switzerland travel system

The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in switzerland.

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

Train travel within Switzerland

Swiss scenic trains

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

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

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

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

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

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

Option 2 , Thetrainline.com

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

Option 3 , Omio.com

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

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

Standard fares

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

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

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

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

Supersaver fares

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saver Day Pass

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

A Saver Day Pass gives you a whole day of unlimited travel on the entire Swiss transport system, the rail equivalent of an 'all you can eat' buffet.  It covers all SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) trains and most private railways, post-buses & ferries.  Saver Day Passes come in 1st & 2nd class versions, with or without Half Fare Card discount.  It covers the Bernina Express & Glacier Express routes, although you need a reservation for those trains.

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

A Saver Day Pass starts at CHF 52, cheaper than a full-price ticket from Zurich to Geneva (although a Supersaver fare might be cheaper still).  If you wait until the day before travel, it could cost CHF 119.

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

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

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

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

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

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Swiss Passes & Half Fare Card

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

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

Swiss Travel Pass

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

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

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

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

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

What does the pass cover?

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

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

How to buy a pass

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

Print your own pass or show it on your phone

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

Would an Interrail or Eurail pass be cheaper?

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

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

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

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

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

Swiss Half Fare card

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are Swiss trains like ?

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

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

Giruno Intercity (IC) & EuroCity (EC) trains

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

Swiss private operators

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

Seat maps : Click here

Travel tips.

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

Language problems

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

First or second class?

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

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

Luggage on trains

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

Left luggage at stations

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

Food & drink on Swiss trains

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

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

First class lounges at stations

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

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

Dogs & pets

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

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

Bernina Express:  More information

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

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

Holidays, vacations & tours of Switzerland

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

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

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

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

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

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

Hotels & accommodation in Switzerland

Personal recommendations.

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

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

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

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

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

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

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

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

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

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

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

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

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

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

Carry an Anker powerbank

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

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

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

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Places to Visit in Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Geneva

One Week Itinerary

Most Scenic Train Routes

Switzerland's Nature Parks

How to Go Skiing

The Top Hikes

Matterhorn Complete Guide

The Most Beautiful Lakes

Foods to Try

Best Restaurants

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Switzerland Airports

Getting Around

Getting Around Switzerland: Guide to Public Transportation

• How to Ride the Train
• Trams and Buses

Free Travel Passes and Paid Options

Mountain and lake transportation.

• Car Rentals
• Bikes and Scooters

The central European country of Switzerland is connected by an extensive system of trains, trams, buses, cablecars, and ferries, which transport residents and visitors to most corners of the nation and onward to other destinations in Europe. The Swiss train system is legendary for its cleanliness, efficiency, and ease of use and is an excellent way to tour the country. Bright yellow PostBus buses connect to smaller towns and more remote areas, while trams rumble through most larger Swiss cities. Mountain destinations are reachable via a vast system of cablecars and funicular railways, while Switzerland's famous lakes are served by frequent lake ferries. Scenic trains and lake steamers round out Switzerland's comprehensive public transportation system.

How to Ride the Train in Switzerland

If you're taking the train in Switzerland, your first stop should be the Swiss Federal Railways  (SBB) website. Except for a few scenic routes, SBB runs all the regional, commuter trains, and high-speed trains in the country. You can tell the difference between these based on letters used in the route number.

• R, RE, and IR are regional trains that are slower, cheaper, and stop at all or most stations between two major hubs.
• IC or ICN (the N is for "night") are fast trains that connect major cities but do not stop at smaller towns along the way.
• S or S-Bahn trains are frequent commuter trains that connect cities and suburbs. If you miss an S train, there's usually another one coming soon after.
• Cities not served by train are served by bright yellow PostBus buses. These tickets can be purchased through the SBB site, which will automatically suggest bus travel when train travel is not available.

The SBB website sells one-way or round-trip tickets between Swiss cities and other cities in Europe . They also sell City Tickets, including the train to that city, public transportation in the town, and a travel pass that typically allows access to several touristic sites.

• To purchase a ticket or research schedule options, insert your point-to-point destinations, date, and preferred travel time. You'll be presented with a list of options and can select the train or trains that work best for you.
• Once you've selected your route, enter your passenger information. You'll have the option to purchase a City Ticket or upgrade to First Class. While First Class coaches are usually less crowded and more spacious, Second Class coaches are clean and comfortable.
• Here's an important detail: When SBB shows a fare, the "half-fare Travelcard" discount is applied. This is a card you must purchase. Since you probably won't be traveling with this card (see more below), you must select "No discount" in the discount cards field. 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.
• Your ticket will not show a seat reservation, as these are usually not required on domestic Swiss trains. Board a first- or second-class carriage, depending on your ticket class, and find a seat. A conductor will pass by and scan your ticket. A sign in each coach displays the next station, so you'll have plenty of time to gather luggage and exit the train when it stops.
• 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.
• For travelers with disabilities, select "Barrier-free travel" from the pull-down menu labeled "Standard view" to see only trains that have wheelchair-accessible carriages.

If you buy tickets at the SBB counter or office in the train station, you'll have the option of reserving a seat in advance. Ticket agents all speak English, so if the online system is daunting, you can get all the help you need in person. There are also ticket machines in all stations.

For information about the Swiss Travel Pass and whether it's a smart option for your trip to Switzerland, read this more detailed article about train travel in Switzerland .

Getting Around Cities on Trams and Buses

For travel within Swiss cities, trams and buses are often the answer when the distances are not walkable. Basel, Bern, Bex, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, and Zurich all have extensive electric tram systems that take commuters and visitors to most corners of the city and out into the suburbs. Some historic trams are still in operation, and these are always fun to climb aboard.

The city tram networks are complemented by a system of buses, most of them electric "trolleybuses," that serve areas where the trams don't go. Your tram or bus ticket usually works for both methods of transportation, as long as you stay within the time limit on your ticket.

Depending on the city, tram/bus tickets are sold based on a relatively complex system of zones, calculated by distance from the city center. As a tourist, most of your travel is likely to be within one or two of the most central zones. The good news is that most primary and secondary Swiss cities provide free city passes to all hotel guests, which allow for unlimited use of local public transportation and free or discounted admission to area attractions and experiences. In mountain areas, the pass often includes free ski lift and cablecar access, and in Switzerland's lakefront cities, the pass usually includes free or discounted boat transport. The pass will be given to you when you check into your accommodation and is offered in the following locations:

• Appenzeller
• Montreux Riviera
• St. Moritz and Pontresina (summer only)

Other cities and regions sell travel cards, including local transportation, ski gondolas and mountain railway, passage on lakes and riverboats, and free or reduced admission to dozens of museums and attractions. These include:

• Bernese Oberland
• Lake Geneva
• Tell Pass (Lake Lucerne)

Note that you're not obligated to purchase one of these cards, We recommend them for their ease of use, but you can also opt to buy single transport tickets and pay-as-you-go at museums.

There are more than 10,000 named mountains in Switzerland, and hundreds of them are reached by a spiderweb-like system of cable cars, ski gondolas, funiculars, and cogwheel trains. Some transport riders up to ski slopes or viewing platforms, while others are the sole method of reaching towns like Zermatt, Rigi, and Mürren. These systems are run by local or regional authorities or are privately owned and managed. Lower departure points are often within walking distance of the nearest train station.

Among Switzerland's thousands of lakes, Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich, Lugano, and Constance (Bodensee) are among the largest. These lakes and others are served by seasonal and year-round ferries and tour boats. Some boats, like select routes in Zurich, are part of the public transportation system and are included in local travel passes. Others are run by regional or private entities and can be used either as a way of getting from one lakefront city or town to another or simply enjoyed as a scenic boat ride.

Car Rentals in Switzerland

We strongly recommend sticking with public transportation when visiting Switzerland. And the country's new "Swisstainable" initiative encourages visitors to keep their travels as green as possible. However, if you wish to hire a rental car, you'll find Swiss roads are well-maintained, clearly marked, and, except for some nerve-jangling mountain passes, easy to drive. All major rental car companies have desks in major Swiss airports and cities.

If you rent a car in Switzerland, it will have a toll sticker, called the motorway vignette, which grants access to the Swiss national road network. You cannot legally drive a car in Switzerland unless it has this vignette affixed; if you rent a car outside of Switzerland and plan to cross the border into the country, check the following with your rental agency first:

• Notify them that you will be driving into Switzerland. Some companies don't allow certain makes and models of cars to cross European borders, and a few don't permit any of their vehicles to enter Switzerland.
• Ask if they can sell you a Swiss motorway vignette. If they can't, you can buy one at a gas station near the Swiss border in Austria, France, Germany, or Italy, or you can buy one at the border crossing—choose the tollbooth lane for cars with no vignette.

Bikes and Scooters in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the best-suited countries in the world for exploring by bike or e-bike. A nationwide system of bike paths, the majority of them paved, make it possible to travel by bike across all or part of the country—you'll seldom have to share the road with vehicular traffic. SwitzerlandMobility has a complete guide to bike trails in Switzerland, including information about where to rent bikes and e-bikes.

In Basel, St. Gallen, Winterthur, and Zurich, e-scooter share programs, similar to bike share programs in other cities, allow you to download an app, add your credit card information, and then scan a QR code to hop on an available electric scooter and go. The apps will tell you the location of the nearest available scooters, which you just leave parked on the sidewalk when you're done with them.

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Swiss Travel Pass

Exploring Switzerland has never been easier! For foreign guests, the all-in-one ticket Swiss Travel Pass is the key to Switzerland’s public transport network.

This single ticket enables visitors to explore Switzerland from end to end by train, bus and boat on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. With the Swiss Travel Pass Youth, young people up to their 25th birthday travelling through Switzerland benefit from a 30% discount off the regular Swiss Travel Pass ticket fare.

• 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.

Valid on consecutive travel days.

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024

Price – Youth

Valid on consecutive travel days, 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

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Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss travel pass flex, half fare card.

Your Passport to Swiss Travel Pass Experience

Swiss Travel Pass 2024

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

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

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

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

10 Benefits of Swiss Travel Pass

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

Swiss Travel Pass: Your Worldwide Passport to Switzerland

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

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

MySwissTravelPass.com is your trusted source for Swiss travel pass. We aim to make your Swiss journey as seamless and memorable as possible Swiss Travel Pass | Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Half Fare Card

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Switzerland Train Travel: Understanding and using the Swiss Rail System

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.

The Swiss public transport network is operated by more than 250 public transport companies including train, bus, boat and mountain railways.  We’ll cover all the essential information you need to know to travel 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.

[ This post may contain compensated links. Please see my  disclosure policy  for more information. ]

What's in this Article

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

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 when it comes to Swiss rail tickets is the Half Fare Card.  With the Half Fare Card, you can buy point-to-point train tickets with a 50% reduction.

The Swiss Half Fare Card is valid for one month and half price tickets can also be purchased for mountain top excursions, boats and buses.

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

Point-to-point tickets

Should you only plan to do one or two trips by public transport, and are only travelling a short distance, a normal point-to-point ticket can also be an alternative at a good price.

When purchasing your point to point tickets, keep in mind that you need to specify the exact travel days.  Subsequent changes or exchanges are not possible.

If you’re after cheap train tickets, Switzerland Railways sometimes have Super Saver Tickets available.  There are a limited number of Super Saver tickets available on selected routes, which offer savings of up to 70%.  

Super Saver tickets also have the option of first or second class travel as well as the additional half fare discount for holders of the Half Fare Card. These tickets (subject to availability) can be purchased between 1 and 60 days prior to travel.

Again, the Super Saver ticket is only valid for the selected date of travel.

Child Fares

If you are travelling with children aged between 6 to 15 and not travelling with the Swiss Travel Pass, but instead with one of the other passes mentioned above or simply point to point tickets, it is recommended that you purchase a Junior Travel Card for CHF 30 for each child. 

This card then allows children to travel free of charge alongside you.  The card is valid wherever the Half Fare card is available and on many other transport services as well.

If you are travelling with a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card, you are better off obtaining the free Swiss Family Card as this entitles accompanied children to travel free of charge. We cover the Swiss Family Card in more detail in this article .

Where to buy Swiss train tickets and rail passes

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

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

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

🇨🇭 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.

If you 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.  

If you’d like to guarantee a window seat on a specific train, for instance the Luzern-Interlaken Express, you may wish to make a seat reservation. It costs CHF 5 per seat to make a reservation on regular trains.

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:  A direct journey time between 45 minutes to just over 1 hour depending upon the train.  The fastest route is train 70 which has a journey time of 45 minutes and only two stops, or train 75 with a journey time of 50 minutes and four stops. Trains to Lucerne run regularly at around every 30 minutes.
• Zurich to Interlaken train:   A journey time between just over 2 hours to 3.5 hours with a connection in either Bern or Lucerne.  A direct service operates from Zurich Airport and Zurich to Interlaken every two hours.
• Zurich to Geneva train: A direct journey time of around 2.75 hours.  Trains to Geneva run regularly at around every 1 hour.
• Zurich to Basel train: There are multiple options which take between just under 1 hour to a little over an hour.  The fastest route is train 2-Y which is a direct route traveling towards Mulhouse Ville and takes just under 1 hour.  Another good option is to connect in Olten with a total journey time of 1 hour.
• Zurich to Zermatt train: This a 3.25 hour journey which requires a connection in Visp.  Some routes require a connection in both Bern and Visp, but don’t add much time to the journey.
• Zurich to Bern train: A direct journey time of between just under 1 hour to 1.5 hours.  For the fastest journey take train 8 towards Brig which is a direct trip, other routes require a connection in Olten or Aarau. Trains to Bern run regularly at around every 20 minutes.
• Geneva to Zurich train: A direct journey time of around 2.75 hours.  Trains to Geneva run regularly at around every 1 hour.
• Geneva to Zermatt train: This is a 3.75 hour journey which requires a connection in Visp.  Some routes require a connection in both Bern and Visp, but don’t add much time to the journey. Trains to Zermatt run regularly at around every 1 hour.

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 Swiss Travel Pass holders – and start at CHF 39 per person.

🇨🇭Read our detailed guide to the Glacier Express .

Gotthard Panorama Express

Running between Lucerne and Lugano, this panoramic train of Switzerland starts by taking a cruise across Lake Lucerne in a steamboat before passengers board the train at Flüelen. 

En route you will pass through the world’s longest tunnel.

The entire train trip through Switzerland takes 5.25 hours and runs once a day Tuesday through to Sunday during the months of late April to late October.

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

🇨🇭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.

Seat reservations are required for this trip and start from CHF 20 each for both the train and the bus.

🇨🇭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 but are recommended during peak times.  Seat reservations range between 5 and 8 CHF per person per sector.

🇨🇭 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 all things chocolate – a trip on the Chocolate train in Switzerland is a must.  The Chocolate train tour Switzerland takes passengers between Montreux and the Cailler-Nestle chocolate factory at Broc. 

The train journey itself is relatively short, but with the included stops at the chocolate factory as well as the Gruyères village, this trip takes the entire day.

The Chocolate train departs at 9.02 am and returns at 5.52 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between the months of May and June.

It operates daily during July and August, and in September and October services run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  

The Chocolate Train costs 90 CHF for second class or 99 CHF for first class. 

The ticket price includes entry to the chocolate factory of Nestlé Cailler in Broc, entry to La Maison du Gruyère and coffee and chocolate croissants on the train.

The Cheese Train Switzerland

If chocolate’s not your thing, there is also a Cheese train! Operating from February to June and September to November, the Cheese Train takes passengers between either Zweisimmen or Montreux and Chateau d’Oex.

Passengers learn the secrets of making Swiss Alpine cheese and enjoy a fondue cooked in the traditional way.

A visit to the House of Ballooning and to see an exhibition of GoldenPass MOB miniature trains are also included in the excursion.

The Cheese Train operates on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the months mentioned above (to 13 November only).

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.

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, you are going to want to visit the family coach – which is basically a playground on the train.  All double decker InterCity trains on long distance routes have a family coach.  

You’ll know if a family coach is on your train as it will be marked on the timetable with ‘FA’.

InterCity tilting trains don’t have the Family Coach but they do have board games available for families at the games tables specially provided on board.

The Family Zone

Another great area for families on single deck InterCity or InterCity tilting trains are the family zones.  These areas have much more room for prams, and parents can relax not worrying about their children being too loud and distracting other passengers.

You’ll find the family zone at the very front or very rear of the train.

FAQs about train travel in Switzerland

How far in advance can i book my swiss train tickets.

Like budget airlines, the cheapest fares are usually available to those that book early, therefore it is recommended that you make your reservations as soon as you possibly can. 

Most Swiss trains, including the panoramic trains, can be booked 90 days prior to travel .

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 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.

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? At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers. Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 10 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide. 🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭

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 V 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

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Carolyn Schönafinger

Carolyn Schönafinger is a frequent visitor to Switzerland, the country she fell in love with more than 30 years ago. She now visits Switzerland every year in her quest to explore every inch of the country. Carolyn is a certified Switzerland Travel Expert and she has achieved the Swiss Travel System Travel Expert diploma. She loves sharing her Switzerland travel expertise and helping others to plan their dream Swiss vacation on this website and the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast. Read more

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The Ultimate Train Itinerary for Switzerland

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Are you planning a trip to Switzerland? Then check out my amazing Switzerland train itinerary packed full of advice & the best routes to take!

It’s very easy to wax lyrical about a place, but I really do think Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

It just ticks all the boxes for me. The mountains are grand, majestic and powerful; there are emerald and sapphire lakes dotted all around the country; and the little towns and villages with cobblestone streets and ancient cathedrals are as picturesque as they come. It’s one of those rare countries where just being there is an activity in itself. And when the seasons change it becomes a winter wonderland with some of the world’s best skiing.

I’ve recently spent 5 days in Switzerland travelling around the country by train, bus and boat, and I now love the place that little bit more. I even said the classic line: “I could easily up sticks and move here…”

In this blog post I’m going to share my ultimate train itinerary for Switzerland. This is for all you guys who are planning a trip here and want to see the very best of the country.

From starting off in the stunning city of Zurich to seeing the beautiful mountain town of Zermatt, this itinerary is perfect for those of you who like to take things slow and enjoy your surroundings.

I’ll also give you lots of practical tips like how to use your Swiss Travel Pass , what the trains are like, and some of the tops things to do in each place you visit.

I really hope you guys find this Switzerland train itinerary useful for planning your trip here. And as ever, if you have any questions at all you can ask me in the comments below!

Why visit Switzerland by train, but and boat?

Beauty – You know the cliché “it’s the journey, not the destination…” Well, this rings true for most of the trains in Switzerland. You don’t need to travel far out of the main transport hubs before the views zooming past your window start to get spectacular.

Convenience – When it comes to infrastructure, Switzerland is a leading light in Europe. Everything works meticulously. If a train is one minute late, it is very late. There are rail connections between all major cities and towns. Also, everything is set up so connections between trains, buses and boats are organised so that you don’t lose any time between transfers. Basically, the Swiss Travel System makes it simple and easy travelling throughout the country.

Comfort – Swiss trains are renowned for being super comfortable and clean. Some carriages even have round tables and sofa-like seating making journeys with friends and family very sociable. They also have big panoramic windows, food buffet cars, seat service, and charging points too.

Budget – There’s no getting around the fact that Switzerland is an expensive country. However, the Swiss Travel Pass is an amazing way of travelling around and keeping costs down. It’s actually remarkable value for money.

Sustainability – One of the buzz words in Switzerland at the moment is Swisstainability . They are very proud of being one of the most sustainable countries in the world, and their rail network is a big part of that. Obviously travelling by train in Switzerland is a lot more environmentally friendly compared to other forms of transport.

Scenic travel trains – So there are normal trains that take you from A to B, and then there are scenic travel trains that take you from A to B but via the most beautiful route. These are the trains where you just kick back and watch the world go by.

What is the Swiss Travel Pass?

The Swiss Travel Pass is your all-in-one ticket for travelling Switzerland. It’s a bit like your old fashioned InterRail/Eurail ticket. This is where you buy a multi-day ticket, and then you can travel as much as you want within that timeframe. And it really is unlimited travel.

The best thing about the Swiss Travel Pass is it’s not just trains, but also for boats, busses and metros. You even get discounted prices off other modes of transport like mountain gondolas too, so it covers pretty much all transportation in Switzerland.

To highlight that, one day I caught the metro down to the port in Lausanne, then jumped on a boat to Montreux, then caught the train to Zermatt – all on the same ticket. Simples.

Another benefit of the Swiss Travel Pass is you get free entry into over 500 museums and attractions in the country saving you even more money on your holiday.

One of the things I really liked about the Swiss Travel Pass is it was just one ticket I had on my phone. I didn’t need to queue up multiple times to buy tickets, I could just jump on the train I needed without any trouble. It made things that little bit easier when travelling around the country and save A LOT of time.

How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost?

For the Swiss Travel Pass, you can buy a 3,4,6,8 or 15-day ticket. This can either be consecutive or non-consecutive days depending on which pass you buy.

For my Switzerland by train itinerary, I had a 4-day non-consecutive ticket. You could probably do it in 4 consecutive days, but I think it’s well worth spending the day in somewhere like Zermatt (one of my favourite places in Switzerland). I explain all about this below.

With the Swiss Travel Pass Youth, young people up to their 25th birthday travelling through Switzerland benefit from a 30% discount off the regular Swiss Travel Pass ticket fare.

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 on train, bus, boat and mountain railway with the complimentary Swiss Family Card.

I’ve actually written a huge guide on how to use the Swiss Travel Pass . In this guide I go through the different ticket options, what additional perks of buying a Swiss Travel Pass are, and I go through loads of common questions too. So, if you have anything that’s confusing you about the Swiss Travel Pass, make sure you read my guide

Train itinerary for Switzerland

For this itinerary, I’ve highlighted some of the most popular places to visit in Switzerland.

Some of these trains, like the Lausanne to Zermatt leg, then the scenic train from Zermatt to Chur, are absolutely stunning. As I said, travelling here is an activity in itself, so this itinerary really emphasises that.

I mention it later on in this post, but you could do this itinerary in 4 days and skip the day in Zermatt, but I think it’s well worth spending the day there. It all depends on how much time you have though!

Day 1 – Zurich to Mount Rigi to Lucerne

Welcome to Zurich ! This place is so much more than just the financial capital of Switzerland. It is the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication.

Firstly, the city is stunningly beautiful. The picturesque Old Town (Altstadt) with its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and charming squares is like stepping back in time. You can wander through narrow alleys, explore historic churches, and discover hidden gems at every turn.

Now, add a touch of modernity. Zurich is a global financial hub and a city of innovation. The contrast between the medieval and contemporary is fascinating. The sleek and shiny financial district stands in juxtaposition to the historic landmarks.

As you guys will know, I am a sucker for a viewpoint. Well, one of the best viewpoints in the city can be found on the university terrace.

Getting here is easy – all you need to do is hop on the UBS Polybahn funicular (which is free with your Swiss Travel Pass) and it’s a short 5-minute ride to the top.

From here, you can see a number of church spires with the mountains in the background. It really is such a stunning view and very close to the Old Town.

Also, if you love your architecture, it’s worth popping into the main university building itself and seeing the atrium. There are so many clean lines here.

If you’re looking for a good museum to explore then I’d recommend Kunsthaus . The museum has an extensive and impressive collection of artworks spanning from the Middle Ages to contemporary art.

You can find masterpieces by renowned artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Marc Chagall, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and many more. If you’re an art lover then this place really is a must.

How long you spend in Zurich is completely up to you. You could easily spend the whole day here and head straight to Lucerne (skipping Mount Rigi along the way), or you could explore some of what the city has to offer in a couple of hours.

For me, I spent the morning in Zurich and then hopped on the train to Mount Rigi. You’ll see why below!

Getting to Mount Rigi

It might seem a bit out the way adding in a stop to Mount Rigi, but I promise you it’s well worth it. Just wait until you see the views at the top of the mountain!

Mount Rigi is known as “Queen of the Mountains”, and even among the Swiss it is considered beautiful.  

Getting here is very easy. From Zurich, you need to catch the EC/IC2 train to Arth-Goldau . The train is only 45 minutes but it quickly gives you a taste of what it’s like travelling around Switzerland.

Once you get to Arth-Goldau, you can walk over to the Rigi Bahnen – this is the oldest mountain railway in the world.

Getting to the top is an adventure in itself. The journey is super scenic, and as you ascend, you’ll be treated to increasingly spectacular views.

The summit of Mount Rigi offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne. It’s a picture-perfect spot that captures the essence of Switzerland’s stunning landscapes.

The journey to the top takes around 40 minutes , but I’d recommend getting off the cogwheel train at Rigi Staffel . This is the stop below the final stop (Rigi Kulm).

From here, you can take a leisurely 30-minute hike to the viewpoint itself. It’s quite a steep hike, but it makes the views at the top all the more worthwhile.

Mount Rigi really is one of the top things to do in Switzerland, so I think it’s well worth adding it to your Switzerland train itinerary.

Getting to Lucerne

Once you’ve finished at the top of Mount Rigi, you can catch the train down the other side of the mountain down to Vitznau . This train takes 40 minutes .

Once you hop off the train, just walk 50 metres in front of the station and you’ll find a boat waiting for you. This is the boat to Lucerne which takes 1 hour .

It’s journeys like this which highlight how good the Swiss Travel System is. All the boats leave 10 minutes after the trains down from Rigi arrive, so you’re never rushing to transfer from one to the other.

The boat ride itself is soooooo relaxing. I’d recommend grabbing glass of wine and just watching the world go by. This is what travelling in Switzerland is all about after all!

Day 2 – Lucerne to Fribourg to Lausanne

The journey from Lucerne to Lausanne takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes , so it’s not a long journey.

Obviously you can head straight to Lausanne, but I’d recommend breaking up the journey and having lunch in the old medieval town of Fribourg along the way. This is a lovely little place to visit and it’s the birthplace of the cheese fondue. It really is the perfect reason to visit!

Lucerne is the type of place I could easily imagine myself living. It has such a good vibe when walking around. 

To make the most of your time here, I’d recommend getting up early and going for a stroll around Lake Lucerne . From here, you’ll get the best views of “Dragon of the Mountains” (the giant mountain overlooking the city). There is a really nice path that takes you around the lake and only takes about 20 minutes walking towards the train station.

Another site well worth seeing along the way is Chapel Bridge . This is an ornate wooden bridge that dates back to 1365 (it has been subsequentially rebuilt since then!) It is the oldest surviving truss bridge in the world though, and it is one of the top things to do in Lucerne.

Getting to Fribourg

The IR15 train from Lucerne to Fribourg takes 1 hour and 25 minutes .

Fribourg is a very small city, so you can easily walk around here. A lot of people would skip places like Fribourg for their train itinerary for Switzerland, but they are so Swiss I think it’s important to add them in.

A couple of places I’d recommend visiting are Chapelle de Lorette – from here you’ll get the best view of the city. Another place that is a must is Middle Bridge – this is right over the River Sarine and again, the views are stunning.

Another place I’d recommend is St Nicolas Cathedral . This cathedral dates back to 1490 and it looms over the close packed buildings in the city. You can actually climb the 365 steps (one for every day of the year) to the top of the tower for another viewpoint.

As I’ve already mentioned, Fribourg is the official home of the cheese fondue. I LOVE cheese (I have a proper addiction), so I was very excited to visit Fribourg just for this reason alone.

The local fondue is made from Gruyere and Vacherin giving it a slightly tangier taste. The two places to go for your fondue at Café du Midi (which is where I went), and Café du Gothard .

Don’t you dare worry about the calories – just enjoy the cheesy goodness.

Getting to Lausanne

From Fribourg, the IR15/IC1 train takes 50 minutes , so this is a very quick and easy train. This whole train journey is gorgeous, but it goes up another level once you get views of Lake Geneva.

Day 3 – Lausanne to Zermatt

The journey from Lausanne to Zermatt takes around 3 hours and 10 minutes going direct. This journey involves catching the train to Visp, then catching another train to Tasch, before catching a final mountain train to Zermatt.

However, I am going to take you a very different route which involves a boat from Lausanne. Personally, this was one of my favourite activities I did in Switzerland, so I can’t recommend it enough.

No matter which route you take, you have to change at Visp and Tasch anyway, but it’s literally just getting off one train and getting on another.

Lausanne is a wonderful place to spend a few hours wandering around the cobblestone streets. Almost on every other corner is an independent chocolatier or a fromagerie selling Swiss cheese.

One of the top things to do in Lausanne is visit Lausanne Cathedral . This is a beautiful church at the top of a hill overlooking the city. The main hall has these ornate high-vaulted ceilings – it actually reminded me a lot of the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral in Montreal .

If you want some of the best views of Lausanne then head to the top of the cathedral. Here you get 360-degree views of the city with Lake Geneva and the mountains in the background.

Another place that’s well worth visiting is the Olympic Museum . Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Olympic Games, brought the International Olympic Committee to Lausanne in 1915, and it’s still here today.

This is a very interactive museum which highlights the triumphs of the Olympic Games and its storied history. The café-restaurant also offers fantastic views of the lake.

Getting to Montreux

Okay, so now I’m going to take you on a different part of the Swiss Travel System.

Opposite the metro stop Lausanne-Ouchy you’ll find the boat terminal for Lausanne. From here you can catch a boat from Lausanne to Montreux which takes 1 hour and 20 mins .

This boat leaves at 11:00 in the morning during summer, and then there is a later boat too. Make sure you check the timings on the SBB website though to be sure.

The best thing about this boat trip is it’s included in your Swiss Travel Pass so you can just stroll onto the boat. And what a boat it is!

It’s an old-fashioned steam paddleboat like harks back to the days of the Titanic. You can even see the open engine and waterwheels chugging along.

Honestly, I can’t tell you how beautiful this journey is along Lake Geneva. Just seeing tiny towns and the mountains roll by is something else. Also, there are a number of deck chairs on the boat – just perfect for watching the world go by!

Getting to Zermatt

From Montreux, you can catch the IR90 to Visp which takes 1 hour and 10 mins . From here, you need to change trains to Zermatt which takes another hour .

I know I keep banging on about all these gorgeous views, but the train from Visp to Zermatt is another stunning journey. This train trip takes you past mountain villages, and as you get closer and closer to the Alps the landscapes become more and more dramatic. Eventually you’re treated to a view of the Matterhorn itself. Wow.

Day 4 – Zermatt

If you wanted a shorter train itinerary for Switzerland, you could skip this day and catch the Glacier Express directly to Chur. This would mean you’d only need a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass and you can shorten the itinerary by a day. However, I really think it’s worth spending the whole day in Zermatt.

To get around the fact that you’d be wasting a day of your Swiss Travel Pass not travelling, you can actually buy a flexible ticket where you can travel for 4 nominated days as opposed to consecutive days. This way it means you can spend a day in Zermatt without losing a day on your ticket. It’s a little confusing but I explain it all in my guide on how to use the Swiss Travel Pass .

The reason why I think you should spend the whole day in Zermatt is because I think it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland. Walking around here feels like you’re on a film set or in a fairy-tale; it’s just so magical.

It also means you get to go on the Gornergrat railway too, something that shouldn’t be missed.

Even though this train isn’t included in your Swiss Travel Pass, you do get 50% off. And once again, I promise you it’s well worth it!

I would say the Gornergrat is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world with these spectacular views of the Matterhorn as you go up.

The Gornergrat train leaves Zermatt at 1,600m and takes you all the way up to the Gornergrat peak at 3,100m. The journey takes around 33 minutes so the best thing to do is bag yourself a window seat and enjoy the views.

At the top you have some amazing panoramas of the mountains including the Matterhorn. There’s also a hotel which you can stay in (which is Europe’s highest hotel) and a restaurant up here too.

My top tip is if you want to beat the crowds then head up on one of the first trains around 8am. Then you’ll have the top of the mountain pretty much to yourself. There’s a reason why this is one of the best things to do in Zermatt!

You can book your tickets for the Gornergrat train here .

If you’re travelling in winter, then here is my guide all about learning to ski in Zermatt . Still one of the best places I’ve ever been skiing!

Day 5 – Zermatt to Chur on the Glacier Express

I don’t want to say I’ve left the best till last, but if you love train journeys then the Glacier Express has to be on your bucket list.

This is one of the panoramic scenic trains where you just kick back and enjoy the ride. The whole point of this train trip is to look out the window and enjoy the views – nothing more.

The train leaves at 07:52 during summer and 08:52 during winter, and takes around 7 hours 30 minutes . It’s often referred to as “the slowest express train in the world”. It only travels 290 kilometres in that time but the views gradually get better and better with each passing hour.

No train trip like this would be complete without a good meal. Well, the Glacier Express provides a culinary experience like no other. Tables are elegantly set, and the panoramic windows provide stunning views while you eat.

The menu often includes a selection of Swiss dishes local to the region. For our lunch we had beef stroganoff and it was absolutely delicious. You can also pair this with a Swiss wine or a little digestif while you’re rolling along too.

One thing not everyone knows about the Glacier Express is you can freely move through the carriages. Why would you want to? Well, in the food coach where you can grab a coffee, they have panoramic windows which you can open.

I can’t tell you how amazing this is for photography. No glares from the lights, no weird colours – just uninterrupted views. I love taking photos so it really made a difference to my journey having this.

This train gets into Chur at around 13:52 in summer or 14:52 in winter. From here, you can either stay in Chur and carry on your Swiss adventure, or head back to Zurich.

Unfortunately this was the final stop on our rail itinerary for Switzerland, but 5 days was the perfect amount of time for travelling around the country.

I really hope you found my Swiss train itinerary useful for planning a trip here. As you can tell from my photos, this is such a stunning country to travel around. And doing it by train, bus and boat is just the perfect way of seeing the country.

If you have any questions about my itinerary, just let me know in the comments below. Otherwise, happy travelling!

This post was in association with My Switzerland and the Swiss Travel System showcasing some of the best things to do in Switzerland. As always, all views and opinions are my own.

If you’d prefer to drive, then check out my post on the perfect road trip in Switzerland . This was such an amazing road trip!

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About the Author

Macca Sherifi is the founder of the multiple award-winning blogs An Adventurous World and the Great British Bucket List. Every month he inspires over 200,000 avid readers to travel the world.

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2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Train Itinerary for Switzerland”

Hi. First I would like to thank you for writing this blog. My family and I are planning to go to Switzerland this year. We are planning to visit as much places as we can on our 8-days trip. I am planning to get the Swiss travel pass, but I am confused with the family pass. There will be four of us (me, my husband, my 18 year-old son and my 12-year-old daughter). Does that mean I have to buy a family pass for just the three of us and a separate one for my son? And also with the consecutive days on the travel pass, does that mean have travel consecutive straight days? I have already booked 1 day tour to Top of Europe which will be around the 3rd day of our stay in Switzerland. Does that mean that the travel pass will become invalid since we wont be using it for 1 day? I really would love to hear from you and your feedback on my questions below.

Thank you and all the best on your next travel blog.

Regards, Verna Barcena

Thanks for commenting Verna. Firstly, have you read this blog post – https://www.anadventurousworld.com/how-to-use-the-swiss-travel-pass/ . That should cover a lot of questions you have. In it, I state that you can buy a flexible travel pass – this is where you can have a non-travel day in the middle of your Swiss Travel Pass which is exactly what you want to do. And yes, I think you’ll have to buy a separate pass for your son. Let me know if that helps or if you have any other questions at all!

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