Switzerland Train Travel: Understanding and using the Swiss Rail System

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Switzerland is famous for its railways. The trains in Switzerland are known to be on time, clean and frequent and very often they also offer superb views.  In fact, Switzerland’s rail, bus and boat network is widely regarded as the best public transport in the world.

Switzerland’s public transport network is operated by around 250 transport companies, including train, bus, boat, tram, cable-car and mountain railway operators. We’ll cover all the essential information you need to know for travelling by public transport in Switzerland in this article.

With the Switzerland railway and public transport network being so efficient, travelling by train is generally the best way to travel in Switzerland for both locals and visitors. 

In this train travel in Switzerland guide, we explain the difference between a Swiss rail pass and regular Swiss train tickets, give you details about the major train routes in Switzerland, tell you where you can find a Swiss rail timetable, where to buy your Switzerland train tickets and how to make your Switzerland train reservations online.

Quick summary of the different Swiss rail tickets and Swiss rail passes available to tourists

Swiss Travel Pass	BUY HERE
Swiss Travel Pass Flex	BUY HERE
Swiss Half Fare Card	BUY HERE
Point to point tickets	Swiss Railways
Jungfrau Travel Pass	BUY HERE
Berner Oberland Pass	BUY HERE
Tell Pass	BUY HERE
Seat reservations for panoramic trains	Direct with train operator

Individual Switzerland Train Tickets vs a Swiss Rail Pass – Swiss Train Tickets Explained

In most cases when it comes to Swiss train tickets for tourists, you are going to be better off purchasing at least some form of Switzerland train pass rather than if you buy Switzerland rail tickets individually.

When it comes to purchasing individual tickets for train journeys in Switzerland, there are many variables that determine the price.  The main factor is when you book the tickets as well as the timing of the actual train travel. 

Booking last minute tickets tends to be most expensive, which means you can’t be very flexible with your travel.

You’ll also want to consider if you plan on doing any mountain excursions during your Switzerland travel as these day trips alone can make it well worth your while to purchase a pass.

We outline the various ticket and rail pass options below.

Swiss Travel Pass

The most convenient ticket option for use on public transport in Switzerland for tourists is the Swiss Travel Pass. This is an all-in-one ticket for the entire public transport network and it acts just like a hop on hop off ticket.

The Swiss Travel Pass can be purchased for use on consecutive days or you can select a Swiss Travel Pass Flex which entitles you to a specific number of travel days within a one month period.

🇨🇭 Read our detailed guide to the Swiss Travel Pass.

Swiss Half Fare Card

Another popular option for visitors is the Swiss Half Fare Card. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, you can purchase train, bus and boat tickets at up to 50% off the regular fare.

The Swiss Half Fare Card is valid for one month and also provides discounts of up to 50% on most mountain railways and excursions throughout Switzerland.

🇨🇭 Read our detailed guide to the Swiss Half Fare Card.

Point-to-point tickets

If you only plan to make one or two short journeys by public transport, a standard point-to-point ticket may be the most economical option.

When purchasing a point-to-point ticket, be sure to check the ticket conditions. Validity periods and exchange options vary depending on the fare purchased.

If you’re looking for cheaper train tickets, SBB’s Super Saver Tickets (Spartickets) can offer discounts of up to 70% on selected routes. Availability is limited and prices vary according to demand.

Super Saver Tickets are available in both first and second class and can be combined with the Swiss Half Fare Card for additional savings. These tickets are valid only for the selected journey and travel date and are generally non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Child Fares

If you are travelling with children aged 6 to 15 and are not using a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card, it may be worth purchasing a Junior Travelcard for each child.

The Junior Travelcard costs CHF 30 and allows children to travel free on most Swiss public transport services when accompanied by a parent holding a valid ticket. For visitors to Switzerland, a 30-day version of the Junior Travelcard is available from staffed ticket offices.

The Junior Travelcard has the same area of validity as the Swiss Half Fare Card and is accepted on most trains, buses, boats and many mountain transport services throughout Switzerland.

If you are travelling with a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card, the better option is usually the free Swiss Family Card. This allows accompanied children aged 6 to 15 to travel free of charge on the Swiss Travel System network.

We cover the Swiss Family Card in more detail later in this article. We cover the Swiss Family Card in more detail in this article.

Where to buy Swiss train tickets and rail passes

Swiss Travel Pass

We highly recommend you buy your Swiss Travel Pass online before you leave home.  This means you avoid long queues at the ticket counter in Switzerland and you can also conveniently hop on the first train, tram or bus on arrival in Switzerland.

Whilst you can buy Swiss Passes at most railway stations in Switzerland, buying your Swiss Travel Pass in advance also means that you can get this significant expense out of the way long before your vacation begins.

The Swiss Travel Pass is sent as a PDF via email so you can save it to your mobile device and print it out at home, which makes purchasing the Pass online super easy and convenient.  

Click here to purchase your Swiss Train Pass and then as soon you arrive in Switzerland you can start taking advantage of all the benefits that come with the pass.

Also just to note that the Swiss Travel Pass is only available to be purchased by people who permanently live outside of Switzerland.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR SWISS TRAVEL PASS

Swiss Half Fare Card

Just like the Swiss Travel Pass, we also recommend you buy the Swiss Half Fare Card online before you leave home. It can be purchased from any train station in Switzerland but you’ll skip the queues by buying it online.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR SWISS HALF FARE CARD

Point-to-point tickets

If you are only doing a few short journeys, buying train tickets in Switzerland is easy. Larger stations have manned ticket counters which are open at specific times throughout the day but all stations have ticket machines.

The ticket machines are easy to use – you can select to display the instructions in English – and payment can be made by credit card.

You can also purchase point-to-point tickets on the Swiss Federal Railways website or the SBB Mobile app.

Regional Passes

In addition to the Swiss rail passes and point to point tickets mentioned above, there are other regional train passes in Switzerland for some of the more popular tourist regions in Switzerland.

Passes available include the Jungfrau Travel Pass for the Jungfrau region, Berner Oberland Pass for the Bernese Oberland including Jungfrau region, and the Tell Pass for the Lake Lucerne region.

These passes can be purchased locally but we recommend you purchase them online before you leave home. This will save you having to queue to purchase your tickets on arrival in Switzerland.  You can buy them via the following links:

• Jungfrau Travel Pass
• Berner Oberland Pass
• Tell Pass

🇨🇭 Read our guide to choosing the best Swiss rail pass for your trip.

Seat reservations on Swiss trains

For most trains in Switzerland you do not need any reservations.  On some longer distance Swiss trains you can make a seat reservation if you prefer to but it’s not compulsory. 

On Switzerland’s scenic trains it is mandatory to make a seat reservation. This applies to the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Express and Gotthard Panorama Express trains.

Also keep in mind that if you are crossing into many of the neighbouring countries you will most likely require a seat reservation.

It is essential that seat reservations are purchased before travel.

How to make seat reservations on Swiss trains

Seat reservations on regular trains

Reservations can be made through the SBB website, the SBB Mobile app, or at staffed railway stations.

If you would like to secure a window seat on a scenic route such as the Luzern–Interlaken Express, making a reservation can be worthwhile. On many regular Swiss domestic trains, seat reservations cost around CHF 5 per seat, although reservation fees may vary depending on the operator and service.

Reservations are optional on most domestic trains but are recommended during peak travel periods and on popular panoramic routes.

Seat reservations on panoramic trains

Seat reservations for the premium panoramic trains should be made directly on the official website of the train company. Seat reservations are compulsory for all passengers, including children (aged 6 and over) and holders of a Swiss Travel Pass.

Due to the popularity of the Swiss panoramic trains, it is highly recommended that you book your seat reservation as early as possible.  Seat reservations are available to purchase from 90 days before travel.

You’ll find more information about the panoramic trains, and links to our detailed guides which include step-by-step instructions for purchasing seat reservations, below.

Travelling on public transport in Switzerland with a Swiss rail pass 

After purchasing any of the Swiss rail passes that we’ve mentioned above, you will receive an email with your valid pass as a PDF attachment. 

We recommend saving the PDF to the wallet on your mobile device or taking a screenshot of it which you can save to your device’s photos. You should also print a paper copy and upload a copy to the Cloud, just in case your battery goes flat or your phone gets lost or stolen.

If you have purchased a consecutive day Swiss Travel Pass (or a regional pass), you do not need to validate or activate your pass before travel. 

However, if you have purchased a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, you must activate your pass prior to each day of travel.  We cover the instructions to do this in detail in this article.

Travelling by train – Swiss Travel Pass instructions

On boarding the train, you can sit in any free seat in the correct class of travel. For example, if you have a 1st class rail pass you can sit anywhere in a 1st class carriage.  

Seat reservations are not required on the majority of trains in Switzerland – exceptions are the premium panoramic trains, as we mentioned above.

Before boarding the train, look for the numbers 1 or 2 on the outside of each carriage so you know which carriage to get on.

When requested by the ticket inspector, you’ll be required to show your Swiss Travel Pass or your regional pass. No other tickets are required except in the case of panoramic trains when you will also be requested to show your seat reservation.

Travelling by bus – Swiss Travel Pass instructions

Most of the buses in Switzerland operate under the ‘self-control’ model.  This means, if you are travelling with a Swiss Travel Pass, you do not need to show the pass to the driver upon entry.

You may board through any of the doors and sit wherever you wish.  

Random ticket checks do occur so it’s your responsibility to ensure you carry your valid Swiss Travel Pass (or regional pass, if applicable) at all times.

There are still a few smaller bus lines where you need to show your pass to the bus driver, but you will notice when this is the case. In these instances there is only one door open (the front door) through which you can board.

NOTE: Most buses and some trains (particularly regional trains) do not automatically stop at each station en route. These stations are marked as ‘stop on request’ on timetables.

If you wish to stop at the next approaching station, you need to press the ‘stop’ button which you’ll find throughout the bus or train carriage.

Travelling by boat – Swiss rail pass instructions

Swiss Travel Pass holders do not need to purchase any additional tickets for most boat trips in Switzerland.  You can simply board the boat and sit in the correct class – the upper deck is for 1st class passengers and the lower deck is for 2nd class passengers.

Show your Swiss Travel Pass (or regional pass, if applicable) to the ticket inspector when requested.

Travelling by mountain railway – Swiss rail pass instructions

In order to board a mountain railway (cable car, funicular or cogwheel train), in many instances you need to proceed past the ticket counter and through a turnstile.  

As a ticket is often required to be inserted into the turnstile in order for the gate to open, we recommend you stop at the ticket counter to present your rail pass, even if the ride is fully covered by your pass.

The ticket counter representative will either wave you through (if no access ticket is needed), issue you with the necessary ticket (if the ride is fully covered by your pass), or request payment at the discounted rate applicable to your rail pass.

You can see which mountain excursions are free and discounted with the Swiss Travel Pass here.

Travelling on public transport in Switzerland with a regular Swiss train ticket

When travelling by train in Switzerland it is essential that you purchase your ticket before boarding. On most trains there is no ticket machine or conductor on board so you must have your ticket before entering the train.

When requested, show your ticket (and seat reservation if you are travelling on a panoramic train) to the ticket inspector.

Bus tickets can be purchased from the driver upon entry.  You should enter through the front door of the bus.

Tickets for boats and mountain railways can be purchased at the ticket counter before boarding.

Random ticket checks do occur and heavy fines apply to passengers who do not have the correct ticket.

You may sit in any free seat (in the correct class of travel) on trains*, buses, boats and mountain railways.

*except panoramic trains

Taking luggage on Swiss trains

Although there is not a huge amount of space for storing luggage on Swiss trains, most trains do have a dedicated luggage storage area in the area close to where you board the train. 

Some trains also have space under and between the seats where luggage can be stored.

There are also overhead racks above the seats where you can place small luggage.

How much luggage can I bring?

Whilst there is no restriction on the Swiss trains as to how much luggage you can bring, it is highly recommended that you limit yourself to a medium sized suitcase and one piece of hand luggage or a backpack.

There is no porter service in Switzerland so you have to take care of your luggage. You are required to bring your own luggage to the platform and to carry it onto the train. 

However, there is always a ramp or an elevator or an escalator at the station and step-free access to the platform.  For this reason, a suitcase with wheels works perfectly.

Luggage shipping services

If you would prefer not to have to travel with your luggage, SBB offers a luggage shipping service. This can be a good option if you’d like to ship some of your luggage ahead for the next part of your vacation, or you’d like to stop off en route to do some sightseeing. 

There are a variety of luggage shipping options available, such as:

• Luggage from station* to station* (2 days later): Take your luggage to a station* and 2 days later collect it from your destination station*.  
• Luggage from door to door (Same day or next day): They will collect your luggage from an address in Switzerland and deliver it to your address. This is great for hotel to hotel luggage transfers.  
• Luggage from station* to door (2 days later): Take your luggage to a station* and they will deliver it to your address 2 days later.

*not all stations offer this service.

Useful information about the best public transport system in the world in Switzerland 

Advantages of train travel in Switzerland 

Traveling by train in Switzerland has many advantages.  Not only is Switzerland train travel a wonderful way to see the beautiful countryside and stunning Swiss Alps, it is also the most efficient and often the cheapest way to travel in Switzerland.

Here is a brief overview of the advantages of traveling by train through Switzerland:

• Centre to centre – travel in Switzerland by train is super convenient with pretty much the entire country well serviced and stations are located right in the centre of town.
• Travel like the locals – when you take a Switzerland train ride, you will be getting around just as the Swiss do.
• Relaxing – Rather than driving a hired vehicle for your Switzerland trip, sit back and relax, while you are transported to wherever you need to go.  A train ride through Switzerland is extremely comfortable and a great way to relax on your holiday.
• Frequent – The Swiss Federal Railways are extremely efficient and trains are very regular.  You’ll rarely wait long for any connections for your train trips through Switzerland.
• Scenic – Switzerland would have to be one of the most beautiful places in the world to travel by train – the landscape is absolutely perfect for train travel. The Swiss rail network goes right past the most scenic landscapes including all the stunning lakes, snow capped mountains, flowing streams and quaint little villages.  In Switzerland it’s certainly more about the journey rather than the destination.

The Swiss Rail Network

The Switzerland train system is just brilliant, with the entire country well-connected enabling you to pretty much travel anywhere you wish.  The Swiss rail system is said to be the world’s densest railway network and the trains are well connected with other forms of public transport.

The entire public transport system operates with a fully integrated timetable which means there are seamless connections between Swiss rail, bus, boat, tram and mountain railway services.

Major train routes in Switzerland

Below we have listed the details of some of the major Swiss train routes.

Zurich to Lucerne train
Direct trains connect Zurich and Lucerne in approximately 41–50 minutes, depending on the service. Trains run frequently throughout the day, with departures typically every 30 minutes.

Zurich to Interlaken train
The journey from Zurich to Interlaken takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. Many services require a connection in Lucerne or Bern, while direct trains operate at regular intervals and take around 2 hours.

Zurich to Geneva train
Direct trains between Zurich and Geneva take approximately 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours. Services generally operate at least once per hour throughout the day.

Zurich to Basel train
The fastest direct trains between Zurich and Basel take around 53 minutes, with most journeys taking between 55 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes. Frequent direct services operate throughout the day.

Zurich to Zermatt train
Travel from Zurich to Zermatt takes approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours. All journeys require at least one connection, usually in Visp.

Zurich to Bern train
Direct trains between Zurich and Bern take approximately 55 minutes to 1 hour. Frequent services operate throughout the day, typically every 30 minutes or better.

Geneva to Zurich train
Direct trains between Geneva and Zurich take approximately 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours. Services generally operate at least once per hour.

Geneva to Zermatt train
The journey from Geneva to Zermatt takes approximately 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours and usually requires a connection in Visp. Services operate regularly throughout the day.

SBB Mobile – the essential app for travelling in Switzerland by train

Before you start travelling in Switzerland by train, we highly recommend you download the Switzerland public transport app, SBB Mobile.

This app is vital if you plan to travel by train in Switzerland – or any means of public transport – and will make your travel so much easier.

On the app you will be able to purchase point to point Swiss train tickets online, check all the train routes Switzerland has, look up SBB timetables (and timetables for all the public transport operators) and find out which platform your train departs from. 

Another handy use for the SBB Mobile app is checking where you should stand on the platform.  For instance, if you are wondering ‘where is first class on Swiss trains?’, the app can tell you exactly whereabouts on the platform the first class and second class carriages will stop.

All information is displayed in real time so if there’s a delay (which is rare in Switzerland) or you’d like to follow your journey live, you can do so on the app.

🇨🇭 Read our guide to using the SBB Mobile app when you travel Switzerland.

Panoramic Trains in Switzerland

For many people on holidays in Switzerland, a trip on a Switzerland scenic train is at the top of the must-do list. 

A panoramic train in Switzerland takes you through some of the most beautiful regions in all of Switzerland, with many of the trains having specially built panoramic windows to maximise your view.  

Below you’ll find an overview of these scenic train routes in Switzerland.

Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is referred to as the “world’s slowest express train” and is also known as one of the most scenic train rides in Switzerland. 

This scenic train in Switzerland runs between St Moritz and Zermatt and crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels.

The entire scenic train of Switzerland trip is just over 8 hours and runs twice a day during the Winter months and four times a day during the Summer months – however please note that only two trains complete the entire journey.

Seat reservations are compulsory on the Glacier Express, even for holders of the Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail Pass and Interrail Pass.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers the train fare, but all passengers must purchase a separate seat reservation. Reservation fees start from CHF 54 per person for both 1st and 2nd class travel.

🇨🇭Read our detailed guide to the Glacier Express.

Gotthard Panorama Express

Running between Lucerne and Lugano, the Gotthard Panorama Express combines a cruise across Lake Lucerne with a panoramic train journey through the Swiss Alps. The journey begins with a steamboat ride from Lucerne to Flüelen, where passengers board the train.

Instead of using the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the train travels through the historic Gotthard mountain route, including the original Gotthard Tunnel, offering spectacular alpine scenery.

The entire journey takes around 5.5 hours and operates once daily Tuesday to Sunday from late April to mid-October.

Seat reservations are compulsory for all passengers and cost CHF 16 per person.

🇨🇭Read our guide to the Gotthard Panorama Express.

Bernina Express

This iconic Switzerland rail journey takes you from the medieval city of Chur across the Swiss Alps to Italy. 

The train journey passes through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rhaetian Railway as well as through 55 tunnels and crosses 196 bridges before ending at Tirano. 

From here you can take the Bernina Express Bus through the Valtellina wine region before arriving in Lugano.

The entire journey takes almost 7.5 hours (4.25 on the train and the remaining time on the bus). The train trip runs twice daily.

Reservation prices typically start from around CHF 20 per person for the train (depending on season and route) and around CHF 14–18 per person for the bus section between Tirano and Lugano.

🇨🇭Read our guide to the Bernina Express.

Voralpen-Express

This scenic train route in Switzerland connects St Gallen and Lucerne and takes just over 2 hours. 

Along the way you pass lakes, mountains and the Rothenthurmer Hochmoorebene which is the highest railway viaduct in Switzerland at 99 metres high.

This train trip runs daily each hour.  Advance reservations cannot be made for this train.

GoldenPass Line

Over two different connecting trains, the GoldenPass Line runs between Lucerne and Montreux and passes by eight lakes, through six different cantons (Swiss regions) and crosses three mountains passes.

The entire trip on the Golden Pass train in Switzerland takes just over five hours and runs five times a day, all year round.

Seat reservations are not required on the GoldenPass Line but are recommended during peak travel periods to guarantee a seat, especially on panoramic trains.

Reservation fees typically range from around CHF 5 to CHF 10 per person per sector, depending on the route and train type.

🇨🇭 Read our guide to the GoldenPass Line.

More scenic train routes in Switzerland

Centovalli Railway

The Centovalli Railway route takes passengers between Locarno and Domodossola and runs through the Centovalli (the Hundred Valleys) which provides some of the most beautiful views in all of Europe. 

En route you will see waterfalls, vineyards, forests and quaint villages.

The entire journey takes just over 1 hour and operates year-round, departing every 1 to 2 hours.

Seat reservations are required.

🇨🇭 Read more about the Centovalli Railway.

The Chocolate Train Switzerland

For lovers of chocolate, the Swiss Chocolate Train is a popular seasonal excursion in Switzerland. Operated by the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway (MOB), the journey runs between Montreux and Broc, where visitors can tour the famous Maison Cailler chocolate factory.

The experience also includes a stop in the medieval village of Gruyères, making it a full-day excursion despite the relatively short train journey itself.

The Chocolate Train operates seasonally from around May to September/October, with services running on selected days that vary depending on the timetable.

Ticket prices typically start from around CHF 90 per person and can vary depending on class and season. The package usually includes transport, entry to Maison Cailler, entry to La Maison du Gruyère, and light refreshments served onboard.

The Cheese Train Switzerland

If chocolate isn’t your thing, the Swiss Cheese Train is another popular excursion operated by the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway (MOB). The journey runs through the scenic GoldenPass region between Montreux or Zweisimmen and Château-d’Œx.

During the excursion, passengers can learn about traditional Swiss Alpine cheese production at Restaurant Le Chalet, where cheese is still made over a wood fire, before enjoying a traditional fondue lunch.

The experience also includes a visit to the Musée du Pays-d’Enhaut, home to displays of local craftsmanship and the region’s famous paper-cutting art. Visitors can also enjoy the GoldenPass miniature railway exhibition and receive a discount on entry to Espace Ballon, which celebrates Château-d’Œx’s ballooning heritage.

The Cheese Train operates on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from February to October, with additional departures in December.

Onboard the trains

Below you’ll find some useful information about the trains in Switzerland.

First Class or Second Class?

Most high speed trains offer a choice of both first and second class carriages (called Coaches). First class seats usually recline and have more legroom. There are generally fewer seats per coach and more space for luggage. 

Some high speed trains include a meal in the ticket price (often served to your seat) and where this doesn’t apply, meals and snacks are available for purchase from a dining car or snack cart. 

First class coaches are usually quieter with more business and adult passengers travelling in first class coaches. They include power outlets to charge your mobile devices.

Second class seats are less expensive, but not as spacious as there are more seats per car, and often these will be in a compartment-style layout with two bench seats (each seating three people) facing each other. 

Meals and snacks can be purchased from a dining car or snack cart. 

Second class coaches often have more passenger than first class coaches as more Europeans tend to travel in second class.

Quiet Zones

A quiet zone can be found in first class coaches on certain routes.  The areas are well marked and in these areas you should refrain from talking, making phone calls, listening to music (even with headphones) or playing any games on electronic devices.

WiFi

Whilst there is no free WiFi on Swiss trains, you can use your smartphone as a personal hotspot. You will need a compatible SIM card with data to access the 3G/4G network.

Free internet access is available at 80 railway stations in Switzerland. The service is limited to 60 minutes.

Onboard Restaurants and Bistros

If you’ve wondered “can you eat on Swiss trains?”, the answer is most definitely yes. Most InterCity and EuroCity trains have a restaurant or bistro onboard.  

Passengers can usually eat at the restaurant or take it away to their seats.  Passengers in first class also have the option of being served at their seat on some trains.

The Family Coach

For families travelling with young children, many Swiss InterCity double-decker trains feature a dedicated Family Zone, designed with more space and child-friendly seating. These areas are especially common on long-distance routes operated by SBB.

You can usually identify family-friendly areas when booking via the SBB app or timetable, where they are marked with a family or children’s symbol rather than a fixed abbreviation.

InterCity tilting trains (ICN) generally do not have a dedicated Family Zone in the same way, but they remain family-friendly with comfortable seating and onboard facilities suitable for children.

The Family Zone

Many long-distance Swiss InterCity trains include family-friendly seating areas designed to make travel easier for passengers with children and prams. These zones offer more space for pushchairs and luggage and are located in designated parts of the train, most commonly on double-decker services.

The exact location of these family areas varies depending on the train formation, so it is best to check the SBB timetable or mobile app when booking your journey.

FAQs about train travel in Switzerland

How far in advance can I book my Swiss train tickets?

Regular tickets can be purchased any time before travel. On some services, a limited number of discounted SuperSaver and Saver Day Pass tickets are available. These fares are more restrictive fares and not as flexible as regular tickets and it is recommended that you make your reservations as soon as you possibly can. 

You’ll find more info about the different Swiss train tickets and rail pass options in this article.

Where can I find a Swiss train timetable?

Up to date Swiss train timetables can be found on the Swiss Federal Railways website, on the handy SBB Mobile app or you can pick one up from the nearest station.

Do I need seat reservations on Swiss trains?

No, in general for most trains in Switzerland you do not need any reservations.  Seat reservations are only compulsory on the premium panoramic trains – Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express and Gotthard Panorama Express.

How do I make seat reservations on Swiss trains?

Regular trains

If you need to (or want to) make a seat reservation for your train holidays to Switzerland you can do so via the SBB website, mobile app or at the ticket counter at a station.  It costs around CHF 5 per seat to make a reservation. Higher charges apply for the panoramic trains.

Panoramic trains

If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass and you wish to make seat reservations for one of the panoramic trains, you can do so on the official website of the train.

We include links to the official train websites and step-by-step instructions for purchasing your seat reservations in our articles about the various panoramic trains that we have mentioned above. You can also refer to this article.

Can I buy tickets at the station?

Yes, you can buy tickets at the train stations in Switzerland – you can do this either via a ticket machine or at the ticket counter (if there is one).

Can I buy Swiss rail tickets onboard?

No, you must have a valid ticket before boarding the train.

Are trains in Switzerland safe?

Yes, traveling on trains in Switzerland is very safe.  However, it is best to use common sense, be cautious for your own protection and keep your valuables on your person or in sight at all times.

What do I do if I lose my ticket or rail pass?

Most tickets and rail passes are issued as e-tickets.  We recommend you keep the original PDF of your ticket (or take a screenshot of the ticket on your mobile device) and print this out or upload it to the Cloud. 

If you lose your e-ticket or the e-rail pass or your device gets lost or stolen, you can then simply reprint it from the PDF.  If you lose a ticket you have purchased from a ticket machine at the station, unfortunately it cannot be reissued or replaced.

Planning a trip to Switzerland?

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What is the most common transportation in Switzerland?

Train travel is the most popular way to get around Switzerland. 

Is public transport free in Switzerland?

Public transport is not free in Switzerland however it is possible to purchase day passes and rail passes that include travel on public transport.

Do trains run on Sunday in Switzerland?

Yes, trains run seven days per week in Switzerland.

How late do trains run in Switzerland?

It depends on the actual route but most trains in Switzerland run until around midnight.

Why are Swiss trains so good?

Switzerland’s rail network has an excellent reputation due to the frequency and punctuality of its services.  The trains in Switzerland are also very clean and comfortable which makes getting around in Switzerland a pleasant experience.

General tips for travelling by train in Switzerland

Whilst rail travel in Switzerland is relatively easy (and very relaxing), there are a few things you should be aware of before you get to the station to ensure you have a smooth departure. 

• Arrive at the station in plenty of time. Some stations in Switzerland are huge and it can take a while to get your bearings and get to the correct platform. At really busy stations where there are trains arriving and departing every few minutes, the platform number from which your train is departing may not be advised until 20 minutes before departure. As soon as the platform number is displayed, there’s a huge crush to get there, so give yourself plenty of time.

• Check the overhead boards for the correct train number and the platform from which your train departs. Remember that the destination on the board may be further along the line than you are travelling, therefore your destination may not show. Each train has a train number, just like a flight number, for this purpose. Always match the train number on your ticket to the train number on the overhead board. 

• When purchasing an individual (or point-to-point) train ticket, you are usually allocated a specific seat in which to sit and the seat number and carriage number will be printed on your ticket. This applies to most trains however some regional trains which only offer second class carriages are ‘non-reserved’ and you can sit anywhere you like. 

• At the platform, check for signs showing where each carriage will stop. The train layout is displayed at most stations and is also in the SBB app. If you are in coach (carriage) #06, for example, some stations have signs showing at which point on the platform coach #06 will stop. In the photo below you can see that coach #06 will stop at Section F on the platform, so by waiting in the correct area, you will be in the right place when the train pulls up. Smaller stations may not have such specific signage but will usually show you where the 1st class and 2nd class coaches will stop.

• Stopping times at stations can be short – three or four minutes is not uncommon. Be ready to board the train (or join the boarding queue) as soon as the train arrives at the station. When lots of people are trying to board the train with heavy luggage it can be congested, so be prepared. If you’re travelling with children or older folks, let them board first without their luggage and pass all the luggage up to them once they are on the train.

• Most train services in Switzerland are precisely on time! In most instances they arrive at the station at exactly the time they are scheduled to, so don’t be late.

• Make sure you know the name of the station at which you should disembark in the local language.  Lucerne is called Luzern and Geneva is called Geneve, for instance. 

• If you are purchasing a ticket locally or don’t have a seat reservation for your journey, make sure you are boarding the correct carriage of the train. Some trains split at a designated station during their journey with the engine and the front carriages continuing to one destination whilst another engine is attached to the remaining carriages and travels to another end station. In these instances, each carriage usually displays a sign on the outside indicating the end station it is travelling to. 

Final thoughts about train travel in Switzerland

We hope this guide to travelling by train in Switzerland has given you a better understanding of the Swiss rail system. Getting around Switzerland by train is a relaxing and scenic way to travel between destinations.

Whether you choose to purchase point-to-point train tickets in Switzerland or buy a Swiss rail pass for your travels, you’ll be impressed by the efficiency and punctuality of the Swiss public transport system.

Listen to our podcast episode about the Swiss public transport system