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Swiss Travel Pass.

Discover Switzerland with just a single ticket: The Swiss Travel Pass takes international guests to the most beautiful places in the country on flexible and affordable public transport.

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, as well as many other advantages.

The advantages for you.

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply)
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns & cities
• Free admission to more than  500 museums Link opens in new window.
• Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
• Discount of up to 50% on other mountain excursions
• Discount of up to 50% on leisure travel offers

Swiss Family Card.

With the Swiss Family Card, children aged at least 6 and under 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by a parent with a valid Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. The Swiss Family Card is issued free of charge. To receive it, enter the children travelling with you under ‘Add passengers’ on SBB.ch during purchase of the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex). Children who are not travelling with a parent get a 50% discount on the regular price of the Swiss Travel Pass.

Offers for adults aged 25 or over.

Choose 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days of travel.

Prices effective until 31.12.2024. Prices and product specifications subject to change.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

Valid on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 freely selectable days within one month.

Offers for young persons under 25.

The Swiss Travel Pass Youth gives young persons under 25 a 30% discount on the Swiss Travel Pass. It offers the same validity.

Swiss Travel Pass Youth.

Swiss travel pass flex youth., important information about the 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.
• The Swiss Travel Pass is available online or at any staffed public transport point of sale.
• For online purchasing, purchase as a “guest”. You do not need a login.
• The Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Family Card cannot be loaded onto a SwissPass card. You will not receive a customer number or an additional card.
• Children aged under 6 travel free. 

Further content

Swiss travel pass, more on the topic..

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Switzerland Insider

Swiss family card: the ultimate travel companion for families.

Traveling in Switzerland with your family? The Swiss Family Card is an invaluable tool that makes exploring the country easy and affordable. It allows children to travel for free with their parents, simplifying logistics and saving you money. Here’s everything you need to know about the Swiss Family Card and how to use it to enhance your family’s Swiss adventure.

What Is the Swiss Family Card?

The Swiss Family Card is a special travel pass that allows children under 16 to travel for free on trains, buses, and boats when accompanied by at least one parent holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass ( Flex ) or Swiss Half Fare Card . It’s designed to make family travel more convenient and economical, ensuring that you can enjoy Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes and charming cities without worrying about extra transportation costs for your kids.

Key Benefits

Free Travel for Children : With the Swiss Family Card, children under 16 can travel for free when they’re with at least one parent holding a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. This means no extra costs for your children’s transportation across Switzerland.

Easy to Obtain : The Swiss Family Card is issued free of charge and is easy to get. Simply request it when you purchase your Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. You’ll receive the card for each child traveling with you.

Covers a Wide Range of Transport : The card covers a vast network of trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland, making it easy to explore different regions and attractions with your family.

No Need for Additional Tickets : Once you have the Swiss Family Card, there’s no need to buy separate tickets for your children. Just present the card along with your own travel pass, and you’re good to go.

Flexibility for Families : The card offers flexibility for families, allowing you to change plans or hop on and off public transport without worrying about ticketing logistics for your kids.

How to Get the Swiss Family Card

Obtaining the Swiss Family Card is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

Purchase Your Travel Pass : Buy a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card for yourself. These can be purchased online, at Swiss train stations, or through authorized travel agents.

Request the Swiss Family Card : During your purchase, request the Swiss Family Card for your children. You’ll need to specify the number of children traveling with you.

Receive the Card : The card will be issued to you for each child, either electronically or as a physical card, depending on where you purchase your pass.

Use It During Your Travels : Carry the Swiss Family Card with you and show it along with your own travel pass whenever you use public transportation.

Conditions for Using the Swiss Family Card

Parent and Child Must Travel Together : The Swiss Family Card is only valid when the child is traveling with at least one parent who has a valid travel pass. If children are traveling with other relatives like grandparents or aunts and uncles, they will need to purchase a separate child travel pass or ticket.

For Non-Residents Only : The Swiss Family Card is available exclusively to non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It’s intended for tourists visiting Switzerland.

Age Limit : The card is valid for children under the age of 16. Children who are 16 or older will need to purchase a regular travel pass or ticket.

Who is eligible for the Swiss Family Card? The Swiss Family Card is available to non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein who are traveling with at least one parent holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. Children under the age of 16 qualify for free travel with this card.

Do I need to buy the Swiss Family Card separately? No, the Swiss Family Card is issued free of charge when you purchase a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. Just request it at the time of purchase.

More on the Swiss Family Card (SBB)

The Swiss Family Card is a fantastic resource for families traveling in Switzerland. It simplifies travel logistics, provides significant savings on transportation, and makes it easy to explore the country’s many attractions with your children. Don’t forget to request your Swiss Family Card when planning your trip to Switzerland and take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities it offers for a memorable family adventure!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and/ or believe will add value to travelers to Switzerland. Thank you for your support!

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Swiss Family Card

Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday travel nationwide on public transport free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent holding a Swiss Travel System pass or ticket. The complimentary Swiss Family Card is available on request from all Swiss Travel System points-of-sale worldwide and within Switzerland.

And even if not accompanied by a parent, children still receive a 50% discount on the entire Swiss Travel System ticket range.

• Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday accompanied by at least one parent (holding a Swiss Travel System ticket) travel free of charge with the complimentary Swiss Family Card
• Children under 6 years of age travel free of charge
• The Swiss Family Card is obtainable at nearly every Swiss railway station as well as all points-of-sale worldwide
• Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday not accompanied by a parent, receive a 50% discount on the Swiss Travel System ticket range

Documents and Downloads

All Media and Trade information as well as images regarding the Swiss Family Card are available here.

Swiss Travel System Excellence E‑Learning.

Welcome aboard! The Swiss Travel System Excellence E-Learning is the e-learning platform for future Swiss public transport experts. Heidi and Peter take trade specialists on a virtual learning journey through Swiss public transport. In the process, agents can broaden their knowledge in an entertaining way and acquire essential public transport know-how to support their clients professionally and competently.

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With the Swiss Family Card, children under the age of 16 travel free of charge throughout Switzerland when accompanied by a parent. It is valid in conjunction with a Swiss Travel System ticket (Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card).

Unfortunately, this offer is not bookable at the moment.

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Swiss Family Card (free) for children aged 6 to 15

About this offer.

Mobile ticket accepted

Use your phone or print out the voucher

Immediate booking confirmation

No booking fees

Meeting point

everywhere in Switzerland

Free cancellation

Full refund in case of cancellation up to 24h before start

all benefits of the parent's Swiss Travel System ticket

50 % discount for children traveling alone on the entire Swiss Travel System ticket range

• Your child under the age of 16 travels free of charge on public transport in Switzerland when accompanied by you
• The Swiss Family Card is free in combination with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half Fare Card
• 50% discount on all Swiss Travel System tickets when traveling without a parent

Swiss Family Card

The Swiss Family Card is valid for children between the ages of 6 and 15 (one day before their 16th birthday). Children receive the free Swiss Family Card if they are traveling with a parent. The parent must have a valid ticket from the Swiss Travel System. No Swiss Family Card is required for children under the age of 6. They travel free of charge together with an accompanying person (with a valid ticket).

Children traveling without a parent receive a 50% discount on all tickets from the Swiss Travel System with the Swiss Family Card.

On the road with the wheelchair

• In all SBB coaches (1st and 2nd class), the first compartment on the right is reserved "for passengers with reduced mobility". It has facing seating and can be used by passengers with walking disabilities. Some of these compartments can also be used by passengers in wheelchairs.
• There are stations that are not yet barrier-free. Please enquire in advance with the respective company or the "SBB Call Center Handicap".
• You can register with the "SBB Call Center Handicap" for free boarding and alighting assistance up to 24 hours in advance.

Important Information

• valid only in combination with a Swiss Travel System ticket

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Switzerland by switzerland travel pass.

Switzerland, the hub of tourism in Europe has earned its name as it provides to the visitors a vast and unparallel range of exotic natural beauty with lush green alpine meadows, high alpine peaks and mountain passes, pristine lakes, gushing rivers with glacial waters, beautiful & cozy Swiss Chalets, excellent gourmet services, world class hotels and the Swiss Travel System which we consider as the 8th wonder of the world.  

Doubtless is the fact of Swiss Travel System being a wonder as it provides quick connections with highly optimized time tables that make every city, town, village and even mountain tops accessible with quite impressive frequency.   Travelling by Swiss Travel System is the most impressive way of exploring the country.  The wide range of products of Swiss Travel System ensures that there is an appropriate ticket to match your specific needs and travel plans. With this system one can choose from a plethora of destinations on its network of over 20’000kms by Train, Tram, Boat and Buses.

Swiss Travel Pass for adult and youth

A power travel tool for every tourist traveling in Switzerland.Anyone who is neither a permanent resident of Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein is eligible to buy these passes.Children under the age of 16 years travel free of cost with their parents. Youth below the age of 26 years get a special discount of 15%. 

For children 6 to under16 years.

On request, a Swiss Family Card is provided free of charge, entitling children aged from 6 to under 16 to travel free if accompanied by at least one parent holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass.  Children below 6 years do not require Swiss Family Card and can travel with their parents without any ticket.

Advantages:

• Unlimited travel by Train, Bus, Tram and Boat.
• Free travel on most panorama routes like Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Line etc.
• Free travel on public transport in 75 towns and cities
• Free admission to more than 480 museums
• 25-50% discount on most of the mountain railways and cableways
• Children under age 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent holding a Swiss Family Card

Information:

• Panorama routes may be subject to a seat reservation charge
• Only persons domiciled outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein are entitled to purchase this  ticket.

What is a Swiss Family Card?

by swiss-pass | Nov 7, 2018

A Swiss Family Card allows children aged 6-15 years to travel free of charge when accompanied by a parent.

Swiss Family Card (Cheaper For Kids)

The Swiss Family Card is a great way to save money when traveling with kids in Switzerland. It allows for free or discount travel for children in Switzerland.

Find out all the details about the Swiss Family Card below.

Table of Contents

What Does The Swiss Family Card Provide?

By using the Swiss Family Card, children between the ages of 6 and 16 travel for free when accompanied by a parent traveling with a valid ticket. On top of this, even when not accompanied by an adult, your children can still travel with a 50% discount with the Swiss Family Card.

If you have children under 6 they automatically travel with you for free even without a Swiss Family Card

How Much Does A Swiss Family Card Cost?

A Swiss Family Card is free of card and is used in addition to a regular ticket or pass when you are traveling in Switzerland.

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Where Can You Buy A Swiss Family Card?

A Swiss Family Card can be obtained free of charge when you purchase any other form of Swiss Travel Ticket. You can request one either

• when you buy your Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card online
• at any manned Swiss Railway station when you arrive in Switzerland

How Old Can Children Travel Free With A Swiss Family Card?

Your child must be under the age of 16 in order to travel for free with a Swiss Family Card. Children under the age of six travel for free even without a Swiss Family Card.

Your child must be accompanied by a parent in order for them to travel for free in this way. Otherwise, they will have to pay 50% of the ticket price.

More On The Swiss Travel Pass

General information, scenic trains, mountain trips, pass comparisons.

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Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card (Which One is Best for You!)

By: Author Charles

Posted on October 25, 2023

By far the most asked question when it comes to Switzerland train travel is whether to get a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card.

And when it comes to answering that question, it will always come down to the cost breakdown & convenience factors based on your particular itinerary.

This overview is here to help you make the best-informed decision possible for your trip to Switzerland.

By the end of reading through, I hope you will better understand the thought process between choosing the Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Switzerland Travel

When traveling around Switzerland, the main mode of transport will be the vast train network that runs throughout all corners of the country.

In addition to the train network, there are also busses, boats, mountain railways, cable cars, & more to help travelers get from point A to point B.

Now, for those taking a trip to Switzerland, odds are these modes of transport will be used frequently. And since Switzerland is not a cheap country to visit, you can imagine that all of these various rides will add up in cost.

That is where Switzerland travel passes come into play.

Instead of paying full fare for each and every train, bus, cable car, and boat ride you take, there are ways to drastically cut down on the costs.

While there are a few different travel pass options to consider (all of which I will talk about), the main two passes are the Swiss Travel Pass and the Half Fare Card.

You can learn more about general transport by reading through the Train Travel in Switzerland guide up on the site.

2) Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card Overview

To better help you understand the comparison from a high level, below are the main differences between the Swiss Travel Pass & Half Fare Card:

Swiss Travel Pass

• The Swiss Travel Pass gives unlimited travel on the public Switzerland train/bus/boat network over a certain period of time for one cost.
• You can purchase a pass that covers 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days (either Second or First class tickets).
• While much train, bus, & boat travel is unlimited, not all transport is included . With a Swiss Travel Pass you will get discounted prices on mountain transport (25% – 50% discounts). Some mountain transport is included though (i.e. Mount Rigi).
• In addition to the transport, there are over 500 museums that are included with the purchase of a Swiss Travel Pass. This can end up saving you hundreds if museums are a large part of your travels.
• With a Swiss Travel Pass, you do not need to purchase individual train tickets ahead of time . Simply show up to the station, hop on the train, and show the conductor your Swiss Travel Pass and passport.
• However, when taking mountain transport, you will still need to purchase those tickets beforehand (and receive a discount at the ticket office by showing your pass). Same holds true for some of the scenic panorama train rides, where a seat reservation may be required to purchase ahead of time.
• The pass can also be purchased as a Swiss Travel Pass Flex . Instead of having consecutive days, you can use it for a certain number of days within a month long time period. This will in turn make it more expensive to purchase, but it may make financial sense based on your itinerary (usually best for those that only plan to travel on a lower proportion of days during their trip).
• Purchase a Swiss Travel Pass ahead of time to get you all set for Switzerland!

Half Fare Card

• A Half Fare Card gives you the ability to purchase all your public train, bus & boat transport at 50% off the full fare ticket over a 30 day time period.
• Similarly, Half Fare Cards also apply to mountain transport , where you will usually get 50% off the full fare rate. There are instances though when the discount may be lower (i.e. 25%).
• When it comes to museums, there is no discount available . You will simply just need to purchase a ticket to the museum of choice.
• With the Half Fare Card, you will ALWAYS need to purchase tickets ahead of time (whether they are regular train rides or mountain transport). When buying tickets online or at the ticket office, you will need to choose the “Half Fare” option. Once on the train, the conductor will then check your tickets & half fare card.
• It is only available to non-residents of Switzerland and Lichtenstein .

Swiss Family Card

One of the top benefits of purchasing either a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card, is the free Swiss Family Card that is offered along with it.

In essence, if one family member has a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card, then any children between the ages of 6 to 15 years old can travel for free with them (children under 6 do not require a Family Card and can travel for free either way).

This essentially means that if a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 16 are traveling, only the parents need to purchase train passes, while the 2 kids travel for free. What may have first seemed like a much more expensive trip, just turned into half the cost to travel around.

The card can be acquired at any Switzerland railway station across the country.

Other Passes

There are two options for those that are looking for unlimited one day travel in Switzerland – the Saver Day Pass and 1 Day Travelpass.

1 Day Travelpass (Day Pass)

The 1 Day Travelpass (75 CHF) gives you unlimited travel on trains, boats & busses (and some mountain transport) for just for one single day. This can only be purchased if you already have a Swiss Half Fare Card.

The thought here is if you have one big day of travel with some expensive routes, purchasing this pass will end up being more economical friendly for you than just purchasing tickets with the Half Fare Card.

Saver Day Pass

There is also a Saver Day Pass for those that don’t have a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card (although it still can be purchased if you have a Half Fare Card). For one price, you will be able to travel on public trains, boats & busses for free.

Prices vary depending on how early you book the pass (starting at 29 CHF) and can be bought ~60 days in advance.

3) What is Included?

Now that you have a good understanding on what these two travel passes are, let’s talk about exactly what is and what is not included with each one.

What Is Included with the Swiss Travel Pass?

• All public train routes, bus routes, and boat routes in the country are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
• Most mountain transport is 50% off with select routes at a 25% discount (and some mountain transport is completely included – Rigi, Stoos, and Stanserhorn).
• There are also over 500 museums in the country that are covered with the Swiss Travel Pass.
• Seat reservations for panorama trains are not included, and must be purchased separately.

What Is Included with the Half Fare Card?

• All public train routes, bus routes, and boat routes in the country will receive a 50% discount with the Half Fare Card.
• Most mountain transport is 50% off with select routes at a 25% discount (there are even some routes that offer better discounts than the Swiss Travel Pass).

You can check out the map that shows the various areas of validity and discounted routes ( PDF version linked ).

4) Swiss Travel Pass & Half Fare Card Prices

Due to the fact that these two cards work in very different ways, the prices of course will be reflected accordingly.

Swiss Travel Pass Prices

Below are the prices for the Swiss Travel Pass based on number of days & class:

Swiss Travel Pass Flex Prices

Below are the prices for the Swiss Travel Flex Pass based on number of days & class:

Half Fare Card Prices

Half Fare Card are simply 120 CHF for the 30 days, so that should make things a bit more simple.

5) How to Purchase

When it comes to purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card, you can do so ahead of time online or at train ticket booths.

• Swiss Travel Pass -> purchase the Swiss Travel Pass online
• Swiss Travel Pass Flex -> purchase the Swiss Travel Pass Flex online
• Half Fare Card -> purchase the Half Fare Card online

6) Pros & Cons

To summarize the main pros & cons of the Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card:

Swiss Travel Pass Pros

• For one price, you will have access to all public trains, boats, and busses in Switzerland.
• There is no need to purchase individual tickets for any of those included rides. Simply show up with your pass and hop on the train.
• In addition, the pass offers free admission to over 500 museums all throughout the country. This can be very beneficial for those that include museum hopping on an itinerary.

Swiss Travel Pass Cons

• The pass is only valid for a limited number of days (3, 4, 6, 8, or 15). However, the more expensive Swiss Travel Pass Flex does give you the flexibility to travel a certain number of days over a month’s time.
• Most mountain transport is not included and you must purchase these tickets separately with a discounted fare (25% – 50%).
• Seat reservations for panorama train rides are not included and must be purchased separately beforehand.
• The Swiss Travel Pass is expensive. To figure out if it is worth the purchase, you must do the calculations (and take into consideration the ease of not needing to buy tickets for each ride).

Is Swiss Travel Pass Worth It?

There are several reasons why the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it. Some of these include:

• If you are planning a lot of travel throughout your trip, especially longer & more expensive routes in the country.
• Not needing to worry about purchasing individual tickets for the journey (unless its mountain transport). Simply show up and be on your way.
• The idea that you can always be flexible with your travel plans and change them at a moment’s notice without any financial impact. Since train travel is unlimited, you may have more freedom to go back & forth as you see fit.

Purchase Today : If the Swiss Travel Pass is best for you, don’t forget to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass ahead of time to get you all set for your trip to Switzerland!

Half Fare Card Pros

• The Half Fare Card is cheaper than the upfront money needed for the Swiss Travel Pass. However, doing the math is always needed to better understand what is the best choice.
• All public train/bus/boat transport is 50% off. Most mountain transport is 50% with some at 25% (with some routes being even cheaper than the Swiss Travel Pass).
• The card is valid for up to one month, which does give travelers more flexibility when it comes to traveling.

Half Fare Card Cons

• With a Half Fare Card, you must purchase tickets for every route you take. This is much less convenient than the Swiss Travel Pass in that regard.
• There are no museums that are included with the Half Fare Card. If going to a museum in Switzerland, you must pay the full fare.

Is Swiss Half Fare Card Worth It

In general, the Half Fare Card is worth it if you are not traveling as much within your time in the country.

You can still get that large 50% discount on the routes that you do take, and the 120 CHF + 50% discount can certainly be less than purchasing tickets at full cost.

However, if you have more and more travel planned, you may need to consider the Swiss Travel Pass instead.

And remember, with the Half Fare Card, you still need to buy those individual train tickets each time.

7) Example 10 Day Itinerary Calculations

When it comes down to which pass is best for your trip, a financial calculation must be done.

Now, the financials may not be the only deciding factor. You may also consider the convenience factor & flexibility of the Swiss Travel Pass. But of course, the numbers are always important to think about.

Every trip to Switzerland is going to be different. So, without understanding each and every route you want to take, it will be difficult to give an exact answer.

However, I do have several itineraries up on the site. One of which is this 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary . Below is a breakdown of the costs – full fare, Swiss Travel Pass, & Half Fare Card for this itinerary.

There are some assumptions & things to note:

• Prices reflect second class tickets throughout the trip
• This would be using the 8 day Swiss Travel Pass, with the first day of use on day #2. Days 1 & 10 would have limited (if any) transport needed anyways.
• If buying full fare tickets or the Half Fare Card, it is possible to save even more using the 1 Day TravelPass or Saver Day Pass.
• Assumes overnights in Interlaken during the Jungfrau Region portion of the trip

As you can see, given the itinerary provided, the Half Fare Card is slightly less expensive compared to the Swiss Travel Pass (~60 CHF).

However, the idea of not needing to purchase individual tickets for most of these journeys + the flexibility to add more transport at no extra cost, makes me still inclined to buy the Swiss Travel Pass in this exact situation.

As I said though – every itinerary is different, and it will all depend on your exact route/s in order to choose the best option for your trip.

Purchase Today : If the Swiss Travel Pass is best for your trip to Switzerland, don’t forget to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass ahead of time!

I hope that helps you best decide whether to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to add them in below.

Also, be sure to check out the other Switzerland itineraries and guides up on the site.

Have fun out there and safe travels!

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Sunday 28th of July 2024

Hi - I just ran across this thread and have a question if it's not too late. Can you explain how the Swiss Half Fare card and the Saver Day Passes work together? This has been recommended to me and I'm trying to figure it out - I think it means I would have the upfront cost of the Half Fare card (which gives me 50% off), and then if buying a Saver Pass cost is less than the other 50% cost for an activity, it's worth it?

Sunday 3rd of March 2024

I will be in Zurich for one day and will need a round trip ticket to and from Lucerne. Would I purchase the half off pass?

Sunday 26th of November 2023

Hi. Ok soo on the itinerary and prices. The Swiss pass came out more expensive than the half pass? Sorry if I didn't understand

Wednesday 5th of June 2024

With the half-swiss card, can I purchase tickets for train on day of, as I'm about to embark? Or do I need to purchase tickets ahead of time?

Hi Jenny - yes you saw that correctly. Take a look at some of the comments I made underneath that though - you also need to think about the flexibility of the pass too / not needing to purchase tickets. The itinerary is only one very specific example, which can easily be expanded based on an individual's travel schedule. Hope you have a great trip.

Saturday 15th of July 2023

I plan to buy flex 15 days STP. Do I need to activate STP if I only use it for a mountain travel discount on certain days?

Sunday 16th of July 2023

Hi Stephen - from my understanding if you use the travel pass for just the mountain travel discount, it still counts as one of your days.

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

We are purchasing a Consecutive Day Swiss Travel pass, do we need to purchase cable cars or mountain excursions (ie Matterhorn) at time we buy pass? Can we use pass to purchase those tickets at a later time to get discount?

Hi there - no need to purchase the cable cars ahead of time. I would recommend doing so the day of just in case the weather is not ideal. You simply need to show up at the ticket office and show your travel pass. They will give you the discount when buying tickets. Enjoy!

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Swiss Travel Pass

Starting From USD 281

Book Swiss Travel Pass

Type of pass : continuous.

• Unlimited travel within the set selected days For example: If you choose Consecutive 8 Days Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimited times on Swiss Public Transport for 8 days.
• Pass is valid from the selected start date For example: If the selected start date is 1 st Jan 2024, then your pass is valid till 8 th Jan 2024 midnight.

Type of Pass : flexi

• Unlimited travel within 1 month from the selected start date For example: If you choose Flexi 8 Days Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimited times for any 8 days in one month
• Pass is valid from the selected start date For example: If you select start date as 1 st Jan 2024, then your pass is valid till 30 th Jan 2024 and you can travel unlimited for any 8 days within these 30 days.

Type of First class

• The First Class pass means a passenger can access the first-class sections of public transport like Train and Boat.
• In a train, the first-class seating is more spacious and has a separate section
• In a boat, the first -class section is the upper deck of the boat

Type of Second class

• The Second Class pass means a passenger can access only the second-class sections of public transport.
• Enjoy reduced-rate travel across Switzerland for one month with the Swiss Half Fare Card.
• Holders get a 50% discount on standard ticket fares for trains, buses, boats, and cableways in Switzerland
• The Swiss Half Fare Card is available as an e-Ticket to persons with residence outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
• Children under 16 years travel for free with the Swiss Family Card if travelling with parents.

You must secure your discounted tickets prior to boarding. Tickets can be purchased on the SBB app or website, from ticketing machines at the stations or at staffed rail stations during operating hours.

Combo Offers

Save CHF 30 per person

• Last date of purchase: 15 th Sep 2024
• Offer applicable only on the 2 nd Class ticket of the Swiss Travel Pass

Save CHF 15 per person

About swiss travel pass, swiss travel pass is the ideal ticket to travel across switzerland..

You can enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to visit more than 90 cities, reach peaks of many mountains, and sail through beautiful lakes in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass. You also benefit from free entrance to 500+ museums, discounted city tours, and access to private and scenic trains with a pre-requisite seat reservation.

Swiss Travel Pass offers children up to the age of 16 travel free of charge, just select Swiss Family Card when you purchase your pass. There are two broad types of Swiss Travel Pass: Continuous and Flexi, with an option to choose from 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days. So, whether you are travelling alone or with family, Swiss Travel Pass is the most preferred option to experience Switzerland, while helping you save money in your journey.

The Swiss Travel Pass is a must-have for any traveller to Switzerland.

Apart from it being an ‘all-in-one’ pass which allows a traveller to access all modes of public transportation within the country, it also offers numerous other benefits on the mountain excursions.

You can use trains, buses and even lake ferries to reach any destination including popular cities like Montreux, Lausanne, Zermatt, Geneva, Bern, Basel, Zurich and Lucerne.

Just reach your station or bus terminal or pier and hop on to the next available train or bus or boat for your destination. Allow them to take you through the most picturesque sceneries of your dream destination.

The Switzerland Rail Pass is the perfect partner whether you are looking to travel from town to town, or up to the mountains or off into the sunset on a cruise, hop on and off trains, buses and ferries at any time according to your wish for the day or time.

You only have to remember that there are some scenic train and bus routes that require a mandatory reservation. It would be wise to check with the ticket office before you board any such transport as it may not include in your Swiss Travel Pass cost .

If you are not looking to travel to a new destination but only within the town you are staying at, you can still use the Swiss Pass to move around town on the local buses or trams.

This way you can cover each of the towns and their attractions seamlessly with your Swiss Pass and make the most of it.

It is jam packed with bonuses! Free public transportation, discounted city tours (check at the local tourism offices in each place or at the stations), free entrances to over 500 museums, free boat trips and more are included in your Swiss Pass price.

The Swiss Travel Pass benefits not just passengers who want to be constantly on the move.

If you are one of those travellers who wants to spend time in each place and move to other places only after a few days, you can opt for the Swiss Travel Pass Flex which will allow you to use your days as and when you need them within a period of one month.

So be it the adventurous, the avid or the leisure traveller, you will have the chance to make the most of your Switzerland Rail Pass. Switzerland tourism also benefits from such an inclusive pass that eases the overall cost of the travellers and helps in exploring the alpine country freely.

Don’t forget your Swiss Pass is the most family friendly pass ever! It allows your children under 16 years to travel absolutely FREE with the Swiss Travel Pass Family Card !

Types of Swiss Pass

Validity: Valid on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days Both the above passes are available in 1st and 2nd class and also offer the youth pass option for travellers under 25 years of age.

There are 2 types of Swiss Travel Passes:

Continuous and Flexi Swiss Passes

• Continuous Swiss Travel Pass The pass allows the passengers to travel on consecutive days depending on the number of days the pass is purchased for.
• The Swiss Travel Pass Flex This pass offers the same services and benefits as the Swiss Travel Pass but gives greater flexibility since it allows you to utilize the chosen number of days within a one month period.

Major Benefits of Switzerland Rail Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is packed with benefits, some of which are listed below

• Unlimited Free travel on all public buses, boats and trams and trains in over 90 cities
• Free travel on panoramic trains (reservations may be needed)
• Free admission to over 500 museums
• Free mountain excursions: Rigi, Stoos and Stanserhorn
• Up to 50% Swiss Travel Pass discount on other mountain excursions
• Children under 16 years of age accompanied by at least one parent holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass, travel FREE with the Swiss Family Card.
• Available in electronic version making it really simple
• The Swiss Travel Pass is worth it when compared to multiple single-journey tickets

How and Where to Buy Swiss Travel Pass

Make sure that your Swiss Travel Pass is purchased from a reliable supplier. You can buy Swiss Travel Pass online on swisstours.com and the same will be instantly sent to your email id.

How to choose your Swiss Rail Pass

Depending on your Switzerland itinerary , create your Swiss Travel Pass itinerary. If you are in Switzerland for a short duration, it would be best to have a pass covering your entire stay. This way you will be able to use the pass on a daily basis for intercity and local public Switzerland transport as well.

If you are staying for a relatively longer period and are sure you will not be travelling every day, then you may want to consider the Swiss Travel Pass Flex so that you can use it only for your intended days of travel.

Basic steps to identifying your ideal Swiss Pass would be

• List your travel days and requirements
• Find out the point to point sector fares for the same
• Compare it to the cost of the available Swiss Pass cost

What are Swiss Travel Pass Inclusion?

Your Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel all the public boats, trains, trams and buses in 90 cities and towns in Switzerland.

It also includes free transport to some of the mountains and discounted travel on many others. The pass also allows free entrance to over 500 museums on your Switzerland trip.

Top free museums

The Switzerland Train pass allows free entrance to almost 500 museums.

Some of the more popular ones are the Open-air museum in Ballenberg, The Tinguely Museum in Basel, the Richard Wagner Museum in Lucerne and the Einstein Museum in Bern.

Free and Discounted attractions

The Swiss Travel Pass allows free travel to some really popular mountains.

Travel to them for some amazing views over towns, lakes and nearby regions.

Just show your Switzerland train pass at the base stations of these mountains and take the next available transport to the peaks.

Free mountain excursions

• Stanserhorn

Top discounted mountains with Swiss Pass

Enjoying mountain excursions is always included in every traveller’s things to do in Switzerland

No Switzerland tour package is complete without visiting the most popular mountains. There are many mountains in each region that you can visit.

Your Swiss Travel Pass will allow you to avail of either discounted fares to reach these peaks by train, funicular or cable cars.

Some of the most popular mountain excursions and the places that you can reach them from are as follows :

• Jungfraujoch , Interlaken
• Mount Titlis , Lucerne
• Mount Pilatus, Lucerne
• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Zermatt
• Gornergrat, Zermatt
• Sunnegga Paradise, Montreux
• Glacier 3000 , Gstaad

Free boat cruises

Your Switzerland Rail Pass also covers the transport on some of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland. Some popular cruises listed below. You just have to show your pass and hop on these cruises

There are also other lake cruises in Switzerland like the boat trip on the Rhine from Basel, on which you can use your with Swiss Travel Pass discount.

How to use a Switzerland Train Pass

The Switzerland Pass is super easy to use. All passes are now electronic passes making it really simple.

The Swiss Travel Pass 2022 is a pre validated pass. It is ready for travel once you have received and printed the same.

The PDF file that you receive will have a code that train staff can scan from your smart phone.

Once your swiss rail Pass is valid, you can use it for the number of days you purchased it for. The time of start does not matter.

The swisspass works on calendar days, which means if you have an 8 days Switzerland itinerary and purchased an Swiss Pass 8 Days starting on the 5th of May, the pass will be valid till midnight on the 12th of May.

You do not need seat reservations for trains and buses in Switzerland. You can simply board with your Swiss Travel Pass.

However there are exceptions - the panoramic trains like the Glacier Express which require a mandatory seat reservation at an extra cost. Seat reservations are not included in the swiss rail pass cost.

If you are travelling to a mountain or using any other discounted service, you must keep in mind that one of your Swiss Travel Pass will be used that day. You will be requested to show your Swiss Train Pass and the purchased mountain voucher at the boarding point of such services.

Electronic passes or e-Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Rail Pass is an electronic pass.

The electronic Switzerland Rail Pass can be shown on your smart phone or as an A4 size print whenever requested for by the checker.

Remember that you must also have your passport in hand incase it is asked for along with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Where is the Switzerland Travel Pass valid

Your Switzerland Travel Pass is valid throughout the country. Some of the most popular places that you can visit and stay at with your Swiss Train pass are

It is the industrial, financial, and cultural centre of the country and one of the most cosmopolitan and dynamic Swiss cities. Throughout the city centre, green space extends to the shores of Lake Zürich, which are lined by attractive public parks, and up to the slopes of Zürichberg.

Zürich’s lively and well-preserved Altstadt (Old Town), part of the city centre, boasts an architectural legacy including the Romanesque Grossmünster, built by Charlemagne in the 700s; the 13th-century St. Peter’s Church; and elegant guild houses and patrician residences, some of which are used as restaurants or for civic functions.

Among the must see places in Zurich are the Grossmünster, The Fraumunster, Uetliberg- Zurich;s own mountain, Zurich Lake and the famous Bahnofstrasse where you can see all the high end luxury shops and indulge in some retail therapy. Don’t forget your Swiss Pass price includes the tram network of the city making all these places very accessible to you.

Lucerne or Luzern as it is called, is divided into two parts by the Reuss River, which is crossed by seven bridges within the town.

Lucerne has one of the most picturesque settings in Switzerland. The Spreuerbrücke (1407), which is now considered the oldest bridge, is roofed and decorated with 56 paintings including scenes from the Dance of Death from the early 17th century.

Until its destruction by fire in 1993, the Kapellbrücke or the more popularly called Chapel Bridge, was the oldest bridge.

The old town is distinguished by well-preserved 14th-century town walls with nine watchtowers, quaint alleys, and squares. It houses the old town hall, the historical museum, St. Peter’s Chapel, the Hofkirche, the Lion Monument and the Swiss Museum of Transport .

You can use your Swiss Train Pass to cover the things to do in Lucerne town using its buses and boat cruises.

You can take one of the free boat cruises or opt for the Lucerne Dinner Cruise or the Saphir boat cruises both of which are discounted on the Switzerland Travel pass

Interlaken is a town in Central Switzerland in the Bernese Highlands. The town gets Its name from its position nestled between 2 lakes: Lake Brienz to the east and Thun to the west. It is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most frequented summer tourist resorts.

The main attraction of this tiny town is its main avenue, the Höheweg, which is lined with numerous watch and jewellery shops, souvenir shops and hotels that range from modest hostels to luxury and boutique hotels.

Interlaken commands a magnificent view of the Jungfrau to the south and is a starting point for many Alpine excursions.

Closer to home it has the Harder Kulm which you can visit for a lovely snack and an amazing view over the town. Your Swiss Travel Pass allows you to travel on the buses and trains that connect this city and run between Interlaken ost (East) and West.

Interlaken is also a perfect base if you want to stay for a few days and cover the rest of the country from there. Among the things to do in Interlaken includes the Trummelbach falls, and Giesbach Falls.

The nearby towns of Thun, Brienz and Grindelwald are also a huge attraction. You can also take a boat cruise for free on the Lakes with your Swiss Travel Pass or else opt for the adrenaline pumping jet boat cruise (payable).

The town itself is at an elevation of 5,302 feet and commands some of the finest views in Switzerland and is also a popular centre for mountaineering and winter sports. Cableways are numerous, and the highest in Europe leads up the Klein-Matterhorn.

Equipped with your Switzerland Train pass, you can visit one or more of the most popular mountain excursions: the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise with Swiss Pass discount, the Gornergrat or the Rothorn Paradise.

Zermatt is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland in winter .

Your Swiss Travel pass allows you unlimited access on all of these peaks.

A town that offers it all, lakes, mountains and vineyards, Montreux offers a picture perfect landscape.

It is the perfect base from which you can cover the full Geneva region including Geneva and Lausanne.

Montreux and the nearby region has been immortalised by many celebrities. Freddy Mercury’s album cover for Made in Heaven is picturised here, Charlie Chaplin chose to spend the last 2 decades and more of his life in the region. Visit the Chillon Castle, walk the lake promenade, visit the casino and enjoy the unmatched beauty of this lakeside resort with your convenient Swisspass.

Take a boat cruise and reach Lausanne, visit the nearby cheese factory in Gruyeres or the buildings of the UN and the famous jet D’eau in Geneva.

Your Switzerland Train Pass will allow you to get up close to all of the must-see places in the region

Montreux and the nearby region has been immortalised by many celebrities. Freddy Mercury’s album cover for Made in Heaven is picturised here, Charlie Chaplin chose to spend the last 2 decades and more of his life in the region.

Visit the Chillon Castle, walk the lake promenade, visit the casino and enjoy the unmatched beauty of this lakeside resort with your conveneient Swiss Travel pass.

If you are on honeymoon in Switzerland , Montreux is a must-visit place for you.

Your Switzerland Train Pass will allow you to get up close to all of the must-see places in the region.

Lugano, the largest city in the Canton of Ticino is situated in the Southern Italian speaking belt.

Lugano lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid viewpoints. Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular all round tourist destination.

Lugano is famous for its lake promenade with lush green vegetation, parks with sub- tropical plants and wood carvings.

It also has 2 mountains which make for nice excursions Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, give you an outstanding panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery.

From Monte Brè there is a walk down to the village of Brè, which has preserved its typical Ticino village centre, and enhanced it with works of art.

From the San Salvatore another popular walk leads down through the beautifully situated Carona to Lake Lugano at Morcote. Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a splendid way to round off the day.

Other excursions are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature at Melide.

All in all Lugano is a place to eat, chat and enjoy the mild Mediterranean atmosphere. The Swiss Travel Pass will help you to discover this regions. You can use it on the buses, boats and trams that connect the region.

Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a splendid way to round off the day. Other excursions are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature at Melide ( Swiss Miniatur ).

All in all Lugano is a place to eat, chat and enjoy the mild Mediterranean atmosphere. The Swiss Pass offers you to discover this regions. You can use it on the buses, boats and trams that connect the region.

Scenic routes on Switzerland Train Pass

All you need to do to avail of this amazing journey is purchase a reservation for the segment needed and then use the same with your Switzerland Travel Pass.

Journey time:

Total journey time: The entire route takes almost 5.5 hours.

Segments: Montreux to Zweisimmen, Zweisimmen to Interlaken, Interlaken to Lucerne

Highlight: VIP seats Montreux to Zweisimmen

Your Swiss Travel Pass offers you to travel on some of the most beautiful routes and trains that the country offers.

Glacier Express

Sit back and prepare to be amazed!! You are aboard the Glacier Express, the slowest express train in the world!!

The panoramic journey on the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps is one to remember. Start off in St. Moritz, the playground of the rich and famous and travel to Zermatt, the home to the world's most photographed mountain, the Matterhorn.

This 8-hour journey takes you over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. Along with the eyes, feast your palate as well! Order the meal freshly prepared on board and served at your seat.

All you have to do now is learn more about the route through the Alps via headphone – making sure you don't miss a single highlight.

To make the experience even more special, opt for the Glacier Express Excellence The new Excellence Class sets standards as high as the mountain peaks along the legendary route.

All you need to do to avail of this amazing journey is purchase a reservation for the segment needed and then use the same with your Switzerland Train pass

Total journey time: 7.30 hours

Zermatt to St Moritz or vice versa

Along the way: Oberalp pass, Rhine Gorge, Landwasser viaduct

Bernina Express

Go from snow- capped mountains to palm fringed lakes all in a day! Switzerland’s South is arguably the most stunning. It is also the melting pot of its various cultures and languages.

Traverse through this enchanting wonderland of diverse landscapes through towns dotted with castles, lake rivieras and UNESCO World heritage sites on the unique Bernina Express journey via bus and train.

Travel in Spring if you want to see the perfect combination of green valleys and lots of snow in the mountains. In winter, the section from St. Moritz to Tirano is especially worth it.

Book the most famous routes from St Moritz to Lugano via Tirano in Italy on this famous train and bus combination and make your holiday truly special with a discount with the Swiss Pass .

All you need to do to avail of this amazing journey is purchase a reservation for the segment needed and then use the same with your Switzerland Rail Pass

Average journey time: 4 hours

Chur / Davos / St Moritz to Tirano

Bus from Tirano to Lugano

Highlights: 196 bridges, 55 tunnels, UNESCO World Heritage site

Golden Pass Line

A cross-country journey like no other! The 3 train journeys that make up the amazing Golden Pass Line route takes you from the pristine Lake Geneva region, past the Bernese Oberland and into the historical heart of Switzerland.

Start your Switzerland Tour by taking off from Montreux say goodbye to the Mediterranean ambience and the views of Lake Geneva.

In Zweisimmen, be prepared for a treat if you have booked early enough and are privileged enough to get the seats with the drivers eye view. Then sit back and relax on the Lucerne Interlaken Express which passes through amazing lake vistas and the Brunig pass before getting you into Lucerne.

Why To Buy Swiss Travel Pass

• Unlimited Access to Rail, Boat, and Bus in 90+ Towns and Cities
• Free Entry at 500+ Museums
• Up to 50% Discount on Many Mountain Excursions and Rail Travel
• Children Entry Free

How It Works

Select your swiss travel pass.

Choose the right Swiss Travel Pass that suits your requirements in terms of number of days, and class of travel.

Confirmation

Follow the step-by-step booking procedure which allows you to view rates, select total number of passengers and see your total amount payable before you make the final booking.

Make the Payment

After selection of the pass and submission of your details (name, date of birth, email id etc.) you will be directed to the 3D secured payment page where you can make payment by Debit/ Credit Card/ Net Banking/ UPI.

Time to Travel like a Swiss

Once you have made the payment, you will immediately receive a confirmation email from us. You can download your e-Swiss Travel Pass from your email (a download link will be in the email).

* If you need assistance in selecting the right Swiss Travel Pass for you, please contact us.

* If you are travelling to multiple countries in Europe, you can also book rail passes of other countries with us.

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FAQs on Swiss Travel Pass

What is a swiss travel pass.

A Swiss Travel Pass is a pass that allows you to access unlimited travel on a train, bus, boat, and tram across Switzerland’s public transport and provides up to 50% discounts on excursions.

Where can I use my Swiss Travel Pass?

You can use your Swiss Travel Pass in the whole Swiss Travel System : in all trains, post buses, trams & even boats.

How do I book the Swiss Travel Pass online with Swisstours?

• Book your pass on www.swisstours.com by clicking on the Swiss Travel Pass tab on the home page.
• From the list of passes, select the Swiss Travel Pass that suits your travel requirements in terms of the number of days, 1st or 2nd class and consecutive or Flexi days’ pass.
• If you need help selecting the most appropriate pass, contact our specialists at [email protected]
• After selection of the pass and submission of your details (name, date of travel, and other mandatory information) you will be directed to the payment page to make the payment.
• Once the payment is complete, you will immediately receive an e-Swiss Travel Pass voucher in your email as an attachment.

How can I validate my Swiss Travel Pass?

Effective 1st September 2015, the Swiss Travel Pass is a pre validated & closed dated pass.

The traveller will need to provide their first day of use of the pass while making the booking. This date will be printed on the pass.

Travellers must carry a valid passport in order to travel with this rail pass.

What is an adult pass?

A passenger 25 yrs and above is entitled to purchase an adult Swiss Travel Pass.

What is a youth pass ?

A person under 25 yrs can purchase a youth Swiss Travel Pass.

Are there family passes?

The Swiss travel system offers the Swiss family card. This card provides free travel for children under 16 years when travelling with atleast one parent.

What is the difference between a Consecutive-day pass and a Flexi pass?

A consecutive-day pass provides unlimited rail travel on all days for the chosen duration of the pass. This pass is preferred by those who wish to travel every day during their stay in Switzerland. A flexi pass is valid for a specific number of days which can be used consecutively or non-consecutively within a longer period. This pass is preferred by those who wish to travel only on certain days during their stay in Switzerland.

Till what age can children travel free on the Swiss transport system?

Children under 16 years of age accompanied by at least one parent can travel free on the Swiss travel system. Children travelling without parents can still avail of a 50% discount on the Swiss travel pass.

Is reservation on trains compulsory if I have a Swiss Travel Pass?

Swiss Travel Pass is valid on trains operated by SBB (Schweizerische BundesBahn), the national railway company of Switzerland. For domestic trains operated in Switzerland, seat reservations are not required. Exceptions are the special scenic trains such as Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Golden Pass and Wilhelm Tell Express. For these trains, a supplement and/or seat reservation is required for Swiss Travel Pass holders.

What is the cancellation charge if I am unable to use my Swiss Travel Pass?

• Refundable up to 2 days prior to first date of validity with an administrative fee of CHF 10 per pass.
• Thereafter, no refund. If pass is used or flexi days are activated, non-refundable.
• Once the pass has been cancelled the passenger will not be able to use it.

Can Mountain excursions be bought along with the Swiss Travel Pass?

Yes, you can surely buy the mountain excursions online with the Swiss Travel Pass and benefit from upto 50% discounted rates. Once you have purchased your Swiss Travel Pass you can add the desired mountain excursions to your shopping cart and pay for all services at one go.

The mountains in the combo offer are added to the Swiss Pass. Kindly select your number of Swiss Pass days and click ‘Book Now’ to proceed with the combo offer.

A Swiss Half Fare Card is valid for one month. It doesn’t have to be the first day of a month. You can choose any start date you want. For example: you can start the validity period on August 10. In this case, September 9 is the last day you can use it.

Validity ends at 5: 00 AM of the day following the last day.In the above example, validity ends on September 10, 5: 00 AM.

• Once booking is complete, you will receive a PDF file on the email ID entered at the time of boking. Keep that on your smartphone. The file contains a code that train staff can scan. Alternatively carry a print on plain A4 paper.
• The pass is good to use as it has all the necessary information, such as the start date, passenger name, and birth date. Your passport number won't be included on the card. If your name is too long to fit, it might be shortened on the pass, but that's not an issue.
• You don’t have to link your pass to any account, such as a SwissPass account or the SBB App.
• Proof of owning a Swiss Half Fare Card is not required at the time of ticket purchase; it will be verified on board.
• Most trains in Switzerland don't require seat reservations. With your Swiss Half Fare Card and a discounted ticket, you can board the train. However, panoramic trains require compulsory seat reservations.

How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

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.

Getting Around Switzerland: Guide to Public Transportation

Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

Getting Around Zürich: Guide to Public Transportation

Zurich Airport Guide

Switzerland Travel Guide

Ticino, Switzerland Map and Travel Guide

One Week in Switzerland: The Ultimate Itinerary

Skiing in Switzerland: The Complete Guide

The Top 20 Things to Do in Switzerland

11 Great Day Trips From Zurich

Geneva Switzerland Guide | Europe Travel

The 12 Best Restaurants in Zürich

The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland

The 10 Best Things to Do in Bern, Switzerland

A Guide to Airports in Switzerland

Matterhorn: The Complete Guide

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The Swiss Family Card is a separate pass for children up to 15 years who travel for free. You need to order the Swiss Family Card in combination with your "adult" pass .  

Here at HappyRail that's very ease: first select your pass, add it to the card and than select the Swiss Family Card in the dropdown in the left top corner of the price table and add it to your cart. 

Quick links: 

• Swiss Travel Pass - General information
• Best seller: Swiss Travel Pass Consecutive - 4 days

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Swiss Travel Pass Flex

Without limits: Travelling through Switzerland by train, bus and boat – and maximum flexibility to boot. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is the perfect ticket for quick deciders. It is valid on 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 freely selectable days within one month, thus combining scope and services of the Swiss Travel Pass with the advantage of increased flexibility.

On validated travel days:

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat.  View area of validity
• Unlimited travel on premium panoramic trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply).
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities.
• Free admission to more than  500 museums .
• Mountain excursions included:  Rigi ,  Stanserhorn  and  Stoos
• Up to 50% discount on many other mountain excursions.
• Up to 30% discount on SBB RailAway offers. Available at all ticket counters within Switzerland.
• Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday accompanied by at least one parent (holding a Swiss Travel System ticket) travel free of charge with the complimentary  Swiss Family Card .
• Children under 6 years of age who are accompanied by a holder of a valid Swiss Travel System ticket travel free of charge.
• The Swiss Travel Pass is available as e-ticket.

Information

• A seat reservation and/or supplement is required to travel on some trains/buses/boats such as Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express and Palm Express.
• Swiss Travel System tickets are available to persons with residence outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein
• In Switzerland, fares apply in Swiss Francs as detailed in the chart. (In case of cash payment in EUR, USD or GBP: current exchange rates apply.)

General provisions and legal information

Price – Adult

Non-consecutive days can be selected individually.

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024

Price – Youth

Non-consecutive days can be selected individually. Valid for young travellers up to their 25th birthday (30% discount).

Swiss Family Card

With the Swiss Family Card , children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday travel free of charge.

On request, a Swiss Family Card is provided free of charge, entitling children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday to travel free if accompanied by at least one paying parent.

Bonus Benefits with the Swiss Travel Pass

Regional passes, sales outlet swiss travel system.

Welcome to Switzerland Travel Centre! You are welcome to contact us by e-mail or by phone on +44 207 420 4900 .

Swiss Travel Pass

Buy your Swiss Travel Pass and discover the most beautiful corners of Switzerland by public transport. Choose the most coveted Rail Pass for visitors from abroad and take advantage of  unlimited travel  in Switzerland by train, bus, boat during  3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days .

What's included?

In addition to unlimited access to Swiss public transport, you get the following benefits:

• Up to 50% discount on most mountain railways such as Gornergrat, Pilatus, Jungfraujoch. Exception: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos are free. More information on this detailed map of validity .
• Free entrance to over 500 museums
• Free Swiss Family Card for families - Children up to their 16th birthday accompanied by at least one parent travel free of charge throughout Switzerland.
• For the panoramic trains, an additional seat reservation is required. 

The Swiss Travel Pass can only be sold to non-residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

Could also be of interest to you

Swiss Travel Pass Flex

Swiss Half Fare Card

Swiss Travel Pass 2024: What’s Included & What’s Not (& Is It Worth It)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: August 14, 2024

When planning a trip to Switzerland, you’ll likely see the Swiss Travel Pass mentioned everywhere.

But what exactly is the Swiss Travel Pass, what does it include, where can you buy it (hint – here ), and is it worth it?

We get so many questions from our readers about the Swiss Pass (and Swiss Pass Flex), which discounts it offers, and whether it covers some of the most popular destinations in the Swiss Alps. Many first-time visitors find it a bit confusing and I keep answering the same questions all over again…

So to save all of us some time, here is our complete guide to the Swiss Travel Pass. It should answer all your questions, give you a good overview of what exactly is included (and what is not), and help you decide whether it’s worth getting it for your trip.

READ ALSO: Switzerland Itinerary for First Trip

What is the Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is a ticket for international visitors that includes unlimited travel on public transportation in Switzerland for a selected number of days. You can buy this pass for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days of travel.

All the information is available on the official website of the Swiss Railways (SBB), but apparently, it’s still too confusing for many people (thus, this article).

TIP: You can also find the most important information in a nutshell and purchase the pass on GetYourGuide . We recommend this website for all tickets/tours/passes and we personally use it for all our trips, not just in Europe. It’s very simple to use.

Good to know: Traveling by train is the most convenient way to cover bigger distances in Switzerland and explore many of the nicest places in the country (not just cities, but also mountains). Furthermore, public transportation in Switzerland is very efficient and we sometimes joke that you can set your watch by how punctual the trains are. So for the majority of international visitors, it doesn’t even make sense to consider renting a car, and that’s what makes the Swiss Travel Pass so popular.

Below, you can find our explanation of what is and is not included with the Swiss Travel Pass, and how it differs from the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. Read on!

Swiss Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel Pass Flex

To make things a bit more confusing, there are two types of Swiss Pass: the regular one and the Flex Pass , which is 15% more expensive.

What’s the difference? Both these passes include exactly the same tickets and offer the same discounts (that differ depending on your age). The main difference is that the flex pass allows you to freely choose on which days you use it within its month-long validity, whereas the regular pass is valid on consecutive days (depending on which validity you choose, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days).

So, for example, you are visiting Switzerland for 5 days and you plan on traveling by public transport daily during your entire stay. In that case, you can simply get a regular pass for 5 days.

On the other hand, if you are in Switzerland for a longer time, but will be visiting different regions and spending a few days in each before traveling further, then it’s better to get a flexible pass. That way, you can use it only on those days when you will be taking public transportation a lot. Further below, you can find a bit more information about how to use both these passes.

Important to know! This is where it starts to get confusing to foreigners visiting Switzerland for the first time because they think that they will be using public transport every day, also in the mountains. But there is a big difference between let’s say an inter-city train between Zurich and Geneva or a train that brings you to Gornergrat in Zermatt or Jungfraujoch in Berner Oberland.

!!! The majority of gondolas, funiculars, and mountain trains are not part of the Swiss public transport network (and thus not included with the Swiss Travel Pass). However, to make things yet a bit more confusing, there are a couple of exceptions here too. You can find more info below, but first – how much does it cost.

How to use Swiss Travel Pass & Travel Pass Flex

For all passes , you can either print it on a white A4 paper or show an electronic version of the pass on your smartphone or tablet. You can also add it to your Apple Wallet, for example. Since the pass is issued in your name, you might be asked to show your ID as well.

Using the regular Swiss Travel Pass is pretty straightforward since it’s valid for a set number of consecutive days. You’ll simply have to show a printed or electronic version of the pass.

Using the Flex Pass is a bit more complex since you can choose the specific dates on which you will be using it. To avoid misunderstandings, you will have to activate the dates on which you want to use your pass online on this website . It’s important to activate the dates before your first journey, so e.g. you cannot do it when you are already on a train.

You will get all the information and clear instructions when you get the pass, so don’t worry about it too much in advance. Also, you can still adjust your chosen dates as long as you do it before midnight at the start of the day on which you want to use it.

How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost in 2024?

The price of the Swiss Travel Pass depends on several factors: your age, the number of days, and whether you opt for a regular pass or flex. In addition, you can choose to travel in the 2nd Class or upgrade to 1st Class.

Additional discounts: Children under 6 are free of charge. Children from 6 to 16 travel free when accompanied by a paying parent (you need to order a ticket for them, but it’s free, and you will get the necessary instructions). Youth from 16 to 25 get almost 30% discount.

Here are the prices of the regular pass in Second Class in 2024 for adults:

3 DAYS: 244 CHF. 4 DAYS: 295 CHF. 6 DAYS: 379 CHF. 8 DAYS: 419 CHF. 15 DAYS: 459 CHF.

Good to know: Flex Pass costs 15% more and you’ll have to pay over 55% extra if you opt for First Class tickets.

As you can see, the longer the duration, the cheaper the price that you pay per day. If you just get it for 3 days, it costs you about 81 CHF per day, whereas if you get it for two weeks, it costs you just around 30 CHF per day – a huge difference!

Further below, you can find our observations on whether it’s worth getting the Swiss Travel Pass. But first, let’s take a look at what exactly is included.

What is included with the Swiss Travel Pass

This is what IS INCLUDED with the Swiss Travel Pass:

• Unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats that belong to the public transport network. So all the inter-city trains as well as trams and buses in more than 90 towns and cities are included. Passenger ferries (not cruises) on Lake Lucerne or the lakes near Interlaken are included as well.
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (however, there might be extra fees for advance seat reservations). These include the famous Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, and a few other panoramic train routes.
• Free entry to over 500 museums in Switzerland . You can find a complete list of all the museums here .
• Free travel on the following mountain excursions : Mt Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos. All of these are located close to Lucerne and are among our top recommendations for the best day trips from Lucerne .
• Up to 50% discount on mountain excursions all over Switzerland. So you get a big discount on the majority of the cable cars, mountain trains, funiculars, etc. There are also discounts on certain lake cruises and similar.

Below, you can find a bit more info about what is not included with the Swiss Pass (but where you get a discount).

What is not included (but gives you a discount)

Because I get this question almost daily, here is once again an explanation of what IS NOT INCLUDED with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Mountain excursions are not included with the Swiss Travel Pass (with the exception of Mt Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos as mentioned above), but you do get a discount on most of them. Under ‘mountain excursions’ they mean cable cars, gondolas, funiculars, cogwheel trains, trains to the mountain peaks, etc.

Here are a few examples of the most popular mountain excursions that our readers ask about and where the Swiss Pass does not include free travel, but gives you a discount:

• Grindelwald-First cable car – 50% discount.
• Mt Pilatus cable car and/or cogwheel train – 50% discount.
• Mt Titlis gondolas – 50% discount.
• Schynige Platte railway – 50% discount.
• Oeschinensee cable car – 50% discount.
• Gornergrat railway and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise gondolas – 50% discount.
• Jungfraujoch – about 25% discount. Or about 40% if you only go to Kleine Scheidegg.

There are many other destinations in the Swiss Alps where you get similar discounts with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Also, most lake sightseeing cruises are not included, whereas regular, scheduled passenger ferries are included with the Swiss Travel Pass. So if you are taking a ferry that stops in various places, your pass will be valid, but if you want to take a scenic cruise on e.g. Lake Geneva or Lake Lucerne, you’ll have to pay for it.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

One of the most frequently asked questions by our readers is whether it’s worth getting the Swiss Travel Pass. My answer is always the same – it depends. Here are a few examples:

If you are traveling around Switzerland for a longer time (6-10 days or more) and plan on visiting many different areas all over the country using public transportation, then the Swiss Travel Pass is definitely worth it. The pass gives even better value if you are traveling with children.

If, however, you are only coming for a few days, renting a car, and/or planning on staying in one region in the mountains (where this pass only gives you a discount and not free travel), then it’s usually not worth it. In that case, look for a regional card of the area that you are visiting. In some cases, it might be better to buy the Swiss Half Fare Card .

Most likely, your trip includes a mix of destinations that you only visit for a day as well as others where you stay for several days. In that case, you can look up the prices of all the mountain excursions that you are planning to do, see how big the discount is with the Swiss Travel Pass, add the price of the pass itself, and then compare that versus the prices of individual tickets of all the transportation and places you plan to visit. (Good luck with the math! It’s doable, but you’ll need a lot of time and patience).

In most cases, the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it, especially if you are traveling for at least 6-8 days and are visiting multiple destinations in Switzerland. Plus, it saves you lots of time, research, and math. Another advantage is that you can just take the next suitable train, boat, etc. without having to waste time looking for tickets. Some examples of regional cards include the Jungfrau Travel Pass or the  Berner Oberland Regional Card , and there are many others.

Furthermore, you can always opt for a Swiss Pass Flex that you only use on travel-intensive days. And then get a regional card to use on the other days, when you are staying in one area. The longer you stay in one place (typically, 3-4 days or longer), the better value you get with the regional cards.

Where can you buy the Swiss Travel Pass?

You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass online, at every major railway station in Switzerland (including Zurich or Geneva airports), and also at some tourist offices in the main cities.

We recommend getting it online in advance as it will save you time and stress (you’ll have enough to think about upon arrival as it is).

You can get the Swiss Pass on the official SBB website , but also via various online retailers, such as our GetYourGuide as mentioned before (our personal favorite one-stop shop for all tickets). The price is normally exactly the same everywhere and you get the same discounts for kids, etc.

At the moment of the last update, GetYourGuide allows you to cancel for free up to 3 days in advance (and it’s really easy to cancel or amend your tickets). You can buy a regular Swiss Travel Pass here and a Swiss Travel Pass Flex – here .

In any case, it’s best to buy your tickets at least a few days before your trip. When you purchase a pass, you will receive detailed instructions on how to use it (or how to activate the individual travel dates if you opt for the Flexi Pass).

So, this is our guide to the Swiss Travel Pass. I hope that it answers all your questions and helps you decide whether it’s worth it for your trip.

TIP: If you are planning your itinerary in Switzerland, check out our Switzerland travel page . It contains an overview of all our travel guides for a wide variety of destinations all over the country. We live in Belgium and Switzerland is just a half-day drive from home. So we visit Switzerland at least a few times a year – in summer as well as in winter. On our blog, you’ll find many detailed guides for all of our favorite places.

READ ALSO: Traveling to Europe: How to Plan a Trip & Useful Tips

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Monday 19th of August 2024

Hi Jurga, What about the guest pass? I booked a hotel that offers guest passes to us. I'm not sure if the Swiss Half Fare Card would be more beneficial for us or if the guest pass will suffice. We are traveling with 4 adults and 1 child (3 years old) and will be staying in Grindelwald for 4 days to cover the First Cliff Walk, Jungfraujoch, and nearby attractions.

Tuesday 23rd of July 2024

What is your opinion on the Swiss travel half pass?

Wednesday 24th of July 2024

Hi Kristi, the Swiss Half Fare Card makes sense if you are in the country for a longer period of time and take an occasional trip by public transport, or if you want to get discounts on cable cars when traveling in different parts of Switzerland. It is very interesting for someone who is in Switzerland for a few weeks and up to a month and travels let's say every weekend or for people visiting Switzerland by car for a longer time, but it doesn't make much sense for tourists who come for a week or two and travel extensively for days and days in a row using public transport every time. In that case, Swiss Travel Pass is better. Update: We now published a detailed guide explaining what the Swiss Half Fare Card is and when it makes sense.

Friday 19th of July 2024

Is it worth buying a travel pass for 4 days? We will be travelling from Geneva to Gruyere to Lausanne, Zurich and Lucerne. Hoping to fit a scenic rail day trip in too. Thanks

@Jurga, thank you so much

Hi Annie, if you are planning on taking trains between different cities every day (and other public transport in towns) then yes, it's definitely worth it. If you just take a train once or twice, then you are better off with single tickets (which can be very expensive if booked last minute or quite affordable if booked in advance). In general, if you are doing lots of traveling around and don't want to stress about the practicalities, then getting the pass is the simplest option. It will save you a lot of time on research as well.

Tuesday 16th of July 2024

With the Family Travel Pass- are the kids allowed entry into the museums for free as well (as long as they are with their parent)?

Wednesday 17th of July 2024

Hi Becky, if you buy the Swiss Travel Pass for adults as well as kids, then the kids will have the exact same benefits as parents when traveling together. When you choose your pass here, you can indicate how many tickets for each age group you need (kids up to and including 15 are free) and all those tickets will give you the exact same discounts.

Sunday 7th of July 2024

Hi do you know if there are any restrictions around buying 2 consecutive Swiss Travel Passes? Myself and my kids are going to be there for 24 days - and it looks like buying a 15-day then an 8 day STP would work better for us than a 15 day Flex - and not cost much more. But is it allowed? Thanks! Claire

Tuesday 9th of July 2024

@Jurga, thank you!

Monday 8th of July 2024

Hi Claire, I don't see why this wouldn't be possible. Nobody cares or keeps track of how many passes you buy or when. Lucky you to be able to spend so much time in the country. Enjoy Switzerland!