Switzerland Rail Pass and Train Ticket Options Explained

If you’re planning to visit Switzerland – one of the loveliest countries on earth – then you need to consider how you’ll get around. When you want to see the highlights, the great news is that the Swiss rail system is one of the best in the world.

Trains are reliable, and the routes are both scenic and extensive. And with a wide range of Swiss train tickets for tourists to choose from, you can save both time and money. 

While travelling by train in Switzerland is easy, choosing the right ticket or pass can be overwhelming. In this guide, I’ll help you to choose the best option for your trip. 

Whether it’s separate cheap Swiss train tickets or a national or regional Switzerland rail pass, I’ll help you work out which will give you the biggest savings. 

The main options are point-to-point tickets or a rail pass, and all options available for visitors to Switzerland are covered in this article. From how to buy train tickets in Switzerland to comparing passes – such as the Jungfrau Travel Pass vs. Bernese Oberland Pass – you can find it all here.

Read on for the full lowdown! 

🇨🇭Prefer to listen to this information? Tune in to episode 137 of the Holidays to Switzerland podcast where I compare the various Swiss rail passes and train tickets in detail. Listen here!

Individual train tickets

The first thing to know is that there are three main types of individual train tickets available in Switzerland. Each offers different price points and levels of flexibility. You can choose between regular point-to-point tickets, discounted Supersaver tickets, and the Saver Day Pass. 

These Swiss train tickets are explained in simple terms below. All of these are available for first or second class travel. 

Regular point-to-point tickets

• Best for: Travellers with a fixed itinerary or those who are only making a couple of short journeys
  
• Pricing: Full fare unless combined with a Half Fare Card (more info below)
  
• Pros: Simple, pay only for what you use
  
• Cons: Can get expensive if you’re travelling a lot

Point-to-Point tickets are designed to get you from one place in Switzerland to another. As you only pay for the trips you make, these can be a good alternative if you won’t be making very many journeys, and know exactly when you’ll be travelling. 

There are no wasted days with this type of ticket, as can happen with a rail pass. However, other options, such as Supersaver tickets, can be cheaper. If you plan to do a few train trips, the price per trip may be lower with a Swiss rail pass for tourists. 

Point-to-Point tickets can be ideal for one-off or last minute journeys, and you’ll only pay for what you use. However, they can be costly, particularly if you’ll be making a number of trips.

You can purchase regular point-to-point tickets at any station in Switzerland or on the SBB Mobile App or Swiss Railways website.

Supersaver tickets

• Discounted tickets for specific trains/times
  
• Best for: Budget-conscious travellers with fixed schedules
  
• Not flexible – bound to a specific train
  
• Limited availability

A cost-effective alternative to regular point-to-point tickets are Supersaver tickets. These offer discounted fares for certain days, times, and routes. 

With savings of up to 70% on offer, Supersaver tickets can be much cheaper than point-to-point fares. If you have a Swiss Half Fare Card (covered below), then you can also use this for an additional discount when buying Supersaver train tickets. 

Book early for the best chance of getting a cheap seat. These fares are available between one and 60 days before travel, so they can be ideal if you can plan a month or two ahead. 

Availability of Supersaver tickets is strictly limited, especially with the cheapest seats.  

The downside of Supersaver tickets is the lack of flexibility. Buy one of these and you will be tied to a particular time and date of travel. 

Supersaver tickets can be purchased from the Swiss Federal Railways website, the SBB Mobile App or at any train station in Switzerland.

Saver Day Pass

• Best for: Travellers who want flexibility for a single day
  
• Dynamic pricing – cheaper the earlier you book
  
• Great for long travel days or spontaneous trips
  
• Limited availability

Another way you can bag big savings by booking early is to purchase a Saver Day Pass. Also called the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) Saver Day Pass, this ticket entitles you to unlimited travel for a single day on all public transport in Switzerland.

The public transport network includes trains, boats, trams, buses, and even Postbuses. Some mountain transport, such as services to Stanserhorn and Mount Rigi, is also included in the public transport network. 

In general terms, the rule is that any routes accessing residential areas are covered by public transport. Tourist-specific routes are therefore generally excluded.

You can buy SBB Saver Day Passes between six months and one day before travel, therefore, the earlier you buy, the bigger the discount. Availability is limited, and you’ll need to specify your travel date. 

This one day Swiss travel pass is valid for the date of travel and until 5 am the next morning, which is perfect for journeys ending after midnight.

Swiss Half Fare Card

The next option to think about is the Swiss Half Fare Card. While this is neither a point-to-point ticket or a rail pass, it can result in big savings for the holder. 

Depending on your plans, it’s definitely worth considering the Swiss Half Fare Card vs the Swiss Travel Pass, regional passes, European passes, and individual tickets.

• Get a 50% discount on nearly all transport in Switzerland
  
• Valid for 1 month
  
• Great for: Longer stays, flexible plans, or regional focus
  
• Can be combined with Saver Day Passes and some regional rail passes for additional savings

The Swiss Half Fare Travelcard does just what you might think, entitling the holder to half price travel tickets within Switzerland. It’s also known as the SBB Half Fare Card. 

The Half Fare Card gets holders 50% off more than just train fares within Switzerland, though. It’s also valid on other forms of public transport, including buses, trams, boats, and even mountain railways. 

As it lasts for a month, it can be a good choice for those staying in the country for longer. 

The Half Fare Card in Switzerland is valid for both first or second class travel, and the price for the card is the same whichever you plan to use. Once you buy one, you’ll get 50% off all your tickets, which means the one-month card can pay for itself after just a few journeys. 

Whole of Switzerland Rail Passes 

Swiss Travel Pass 

• Unlimited travel on consecutive or non-consecutive days
  
• Includes trains, boats, buses, city transport, and over 500 museums
  
• Great for: Travellers planning to move around frequently
  
• 3, 4, 6, 8, 15-day options

The Swiss Travel Pass is probably the best known rail pass option among visitors. This pass is popular for a number of reasons – it’s simple to use, flexible, and covers much more than just train travel. 

In addition to trains, the pass allows you to travel on other forms of public transport within Switzerland. It covers boat and bus services as well as trains, and premium panoramic trains are also included (though reservation fees may apply). 

You can also travel to Mount Rigi, Stoos, and Mount Stanserhorn and enter more than 500 museums for free. For other mountain excursions, Swiss Travel Pass discounts of 50% apply in most instances. 

There are two versions of the Swiss Travel Pass. The regular option allows you to travel for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days, while the Swiss Travel Pass Flex covers travel for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days within a one-month period.

Interrail / Eurail Global Pass

• Covers travel in Switzerland and 32 other European countries
  
• Panoramic trains are included, but seat reservations are additional
  
• Good for: Travellers combining Switzerland with other countries
  
• Discounts are not as generous for mountain railways or boats

If you’ll be visiting other countries as well as Switzerland, then the Interrail Global Pass – or Eurail Global Pass – could be a good choice. It covers 33 countries on the continent, including  Germany to the north of Switzerland, Italy to the south, Austria to the east, and France to the west.

There is no Switzerland-only Eurail or Interrail Pass, making the Global Pass the only option if you want a pass that combines Switzerland with other European countries. Like the Swiss Travel Pass, the Interrail Global Pass offers consecutive or flex day options. 

Unlike Switzerland-only rail passes, a Eurail Pass can take you seamlessly between countries. If you’re exploring other European countries in addition to Switzerland, then the Interrail / Eurail Pass could be a better fit for you than a Swiss Travel Pass. 

Note: The Interrail Global Pass can be purchased by citizens or legal residents of European countries (including the UK); the Eurail Global Pass can be purchased by citizen or legal residents of non-European countries.

Regional Rail Passes for Switzerland

Jungfrau Travel Pass

• Unlimited travel in the Jungfrau region (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Wengen, etc.)
  
• Doesn’t include the final stretch to Jungfraujoch—only a discount
  
• Best for: Travellers spending several days in the Jungfrau Region

The Jungfrau Travel Pass is a viable option for visitors to the Jungfrau Region who are planning to spend more than at least two days in the area. This pass covers boat rides on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, local train trips, and also a number of mountain excursions within the region. 

Buy a Jungfrau Travel Pass and you can travel on trains from Interlaken to various destinations, including Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen and Brienz. Other rail travel is also covered, such as between Grütschalp and Mürren.

The pass also includes free travel on cable cars and mountain railways to Eiger Glacier, Grindelwald First, Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte, and to Männlichen from both Wengen and Grindelwald.  Pass holders pay a discounted supplement for the trip from Eiger Glacier to Jungfraujoch.

Berner Oberland Pass

• Wider coverage than the Jungfrau Pass includes the entire Bernese Oberland and to Lucerne, Montreux, and Domodossola
  
• Also covers more than 20 mountain railways
  
• Great value for regional exploration

Another Swiss regional pass option is the Berner Oberland Pass, which again is for a specific area. So what does Berner Oberland Pass cover? Well this one covers a larger part of Switzerland, including the Jungfrau Region. 

The Berner Oberland Pass offers holders free travel on trains, buses, and Postbus services within almost all of the Bernese Oberland, and also the area between Bern, Domodossola, Lucerne, and Montreux. 

Pass holders can also travel on two premium panoramic trains – the Luzern Interlaken Express, and the GoldenPass Express.

Buy a Berner Oberland Pass and you can also take over 20 mountain excursions in the Bernese Oberland, or travel by boat across Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, for free. 

Pass holders also benefit from a discount on the Jungfraujoch excursion, plus reduced admission to over 40 regional attractions.

The Berner Oberland Pass is available for purchase for travel in both 1st and 2nd class.

Tell Pass

• Covers Central Switzerland: Lucerne and Lake Lucerne region
  
• Includes mountain transport, boats, and trains
  
• Ideal for travellers based in Lucerne or exploring nearby

The Tell Pass covers the Lake Lucerne area in Central Switzerland. Like other Swiss travel passes, it can be much cheaper than buying separate tickets, and is also convenient. 

If you’ll be spending two days or more in Lucerne, then it could well be worth getting your hands on this pass. 

A Tell Pass will give you unlimited travel by bus, train, boat and various mountain cableways in Central Switzerland. You’ll also get discounts of between 20% and 50% on admission fees and attractions.

Tell Passes are for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 consecutive days, and are only available for second class travel. If you want to travel in first class on trains, Class Upgrades are available to buy at the station before boarding.

Swiss Train Tickets and Rail Passes for Children

If you travel as a family, then you’ll need to know how kids and teens can get discounted fares. 

All children under the age of 6 travel for free in Switzerland.  Child fares apply to children aged from 6 to 15 years old.

With the Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card, children accompanying paying adults can travel for free with the Swiss Family Card. You can get this alongside your pass, and it’s free of charge. 

With the Tell Pass or Jungfrau Travel Card, accompanying kids can travel for CHF 30 each. If you buy a Berner Oberland Pass, it costs CHF 30 each for accompanying children, or they can travel for free with the Junior Travelcard. 

When it comes to cards, the main contenders are the Junior Travelcard, the Children’s Co-Travelcard, and the Swiss Family Card. 

Junior Travelcard

The Junior Travelcard is for kids aged from 6 to 15, and lasts for a whole year. It entitles children to free travel on all SBB routes and most other railways, plus boats, postbuses, and also the majority of locally operated trams and buses.

If you have three or more children, you can get the Junior Travelcard for your third child and any additional children for free. You don’t need a SwissPass to buy one.

The Junior Travelcard must be purchased at any staffed train station in Switzerland. ID for the child and a recent passport photo of the child is required.

Children’s Co-Travelcard

A Children’s Co-Travelcard is pretty much the same as a Junior Travelcard, but is for adults other than parents who are travelling with kids. 

It’s valid for a named ticket holder aged 16 plus who is accompanying a specific child. Up to four children per adult can use a Children’s Co-Travelcard.

The Children’s Co-Travelcard should also be purchased at a staffed train station in Switzerland. ID for the child and a recent passport photo of the child is required.

Swiss Family Card

The Swiss Family Card is also for children aged from 6 to 15 years inclusive. With this complimentary card, children can travel for free when accompanied by at least one parent who holds a valid Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. 

You can order this card, without charge, when buying your pass. 

Practical tips for choosing the best Swiss rail pass or train tickets for your trip

If you want to save money and time while making the most of your trip to Switzerland, then the following tips will help. 

Plan as far ahead as possible

Planning ahead will help you get the cheapest fares if you decide to go for individual tickets rather than a pass. This particularly applies to Supersaver tickets and the Saver Day Pass.

Map out your rough itinerary first

Knowing where in Switzerland you plan to travel will help you to determine if you should consider buying individual tickets, a regional pass or a rail pass that covers all of Switzerland.

Consider how often you will travel

How many days will you actually spend travelling, and do you plan to travel every day? This will also help determine whether a consecutive day or flex pass (where applicable) is best for you. 

If travelling with children, check if kids travel free with the pass you are purchasing

When you’re visiting Switzerland as a family, it’s how much you’ll pay for everyone that matters. Kids go free with the Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card, for example.

Bonus tip: Combine the Half Fare Card with Saver Day Passes for a flexible DIY option

My top tip is that buying a Half Fare Card plus Saver Day Passes can be a clever way to build your own flexible, money-saving pass. Again, it all depends on where you’re going and when.

Know where to purchase your tickets or passes

It’s simple to buy regular point-to-point tickets and Supersaver tickets via the SBB Mobile app or sbb.ch. You can also get Saver Day Pass tickets, the Swiss Half Fare Card and all the Swiss rail passes mentioned in this article from the Holidays to Switzerland shop, right here on this website. 

All tickets and passes can also be purchased at train stations in Switzerland. Don’t forget, though, that you can often save a lot of money by booking train tickets in advance. Remember that you always need to buy your tickets before boarding the train.  

Consider a rail package 

If time is tight or you don’t want to do all your trip planning, you could book a rail package through our preferred partner, Switzerland Travel Centre. Mention our exclusive promo code HTSWISS when enquiring and/or booking and you’ll get 5% off. Find the details here.

More resources to help with choosing between Swiss rail passes and individual tickets

Invaluable resources for trip planning include my free downloadable Switzerland Rail Pass Cheat Sheet. I have also created a Switzerland Rail Pass Comparison Calculator, which allows you to easily compare passes. 

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Swiss train tickets and rail passes | Final thoughts

As the Swiss public transport system is one of the cleanest and most efficient in the world, getting around Switzerland by train is deservedly popular among visitors. 

There are so many options to save money on your fares, too, from Supersaver tickets and Saver Day Passes to a range of European, national, and regional passes. Children can also travel very cheaply with a paying adult. 

A little forward planning will really help you make the most of your time and money when visiting Switzerland. Various passes also allow you to use other forms of public transport, including boat trips across the lakes and cable car rides among the mountains. 

After reading this guide, the only questions that should remain are these: Which tickets or passes will you be buying, and where will yours take you?