks and drinks. Some long-distance InterCity trains also have a family-friendly coach. 

A conductor will scan your ticket or pass during your journey, so make sure you have it handy at all times. And digital signs will indicate the next stop, which will give you plenty of time to gather your belongings before you reach your destination.

As well as the SBB rail network, there are also several scenic train routes in Switzerland such as the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express. These can be quite expensive but your journey will give you some absolutely unforgettable views of the scenic Swiss mountains and countryside. If you are travelling on a Swiss train pass, you may have to pay an additional reservation fee for these routes.

train in swiss country side in summer

What is the SBB Mobile App?

SBB Mobile  is used by more than three million people, making it Switzerland’s most popular public transport app. The app makes it really easy to check timetable information and buy your tickets, and you can also load your travelcard or Swiss rail pass onto the app so it’s always close at hand. 

The SBB Mobile app provides very useful information about your journey, like notifications about platform changes, train delays and cancellations. And it will even let you know when it’s time to board or change trains.

How to buy Swiss train tickets

Buying point-to-point tickets might be the easiest option if you are only taking a few trip. You can buy tickets on the  Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website  or at any SBB railway station. You can choose one-way or round-trip rail tickets to suit your plans, and there may also be the option for a City Ticket. These include travel to a specific  Swiss city like Lucerne , or the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bern , plus a one-day Swiss travel pass for public transport in that city.

Swiss railway trains are clean and comfortable, so although First Class upgrades are available, you may prefer to save your money and travel in Second Class. 

Supersaver tickets are also available on some routes at certain times. These can be up to 70% cheaper than standard tickets, which makes it worth checking if they’re available for your journey.

red swiss train over stone bridge

What does the SBB Swiss Travel Pass include and how much does it cost?

If you are planning several journeys on the Swiss rail network, the  Swiss Travel Pass  can work out cheaper than buying individual train tickets. This Swiss trains pass is only available to non-residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein and allows free unlimited travel on the Swiss travel system in more than 90 towns and cities. 

Planning a family trip to Switzerland? Train travel is free for children under 6 years old and children aged 6-15 travel for free if they are accompanied by at least one parent with a valid pass. For children traveling alone, the Swiss Family Card can be purchased at nearly every Swiss railway station. With this card, children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday not accompanied by a parent receive a 50% discount on the Swiss Travel System range of tickets.

child on swiss train pointing to village

So, is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it? Well, as long as you will be taking several journeys by train during your visit, you could certainly save money compared to buying train tickets in Switzerland. The Swiss Travel Pass also gives you some excellent discounts on any routes that aren’t covered by the pass, together with a 50% discount on most mountain excursions and free entrance to more than 500 Swiss museums. 

If you’re planning a longer visit to Switzerland, the Flex pass could be more suitable for your travel plans. As the name suggests, these Swiss rail passes offer a more flexible option that allows travel on a set number of non-consecutive days within a 30 day period. 

You can  buy the Swiss Travel Pass  and Flex Pass from the SBB website, as well as from every major railway station in Switzerland. It’s also available from the Zurich, Berne, Geneva and Lucerne tourist offices.

Swiss Travel Pass Prices (November 2022)

                                    Second Class           First Class

3 Day Pass                CHF 232                    CHF 369

4 Day Pass                CHF 281                    CHF 447

6 Day Pass                CHF 359                    CHF 570

8 Day Pass                CHF 389                    CHF 617

15 Day Pass             CHF 429                    CHF 675

Prices are in Swiss francs (CHF)

3 Day Pass                CHF 267                    CHF 424

4 Day Pass                CHF 323                    CHF 514

6 Day Pass                CHF 384                    CHF 610

8 Day Pass                CHF 409                    CHF 649

15 Day Pass             CHF 449                    CHF 706

Once you have bought your ticket or Swiss Travel Pass, you’ll be ready to start exploring Switzerland from the comfort of your train!

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Swiss Travel Passes

swiss travel pass routes

Interrail Switzerland Mobile Pass with Access to Swiss Rail Network

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 180 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.
  • Access Switzerland's national rail network and get unlimited travel with a pass valid for 11 months after purchase.
  • With varied options like 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8-day access for 1 month from the date of activation, plan your itinerary conveniently.
  • Mingle with other travelers with a 2nd class ticket or choose a quiet, 'do not disturb' experience with the 1st class.
  • Skip the long winding queues by simply downloading the app and scanning your pass.
  • 3/4/5/6/8 days validity within 30 days post-activation
  • Unlimited access to Switzerland's national rail network
  • 1st/2nd class seats
  • Ample luggage space
  • Reserved seats
  • Tip: Plan your journey and connections ahead of time as Swiss public transportation is known for its punctuality.
  • This experience is wheelchair, pram, and stroller accessible.
  • This pass is specific to EU residents. It cannot be sold to non-European travelers or used in the country of residence of the traveler.
  • Seat/bed reservations for mandatory bookable trains need to be purchased at an additional cost to the rail pass.
  • Before Activation: The pass must be activated through the Eurail Rail Planner App within 11 months after the date of purchase and before the first travel.
  • Please click here for a detailed guide to activating your Interrail Pass.
  • After Activation: The 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8-day passes are valid for 30 days after activation.
  • Note : Unused and unactivated passes can be canceled up to 6 months from the last possible activation date indicated on the mobile pass.
  • These tickets are valid for 11 months from the date of purchase.

swiss continuous travel pass with access to train, bus & boat-1

Swiss Continuous Travel Pass with Access to Train, Bus & Boat

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
  • Benefit from access to tickets for regular and premium trains, buses, and boats with the cost-effective Swiss Travel Pass.
  • Enjoy 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days of access to Switzerland's public transit in more than 90 cities and towns.
  • Opt for 2nd tickets or exclusive 1st class tickets on panoramic trains & Swiss boat trips.
  • Get unlimited travel on premium panorama trains such as the Glacier Express, Luzern Interlaken Express, and more.
  • Your pass includes mountain excursions to Brunni, Stanserhorn, and Stoos along with discounted tickets on mountain railways and cable cars like Jungfraujoch!
  • Swiss Travel Pass in Switzerland (route map here )
  • 1st or 2nd class seats (optional)
  • Unlimited access to train, bus, boat, and mountain railway tickets
  • Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Golden Pass MOB, Gothard Panorama Express, and Luzern Interlaken Express
  • Unlimited use of public transit in more than 90 towns & cities within Switzerland
  • Free admission to 500+ museums - click here to know more.
  • Mountain excursions to Brunni, Klewenalp, Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
  • Discounts available for mountain railways and cable cars
  • Tip: Always carry your pass with you, as ticket inspectors may request to see it on trains and at attractions.
  • Staff is available for guests requiring disability assistance.
  • This pass is valid only for residents outside of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
  • Cards are pre-validated at the time of purchase and can be purchased 6 months in advance.
  • Children under 16 travel free when accompanied by a parent.
  • This is a public transportation service, seating will be on a first-come first-serve basis.
  • Travel for free on a few designated routes by simply presenting your pass and passport/proof of residence to the conductor on the train. No need to buy a separate ticket beforehand!
  • While seat reservation is not necessary for most of the routes, please confirm before you travel as the seat reservation fee is not included in the pass.
  • An electronic voucher will be sent to your email instantly after booking confirmation.
  • Your pass will be activated on the day selected during booking.
  • For example, if you picked the 3-day pass, your pass is valid for 3 consecutive days. It ends at 5am on the day following the last day.
  • Note : Unused and unactivated passes are refundable up to 1 day prior to the 1st date of validity. Thereafter, fees are applied on the 1st day of validity or later, if evidence of non-use is supplied. For this, Rail Europe needs to be contacted. The claim for a refund will be refused if no proof of partial non-use is presented.

swiss half fare card: 50% discounts on train, bus, boat & mountain railway tickets-1

Swiss Half Fare Card: 50% Discounts on Train, Bus, Boat & Mountain Railway Tickets

  • Benefit from a 50% discount on unlimited tickets for regular and premium trains, buses, and boats with the super-saver Swiss Half-Fare Card.
  • Enjoy 1-month validity and discounted rates on the public transportation system as you explore must-see regions of Switzerland.
  • Travel by cable car, and get unlimited 1st and 2nd class travel on trains, as per your convenience.
  • Directly purchase locally corresponding discounted tickets to travel on your desired route like the Glacier Express, Gotthard Panorama Express, and more.
  • Swiss Half-Fare Card in Switzerland (route map here )
  • 50% discount on train, bus, boat, and mountain railway tickets
  • 1st and 2nd class train seats
  • Tip: Carefully outline your travel plans and calculate the expected count of train, bus, boat, or cable car trips throughout your stay in Switzerland as this card is valid for 1 month.
  • Tickets with the Half-Fare Card discount can be purchased online, at manned railway stations during opening hours, from the ticketing machines at rail stations, or through the SBB app.
  • After activation, the card is valid for 1 calendar month.

swiss flexible travel pass with access to train, bus & boat-1

Swiss Flexible Travel Pass with Access to Train, Bus & Boat

  • With this flexible Swiss Travel Pass, get unrestricted access to regular and premium trains, buses, and boats for any 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days in a month.
  • Get free and unlimited access to the public transport system spanning over 90 cities and towns in Switzerland.
  • Take unlimited journeys on panorama trains, including the Glacier Express and Luzern Interlaken Express, and enjoy free access to over 500 museums.
  • Your pass covers mountain excursions to Brunni, Stoos, and more, with up to 50% off on mountain railway and cable car fares, like those to Jungfraujoch.
  • Want a quiet journey? Opt for a 1st class ticket for a 'do not disturb' experience or mingle with fellow travelers with a 2nd class ticket.
  • 3/4/6/8/15 days flexible validity
  • 1st or 2nd class seats
  • Unlimited access to train, bus & boat
  • Unlimited travel on panoramic trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Golden Pass MOB, Gothard Panorama Express & Luzern Interlaken Express
  • Unlimited access to public transport in over 90 cities in Switzerland
  • Entry to 500+ museums
  • Mountain excursions to Rigi, Stanserhorn & Stoos
  • Discounts on mountain railways & cable cars
  • Discounts on Lyria trains between France & Switzerland
  • Discounts on Nightjet trains through Switzerland
  • Tip: For popular scenic routes like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express, consider making reservations in advance to secure your seat.
  • This pass is only valid for residents outside of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
  • Click here to view the area of validity.
  • Cards are prevalidated at the time of purchase and can be purchased 6 months in advance.
  • This is a public transportation service, seating will be on a first come first serve basis.
  • Travel for free on a few designated routes by simply presenting your pass and passport/proof of residence to the conductor on the train. No need to buy a separate ticket beforehand.
  • You will need to activate your pass at www.activateyourpass.com. You will receive a valid ticket for each activated travel day. You can either print your ticket or display it on your mobile device.
  • This pass gives you a selected number of travel days. For example, With a 3-day pass, you can take as many trips as you want within a calendar day – midnight to 5am on the following day.
  • These 3 days (or the option of days you pick) do not need to be used continuously. It can be any 3 days within 1 month from the first date of validity.
  • Activated tickets can be deactivated/changed any number of times until 1 day prior to the selected travel day. On the selected travel day, an activated ticket cannot be deactivated anymore.

What are Swiss travel passes?

Seamless travel through the length and breadth of Switzerland via the super-efficient Swiss Travel System; that is the promise of a Swiss travel pass. Convenient, affordable and time-saving, this travel card gives you access to Swiss trains, buses and boats. Trains like the Golden Pass Express, Glacier Express and Bernina Express, included in your pass, make for scenic rides. Along with making movement easy, the pass also includes access to museums and other perks, to make your Swiss escapade even sweeter!

Types of Swiss travel passes

Swiss continuous travel pass.

Eligibility: Non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein

  • Choose from 3/4/6/8/15 consecutive day passes
  • Access to trains, buses, boats & premium trains like the Golden Pass Express
  • 1st & 2nd class seating available
  • Perks like discounts on cable cars, mountain excursions & entry to 500 museums

Swiss Flexible Travel Pass Flex

  • Choose from 3/4/6/8/15 random day passes offering great flexibility
  • 1 month validity with a choice of 1st or 2nd class tickets
  • Extensive coverage with unlimited use of trains, boats, buses & premium trains like the Bernina Express
  • Inclusions like free entry to 500+ museums, mountains excursions & discounts on cable cars

Swiss Half Fare Card

  • 50% discount on public transport like trains, buses & boats
  • Valid for 1 month
  • Applicable on premium train routes like the Golden Pass, Bernina Express etc.
  • Extensive area of validity

Reserve your seats

  • Most Swiss trains do not require seat reservation. You can simply get on board and take a seat that’s available.
  • Panoramic trains like Bernina Express, the Chocolate Train, the Glacier Express, the Gotthard Panorama Express and international trains require mandatory reservations, which can be done online or at the train station.

Swiss travel pass activation

Swiss Travel Pass

Confirmation Mail

  • Upon payment, you will receive email confirmation.
  • Swiss Half Fare Card & Swiss Continuous Travel Pass can be found as a pdf attachment to the mail.
  • In the case of a Swiss Flexi Travel Pass, a receipt will be found as an attachment in the mail.

Swiss Travel Pass

  • The passes come pre-validated and the start date will be the date chosen while booking. 

Swiss Travel Pass

  • Swiss Flexi Travel Pass should be activated at www.activateyourpass.com using the receipt from the booking voucher. You will receive a valid ticket for each activated travel day.

Swiss Travel Pass

Print it out

  • Swiss Half Fare Card & Swiss Continuous Travel Pass pdfs should be printed out.
  • For Swiss Flexi Travel Pass, the activated travel day ticket can be produced digitally or physically, upon inspection.

Learn more on How to use the Swiss Travel Pass

*Please note that the activation process varies with different Swiss cards, so be sure to refer to them for more specific information.

Plan your journey with Swiss Travel Passes

swiss travel pass routes

  • Valid ID: Keep your pass and a valid photo ID handy at all times during travel as they will have to be produced for inspection.
  • Assistance: There are staff to help those who require assistance.
  • Plan Ahead: A little bit of planning goes a long way while using train passes. Take stock of the routes and trains you intend to take and choose a Swiss travel pass accordingly.
  • Make reservations: If you require seats or if the train necessitates mandatory reservations, book your seats ahead of time.
  • Customization: Depending on your budget and whether you would like a communal or a more private experience, choose a 1st or 2nd class Swiss pass.
  • Premium trains: Don't miss out on the premium trains included in your Swiss travel pass like Glacier Express & Bernina Express, famous for their incredible views.
  • Benefit from inclusions: Be sure to take advantage of the perks that come with Swiss travel passes like mountain excursions to Brunni, Stanserhorn; museums admissions and discounted cable car tickets.
  • Arrive Early: The trains work on a first come first serve basis, so arrive early at the stations. Getting to the station early will also help you navigate calmly and avoid stress. 

swiss travel pass routes

Download the Swiss Travel Pass and use it to easily map your Swiss journey. All major city connections along with the mode of transport are mentioned on the map.

Frequently asked questions about Swiss Travel Passes

A Swiss Travel Pass is a single valid travel document that gives you access to the entire transport system in Switzerland. Non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein can use it to gain entry to trains, buses, boats in 90+ Swiss cities.  

Depending on the validity and the features included, a Swiss Travel Pass is available at various price ranges starting from CHF 124.86. You can also avail of reduced pricing for youth and children.

You can purchase a Swiss Travel Pass online and save time and money while doing so.

While a Swiss Continuous Travel Pass mandates that the pass should be used on consecutive days, a Swiss Flexi Travel Pass will let you use the pass on random calendar days within a month. In the latter case, the days needn’t essentially be consecutive.

The validity of your Swiss Travel Pass depends on the type of ticket purchased. Please refer to your ticket details for more information.

Most Swiss trains do not require prior reservation with a Swiss Travel Pass. In some premium trains like Glacier Express, Bernina Express and some international trains, you have to make a seat reservation in spite of having a valid Swiss travel pass. Learn more on the Swiss Travel Pass seat reservation page

Yes, Swiss Travel Passes come at reduced rates for youth and children. Please check your ticket details for more information.

Cancellation and refund policy varies with the type of Swiss Travel Pass purchased. Kindly refer to your ticket for more specific information.

For those using a Swiss Flexi Travel Pass , a travel day is a day you have chosen to activate your pass, which means you would be traveling on that particular day using your Swiss Flexi Travel Pass.

Swiss Half Fare Card offers a 50% discount on ticket fares. You should purchase the tickets from the local train station with your pass and then board the train.

Headout Blog

Activation to reservation: How to use the Swiss Travel Pass

Europe Train Passes How to use Swiss Travel Pass

Nestled in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is a dream destination offering a blend of pristine natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant urban life. Or if you somehow want to see Roger Federer. Or eat copious amounts of chocolate! To do all of that, the Swiss Rail Pass is your golden key. And here’s all the information you need to make the best of the Swiss Rail Pass. From why to get it, how to use it and which route to take.

Benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass

  • Unlimited Travel : Embrace the freedom to explore the Swiss Travel System network's extensive and efficient rail, bus, and boat services.
  • Convenience : With a simple swipe or scan, set off on your next adventure.
  • Cost-effectiveness : With one pass, sidestep the hassle of purchasing individual tickets, saving both time and money.
  • Skip Car Rentals : Ditch the stress of navigating foreign roads; relax on a train winding through Switzerland’s serene and scenic routes.
  • Extra Perks : Get free or discounted access to over 500 museums and attractions, adding more zest to your Swiss exploration.

How to Purchase the Swiss Travel Pass

  • Online Purchase : Buying the Swiss Travel Pass online is a breeze. Just choose your pass type here! , fill in the necessary details, and voila, you’re set! We highly recommend this as it’s easier, more cost-effective and you can plan well in advance.
  • In-Person Purchase : If you’re more of a last-minute planner, worry not. Head to any major railway station in Switzerland and purchase your pass at the ticket counter.

Types of Swiss Travel Passes

  • Swiss Travel Pass : Enjoy unlimited travel across Switzerland for 3, 4, 8, or 15 consecutive days.There are also flexi and consecutive options within this too. But more on that a little later!
  • Swiss Half Fare Card : Avail 50% off on tickets for trains, buses, and boats for a month.
  • Regional Passes : Explore specific Swiss regions in-depth with unlimited travel within selected zones.
  • Other Passes : There are also tailored passes like the Swiss Family Card or the Swiss Flexi Pass to cater to varying travel needs.

What is the Flexi option?

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex allows for a flexible travel schedule. You can choose to travel on non-consecutive days within a month, making it perfect for travelers who wish to stay in one place for a few days before moving on. You can choose a pass for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days of travel within a month.

What is the Continuous option?

On the other hand, the continuous Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel on consecutive days throughout its validity period. It's ideal for travelers who wish to explore different parts of Switzerland without any breaks. The continuous pass is available for 3, 4, 8, or 15 consecutive days.

How to Use the Swiss Travel Pass

Navigating through Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass is a breeze unlike some of the other rail passes worldwide! Here’s how you can activate and make the most out of your pass:

How to Activate Your Swiss Travel Pass

For electronic swiss travel pass:.

  • Receive Your Pass: Upon purchasing your pass, you'll receive a PDF file via email.
  • Check the Information: Ensure the PDF file includes essential information like the start date, passenger name, and birth date.
  • Prepare Your Smartphone: Set your smartphone screen brightness to the maximum to ensure easy scanning of the code by train staff.
  • Download to Wallet App (Optional): If provided, use the link to add the pass to a wallet app on your smartphone.
  • Print Back-Up Copies (Optional): Optionally, print back-up copies of the pass on A4 or letter-sized paper.

For Swiss Travel Pass Flex (Online Activation):

  • Step 1: Visit Activation Website
  • Step 2: Enter Your Details. Use the information on your receipt to activate travel dates: your reference number, first name, last name, and date of birth.

Manual Validation (If Required):

  • Step 1: Check Travel Dates and DOB. If your pass has the dates of travel and Date of Birth (DOB) on it, proceed to the next step.
  • Step 2: Write Passport Number and Nationality.

Reserving Seats

  • Reservation Not Mandatory : Seat reservations are not mandatory on most Swiss trains. However, it’s advisable on popular scenic routes like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, or the Chocolate Train.
  • How to Reserve : Reservations can be made online on the Swiss Railways website, at railway stations in Switzerland, or via the SBB Mobile app. There’s a small reservation fee for this service.

Using the Pass

  • Hop On, Hop Off : With your activated pass, hop on any train, bus, or boat across Switzerland. Show your pass to the ticket inspector when asked.
  • Scenic Routes : For scenic routes, it's advisable to reserve a seat to guarantee a spot, especially during peak tourist seasons.
  • City Transport : The pass also covers many city trams and buses, making urban exploration a breeze.

Mobile App vs Physical Pass

  • Mobile App : The Swiss Travel System offers a mobile app where you can store your pass digitally. It’s a convenient, eco-friendly option.
  • Physical Pass : If you prefer a tangible ticket, opt for a physical pass. It’s a traditional, reliable choice, and there’s something about having that physical ticket in hand!

Checking Timetables

  • Online : Use the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website or app to check train timetables, which will help you plan your day efficiently.
  • At Stations : Timetable boards at stations are also an easy way to check train times.

Produce Your Ticket for Inspection

Ticket Inspection: Keep your pass handy as staff may ask to see it during your journey.

Popular Routes and Destinations

  • Scenic Routes : Traverse the iconic Glacier Express route, revel in the picturesque landscapes along the Golden Pass Line, and more.
  • City Hopping : Effortlessly hop between urban jewels like Zurich, Geneva, and Lucerne, each offering a unique slice of Swiss life.

FAQs about the Swiss Travel Pass

Is the swiss travel pass worth it.

Absolutely, especially if you plan on traveling around Switzerland a lot. It simplifies travel and can save you money.

Can I buy the Swiss Travel Pass at Zurich Airport?

Yes, you can purchase and activate your Swiss Travel Pass at Zurich Airport.

What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class on the Swiss Travel Pass?

1st class offers more space, comfort and quieter carriages while 2nd class is more economical.

What is the coverage of the Swiss Travel Pass?

It covers nearly all public transportation in Switzerland including trains, buses, boats and even some mountain excursions.

Can I get a refund on my Swiss Travel Pass?

Refund policies may vary, it's best to check with the point of purchase for their specific refund policy.

How to Reserve my seat?

Reservations can be made online on the Swiss Railways website, at railway stations in Switzerland, or via the SBB Mobile app. There’s a small reservation fee for this service.

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Aakanksha Singh Devi

Welcome to my world of ink and adventure, where words meet wanderlust. A seasoned writer and editor, I fully believe that the pen is mightier than the sword. If I were given three wishes, one would definitely be to have the ability to travel - in time, dimension and places! Basically, I want a TARDIS! Of the 40 countries I've visited, Jordan, Japan, Italy and Croatia are my top favourite. London, having lived there, will always have my love, but Nepal and India have my soul! I love adventure (I'm from the mountains, what did you expect!), sports, music and food, so I travel to catch concerts, matches and races. I mostly write about off-beat travel, local experiences, best shopping spots, travel guides and coffee shops. Basically, give me coffee, a book, adventures and an enchanted forest, and you'll never hear me complain.

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How to Use the Swiss Travel Pass on the Bernina Express in 2024

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The Bernina Express is a bucket list train journey covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

Imagine sitting comfortably on this panoramic train, steadily climbing towards the highest point across stunning viaducts. In your hands is the Swiss Travel Pass, your best travel companion on the Bernina Express.

The fabulous Bernina Express train journey is included in the Swiss Travel Pass . This means that you will not have to buy a separate ticket as long as you hold a valid pass.

In this informative overview, we'll guide you through the ins and outs of using the Swiss Travel Pass on the Bernina Express. Whether you want to know how to maximize your pass's value, understand the routes and schedules, download a Bernina Express map, or uncover hidden gems, we've got you covered.

Understanding the Bernina Express

The Bernina Express holds a special place in our hearts among the premium panoramic trains of Switzerland. We have dedicated an ultimate guide to the Bernina Express that goes into great depth about every aspect.

Here’s a snapshot to get you up to speed. The Bernina Express is a roughly 4-hour, 20-minute scenic train journey from eastern Switzerland to Italy. The narrow gauge train shares the route between Chur and Samedan with its sister train, the Glacier Express. One of the highlights is the crossing of the Landwasser Viaduct, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

South of Pontresina, the Bernina Express climbs 2253 meters above sea level at Ospizio Bernina, then descends through fir trees down to Tirano, Italy.

Bernina Express entering a tunnel

Traveling with the Swiss Travel Pass on the Bernina Express

If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you're in luck! The pass covers the entire Bernina Express line from Switzerland to Italy.

There’s one caveat: the Swiss Travel Pass only provides free rides on the regularly scheduled regional trains. In other words, you can ride the same tracks as the Bernina Express while seated on a local train with locals and other tourists.

Insider tip: to upgrade your experience on a local train, locate an unreserved seat in one of the first-class compartments at either end of the train.

The Allegra engines hauling the Bernina Express each have modern first-class sections with unreserved seats. These iconic red engines are indicated by a yellow stripe, offering first-class seating on a first-come-first-served basis.

This comes in handy during off-peak travel periods. But we highly recommend reserving a seat during most times of the year. The Bernina Express is very popular among Swiss locals, who often do not reserve seats.

So, to fully enjoy the panoramic windows and amenities of the Bernina Express train, you'll need to purchase a seat reservation. While seat reservations incur a fee, this is the most hassle-free way to use the Swiss Travel Pass on the Bernina Express.

Buy a Swiss Travel Pass at RailEurope

Purchase the Swiss Travel Pass online at the most reputable vendor starting at CHF 244. You will receive an immediate email confirmation with a PDF ticket.

Riding the Bernina Express with the Swiss Travel Pass

When embarking on a memorable trip on the Bernina Express, careful planning is essential to make the most of this scenic train journey. Here is a step-by-step instruction to help you plan your trip:

1. Check the Bernina Express Route

Familiarize yourself with the Bernina Express route to understand the different landscapes and iconic landmarks you will encounter. From Swiss farmland to raging rivers and high-alpine peaks to charming Engadine villages, the journey promises captivating views at every turn.

2. Bernina Express First Class vs. Second Class Seats

The Bernina Express offers first and second-class compartments. First class provides a more luxurious experience with fewer seats and extra legroom. The second class still offers comfortable seating, yet less space and a more affordable price.

In short, the key difference between first and second-class cars on trains is the seating layout:

  • First-class seats are arranged 2 plus 1 across the car width. Tables for two are located on either side of the aisle.
  • Second-class seats are arranged 2 plus 2 across the car width. Tables for two on either side of the aisle are shared among four passengers. 

Bernina Express First-Class Seat Chart

3. Choosing a Seat with the Best Views

You can sit wherever you like on the Bernina Express, but the best views are on the right-hand side of the train going south and the left-hand side going north. The most spectacular views include the Brusio Spiral, the Ospizio Bernina area, and the Landwasser Viaduct.

Swiss Travel Pass Bernina Express Crossing Landwasser Viaduct in Winter

And if you're lucky and find a seat in the very front of an Allegra engine, the driver might leave their blinds up to reveal an amazing POV across their shoulder. Alternate windows open wide for fresh air and reflection-free photography. For this reason, many travelers actually prefer the Allegra to the panoramic cars.

4. Make a Bernina Express Seat Reservation

To secure a guaranteed spot on the panoramic carriages of the Bernina Express, we highly recommend making a seat reservation in advance. This is especially true during peak travel seasons when the train line can get crowded.

Although the Swiss Travel Pass covers your train fare, a separate reservation fee is required to secure your seat. Given the popularity of the Bernina Express, we recommend making your seat reservation as early as possible, especially during peak travel seasons.

  • Be sure to have your travel dates, class, and preferred seating options ready when making the reservation. The Bernina Express operates daily.
  • Head to the official Bernina Express website to reserve a seat. Click through the ordering process and select your desired seat - just like when buying an airplane ticket.
  • At the end, where you enter the passengers, select “Swiss Travel Pass” as the “Reduction.” This will effectively remove the train fare. You will only pay the CHF 36.00 reservation fee.
  • Once complete, you will receive a “print at home” QR code.

Seat reservations on the Bernina Express are available 365 days before the travel date. Children under six who don't need their own seats pay no reservation fee. Children aged six to 16 must purchase a child ticket and pay for an adult reservation.

Remember that seat reservations are subject to availability, so we advise booking as early as possible, especially during peak travel seasons. And note our advice on how to ride in modern first-class seats without a seat reservation.

5. Plan Connecting Trains

The Bernina Express journey from Chur to Tirano takes approximately 4 hours 20 minutes. On the day of your journey, arrive at the designated train station early to allow enough time for checking in.

If you are planning to continue your trip to Milan or other parts of Switzerland, it's essential to familiarize yourself with train connections.

And finally, it is possible to hop off the Bernina Express anywhere it stops. You could visit the train museum in Bergün, stroll through St. Moritz, or see the Morteratsch Glacier. Once you get done exploring, you can easily continue on an hourly regional train to the final destination. That way, you can see places along the route but complete the entire Bernina Express.

swiss travel pass routes

Are you ready to ride the Bernina Express?

The Swiss Travel Pass is the ultimate ticket to explore the captivating beauty of the Bernina Express train line. With its panoramic windows and breathtaking landscapes, this bucket list train adventure is truly an experience of a lifetime.

Remember, the Swiss Travel Pass covers the cost of the train ride, giving you the freedom to sit back, relax, and take in the awe-inspiring views without worrying about additional expenses. You must pay for the seat reservation or “hack” your Swiss Travel Pass by hopping on a local train without mandatory reservations…

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it in 2024?

Swiss travel pass faqs: helpful answers for 2024.

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass includes rail travel on the Bernina Express between Chur and Tirano, Italy. There is no additional charge to ride this once-in-a-lifetime train line for holders of a Swiss Travel Pass. Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass coverage .

The Swiss Travel Pass costs upwards of CHF 244 for adults as of 2024. This is the price for a 3-day pass in second class. The pass covers the Bernina Express train line. Read more about prices in our dedicated post .

The Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to explore Switzerland using the world-renowned public transportation system. The fact that not only regional trains are covered by the pass but also scenic panorama lines makes it an unbeatable access ticket. The Swiss Travel Pass entitles you to unlimited travel on Swiss public transport, including the Bernina Express train line. Read more about the many Swiss Travel Pass benefits .

The seat reservation fee is CHF 36.00 per person and leg as of 2024.

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Dimitri Burkhard

As the founder, editor, and community manager of Newly Swissed, Dimitri owns the strategic vision. He is passionate about storytelling and is a member of Swiss Travel Communicators. Dimitri loves discovering new trends and covers architecture, design, start-ups and tourism.

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swiss travel pass routes

The 5 most beautiful scenic trains in Switzerland

The five most beautiful scenic trains in Switzerland are the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, the Golden Pass Line, the Gotthard Panorama Express and the Voralpen-Express. Here you can find out everything you need to know about them. The panoramic trains have particularly large and far-reaching window panes for the perfect view. And the best thing is that the ticket is included in the most common train tickets and tourist railway passes. A ride on the scenic train is comfortable and perfect for exploring the most beautiful parts of Switzerland.

Gotthard Panorama Express (Photo: KEYSTONE, Swiss Tavel System AG)

Gotthard Panorama Express Ticket from Lucerne or Lugano

The Gotthard Panorama Express is a beautiful panoramic journey between Lucerne and Lugano. Between Lucerne and Flüelen you travel by steam or Moro ship. Between Flüelen and Lugano the panorama train runs on the historic railroad line through the old Gotthard tunnel.

Bernina

Tirano to St. Moritz: self-guided Day trip on the red Bernina train

Travel on the Bernina line from Tirano to St. Moritz and back on the red regional trains of the Rhaetian Railway. You travel through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and have the option to get off and on the train wherever you like.

Rail ticket between Berne and Lucerne through the Emmental valley

Rail ticket between Berne and Lucerne through the Emmental valley

Take the regional train through the picture-book landscape of the Emmental between Lucerne and Bern. You travel through the middle of the huge UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve.

GEX (Photo- Glacier Express AG, Swiss Travel System AG)

Glacier Express ticket from St. Moritz or Zermatt

Travel through Switzerland on the Glacier Express, the slowest express train in the world. The route between Zermatt and St. Moritz is 291 km long and takes around 8 hours.

Walensee Zug

Train ticket between Zurich and Chur

Travel between Zurich and Chur with this train ticket. The express train runs on a beautiful panoramic route along Lake Zurich and Lake Walen.

Rail ticket between Interlaken Ost and Zermatt

Rail ticket between Interlaken Ost and Zermatt

Take the express train between Interlaken Ost and Zermatt, changing trains twice. The scenic journey takes you along Lake Thun and through the Bernese and Valais Alps.

Rhaetian Railway

Train ticket between Chur and Davos via Filisur

Take the train from Chur to Davos. You change trains in Filisur and travel through a very impressive Alpine landscape.

Train Arosa

Train ticket between Chur and Arosa

Take the regional train from Chur to Arosa. You travel through the Grisons Alps and look out over mountain peaks on both sides of the train.

Train to St. Moritz

Train ticket between Chur and St. Moritz

Between Chur and St. Moritz, you travel part of the Bernina Express route. On the way, you will see the Plessur Alps and the Albula Alps, cross the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct and travel along the Albula line, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Centovalli Railway

Centovalli train ticket between Domodossola and Locarno

With this ticket you travel on the Centovalli Railway. It runs between Domodossola and Locarno and connects the Simplon line with the Gotthard Railway.

Swiss Half Fare Card (Swiss Travel system AG)

Swiss Half Fare Card

With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% discount on your trips by bus, train, boat and most mountain railroads. You can travel throughout Switzerland within one month.

We've already talked about the fact that Switzerland has a high affinity for trains as a means of transport in our article about public transport in Switzerland . But did you know that those over 5300 km of railway tracks serve more than just fast transportation from one place to another?

There are several railroad lines that you would love to travel several times in a row. Because that way you could take a closer look at the beautiful scenery that inevitably speeds past your windows. Be that the journey on the intercity train from Zurich to Chur , which passes mystical Lake Walensee. Or the route from Fribourg to Lausanne , where you get an incredible view over the Lavaux vineyards and Lake Geneva after the tunnel.

Train travel and beautiful views usually go hand in hand in Switzerland. If you're looking to embark on a train journey with a focus on these very views, there are some world-famous panoramic trains that will make your heart beat faster.

Swiss Activities Tips: Get he perfect support for planning your trip in the panorama train through Switzerland with the Train Tour App. Also, the panoramic trains are all covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and other railway passes for tourists .

Plan your trip with the Train Tour App (Photo: Swiss Travel System)

Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is called the "slowest express train in the world" and lives up to this title. It covers a distance of 291 km between Zermatt and St. Moritz, passes 91 tunnels and crosses 291 bridges. It takes no less than eight hours to do so. This results in an average speed of 36 km/h, which is roughly equivalent to the speed that a leatherback turtle can cover under water.

The Glacier Express is operated by the two railroad companies Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn (MGB) and Rhätische Bahn (RhB). The MGB operates the section between Zermatt and Disentis, while the part between Disentis and St. Moritz is operated by the RhB.

So if you're making your way from St. Moritz to Zermatt on the Glacier Express, you'll have more than enough time at turtle speed to get your fill of the enchanting scenery. Check out this Glacier Express review for more information on this scenic ride.

Route Glacier Express

  • Where does the Glacier Express route pass?

The Glacier Express commutes between St. Moritz in the Engadine and Zermatt, the mountain village at the foot of the Matterhorn. Shortly after its departure in St. Moritz, the Glacier Express travels along the winding Albula line.

On this railroad line, the train passes through six viaducts and three helical tunnels to overcome the altitude between the Albula Pass and Filisur. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage inventory in 2008. On this route, the train keeps changing the side of the valley and the direction. This does not make it easy to keep track of where you are. So keep a close look out the window.

This segment of the Glacier Express also includes the impressive Landwasser Viaduct, which leads directly from the bridge structure into a tunnel. The viaduct is 146 m long and 65 m high.

Next, the Glacier Express travels through the Rhine Gorge , also known as "Ruinaulta" or the "Swiss Grand Canyon" . If you start the journey in St. Moritz, here you have the best view of the Rhine Gorge on the left side of the train .

After a quick break in Chur, the capital of the canton of Grisons, the journey continues across the Oberalp Pass via Disentis/Mustér to Andermatt in the canton of Uri. Up here, the Glacier Express overcomes its highest point and passes Lake Oberalp, 2044 meters above sea level.

Afterwards, it's more or less all downhill and along the River Rhone to Brig in the canton of Valais . After Brig, the Glacier Express makes another change of direction and begins its final ascent to Zermatt. Here, the Matterhorn hopefully waits impatiently for you and does not hide behind the clouds.

Rhine Gorge (Photo: MySwitzerland)

  • Things to know about the Glacier Express
  • The Glacier Express runs three times daily in summer and twice daily in winter.
  • A seat reservation is mandatory for a ride on the Glacier Express. The cost depends on whether you're travelling in summer or winter and whether you're travelling the entire journey or only parts of it. The price for a seat reservation varies between CHF 29 and CHF 49. With the GA or Swiss Half Fare Card, you don't receive a discount on the reservation.
  • Several Rail Passes are accepted on the Glacier Express. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass , a Eurail, an Interrail or a day pass, you don't pay extra for the ticket and only need to buy a seat reservation. With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% discount on the ticket price.
  • Swiss Activities Tip : If you're interested in the journey, but not in a trip on the panoramic train, there are also "normal" trains running between Zermatt and St. Moritz. However, for this trip you have to change trains in Brig, Andermatt, Disentis/Mustér and Chur. The journey is only a little longer than with the Glacier Express. But you're not bound to the departures or the reservation obligation of the Glacier Express.
  • Service and gastronomy are very important on the Glacier Express. After all, the journey takes almost one full day, which won't go down well on an empty snomach. The easiest way is to order your meal when you get your seat reservation. However, the menu is also available for spontaneous requests.

(Photo: Swiss Travel System)

Bernina Express

With its 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, which the Bernina Express panorama train crosses and traverses on the 156 km between Chur and Tirano, you could call it the little brother of the Glacier Express. In terms of speed, the two roughly balance each other out, as the Bernina Express also glides along the rails at leather turtle speed.

What's special about the Bernina Express is that it crosses the Swiss border and you have to change means of transportation in between. After about four hours, the panoramic train of the Rhaetian Railway reaches Tirano in Italy. From there, the Bernina Express bus covers the remaining 90 km to Lugano .

Due to the fact that the Bernina Express crosses the Alps, you will be able to marvel at glaciers on this trip in the beginning and be surrounded by palm trees only a few hours later. A more contrasting train ride in such a short time will be hard to find.

Learn more about the Bernina Express in our extensive review we wrote about this panoramic train.

Route Bernina Express

  • Where does the Bernina Express route pass?

The Bernina Express begins its journey in Chur and then shares its route with the Glacier Express until St. Moritz. Thus, this panoramic train also passes through the Rhine Gorge, over the Landwasser Viaduct and along the confusing Albula line into the Engadine.

From St. Moritz, the train climbs steeply up to Ospizio Bernina, which at 2253 meters above sea level is the highest point on the Bernina Express route. On the way there you have a wonderful view of the Morteratsch glacier as well as the ice-cold and deep blue Lago Bianco.

After this steep climb, it's all downhill. Literally.

Heading towards Italy, the Bernina Express travels over various viaducts, through the fertile Val Poschiavo, past Lago di Poschiavo and, shortly before crossing the border into Italy, across another highlight.

The circular viaduct in Brusio allows the train to overcome the required height on a small area and demonstrates for a moment the effect of centrifugal force.

In Campocologno the train crosses the border to Italy and ends in Tirano, a small town in Lombardy. From here, the Bernina Express bus takes you back to Switzerland in Lugano during summer. It takes three hours to drive through the Mediterranean Valtellina and past Lago di Como.

The Bernina Express at Ospizio Bernina (Photo: Swiss Travel System)

  • Things to know about the Bernina Express
  • The timetable of the Bernina Express is not easy to understand at first glance. The rail segments are divided into two different routes. One runs from Chur to Tirano, while the other starts in St. Moritz and also ends in Tirano. The train that starts in Chur does not stop in St. Moritz, but goes directly to Ospizio Bernina via Pontresina.
  • The panoramic train between Chur and Tirano runs daily, while the one between St. Moritz and Tirano runs only between May and October. The bus between Tirano and Lugano also runs between May and October.
  • If you travel outside the operating hours of the Bernina Express bus, your only option is to travel back to St. Moritz or Chur, or to travel individually to Lugano using public transport in Italy.
  • A seat reservation is mandatory for the Bernina Express. The cost depends on the time of year you are travelling and whether you use the bus to Lugano or end your trip in Tirano. The price therefore varies quite a bit between CHF 10 and CHF 42 depending on the route and season. With the GA and the Swiss HalfFare Card you don't get a discount on the reservation.
  • Several rail passes are accepted on the Bernina Express. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, a Eurail, an Interrail or a day pass, you only have to buy a seat reservation. With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% discount on the ticket price.
  • Swiss Activities Tip : If you're interested in the route, but not in a ride on the panoramic train, there are also "normal" trains running between Chur, St. Moritz and Tirano. Coming from Chur you'll have to change trains in Samedan and Pontresina, while between Tirano and St. Moritz you have a direct train. The advantage is that the trains run hourly, which gives you more flexibility than waiting for the panoramic train. In addition, the obligation for a seat reservation is omitted.
  • Unlike the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express doen't have a dining car. However, there is a bistro on board where cold snacks and regional delicacies can be purchased. The lunch break is spent in Poschiavo or in Tirano, where you find several catering options.
  • Don't forget: You'll need a passport or identity card to cross the border into Italy.

Bernina Express in winter (Photo: Swiss Travel System)

Golden Pass Line

The Golden Pass Line is a panoramic train route consisting of three individual stages. The first stage - operated by Zentralbahn - runs between Lucerne and Interlaken . After that, the BLS regional train takes over to Zweisimmen, from where the Golden Pass Panoramic finishes the third section to Montreux. All in all, this scenic route covers 191 km in roughly six hours.

The Golden Pass Line connects the German-speaking part of Switzerland with the French-speaking part and passes some important Swiss lakes along the way. These include Lake Lucerne , Lake Brienz , Lake Thun and Lake Geneva . You can also catch a glimpse of the Giessbach Falls along the way next to Lake Brienz.

Since the Golden Pass Line cuts right through the middle of Switzerland, it's especially easy to integrate it into your Switzerland itinerary .

Route Golden Pass Line

  • Where does the Golden Pass Line route pass?

Coming from the east, the Golden Pass Line starts in Lucerne. Before its ascent to the Brünig Pass at an altitude of just over 1000 meters, the train passes three smaller lakes: Lakes Alpnach, Sarner and Lungern. After crossing the Brünig Pass, it begins its descent towards Brienz and winds its way along Lake Brienz to Interlaken.

The views on this section are breathtaking. After Brienz, you can even catch a glimpse of the Giessbach Falls and the imposing Grand Hotel on the other side of the lake.

In Interlaken Ost, you'll need to transfer onto another train. This train changes the lakeside after Interlaken and travels along Lake Thun to Spiez. The subsequent journey through the Simmental invites you to slow down and dream. The train takes its dear time here and you can enjoy the narrow valley, the dark forests and the charming river.

After a flying change in Zweisimmen onto the Golden Pass Panoramic, the train continues uphill and through the Bernese Oberland to Gstaad. This ride offers another picture-perfect panorama. Green meadows, grazing cows, traditional wooden chalets and snowy peaks of the Alps in the background show you Switzerland as you imagined it.

On its final stretch to Montreux , the Golden Pass Line passes through the Vaud and Fribourg Alps and ultimately down through the vineyards to Lake Geneva. Here, an extremely contrasting journey comes to an end.

  • Things to know about the Golden Pass Line
  • Since 2022, it is no longer necessary to change trains in Zweisimmen every time. Certain trains travel directly from Interlaken to Montreux, while others still require a transfer in Zweisimmen with good connections.
  • Trains run once an hour all year round on all sections of the Golden Pass Line.
  • Seat reservations on the Golden Pass Line aren't mandatory. Between Lucerne and Interlaken as well as between Interlaken and Zweisimmen you will always find a seat. To be on the safe side, however, the Golden Pass Panoramic customer service recommends a reservation between Zweisimmen and Montreux. This can be bought at the counters of most major train stations in the region.
  • On the Zentralbahn between Lucerne and Interlaken, you can reserve a seat in the panoramic wagon if you don't want to travel on the "normal" car with "normal-sized" windows. You can either make a reservation at the ticket office in Lucerne, over the phone or online.
  • Several rail passes are accepted on the Golden Pass Line. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, a Eurail, an Interrail or a day pass, the entire journey is covered. With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get 50% reduction on the ticket price.
  • The service on the Golden Pass Line varies between the different train operators. On the Zentralbahn between Lucerne and Interlaken, meals and drinks can be purchased in the Bistro. On the trains between Interlaken and Montreux, there are no meal options for individual travellers. It's best to buy something for the road in Interlaken if you can't stand being without snacks for a few hours.

Golden Pass Line (Photo: Swiss Travel Systm)

Gotthard Panorama Express

The Gotthard Panorama Express is, in a way, a historic remnant of Switzerland's impressive railroad history. In summer 2016, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the world, was inaugurated. It is 57 km long and shortens the journey to Ticino by 20%. Today, it's no longer necessary to travel via the traditional mountain route between Göschenen and Airolo. The faster route runs from Erstfeld directly to Bodio.

Until 2016, the mountain route was the only way to reach Ticino by train. Today, the traditional route is used by the Gotthard Panorama Express. This train takes its guests through the many helical tunnels and the Gotthard Tunnel, inaugurated in 1882, to the other side of the Alps. This panoramic journey between Lucerne and Lugano is combined with a steamboat-ride on Lake Lucerne and a train ride in the panoramic train through the old Gotthard tunnel.

Route Gotthard Panorama Express

  • Where does the route of the Gotthard Panorama Express pass?

The journey from north to south starts with a trip on the boat from Lucerne . On Lake Lucerne you will travel from Lucerne to Flüelen. This trip is served either by a historic paddle steamer or the modern motor ship "Diamant" . On the way you will pass breathtaking landscapes and historical places like the Tell's Chapel or the Rütli meadow.

In Flüelen the panorama train is waiting for you and continues the journey southwards to Lugano. It climbs over various helical tunnels up to Göschenen, where the old Gotthard tunnel leads to Airolo. The special thing about this stretch is the "Chileli vo Wasse" . The train passes this small chapel in Wassen three times.

To overcome the necessary altitude, the train makes some loops here and you have the opportunity on this section to view the cute chapel from different angles and altitudes. This " Chileli " is so famous among the Swiss population that the Swiss band " Lo & Leduc " even dedicated a song to it.

After crossing the original Gotthard tunnel, the descent follows through the Mediterranean Ticino countryside. You will pass the medieval castles of Bellinzona until you reach Lugano, where a southern flair with palm trees and Italian gelaterias awaits you.

On the road in the Gotthard Panorama Express (Photo: Swiss Travel System)

  • Things to know about the Gotthard Panorama Express
  • The Gotthard Panorama Express operates between May and October from Tuesday to Sunday. It departs Lucerne at 11:12 a.m. and Lugano at 9:22 a.m., arriving at its destination 5:30 hours later.
  • If you travel outside this season or prefer a different departure time, you can take the "normal" train through the old Gotthard tunnel. This train runs once an hour between Locarno and Zurich, with the section between Bellinzona and Flüelen being relevant for you. The boats on Lake Lucerne also run all year round. However, in winter there is only one direct trip between Lucerne and Flüelen.
  • A seat reservation is mandatory on the train route with the Gotthard Panorama Express. Regardless of whether you have a GA, a Swiss Travel Pass or any other railway pass. The reservation costs 16.- CHF and can be purchased either online or at the counter at the train station.
  • On the Gotthard Panorama Express train you always travel in first class, while you have the choice between 1st or 2nd class on the boat. Several railway passes are accepted on the Gotthard Panorama Express. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass or a day pass, the whole journey is covered. With the Tellpass you also enjoy free travel between Lucerne and Flüelen. With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% reduction on the entire journey.
  • If you have an Interrail or Eurail ticket, you travel free of charge on the rail route (apart from the reservation surcharge), while you receive a 50% reduction on the boat ticket.
  • On the ship as well as on the trainm there's the option to buy food. It's not necessary to order your meal in advance. So you can decide spontaneously for a "cold Plättli Ticino style" or a warm lunch.

Ship in Flüelen (Photo: Swiss Travel System)

Voralpen Express

The Voralpen Express is not a panoramic train in the true sense like the other candidates in this article. It neither has oversized panorama windows, nor is it specially designed for tourists. But it's the most comfortable and attractive connection between St. Gallen and Lucerne with beautiful views.

Originally, the Voralpen Express used to serve the route between Romanshorn on Lake Constance and Lucerne. In 2019, however, it was shortened and has since ended or started in St. Gallen.

On the one hand, it is used as a commuter train, but is equally popular with day-trippers due to the varied and scenic route. The Voralpen Express takes "only" just under two and a half hours to cover the approximately 125 km. With an average speed of 55 km/h, this puts it in the same category as the kangaroo.

Goodbye leatherback turtle.

Route Prealps Express

  • Where does the route of the Voralpen Express pass?

In the east, the Voralpen Express begins in the beautiful city of St. Gallen. Shortly after its start, it passes over the 99-meter-high Sitter Viaduct, the highest railroad viaduct in Switzerland. This is followed by another viaduct in Herisau, which scores with its unrestricted view over the Alpstein mountains. Afterwards, the train winds through green, hilly and typically eastern Swiss landscapes that pass by outside your window.

After two long tunnels through the Wasserfluh and the Ricken, the Voralpen Express arrives in Rapperswil on Lake Zurich . This pretty little town with its striking castle is located at the eastern end of the lake dam that leads across Lake Zurich to Pfäffikon. Along this dam is a wooden footbridge that forms part of the Camino de Santiago and is very popular for walking.

If you want to break up your trip, a short stay in Rapperswil followed by a quick walk along the footbridge to Pfäffikon might be a good idea. In Pfäffikon you can continue your journey on the Voralpen Express. From Pfäffikon the train climbs up the hill to Rothenthurm, where you'll pass the largest contiguous high moor area in Switzerland.

Afterwards, you'll be accompanied by more impressive views of the Alps. Soon Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne join the panorama. After a ride along the lake and one last stop at the Museum of Transport Lucerne you will arrive in the city of Lucerne.

  • Things to know about the Voralpen Express
  • The Voralpen Express departs once an hour from St. Gallen and Lucerne between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. You can breatk up your journey on the way as often as you like and always continue one hour later.
  • You don't need a seat reservation for the Voralpen Express. You have free choice of where you like to sit. Unless you travel during rush hour, which you should not do in Switzerland , you are almost guaranteed a seat.
  • The Voralpen Express has a bistro zone where you can stock up on snacks and drinks.
  • Several railway passes are accepted on the Voralpen Express. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, a Eurail, an Interrail or a day pass, the entire journey is covered. With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% discount.
  • Swiss Activities Tip: Since you're travelling on a "normal" train here, there are also Supersaver tickets available, which you can buy either on the SBB website or with the SBB app. The earlier you know your travel date, the better your chances of scoring a good deal.

Rapperswil is on the way of the Voralpen Express

More scenic train journeys in Switzerland

Admittedly, these five panoramic trains rightly enjoy a high degree of fame. But if you look at the several thousand kilometers of track in Switzerland, there are countless other scenic sections. These may be less well known, but some of them are also very impressive. So if you are looking for a slightly more "ordinary" and less exclusive route, we will give you a small selection here at the end.

  • Zurich to Chur: Take the express train past Lake Zurich and Lake Walen

The train first travels through the Zimmerberg Base Tunnel. Afterwards, the railroad line to Pfäffikon runs directly along the western shore of Lake Zurich . This means you can enjoy the lake on the left-hand side of the direction of travel. As soon as the train has passed the Ziegelbrücke stop, it passes a lake again. It is the Walensee , which you can also see clearly on the left as far as Walenstadt.

On the right, however, you have a direct view of the Glarus Alps. After Sargans you will see the Pizol in the foreground.

  • Trai ticket Zurich-Chur
  • Chur to Arosa: By regional train over the Langwieser Viaduct

The journey from Chur to Arosa takes an hour. After a leisurely ride through Chur , the train climbs high. The train climbs around 1000 meters in just 26 km. At the start, you can see the Dreibündenstein plateau with the Brambrüsch on the southern side. To the north is the Hochwang chain with the Hochwang at 2533 m above sea level as the highest point. You will see almost untouched nature all around. You quickly reach the mountain landscapes of Schanfigg. Schanfigg is the name of the elongated valley that leads directly to Arosa. The Langwieser Viaduct is a particular highlight of this ride. And it goes even higher: the train climbs up to 1739 m above sea level in Arosa and has thus covered 1155 meters in altitude since Chur. Now you have a view of the Weisshorn chain with the Weisshorn reaching 2653 m above sea level.

  • Train ticket Chur - Arosa

Train on Lake Walen

  • Chur to Davos: By regional train over the Landwasser Viaduct and the Wiesen Viaduct

The InterRegio takes one hour from Chur to Filisur. Then take the regional train for about half an hour to Davos. Near Filisur, the Rhaetian Railway crosses the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct, which is 65 m high and 142 m long and enters a tunnel in a tight curve above the Landwasser Valley. Another viaduct awaits you on the rest of the route, the Wiesen Viaduct. It may not be as famous, but it is almost 89 m high. Both viaducts are only about 3 km apart.

The mountains that you see from Chur on the left (northern) side belong to the Plessuralpen. The Lenzerhorn stands out clearly at 2906 m above sea level. Then you can see the Strelakette of the Plessuralpen on the same side. The Guggernellgrat at 2810 m above sea level is clearly visible.

The other side of the window (from Chur to the right or south) shows you the striking rock of Piz Mitgel southwest of Filisur, which reaches 3159 m above sea level. The slightly higher Piz Ela, at 3339 m above sea level, peeps out behind it. Further along the railroad line towards Davos , the Albula Alps reveal themselves in all their glory.

  • Train ticket Chur - Davos via Filisur
  • Chur to St. Moritz: By regional train along the world-famous Albula line

Between Chur and Filisur, the Rhaetian Railway follows the same route as the train journey to Davos. From Filisur, however, it heads south and, after the Landwasser Viaduct, also has several helical tunnels along the way. They are located between Bergün and Preda and also look very spectacular from below. In winter, a very popular toboggan run runs from Preda to Bergün.

From the right-hand side of the window, you can see the peaks of Piz Bial (3061 m above sea level) and Piz Ot (3247 m above sea level) of the Albula Alps quite clearly in the direction of St. Moritz . Later, Piz Nair (3030 m above sea level) comes into view. On its eastern slope you will find the popular St. Moritz ski area of Corviglia.

  • Train ticket Chur - St. Moritz

Train in Davos

  • Between Bern and Lucerne through the Emmental valley

The Emmental lies in the hilly Bernese Plateau. The train runs from Bern via Langnau and also passes the Entlebuch, a huge biosphere that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To the west of Langnau (from Bern on the left-hand side of the journey) you can see the Blasenflue hill country, whose highest point is the Blasenflue at 1118 m above sea level. The train runs right through the middle of the 400 km² UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch Nature Park . Shortly before Lucerne, you will see the striking Pilatus on the right.

  • Train ticket Bern - Lucerne

Lüderenalp in the Emmental

  • Between Schaffhausen and Romanshorn: along the Rhine and Lake Constance

The train route between Schaffhausen and Romanshorn takes you through unique countryside and past a number of sights. Heading towards Romanshorn, you will see the Munot fortress towering high above the town right at the start of your journey in Schaffhausen. It has guarded the town of Schaffhausen since the 16th century. From the Feuerthalen train station, you have a more beautiful view on the left-hand side of the train. First you see the High Rhine, which you can see as far as the beautiful town of Stein am Rhein . After a brief look at the medieval houses on the other side of the Rhine, you will see the pilgrimage church of St. Otmar on a small island. The Lake Constance accompanies you on the left-hand side of the route for the rest of the way to Romanshorn. On the right-hand side, you will occasionally see vineyards.

  • Train ticket Schaffhausen - Romanshorn
  • Between St. Gallen and Wasserauen through the hilly landscape of Appenzell

This leisurely ride through the Appenzell countryside takes about an hour. As soon as you leave St. Gallen , a picture-book landscape begins on both sides of the train. Small villages with scattered buildings, interspersed with fields, meadows and forests. Heading towards Wasserauen, you will see the Hundwiler Höhi (1306 m above sea level), a popular vantage point, on the left. Later, on the other side, you can see the Alpstein massif in the distance. Its highest point is the summit of the Säntis (2502 m above sea level).

  • Train ticket St. Gallen - Wasserauen

Schaffhausen Munot

  • Between Lausanne and Montreux through the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux wine landscape

The train journey between Lausanne and Montreux is unique. You can't sit on the "wrong" side of the train. Heading towards Montreux, you have a view of the beautiful Lake Geneva with its ships and boats on the right-hand side. But it's not boring on the left-hand side either. Here you will discover the huge Lavaux wine-growing region. The growing area covers around 830 hectares and is spectacularly situated on terraces on Lake Geneva . It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The vines here benefit from the reflection of the sun's rays that shine on Lake Geneva. Additional heat is stored in the stone walls around the vines.

  • Train ticket Lausanne - Montreux
  • Between Interlaken Ost and Zermatt: along Lake Thun and through the Bernese and Valais Alps

You change trains twice on the way from Interlaken Ost to Zermatt, but the stunning scenery is your reward. The first stretch from Interlaken Ost takes you to Spiez. All along the route, you have a direct view of Lake Thun to the right and a good view of the Jungfrau region to the left. Incidentally, this route is part of the Golden Pass Express.

On the rest of the journey from Spiez to Visp and on to Zermatt, you travel right through the Bernese and Valais Alps. Between Visp and Zermatt, you cover part of the Glacier Express route. So you can look forward to wonderful views. In Zermatt , the four-thousand-metre peaks with the Matterhorn and the Dufourspitze await you.

  • Train ticket Interlaken Ost - Zermatt

The Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Between St. Moritz and Alp Grüm: take the regional train over the Bernina Pass

Take the regional train between St. Moritz and Alp Grüm. On this route you travel through the Engadine Alps over the Bernina Pass. The alpine pass runs at 2235 m above sea level. Alp Grüm emerged from a Maiensäss and is a small settlement with a restaurant at the station. The view from its panoramic terrace is particularly spectacular.

  • Train ticket St. Moritz - Alp Grüm

Rhaetian Railway comes out of the tunnel (Photo: Elke Huber)

  • The Centovalli Railway between Locarno and Domodossola

The Centovalli Railway connects Ticino with Italy and thus extends the Gotthard Railway line to the Simplon line in Domodossola.

The leisurely narrow-gauge railroad takes you through the "100 valleys" of the Centovalli and the adjoining Valle Vigezzo. You will pass through a number of tunnels and cross 83 bridges and viaducts. All around you will see a sleepy and largely untouched landscape with the River Melezza and beautiful waterfalls. Small Settlements are scattered across the landscape. It is not until you reach Italy that the villages through which the little train passes become somewhat larger. And you will notice that there are many churches along the route. The ride on the little train is a special experience.

  • Train ticket Centovalli Railway

Centovalli Railway in Camedo (Photo Switzerland Tourism, © FART, Christian Guerra)

In a country with 5300 km of tracks, you will find one or two views on most train journeys that will make your heart beat faster. So buy a ticket, grab a window seat and press your nose against the window.

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GoldenPass Express

Compagnie du Chemin de Fer Montreux Oberland bernois SA Rue de la Gare 22 1820 Montreux Phone  +41 (0)21 989 81 90 mob.ch

The GoldenPass Express redefines the travel experience between Interlaken and Montreux.

Seamless travel experience

The new travel class “Prestige” is the centrepiece of the new train. It offers everything you would expect from an unforgettable train journey: plenty of privacy, maximum comfort in a small compartment, and an exceptional culinary offering.

Make yourself comfortable on the luxurious and heated leather seats, which can be rotated 180 degrees upon request. The new travel class is also elevated by 40 cm compared to the other travel classes, offering you an even better view of the fascinating scenery.

Culinary delights on the GoldenPass Express

Local and international delicacies can be ordered in advance, ensuring a perfect start to an exciting journey. For example, how about a glass of champagne and a portion of the finest caviar from Frutigen in Switzerland?

If you prefer to pamper your palate with regional delicacies, you won’t be disappointed with a traditional apéro-plate or a vegetarian alternative. While champagne and caviar are served exclusively in “Prestige” and 1st class, you can enjoy selected dishes from the small but exquisite menu in all travel classes.

World-famous places, three regions

The journey on the GoldenPass Express is like a foray through Switzerland. The trip starts in picturesque Interlaken and continues via Gstaad, Château-d’Oex and Montbovon to Montreux, the journey’s final stop. Of course, you can also start your trip in Montreux.

Interlaken is a great base for numerous activities and boasts incredible views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Luxurious Gstaad is known for its charming chalets and is a favourite holiday spot among stars and winter sports enthusiasts alike. Château-d’Oex is known for its hot air balloons and, with a little luck, you might spot one aloft. Montreux, of course, is home to the annual Montreux Jazz Festival .

GoldenPass Express timetable

Initially, the GoldenPass Express will run once daily.

The current timetable as well as additional information can be found here .

Reservations and surcharges

Due to limited seating capacity, reservations are mandatory in “Prestige” (CHF 49) and strongly recommended for 1st and 2nd class travel. This is in addition to a valid ticket for the selected travel class.

The only thing you might find disappointing? The entire trip lasts just 3 hours 15 minutes. With those stunning views and unrivalled comfort, the journey is just as spectacular as the destination.

Swiss Travel Pass

This route is fully included in the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) / GA Travelcard, though seat reservations must be paid for separately. Book your Swiss Travel System tickets

swiss travel pass routes

* Committed

Compagnie du Chemin de Fer Montreux Oberland bernois SA Rue de la Gare 22 1820  Montreux Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)21 989 81 90 [email protected] mob.ch Show Route

Compagnie du Chemin de Fer Montreux Oberland bernois SA Rue de la Gare 22 1820 Montreux Phone  +41 (0)21 989 81 90 mob.ch Show Route

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Schilthorn - piz gloria, luzern–interlaken express, advertisement, travel information: goldenpass line.

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IMAGES

  1. Swiss Travel Pass Map

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  2. Swiss Travel Pass

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  3. Validity Swiss Travel Pass vs Interrail/Eurail

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  4. Swiss Travel Pass Ultimate Guide

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  5. All You Need to Know About the Swiss Travel Pass (With images)

    swiss travel pass routes

  6. The Ultimate Guide to the Jungfrau Travel Pass 2019 in 2019

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COMMENTS

  1. Swiss Travel Pass

    The Swiss Travel Pass has been developed for guests from abroad. It is available to persons permanently resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. For online purchasing, purchase as a "guest". You do not need a login. To receive the Swiss Family Card directly, add the child as a passenger under 'Add passengers ...

  2. Swiss Travel Pass guide for 2024 with prices, inclusions, map

    Swiss Family Card: children, stepchildren, and foster children from 6 up to and including 15 travel for free (even on routes where the parents just get a discount), if accompanied by at least one parent with a Swiss Travel Pass. You can get the Swiss Family Card free of charge while ordering a Swiss Travel Pass.

  3. Swiss Travel Pass

    The Swiss Travel Pass is the key to Switzerland's public transport network, enabling visitors to explore the country by train, bus and boat on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. Find out the benefits, prices, discounts and availability of the Swiss Travel Pass for different travel dates and purposes.

  4. The area of validity map

    Using our new online area of validity map, you can easily and conveniently find out where your GA Travelcard, Half Fare Travelcard, Night GA Travelcard or other travelcards and tickets are valid. Tip: zoom in on the map until you reach the desired size. This also makes the area of validity for smaller transport companies visible. Using our new ...

  5. Travelpass

    The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket that gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat in Switzerland and abroad. Discover the benefits, highlights and routes of the Swiss Travel Pass with the Swiss Travel Guide app and the Swiss Travel Pass website.

  6. Swiss Travel Pass

    For foreign guests, the all-in-one ticket Swiss Travel Pass is the key to Switzerland's public transport network. This single ticket enables visitors to explore Switzerland from end to end by train, bus and boat on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. With the Swiss Travel Pass Youth, young people up to their 25th birthday travelling through ...

  7. Swiss Travel Pass: Your All-Access Ticket to Switzerland

    Transform your Swiss journey with the Swiss Travel Pass 2024! Effortless travel awaits as you navigate Switzerland's extensive train, bus, and boat networks. Embrace the ease of unlimited travel, enjoy exclusive museum access, and embark on scenic routes like the Glacier Express. Tailor-made for every traveler, the Swiss Travel Pass is your ...

  8. How to Maximise Your Swiss Travel Pass

    2) Golden Pass Route (Interlaken - Zweisimmen - Montreux) *free with the Swiss Travel Pass The MOB Panoramic train only runs from Zweisimmen to Montreux, but combined with the route above (Lucerne - Interlaken), this makes up the Golden Pass Route and is known to be one of the most accessible yet scenic train rides around.

  9. Train travel in Switzerland

    A Swiss Travel Pass (continuous or flex) gives you unlimited free travel on all the train, bus & ferry routes shown as solid red, yellow or black lines on the map. Swiss Travel Passes give you a 50% discount (not free travel) on the routes shown as dotted red, yellow or black lines.

  10. What is a Swiss Travel Pass?

    The Swiss Travel Pass doesn't just cover transportation around the country, it also includes selected routes to other bordering countries like Italy and Liechtenstein. Check the map that comes with your pass to see which bus and train routes are included.

  11. Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass

    Here we share our 11 days Switzerland itinerary with a Swiss Travel Pass for 8 days. We used our pass from Day 4 to Day 11. Day 1 - Fly into Zurich. Day 2 - Boarded the train to St. Moritz via Chur from Zurich. Day 3 - Explored the beautiful town of St. Moritz and visit the famous Engadin mountains.

  12. How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

    Swiss Travel Passes also allow for free travel for children, but as with regular rail passes, families need to pick up the Swiss Family Card before they initiate travel. The pass, while expensive, simplifies the travel process for visitors. If you prefer not to travel over three, four, eight, or 15 consecutive days, the Flex Pass allows for a ...

  13. Swiss Travel Pass Map

    The Swiss Travel Pass map above indicates the area of coverage of a Swiss Travel Pass. The legends on the map indicate what each line stands for. However, here's a breakdown of the map: Red lines: Rail network. Yellow lines: Bus network. Black lines: Cable cars. White lines: Boat rides. Continuous lines: Unlimited travel on all train, bus ...

  14. The ultimate Swiss Travel Pass Flex overview

    Swiss Family Card: children, stepchildren, and foster children from 6 up to and including 15 travel for free (even on routes where the parents just get a discount), if accompanied by at least one parent with a Swiss Travel Pass Flex. You can get the Swiss Family Card free of charge while ordering a Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

  15. How to choose a Swiss rail pass: explained in simple steps

    In order to do so, visit the relevant pass page (e.g. the Swiss Travel Pass page), download the network map, and check where the pass is valid. You can also browse the lists of covered activities on each rail pass page. If the pass grants free traveling for a trip or activity, enter a 100% discount.

  16. Let's use the SBB Swiss Travel Pass! A handy guide to Swiss train

    The Swiss Travel Pass also gives you some excellent discounts on any routes that aren't covered by the pass, together with a 50% discount on most mountain excursions and free entrance to more than 500 Swiss museums. If you're planning a longer visit to Switzerland, the Flex pass could be more suitable for your travel plans.

  17. Switzerland Rail Passes and Train Tips from Rick Steves

    The Swiss Travel Pass is a particularly good deal, as it covers nearly all transport in Switzerland — not only trains, but buses, boats, and many high-mountain lifts. ... For the most part, you can hop on nearly all Swiss trains with just your rail pass in hand. Designated scenic routes (those with names, such as the Glacier Express), ...

  18. Swiss Travel Pass

    With this flexible Swiss Travel Pass, get unrestricted access to regular and premium trains, buses, and boats for any 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days in a month. Get free and unlimited access to the public transport system spanning over 90 cities and towns in Switzerland. Take unlimited journeys on panorama trains, including the Glacier Express and ...

  19. How to use The Swiss Travel Pass

    Swiss Travel Pass: Enjoy unlimited travel across Switzerland for 3, 4, 8, or 15 consecutive days.There are also flexi and consecutive options within this too.But more on that a little later! Swiss Half Fare Card: Avail 50% off on tickets for trains, buses, and boats for a month.; Regional Passes: Explore specific Swiss regions in-depth with unlimited travel within selected zones.

  20. How to Use the Swiss Travel Pass on the Bernina Express

    Head to the official Bernina Express website to reserve a seat. Click through the ordering process and select your desired seat - just like when buying an airplane ticket. At the end, where you enter the passengers, select "Swiss Travel Pass" as the "Reduction.". This will effectively remove the train fare.

  21. The 5 most beautiful scenic trains in Switzerland

    If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, a Eurail, an Interrail or a day pass, the entire journey is covered. With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% discount. ... On this route you travel through the Engadine Alps over the Bernina Pass. The alpine pass runs at 2235 m above sea level. Alp Grüm emerged from a Maiensäss and is a small settlement ...

  22. Your resource for a self-guided trip to Switzerland

    This site made a huge difference for our trip to Switzerland. A wealth of great information and links that made our travel planning a lot easier. The end result, we had a great trip and stayed in a couple cities that weren't initially on our radar. (especially loved Wengen). The Swiss Rail Pass made traveling everywhere a breeze.

  23. GoldenPass Express

    Seamless travel experience. The GoldenPass Express provides a seamless and even more comfortable travel experience on one of Switzerland's most picturesque train routes. The new panoramic train will connect Interlaken with Montreux up to four times a day, offering uninterrupted views of the breathtaking panorama.

  24. Pickyourtrail

    180 likes, 5 comments - pickyourtrail on January 25, 2024: "SAVE this mini guide to Switzerland in summer! Best time to visit - June to August off..."