swiss travel pass 2022 price

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This is an official website for the sale of the Swiss Travel Pass as well as other Swiss Rail Passes within the Swiss Travel System.

Which Museums are included in the Swiss Travel Pass?

The Swiss Travel Pass offers free entry to more than 500 Museums , including the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Château de Chillon and the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum.

How long is a Swiss Travel Pass valid for?

The Swiss Travel Pass is valid for 3, 4, 8 or 15 consecutive days in 1st or 2nd class.

Where is the Swiss Travel Pass valid?

The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on the whole boat, rail and Postbus network in Switzerland, as shown here .

Which mountain excursions are included?

Trips up to Stoos, Brunni, Klewenalp, Stanserhorn and Rigi are included in the Pass. A 50% reduction is offered on most other mountain and cableways (Gornergrat, Titlis, etc).

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on Swiss Panoramic Railways?

Your ticket price is included in the Swiss Travel Pass but seat reservations are compulsory and a supplement must be paid non most routes. It is possible to pay for a class upgrade if you have a 2nd class Pass but would like to travel in 1st class non one of these services.

Are there any further inclusions?

The Swiss Travel Pass also offers free entry to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland.

What is the Swiss Travel Pass Flex?

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is valid for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days of your choosing in 1st or 2nd class within one month. On listed travel days, pass holders are entitled to all of the same additional benefits as the Swiss Travel Pass. Please note however, that on the days between specified travel days, additional benefits, such as 50% discounts and museum entries, are not valid.

9 Top Reasons to Buy the Swiss Travel Pass [2024]

The Swiss Travel Pass is the perfect way to travel around Switzerland. If you are wondering is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it , this guide will convince you that it certainly is!

With this single transport pass you have complete freedom to go anywhere in the country, and make up your plans as you go.

The Swiss Travel Pass is flexible, easy to use, and covers all public transport within the country – and much more.

In this article we cover everything you need to know about the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex, including the Swiss Travel Pass price , so that you can choose the best option for you.

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

In short, the Swiss Travel Pass includes:

• Free travel on all public transport in Switzerland – trains, buses and boats
• City transportation in 90 cities
• Free travel to three mountains – Mt. Rigi, Mt. Stanserhorn and Stoos
• 50% off most other mountain excursions in Switzerland
• Free admission to 500+ museums

We love the convenience and flexibility that having a Swiss Travel Pass allows and it’s our rail pass of choice for travelling around Switzerland.

We’ve been able to make some incredible savings on our transport and sightseeing just by using the Swiss Travel Pass which you can read about in this article .

Below you will find just 9 of the many reasons we recommend you consider buying a Swiss Travel Pass for your travels around Switzerland.

What's in this Article

9 top reasons to buy the Swiss Travel Pass in 2024

• Flexibility – Enjoy ultimate flexibility – hop on and off trains, trams, buses and boats as you wish.
• Free city transport – Enjoy unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities.
• Unlimited travel – Enjoy unlimited travel by train, bus and boat across the entire Swiss transport network.
• Panoramic trains – Enjoy unlimited travel on premium panoramic trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges may apply).
• Free mountain excursions – Enjoy 3 mountain excursions for free – Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos.
• Discounted mountain excursions – Get up to 50% discount on many other mountain excursions.
• Free museum entry – Get free admission to more than 500 museums including Chillon Castle, FIFA Museum and Maison Cailler.
• Travel year round – The Swiss Travel Pass is available 365 days per year and for durations of 3,4, 6, 8 and 15 days.
• Kids travel free – Accompanying children aged from 6 to 15 years inclusive travel free with the free Swiss Family Card which can be ordered at the time of purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass.  Kids under 6 travel free on Swiss public transport.

Quick comparison of the different Swiss Travel Passes [2024]

What is the swiss travel pass.

The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket to travel the whole of Switzerland.

The Swiss Travel Pass, is often referred to as the Swiss Pass, Swisspass or Swiss Train Pass, although the Swiss Pass is actually an entirely different product. We explain more about the SwissPass, a pass for Swiss residents, in this article .

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you access to the famously efficient public transport system with a single ticket. You can use the pass to travel by boat, rail, or road. 

With this single pass, you don’t have to spend any time buying Swiss rail tickets for individual journeys or dealing with language barriers. Whether you’re in a tiny alpine village or the big cities, you can move about without any concerns.

The Swiss Travel Pass comes in a few different options for different durations and budgets, which we’ll get into below. 

Swiss Pass Cost

The Swiss Travel Pass cost varies depending on the duration and option you choose. You can expect to pay between 244 and 755 Swiss francs for between 3 and 15 days. This is without the 30% youth reduction for travellers under 25.

We’ll explore the costs of the different passes below.

Switzerland Travel Pass – The Different Options

There are a variety of options for your Swiss Travel Pass including both consecutive-day and flexible-day passes. Both are available for a range of days, and you can choose to travel 2nd or 1st class.

First class carriages (coaches) have fewer seats and are generally not as busy, as most Swiss residents travel in second class.

All sections of the Switzerland trains are smoke-free.

Compare the different inclusions, prices and benefits below to choose the best option for your trip. 

Swiss Travel Pass Prices [2024]

The regular Swiss Travel Pass is what most tourists use when visiting Switzerland. This pass provides unlimited access to Travel Switzerland for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. 

With all the benefits previously mentioned, you can buy this pass as a first-class pass or a second-class pass. Hop onto any train, bus or boat. Get 50% off most mountain trips and funiculars and visit world-renowned museums for free.

You can choose to buy one of these passes for your whole vacation, or just for the part of it when you’ll be exploring the cities and moving between them.

See the table below for the Swiss Pass price for your chosen duration:

Swiss Travel Pass Flex Prices [2024]

What is the Swiss Travel Pass Flex? This flexible travel pass is perfect for those travelling between Switzerland and other countries, or folks who don’t plan to use the transit system every day.

You can make use of the same benefits for the same amount of days. The only difference is that your travel days don’t need to be consecutive.

As long as all your travel takes place within one month, you can choose any day to travel and make use of your pass. 

As the name suggests, this Switzerland pass provides greater flexibility in your itinerary. 

Youth Discount on Swiss Transport Passes

If you’re under 25 years old you can take advantage of the substantial 30% youth discount available to all travellers under 25. 

Click here to buy your Swiss Travel Pass.

Unfortunately, no senior discount is provided. However, you can get a group discount for anyone traveling in a group of 10 or more. 

Swiss Family Card

The Swiss Family Card makes traveling with your children so much easier and cheaper. Related children, including foster and stepchildren, between 6 and 15 years old travel free.  (All accompanied children under 6 years of age travel free in Switzerland.)

The family card is complimentary – you just have to specify that you’d like one when booking! 

Whether one parent has the card or two, up to five children travel free. On the funiculars and cable cars where adults only receive discounts, the Swiss Family Card still provides free travel to accompanying children. 

If you are travelling with children and will need a Swiss Family Card, we suggest your purchase your Swiss Travel Pass and request the complimentary Swiss Family Card > here .

Swiss Half Fare Card

For those intending to do a little less travelling, you may prefer the Swiss Half Fare Card. Very simply, once you have purchased the card you can travel throughout the country with half-price tickets.

Tickets for each sector of travel can be purchased online, via the SBB app or at any train station in Switzerland.

The pass is valid for a month, which makes it a great option for those spending a longer holiday in the country.

The half fare card is substantially cheaper, and is often a great choice for those travelling for the most part by car. You can still access many mountain railways at half price. 

The Family Card is available on request with the Swiss Half Fare Card, so accompanying children travel for free. 

The Swiss Half-Fare Card costs CHF 120 and is valid for one month. BUY YOURS HERE .

🇨🇭 For further information about the Swiss Half Fare Card > read this article .

Swiss Travel Pass discounts

There are currently no special offers for the Swiss Travel Pass. See below for Youth and Child discounts.

Should I buy a Swiss Travel Pass?

If you’re planning on staying in just one or two cities and doing most of your travel by foot, you may not benefit by buying a Swiss Pass.  An exception to this is if you plan on taking at least two mountain excursions in Switzerland. 

The best way to decide whether or not you will benefit from purchasing a Swiss rail pass is to write down the rail journeys you plan to take and check the price of the individual fares for each sector on the SBB app ( read more about it here ) or website.

Then, add the cost of the mountain excursions you’d like to do, remembering the Swiss Pass entitles you to 50% off most cable cars, funiculars and cog railways – you can find the prices on each mountain’s website – and tally up the costs.

To make things a little easier for you, you can access a copy of our Switzerland Rail Pass Comparison Calculator.  Get your copy by clicking here or on the image below.

What are the Swiss Travel Pass inclusions?

There are many benefits to traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass, the all-in-one Switzerland train pass. You can pay once and travel without any concerns for the whole of your time in Switzerland. But there’s much more to it. 

What does the Swiss Travel Pass cover and what are the biggest benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass?

• Choose the duration of your pass.  You’ll have unlimited travel for either 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days with the regular Swiss Travel Pass or 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days of travel within a one-month period with the Swiss Travel Pass Flex.
• All public transport is free with the Swiss Travel Pass. You’ll be able to travel within and between cities without any concerns and without putting your hand in your pocket. 
• Pass holders receive free entry to more than 500 museums in Switzerland, offering a great saving.
• Passes are available in digital format (paperless) so they are environmentally friendly. 
• It’s also so much more convenient having just one ticket for all your transport needs.
• Plus, you’ll also get 50% off most cable cars and funiculars! 

🇨🇭 Some cable cars and funiculars close over winter. In this article we list the closure dates for the upcoming season.

Where to buy Swiss Rail Passes

Ready to make your purchase but wondering where to buy the Swiss Travel Pass ? The best place to buy the Swiss Travel Pass is right here !  (Read on for our step-by-step instructions on how to purchase.) 

Buying online ahead of your travels means you’ll be able to start using your pass the minute you arrive in Switzerland and avoid long queues at the train station ticket counter.

Click this link to buy your Swiss Travel Pass!

You can also purchase the Swiss Travel Pass at any railway station in Switzerland and at Zurich Airport.

Highlights of the Swiss Travel Pass

Switzerland has one of the world’s densest railway networks in the world. That’s why the pass is often referred to as the Swiss Train Pass or the Switzerland Travel Pass. 

There are even specific scenic routes like the breathtaking Glacier Express and the GoldenPass Line that you can take you to see more of Switzerland.  We’ll cover these in further detail below.

Convenient, fast, and comfortable, the Swiss trains go almost everywhere. Where they don’t go, you’ll usually find a PostBus operating on that route.  Of course, transport on these buses is included with your pass. Travel on public buses in Liechtenstein is also covered.

As well as the buses and the Intercity trains that operate on the Travel Switzerland’s network, your Swiss Pass also covers boat trips across the beautiful Swiss lakes.

Lake Geneva , Lake Zurich , Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, Lake Lugano and Lake Lucerne , are amongst the favourites. Most boats, with the exception of dinner cruises and the like, are included in the pass.

Click here to download a Swiss Travel Pass Map which shows where the pass is valid.

Free Public Transport in Swiss Cities and Towns

Transport within Switzerland’s cities is easy with the Swiss Travel Pass. Simply hop aboard a train and bus and off you go. 

There’s no need to queue to buy a ticket for your journey – simply show your pass to the conductor on request.

With many of Switzerland’s cities located beside a lake, a boat ride – included with your pass – might be the most convenient way to get from A to B in 75 Swiss towns and cities.

Panoramic and Scenic trains covered by the Swiss Travel Pass

Unlike many transport passes which have a surcharge for the most scenic routes, Switzerland’s panoramic trains are all included with the Swiss Travel Pass.  

The Swiss panoramic trains listed below offer a wonderful way to see the spectacular landscapes of the country – and all these panoramic trains are free with the Swiss Travel Pass!

Bernina Express

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Bernina Express? Yes!

• Operates between – Chur and Tirano
• Highlights – 55 tunnels and 196 bridges
• Journey time – 4h:13
• Year round – Yes
• Seat reservations required – Yes (additional fee applies)

Read more about the Bernina Express > here .

GoldenPass Line

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the GoldenPass Line? Yes!

• Operates between – Lucerne and Interlaken; and Interlaken and Montreux
• Highlights – 3 mountain passes – 8 lakes – 6 cantons 
• Journey time – 2h; 1h:35; 2h:08
• Seat reservations required – Optional (additional fee applies)

Read more about the GoldenPass Line > here .

Glacier Express

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on the Glacier Express? Yes!

• Operates between – St Moritz and Zermatt
• Highlights – 291 bridges and 91 tunnels 
• Journey time – 8h:03
• Year round – Except around 25 October to mid-December

Read more about the Glacier Express > here .

Gotthard Panorama Express

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Gotthard Panorama Express? Yes!

• Operates between – Lugano and Lucerne
• Highlights – Steamboat ride on Lake Lucerne, many loop tunnels, the church of Wassen can be seen from 3 angles
• Journey time – 5h
• Year round – Only Operates 1 May – mid-October, Tuesday to Sunday

Note: Passengers travel exclusively in 1st class panoramic coaches. No 2nd class is available on the train therefore passengers with a 2nd class ticket need to buy a class upgrade for the train ride. The boat cruise continues to be available in 1st and 2nd class.

Read more about the Gotthard Panorama Express > here .

Voralpen Express

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Voralpen Express? Yes!

• Operates between – St Gallen and Lucerne
• Highlights – lovely hills and charming villages
• Journey time – 2h:15
• Seat reservations required – Not available

Centovalli Railway 

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the Centovalli Railway? Yes!

• Operates between – Locarno and Domodossola
• Highlights – 83 bridges and viaducts
• Journey time – 1h:50
• Seat reservations required – Optional

Swiss Travel Pass discount on Cable Cars, Funiculars and Cog Railways

No visit to Switzerland would be complete without at least one cable car or funicular ride. 

Being a country blessed with towering snow-capped peaks, there are plenty of mountain excursions to choose from and many of them are available to Swiss Pass holders at discounted rates.

We’ve written a more detailed guide about the mountain excursion reductions available for Swiss Travel Pass holders which you can read here .

There are many world famous mountain excursions to enjoy in Switzerland including trips to Mt. Rigi, Mt. Schilthorn, Gornergrat and Jungfraujoch, to name just a few. Is Jungfraujoch free with the Swiss Travel Pass? This is a question commonly asked by visitors to Switzerland.

The answer is no, the entire journey to the Jungfraujoch is not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.  Passholders can travel for free as far as either Wengen or Grindelwald.

A 25% discount applies for the remainder of the trip to Jungfraujoch.

The table below lists just some of Switzerland’s most popular mountain excursions and the discounts available to Swiss Travel Pass holders.

If you are wondering which mountain excursions are 100% included in the Swiss Travel Pass, the answer is: Stanserhorn, Rigi, Stoos, Brunni and Klewenalp.

To obtain tickets for any cable car, funicular or cog railway, you should present your Swiss Travel Pass at the ticket office. 

On payment of the discounted fare, you will then be issued with a ticket for the ride which you will need to present before boarding.

Museums Included with the Swiss Rail Pass

There are around 500 museums and monuments included in the Swiss Travel Pass. If you’re a museum hopper, or adore Switzerland for its many cultural and historical offerings, there are many museums you won’t be able to resist.

Some of our favorites are the imposing Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva, and the Swiss National Museum in Zurich. You’ll find multiple museums, including historic castles and monuments, in just about every town and city you visit.

With the Swiss Travel Pass you also receive 50% off admission to the popular Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne. 

Below are just a few of the museums, castles and monuments in Switzerland that offer free entry to Swiss Pass holders.

• Castles of Bellinzona
• Swiss Open-Air Museum, Ballenberg
• Chillon Castle, Veytaux
• Swiss National Museum, Zurich
• Maison Cailler, Broc
• La Maison du Gruyère
• Einstein Museum, Bern
• Olympic Museum, Lausanne
• Alimentarium, Vevey
• FIFA World Football Museum, Zurich
• Thun Castle
• Thun Panorama
• Klostermuseum St. Georgen, Stein am Rhein
• Sherlock Holmes Museum, Meiringen
• Matterhorn Museum, Zermatt
• St. Gallen Abbey Library

Switzerland has a rich history, and you’ll learn much about the country and greater Europe in the many varied museums. 

Purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass

Purchasing your Swiss Pass online is simple and easy.  I recommend you purchase your pass through GetYourGuide . (They are an official reseller of the Travel Switzerland).

First, select the number of adults, youths and children (aged 6 to 15) that you are purchasing a pass for.

Then select the date that you will start using your Swiss Travel Pass. (You can change months by clicking the arrow in the top right corner.)

Click ‘Check availability’.

Now select the pass you wish to purchase by clicking on it. Make sure you choose the correct duration and the correct class of travel.

Click ‘Add to cart’.

Check that the all the pass information (number of passengers, duration, class, start date) are correct.

Click ‘Checkout’.

Now, enter your billing details.

Finally, enter the additional information required for each passenger (first name, last name, date of birth) – making sure it matches the details on your passport exactly.

Select your payment method and enter the details to complete your order.

Immediately after placing your order, you will receive a confirmation email from GetYourGuide.  If you don’t receive an email, check your Junk folder before contacting GetYourGuide via email.

Delivery of the Swiss Travel Pass

If you have ordered your Swiss Travel Pass using our link , you’ll receive your pass as follows.

Passes will be sent via email as a PDF attachment.  PDFs can be saved to your mobile device and/or printed to present to ticket conductors onboard the trains.

If you choose to download the pass to your mobile device, it is recommended that you print a copy of your passes on A4 paper and carry these as a backup.

You cannot connect your Swiss Travel Pass to the SBB Mobile app, however there is no need to do so. A screenshot of the PDF of your pass or a printed copy is all you need to show the train conductor.

🇨🇭 Like to know more about using the Swiss Rail System? Read our full guide here .

How to Use the Swiss Travel Pass

Once you receive your Swiss Pass, it is ready to use from the commencement date you specified during purchase. 

There is no need* to validate your Swiss Travel Pass or present it to a ticket office at a Swiss railway station prior to travel.

Simply board the train you wish to travel on, sit in any unreserved seat in the correct Class (ie. First Class or Second Class) and present your pass to the conductor on request. 

The conductor may wish to view your passport to confirm you are the passenger nominated on the pass.

🇨🇭 *NOTE: If you are travelling with a Swiss Travel Flex, you DO need to activate your Pass. You’ll find detailed instructions on how to do this > in this article .

Swiss Travel Pass FAQs

What is a travel day.

For example, whether you begin using your pass at 9am on May 1 or 4pm on May 1, this is still counted as one day or travel. 

Each calendar day represents a ‘travel day’ when using the Swiss Travel Pass. Travel days are not calculated on a 24-hour basis. 

Therefore, if you will arrive in Switzerland later in the day, you may wish to nominate May 2 as the start date for your pass.

The exception to the calendar day rule is on the final day of validity of the pass.  In this instance, the Swiss Travel Pass will end at 5am on the day following the final day of validity. 

If your pass commenced on May 1, a 3-day pass would then expire at 5am on May 4.

When to buy Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass can be purchased up to 11 months prior to the commencement of travel.  We recommend purchasing your Pass before you arrive in Switzerland so that it is ready to start using as soon as you arrive. 

Another advantage of buying your Pass ahead of time is that you then have a large expense already taken care of.

How to activate the Swiss Travel Pass

There is no need to activate the consecutive-days Swiss Travel Pass.  When you are ready to start using your Pass, simply board the train and present your Swiss Travel Pass along with your Passport/Identity document to the conductor on board the train.

If you are travelling with a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, you DO need to activate the pass prior to each day of travel. Read our step-by-step instructions in > this article .

Is the Swiss Travel Pass refundable?

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass can be refunded in full up to 3 days prior to the nominated start date of the Pass (if purchased via the links in this article).

How to cancel the Swiss Travel Pass

To cancel your Swiss Travel Pass, contact the supplier from whom you purchased the Pass to request a refund.

What if I lose my Swiss Travel Pass?

Should you lose the printed copy of your Swiss Travel Pass or the device on which you have stored your pass, you can always reprint the PDF. For this reason, we recommend you save a copy of your Swiss Travel Pass to the Cloud before you travel so that you have a back-up if required.

How do I add my Swiss Travel Pass to the SBB Mobile app?

It is not possible to add the Swiss Travel Pass to the SBB Mobile app. The SwissPass that is mentioned on the app is a different product that is only available to Swiss residents.

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover cable cars?

As mentioned above, the Swiss Travel Pass provides free travel on five cable cars/funiculars and discounted travel on most other cable cars, funiculars and mountain railways.

Fully included rides are Rigi, Stanserhorn, Stoos, Brunni and Klewenalp.

Tickets for most other mountain railways can be purchased by Swiss Travel Pass holders at 50% off, the exception to this is the Jungfrau railway (see below).

🇨🇭 Read more: Mountain Excursions in Switzerland Discounted with the Swiss Travel Pass

Does the Swiss Travel Pass include Jungfraujoch?

No, however holders of the Swiss Travel Pass can travel for free to either Wengen or Grindelwald and then receive a discount of 25% for the journey onwards to Jungfraujoch.

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover Schilthorn?

Travel to the summit of the Schilthorn is not fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass however a generous discount applies.

Pass holders travelling from Stechelberg receive a 50% discount and Pass holders travelling from Lauterbrunnen via Grütschalp receive slightly more than 50% off. 

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover Mt. Titlis?

Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a 50% discount on the fare from Engelberg to Mt. Title.

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover Zermatt?

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass covers transportation all the way to Zermatt.  Mountain excursions from Zermatt (ie. Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise) are offered at a 50% discount.

You can view a map of the entire area of validity for the Swiss Travel Pass > here .

Swiss Travel Pass live Q&A session

Watch a recording of our live Q&A session about the Swiss Travel Pass with Andy Nef from Travel Switzerland below.

Swiss Travel Pass – Worth It or Not?

Switzerland has revolutionised easy travel with the Swiss Travel Pass offering visitors an economical and convenient way to see the country.

In our opinion, the Swiss Travel Pass is definitely worth it if you plan to travel around various regions in Switzerland, will travel on any of the panoramic trains, or enjoy the convenience that having a hop-on hop-off ticket provides.

Whilst you might think the Swiss Travel Pass price is expensive, when you consider all the modes of transport that it covers, plus the discounts and free admissions it offers, it can actually provide substantial savings.

Having shared our 9 top reasons to buy the Swiss Travel Pass in this guide, we hope you agree that the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it.

🇨🇭 Have you decided which Swiss Travel Pass to buy? GET YOUR SWISS TRAVEL PASS NOW!

Listen to our Swiss Travel Pass Podcast Episode

Click here or click on the green button below to listen.

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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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Home » Trip Planning » Budget Tips

7 Best Rail Travel Passes for Switzerland

• Last Updated: 10 Jun 2020
• By Tanya, Founder of Swiss Family Fun

If you buy something through a link here, we may earn a commission. See our disclosure policy . Note that p rices and opening times may change without notice.

Switzerland has a variety of regional rail passes that can make a holiday in Switzerland more convenient and a bit more affordable. These passes typically cover public transportation in a particular region and either include mountain transport or give discounts on both mountain transport and leisure activities.

These passes are sold for a predefined number of days, usually consecutive. Some offer family rates, some are cheaper if you already have a SBB Half-fare card. You do not have to stay overnight in the area to buy them.

Below I outline the most popular Swiss regional travel passes, do some cost comparisons, and link to hikes in each region that we recommend.

Most popular travel passes

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Here are quick links to the most popular travel passes for Switzerland

• Swiss Travel Pass – free public transport and 50% discount on mountain railways. Purchase *
• Swiss Half Fare Card – 50% discount on public transport and mountain railways. Purchase *
• Jungfrau Travel Pass – all-inclusive travel pass for free public transport and most mountain railways in the Jungfrau Region. Purchase *
• Bernese Oberland Pass – all-inclusive travel pass for free public transport and mountain railways in the Bernese Oberland region. Purchase *
• Lucerne Tell Pass – all-inclusive travel pass for free public transport and mountain railways in the Lake Lucerne region. Purchase *

The main benefit of the pass is convenience. If you don’t want to hassle with buying train and bus tickets every day, these passes are perfect for you. Of course, check the area of validity beforehand so you don’t accidentally travel outside the network.

But people want to know if they will actually save money. My answer: do the math. Calculate the per day cost of the pass (cheaper the more days you buy) and compare that to your itinerary. Or compare to the total cost of all your planned activities. I can’t do this comparison for you. 

In general, the rail passes are worth it if you take public transportation to every destination and you go up at least one semi-expensive mountain included in the pass every day. Any day you skip a mountain because of bad weather or whatever, you’re just losing money. I’ll give some cost comparisons in each section below.

All children under 6 travel free when accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket or travel pass.

Children aged 6-16 will also need the same travel pass (sometimes called a Family Card), which usually costs CHF 30. 

Children over 16 are considered adults and need their own travel pass. In some cases, there is a student discount for ages 16-25. You can only get the discount with a valid student ID, not a passport proving age.

If the adults are not using a travel pass but purchasing individual tickets (either full price or with a half-fare card), you can buy a Junior card for CHF 30 for children aged 6-16. This card entitles them to ride free on public transport and most mountain railways all over Switzerland when accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket. This does not apply when the parent is using a travel pass instead of a regular ticket.

The “Swiss Travel Pass” covers public transportation in the whole country and a 25-50% discount on most mountain railways (a few are included in the pass). It also includes entry to 500 museums and a few other discounts. This pass is best if you want to visit several different parts of Switzerland. 

Sample cost for Swiss Travel Pass 2022: 3 days – CHF 232 4 days – CHF 281 6 days – CHF 359 8 days – CHF 389

In contrast, regional rail passes cover public transportation only in their specific region , but they often include mountain transport and discounts on other leisure activities. So you might get more value from a regional pass if you want to go up a lot of mountains.

This map gives you a general idea of where the following passes are valid. But it is not a precise representation of the exact pass coverage since there is a lot of overlap between the regional passes. See the individual pass documentation to see what’s covered. 

See also Should you buy the Swiss Travel Pass?

The Jungfrau Travel Pass is unlimited travel pass for 3 to 8 days for the Jungfrau Region.

The map below shows what transport is included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass: regular trains, cable cars, funiculars, mountain trains, and boats.

The grey lines on the map are not free with the pass. The two with % symbol get a discount with the pass.

Here are the 2022 prices for these passes. The second price is the discount if you have a SBB Half-fare card.

These passes are worth it if you plan to ride the high priced mountain railways like Grindelwald First , Schynige Platte , and Jungfraujoch . But mountains like Mürren and Grütschalp are less expensive than the per day cost of the pass. 

Here are some cost comparisons of sample trips ( based on 2020 prices ) that you can compare to the per day cost of the pass:

• Interlaken to Schynige Platte  – full price CHF 71.20, with Jungfrau pass free, with Swiss Travel Pass CHF 32, with Half Fare card CHF 35.60
• Interlaken to Jungfraujoch  – full price CHF 234.80, with Jungfrau pass CHF 74, with Swiss Travel Pass CHF 178.80, with Half Fare card CHF 117.80
• Interlaken to Mürren  – full price CHF 37.60, with Jungfrau or Swiss Travel Pass free

See our suggested hikes in the Jungfrau Region

I think this is the best pass of the bunch. The Berner Oberland Regional Pass covers a very large network in the middle of Switzerland, including the entire Jungfrau Region and these destinations: Niesen, Niederhorn, Gelmersee, Oeschinensee, Brienzer Rothorn, Meiringen Hasliberg, Gstaad. Unlike the Jungfrau Travel Pass, it includes the Schilthorn. 

This means you get a lot more variety, especially helpful if you want to escape the bad weather for a better micro climate elsewhere. 

It’s more expensive than the Jungfrau Travel Pass, so only worth it if you plan to travel around the larger Berner Oberland region. You should also consider the travel time between destinations, which can be 2hr or more from one side of the region to the other.   

Cost for Jungfrau Travel Pass 2020 CHF 220 for 3 days – CHF 73/day CHF 320 for 6 days – CHF 53/day CHF 360 for 8 days – CHF 45/day

Details for Berner Oberland Regional Pass See hikes in the Bernese Oberland

The Tell Pass covers public transportation, mountain railways and ferries in almost all of Central Switzerland.

This includes all the famous mountains like Pilatus , Rigi , Titlis , Brienzer Rothorn and Stoos and lots of family favorites like Bannalp , Klewenalp , Melchsee-Frutt , and Sattel .

The pass also gives you a 20-50% discount at their bonus partners like Ballenberg open-air museum , Glasi Hergiswil glass factory , and Goldau animal park .

Cost for Tell Pass 2020 CHF 190 for 2 days – CHF 95/day CHF 220 for 3 days – CHF 73/day CHF 250 for 5 days – CHF 50/day

Details for Tell Pass See more hikes in Central Switzerland

The Adventure Card cover public transportation in the upper Valais region of southern Switzerland (Leukerbad, Visp, Brig, Zermatt, Kandersteg, etc) and a 50% discount on mountain transport and many sport, leisure and cultural activities. It includes all the Zermat attractions like Gornergrat , Rothorn and Matterhorn Paradise plus lots of other great ones like Aletsch Arena , Hohsaas , Gemmibahn , Torrentbahn , and Oeschinensee. I’ve marked these on the map to help you visualize the pass coverage.

This pass is particularly good for people that want to other activities besides hiking like mountain biking, swimming, golf, and museums. 

The card is discounted almost 50% for those with a SBB Half-fare card. They also offer a family price that includes 2 adults and 3 children aged 6-16, which is basically double the single rate. 

Sample cost for Adventure Card 2020 CHF 109 for 2 days – CHF 54.50/day CHF 142 for 3 days – CHF 47/day CHF 197 for 5 days – CHF 39/day

Details for Adventure Card See more hikes in the Valais

The Graubünden Pass covers public transportation in canton Graubünden in southeast Switzerland and a 50% discount on a few mountain railways. This pass might make sense if you want to travel scenic train routes like Bernina Express or Glacier Express. It doesn’t help that much if you want to go up a lot of mountains.

The region is divided into 2 zones, north and south. You can buy the pass for 1 or 2 zones. Unlike the other passes, this is non-consecutive pass, so you can choose 2 in 7 day or 5 in 14 day. It’s discounted if you have a SBB Half-fare card.

Honestly, the online info for this pass is not that helpful. Only 9 gondolas are included in this pass and it’s not clear if they are included in the pass or just discounted. It doesn’t include any mountain transport in popular areas like Davos or Klosters, which are better served by the Davos Klosters Premium Card , a free discount card for overnight guests. The Arosa Lenzerheide All-Inclusive Summer Pass is another pass free for overnight guest in that area.

Sample cost for Graubünden Pass 2020 CHF 75 for 1 zone for 2/7 days – CHF 37.50/day CHF 110 for 1 zone 5/14 days – CHF 22/day CHF 165 for both zones 5/14 days – CHF 33/day

Details for Graubünden Pass See more hikes in Graubünden

The Valais Easy Card covers public transportation for the western Valais region and gives 50% discounts on 10 mountain railways and a variety leisure activities like pools, climbing parks, sport facilities, thermal baths, museums, golf and bowling. 

You can purchase this travel pass for 2, 3 or 5 days. They have a family price that covers 2 adults and 3 children up to 16 years old. It’s cheaper for those who already have a SBB Half-fare card, which is gives you the benefit of free public transport and discounted leisure activities since you already have a 50% discount on the mountains.

We’ve three of the 10 mountains included pass: Leukerbad Gemmi , Leukerbad Torrent and Champex. Looks like we need to explore this area more!

Sample cost for Valais Easy Card 2020 CHF 54 for 2 day pass – CHF 27/day CHF 73 for 3 day pass – CHF 24.30/day CHF 99 for 5 day pass – CHF 19.80/day

Details for Valais Easy Card

The Regional Pass Lake Geneva Alps gives free and discounted travel throughout the region on public transportation and mountain transport. This pass is a little complicated. For a 5 day pass, you choose 2 free days and the other 3 days get a 50% discount. For a 7 day pass, you get 3 “free” days and 4 discount days. This means you want to use the free days for the most expensive trips and destinations. 

On the map below, only the red lines are eligible to be free. The black lines are always 50% with the pass, even on a “free” day. The dotted lines have a special price determined by the individual destinations. 

This pass doesn’t have the convenience factor of other passes because you have to still get tickets on your discount days. This pass is cheaper for those with a SBB Half-fare card, but it doesn’t make much sense since you already get 50% discount on most everything anyway.

Sample cost for Lake Geneva Alps Pass 2020 CHF 105 for 5 day pass – CHF 21/day CHF 130 for 7 day pass – CHF 18.50/day

Details for Regional Pass Lake Geneva Alps

I hope this helps. Which regional pass do you think you’ll get?

Note: Cost comparisons are based on 2020 prices. Pass details and prices may change without notice. Consult the websites and documentation for individuals websites before booking.

If you still think the Swiss Travel Pass is a better fit for you, book it here:

• TAGS: Swiss Public Transport , Travel Passes

How to travel Switzerland more cheaply with free guest cards, travel passes, affordable destinations, train travel, hiking, and food.

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2 Responses

I’d like to recommend combining the Halbtax Abo for a Month with one of the Passes. For example: a 10 day Berner Oberland Pass costs CHF 259 with Halbtax compared to CHF 399 full price. The difference is more than the price of the Halbtax Abo. I haven’t checked the prices of the other Regional Passes, but expect similar benefits.

That’s a great suggestion! I hadn’t thought about doing that. Good idea.

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Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

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Swiss Travel Pass 2024 review: Is it good value or not?

When it comes to city passes and travel cards, it’s usually fairly easy to figure out whether they would be worth it for you or not. For things like the  Paris Pass  or  London Pass , they have a list of the most popular attractions and how much they cost, right there for you to see. The Swiss Travel Pass, however, is shrouded in mystery, or at least it was until I spent several days tracking down all of the prices and benefits.

A great many of the visitors and commenters on my popular page about  where to go in Switzerland  on a short visit are wondering whether the Swiss Travel Pass is a good deal. Embarrassingly, I’ve always had to answer that I found the pass too confusing to confidently advise people on. Now that has all changed, after literally days of research.

Note: This article was last updated in February, 2024.

Disclosure : This is a reader-supported website and some of the links are affiliate links where a small commission is paid to help keep this site going, but the cost to visitors is the same. The Swiss Travel Pass seems quite expensive at first, so it felt like it might be hard to get your money’s worth out of it. As it turns out, it’s pretty easy to get good value, and it’ll be a good deal for many visitors.

New in 2024

Prices increased an average of 5.9% from 2023 on the Swiss Travel Passes, but the Half Fare Card remains at CHF120, which is where it’s been for many years. Train fares in the country increased by similar percentages so the value is basically unchanged. There were no other notable changes to service or the included attractions and train routes.

>>> Buy the Swiss Travel Pass online

Where to stay in Interlaken and the Lauterbrunnen Valley

Since most people reading this will be visiting the Interlaken area and I get so many questions about it, I decided to write a detailed guide on which area to stay in while visiting this area.

>>> Where to stay in Interlaken or the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland

I included many huge photos in that post so readers will be able to get a better idea of what each place looks like and they are worth a look by itself.

>>> Lucerne or Interlaken: Which to visit and how long to stay?

The article just above will help you decide on how long to spend in each of Switzerland’s two best tourist areas.

Are you 100% sure where you want to go in Switzerland? This should help

Zurich and Geneva are pleasant but dull. The good news is that Switzerland is packed with amazing sights and none of them are the big cities. If you aren’t 100% locked in yet, please read the article below and I think you’ll enjoy it.

>>> Where to go in Switzerland in 2 to 10 days

Is the Swiss Travel Pass a good deal? Here's the short version

The bottom line is that the scenery, train journeys, and cable car rides in Switzerland are stunning and not found anywhere else in the world. They are also quite expensive if you pay for them one at a time. So no matter how you visit Switzerland, you are going to be paying quite a bit, or skipping the absolute best things that you’ve come there to see.

With good planning it’s quite easy to get great value out of a Swiss Travel Pass, but it might be a poor choice for those who don’t like to plan ahead. You can easily do a scenic train ride and a cable car in the same day, and still have time to do a scenic hike in the process.

First class or second class? Good news for most people

That said, Swiss Trains are literally the nicest in Europe and even the Second Class seats and carriages are nicer and roomier than trains in neighboring countries. The First Class seats are larger and nicer with only 3 across the cabin instead of 4, but honestly Second Class is perfectly comfortable for almost everyone.

Again, First Class on European trains like this is generally popular with business travelers where the company is paying and they need to get work done during the ride, and also senior citizens who don’t want to worry about a carriage full of backpackers. For most of the rest of us, Second Class is more than comfortable enough and the seat width and legroom compare to business-class airline seats. I’m a big and tall guy and I almost always travel in Second because it’s plenty comfortable enough and all the seats arrive at the same time anyway.

The longer you'll be in Switzerland, the better deal a Swiss Travel Pass will be

In other words, if you are staying 5 days or fewer, you have to do the math to determine your best option. But if you are spending even 6 or 7 days in Switzerland then the 6-day or 8-day Pass is almost guaranteed to be a great deal and your best choice. Once you have a Swiss Travel Pass you’ll absolutely love the ability to just hop on any train (excellent trains, always on time) and most boats and cable cars without having to worry about the cost. The per-day cost of an 8-day Pass even if you only use 6 of those days is about CHF65, and Switzerland is filled with amazing train rides and boats and cable cars that can get you that much value before noon each day.

Schilthorn (50% discount) and Jungfraujoch (25% discount) are cheaper with a Swiss Travel Pass

Both of those peak experiences are extraordinary and different from each other. Even so, compared to Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn is also faster and more comfortable on the way up and down. You can enjoy an excellent visit to Schilthorn in 4 hours or so (or a bit longer if you eat at the spinning Piz Gloria restaurant at the top), while a visit to Jungfraujoch requires closer to 6 hours.

NOTE: Schilthorn closes for maintenance for a week or two in late November most years.

Consider the Swiss Half-Fare Card instead

If you AREN’T going to be doing two or more of the long (and expensive) scenic train trips, you will get much better value out of the Swiss Half-Fare Card, which is explained a bit below.

Mt Rigi, near Lucerne, is 100% covered by the Swiss Travel Pass

Is a Swiss Travel Pass right for you?

Most people only visit Switzerland for 5 or 6 days at most, so the 3-day and 4-day passes are the ones to focus on. But if you are staying for 8 days or more, those longer passes are almost certainly a great deal for you.

Long story short, if you plan on doing 2 of the more expensive scenic trains and the Jungfraujoch railway or the Schilthorn cable car, then the pass will save you money. Switzerland is expensive, but it’s worth it, and the travel pass can help make it a bit more affordable.

What the Swiss Travel Pass includes

• Free rail travel on normal trains and most scenic trains
• Discounted travel (about 50%) on popular tourist mountain trains
• Discounted travel (about 50%) on popular tourist cable cars
• Free travel on public transport in 75 towns and cities
• Free entry to around 500 museums in Switzerland

The Swiss Travel Pass covers the fare on the most popular scenic and panoramic trains. You can choose a normal seat in a regular carriage for no additional cost, but there is a supplement of CHF8 to CHF49 for a reserved seat in one of the special panorama carriages on these routes.

Prices of the 2024 Swiss Travel Pass

• Adult 3-day Pass: CHF389
• Youth (4 to 25) 3-day Pass: 274
• Adult 4-day Pass: 469
• Youth (4 to 25) 4-day Pass: 330
• Adult 6-day Pass: 602
• Youth (4 to 25) 6-day Pass: 424
• Adult 8-day Pass: 655
• Youth (4 to 25) 8-day Pass: 469
• Adult 15-day Pass: 723
• Youth (4 to 25) 15-day Pass: 512
• Adult 3-day Pass: CHF244
• Youth (4 to 25) 3-day Pass: 172
• Adult 4-day Pass: 295
• Youth (16 to 25) 4-day Pass: 209
• Adult 6-day Pass: 379
• Youth (16 to 25) 6-day Pass: 268
• Adult 8-day Pass: 419
• Youth (16 to 25) 8-day Pass: 297
• Adult 15-day Pass: 459
• Youth (16 to 25) 15-day Pass: 328

Swiss Travel Pass Flex

This version costs a bit more, but you don’t have to use the travel days consecutively. It’s a great option for anyone who won’t be taking longer train rides each day.

• Adult 3 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): CHF445
• Adult 3 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 279
• Adult 4 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 539
• Adult 4 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 339
• Adult 6 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 644
• Adult 6 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 405
• Adult 8 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 697
• Adult 8 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 439
• Adult 15 Flex days in 1 month (1st Class): 755
• Adult 15 Flex days in 1 month (2nd Class): 472

Where to buy the Swiss Travel Pass

The swiss half-fare card – a better option for many visitors.

Far less confusing than the Swiss Travel Pass, you can instead get a Swiss Half-Fare Card, and it will be a better deal for many travelers. The price is lower and it’s much easier to do the math, and the discounts are greater on some things as well.

• Swiss Half-Fare Card for 30 days: Adults – CHF120 or US$129

What you get:

Those who buy the Swiss Half-Fare Card will get 50% discount on all trains, buses, and boats in Switzerland for up to 30 days, as well as 50% off all public transportation in 75 cities and towns.

>>> Buy the Swiss Half-Fare Card

Why the Half-Fare Card is a better deal for many

While the Swiss Travel Pass is a great deal for those doing many of the expensive scenic journeys and mountain sights within a few days, it’s not good value for those who are doing fewer of the expensive trips and/or those who are staying longer. Also, the Swiss Travel Pass only provides a 25% discount on the amazing Jungfraujoch Railway, which costs between CHF120 and CHF224 return depending on your starting point, while the Half-Fare Card provides a 50% discount.

The math is simple as well. You can just add up the cost of the trains, boats, and buses you’ll be taking while in Switzerland, and if the total is more than CHF240 or so, the Half-Fare Card will save you money.

Example itinerary:

• Zurich to Interlaken train (2nd Class): CHF50
• Schilthorn Cable Car: CHF112
• Jungfraujoch railway from Interlaken: CHF205
• Interlaken to Lucerne train (2nd Class): CHF33
• Mt Rigi roundtrip from Lucerne: CHF84
• Engelberg (near Lucerne) to Mt. Titlis Cable Car: CHF92
• Lucerne to Zurich train (2nd Class): CHF25

Total per person: CHF601 Total with Half-Fare Card (including price of card): CHF420.50

It would be tough to do all of those things in 4 days, although it is possible. If you bought a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass here is how it adds up:

4-Day Swiss Travel Pass: CHF259 Supplements for Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, and Mt. Titlis: CHF203.25 Total cost: CHF462.25

Bottom line on the Swiss Half-Fare Card

Since the Half-Fare Card lasts 30 days and provides a larger discount on Jungfraujoch, it is better value for visitors who want to include that scenic top-of-Europe rail journey on their trip. The discounts also add up more quickly on Schilthorn and Mt. Titlis trips, just to name two examples, and you don’t have to take many longer rail journeys to get value out of the Half-Fare Card.

Swiss Saver Day Pass (A one-day unlimited travel pass)

If you buy the Saver Day Pass at least 21 days in advance (and up to 60 days in advance) the 2023 cost is:

• 2nd Class (with Half Fare Card): CHF29
• 1st Class (with Half Fare Card): CHF82
• 2nd Class (with no Half Fare Card): CHF52
• 1st Class (with no Half Fare Card): CHF97

Once you research the normal cost of Swiss train fares you’ll see that the above prices are a very good deal for anyone riding more than 150 kilometers or so in a day. If you are just going, for example, from Zurich to Lucerne or Interlaken on a day, it’ll be cheaper to just buy that ticket individually. But if you are going from Geneva or Montreux to Interlaken or Lucerne then the Saver Day Pass will be much cheaper. Better still, you can use a Saver Day Pass to go from Interlaken to Geneva and back on the same day on the Goldenpass line and returning on the faster train through Bern, and it will still all be included for free.

If you don’t buy a Saver Day Pass at least 14 days in advance it’s more expensive, and if you only buy 1 to 3 days in advance it’s VERY expensive, so the key is to buy early. This is all confusing, but the Saver Day Pass should be a great option for many people only in Switzerland for one to three days.

Popular Swiss panorama scenic trains

• Glacier Express
• Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz
• Train type: Panorama
• Journey time: 8 hours 3 minutes
• Distance: 291km
• 1st Class fare: CHF272
• 2nd Class fare: CHF159
• Compulsory seat reservation fee: CHF44 or 49
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 13 to 33 for panorama carriage
• Bernina Express
• Route: Chur to Tirano and Lugano
• Train type: Panorama and bus
• Journey time: 4 hours 13 minutes and 3 hours 10 minutes
• Distance: 148km and 90km
• 1st Class fare: CHF113
• 2nd Class fare: CHF66
• Compulsory seat reservation fee: CHF32
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 10 to 14 for panorama carriage
• GoldenPass Line
• Route: Lucerne to Montreaux
• Journey time: 5 hours 8 minutes
• Distance: 191 km
• Prestige Class fare: CHF131
• 1st Class fare: CHF96
• 2nd Class fare: CHF56
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 8 to 15 for panorama carriage
• Gotthard Panorama Express (formerly Wilhelm Tell Express)
• Route: Lugano or Locarno to Lucerne
• Train type: Panorama and boat
• Journey time: 5 hours 21 minutes
• Distance: 182 km
• 1st Class fare: CHF164
• 2nd Class fare: CHF135
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 39 to 49 for panorama carriage
• Swiss Chocolate Train
• Route: Montreux to Broc round trip
• Train type: Panorama or First Class
• Journey time: X hours X minutes
• Distance: 82 km
• 1st Class fare: CHF99
• 2nd Class fare: 89
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 39

Popular Swiss scenic and theme trains

The scenic trains below are also extremely popular as sightseeing journeys rather than just as transportation, but can be used as both.

• Jungfraujoch round trip
• Route: Interlaken to Jungfraujoch
• Train type: special mountain train
• Journey time: 4 hours 41 minutes, round trip, plus time on top
• Distance: 73 km
• 1st Class fare: N/A
• 2nd Class fare: CHF224
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 147 (so, a saving of CHF77)
• Gornergrat Railway
• Route: Gornergrat Railway
• Train type: Cog railway
• Journey time: 44 minutes return
• Distance: 10 km
• 2nd Class fare: CHF90
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 45
• Rigi round trip
• Route: Lucerne to Rigi
• Journey time: 3 hours 25 minutes, plus time at the top
• Distance: 58 km
• 2nd Class fare: CHF78
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: None (this one is free with the pass)
• Mt Rigi Excursion (one-way and walk down)
• Route: Lucerne to Mt Rigi
• Train type: cogwheel train and/or cable car
• Journey time: 45 minutes up
• 2nd Class fare: 49
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 0
• Lotschberg Mountain Route and Centrovalli
• Route: Bern to Locarno
• Train type: Narrow gauge
• Journey time: 4 hours 40 minutes
• Distance: 212 km
• 1st Class fare: CHF158
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 5
• Jura round trip (Watchmaking Tour)
• Route: Neuchatel through Jura
• Train type: Regular
• Journey time: 3 hours 0 minutes
• Distance: 143 km
• 1st Class fare: CHF168
• 2nd Class fare: CHF108
• Pre-Alpine Express
• Route: St. Gallen to Lucerne
• Journey time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Distance: 146 km
• 1st Class fare: CHF83
• 2nd Class fare: CHF47
• Jura Foot Line
• Route: Basel to Geneva
• Journey time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Distance: 248 km
• 1st Class fare: CHF132
• 2nd Class fare: CHF75

Popular Switzerland cable car rides

• Route: Stechelberg (Lauterbrunnen) to Schilthorn
• Train type: cable car
• Journey time: 1 hour
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 54
• Engelberg to Mt. Titlis cable car
• Route: Engelberg to Mt. Titlis
• 2nd Class fare: CHF96
• Supplement for Swiss Pass holders: 46

The Swiss Travel Pass also includes free museum admission, but…

The problem is that the museums are only free on valid travel days, and almost no one would visit more than one or two museums with a Swiss Travel Pass. The trains and cable cars are so expensive that the pass gives very good value to cover those, so you don’t want to waste precious sightseeing time walking through a museum that only costs CHF10 anyway.

In other words, calculate the value of a Swiss Travel Pass on the travel savings only, and if you visit a museum here or there, then great. Most people are better off trying to squeeze in an additional train ride each day, and ignoring the museums. Switzerland is all about the outdoor scenery. As nice as the museums may be, they are not why you are there.

The pass includes free public transport in most Swiss cities

Similar to the free museum part of the offer, it’s best to ignore or minimize the value of free public transportation. It could be helpful in Zurich, but in most other Swiss tourist towns you won’t need much public transport. In fact, in Interlaken, each hotel or hostel guest automatically gets a card for free public transportation within the town (including between the two train stations).

So you might use a ride or two each day on public transport, but that won’t add up to much in terms of value of your Swiss Travel Pass.

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Swiss Travel Pass 2024 review: Is it good value or not? " --> All Comments

Comment*Hi , I am so confused between STP and HFC . I will be staying for 4 days in interlakin and do most of the outdoor plus cable car like Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch,Mt Titlis,Rigi and possibly Schynige Plate. Then try to squeze a day trip to Zermatt, then take the train to Zurich. Is STP better than HFC? Please advise.

Thank you, Cecilia

That sounds like you’d be spending a lot of time on Swiss trains so I think the Swiss Travel Pass would pay for itself pretty quickly. Jungfraujoch takes 5 or 6 hours in total and Schilthorn takes about 4 hours, so it’s hard to do them on the same day. It’s also important to consider that the mountaintops can be clouded in or foggy on any day of the year, including the rainy season in summer. It’s rarely like that the entire day, so usually either the morning or afternoon is clear, and often not both. The Titlis and Rigi trips each take half a day if you are already in Lucerne, and from Interlaken they would take a full day each. Going to Zermatt and back is also a full day.

Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch are both much more spectacular than Titlis or Rigi so I would skip both of those if you need to cut something out. Lucerne itself is really beautiful and taking a day trip there would be fun, but I just don’t think you’ll have time to go up both mountains and those other things in only 4 days.

So my advice would be get the Swiss Travel Pass and then focus on the included things to get your money’s worth, and do Jungfraujoch and/or Schilthorn as well since you get a discount on those and they are very worthwhile. -Roger

Wow so much great info!! Hoping you could help. We already have a eurail pass for the trains and we are just staying in adelboden for the first night, Going to Gridelwald and want to do the zip line with my 3 kids (11,13,16) Then we are leaving the following day to france. Should we get any of these discount options? may this is so confusing:) Thanks!

I’m glad it was helpful. A Eurail Pass will give you a discount of 25% or 50% on many attractions in Switzerland and you don’t even have to use a travel day to get it, but it’s not on all of them. You should look at each place’s website and they all list the different discounts available. They’ll usually say free with Swiss Travel Pass and 50% off with Half Fare Card and Eurail Pass and that sort of thing. If you don’t get a discount on enough of them then I’d consider getting the Half Fare Card, but you are probably good with just the Eurail Pass. -Roger

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Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

Interlaken, Switzerland

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Book Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

• Grand Total 0

How to use your voucher

Print out the voucher and exchange it at the chosen base station (Interlaken Ost, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen) for actual tickets.

• 100% snow all year round.
• Visit the Sphinx Observatory, located on the Jungfraujoch summit.
• Explore the Ice Palace.
• Visit the Alpine Sensation exhibition at the mountain.
• Head to the outdoor observation deck for unobstructed views.
• Travel independently at your own pace.

Not Suitable for

• Pregnant women
• People with serious health conditions or breathing issues

How to reach

Traditional Route by train: Interlaken-Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen -Kleine Scheidegg - Eigergletscher - Jungfraujoch

New route via Cablecar and train : Interlaken - Grindelwald Terminal - Eigergletscher - Jungfraujoch.

You can take one way up and the other way down as you wish.

Know before you go

• You must print and exchange the voucher at Interlaken OST/Grindelwald or Lauterbunnen.
• This is an independent,self guided tour.
• In case of bad weather conditions such as rain, fog or snow, the train will run, but the view of the glacier and the mountain range will be limited and no refund will be provided for partially used vouchers.

Cancellation

15% cancellation for fully unused voucher.

Welcoming since

Mention an indicative date of travel when buying the exursion.

For Swiss Travel Pass holder Fare: Voucher can be exchanged and used on any one day duing the validity of the Swiss travel pass or before the validity date mentioned on the voucher whichever is earlier.

For Full Fare: Voucher can be exchanged and used on any one day before the validity date mentioned on the voucher.

About Jungfraujoch

Book your Jungfrau tickets with ease at just the click of a button. Enjoy discounts with a Swiss Travel Pass or a Eurail Pass. Your Jungfrau ticket includes: Return travel to Jungfrau through rail and all the free attractions at the top. Jungfrau tickets are e-tickets as well as physical tickets. So, once you confirm your booking, you can opt for either ticket option as per your convenience.

Jungfraujoch with Swiss Travel Pass

Jungfraujoch with Swiss Travel Pass comes at a discounted rate. Choose the option ‘With Swiss Pass’ for a Jungfrau ticket with Swiss Pass and add the number of passengers from the drop-down.

Make sure the date you select for Jungfrau is valid during your Swiss Pass. For example, if you bought an 8 days consecutive Swiss Pass which is valid from 1-8 January, then choose Jungfraujoch tickets between these dates only, or your Jungfrau ticket will not be accepted.

With a Swiss Travel Pass, not only you get Jungfrau tickets at a discount, but also your children under the age of 16 years get free tickets – just how the Swiss Pass works. So, select the children’s ticket from the option ‘Child between 0-16 yrs (with Family Card)’ while making the booking.

Jungfrau tickets with Swiss Pass is the same as full fare. You enjoy cogwheel train ride up to the top and visit Alpine Sensation, restaurants, observation deck, Ice Palace, and shopping areas.

• Children will not be allowed free entry if they aren’t accompanied by at least one parent.
• First Class and Second Class Pass: Your class of Swiss Pass will determine the class for Jungfraujoch tickets. For example, if you have chosen a second class Swiss Travel Pass , then your Jungfrau tickets will also be second class.
• Flexi Swiss Pass holders: A Flexi Swiss Travel Pass is valid for 30 days. So if you have chosen 4 days Flexi pass, then your Jungfrau tickets are also valid for 30 days. But the day you decide to visit will Jungfrau will be marked as one of the days on your Swiss Pass . So plan your trip to Jungfrau accordingly.
• A Jungfrau ticket is valid for one-time use only.
• Shopping, the food at the restaurants, and snow activities are not included in the price. You have to pay for them separately.

The new Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch

Travel on the Eiger Express tricable gondola, which transports you from Grindelwald Terminal to the Eiger Glacier station (Eigergletscher) in just 15 minutes.

The new Eiger Express gondola not only reduces the total travel duration to the top by 47 minutes, but also guarantees stunning views of the north face of the Eiger. Each of the 44 gondolas can accommodate 26 passengers which are enclosed with glass windows and heated seating arrangements to ensure a cosy journey along with great views.

The Grindelwald Terminal also offers a sports shop and a shopping center with popular Swiss brands for those who'd like to shop before or after the journey.

This new journey segment is included in your Jungfraujoch ticket and is available at the same cost. Passengers are required to take the train from Interlaken OST to the Grindelwald terminal, followed by the Eiger Express up to the Eiger Glacier Station, and the last segment to the top of Jungfrau by a cogwheel train.

Passengers can still take the traditional route from Interlaken OST / Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch by train.

Jungfrau Weather

Jungfraujoch’s weather is one of the coldest in Switzerland. The mountains are always blanketed with snow in every month of the year. Whether you plan to visit in February, June or December, Jungfrau’s weather will not disappoint you.

Jungfrau’s cold weather is one of the reasons why Jungfrau is among the most popular excursions in Switzerland.

How to reach Jungfraujoch

From Interlaken Ost station take a train to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. After this journey, change trains to reach Kleine Scheidegg. From Kleine Scheidegg, ride the Jungfrau Railway directly to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.

New Eiger express route: From Interlaken OST take the train to the Grindelwald terminal, followed by the tricable gondola on the Eiger Express up to the Eiger Glacier Station. The last segment to the top of Jungfrau is by a cogwheel train.

Interlaken - Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg - Top of Jungfraujoch

Interlaken - Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg - Top of Jungfraujoch (Regular traditional route)

Fees: Entry Free

Opening times: 365 days a years

Ski & Snowboard Park

Experience snow sports at Jungfraujoch

The Top of Europe Shops

Indulge in shopping extravaganza at the highest peak in Europe.You can shop apparels, watches, chocolates, pocket knives, souvenir and much more.

Restaurants at the top Bollywood – An Indian Restaurant

Experience delectable Indian cuisine at the Top of Europe.

Opening times: Beginning of April until end of October

In Switzerland, eat like the locals. Indulge in special Swiss dishes at Jungfraujoch.

Delicious Swiss cuisine prepared at 4,158m just to keep you satiated even at the Top of Europe.

• Switzerland

• 1 Zurich City Tour
• 2 Lindt Home of chocolate
• 3 Swiss Transport Museum
• 4 Mt. pilatus
• 5 Mt. titlis
• 7 Harder kulm
• 8 Grindelwald First
• 9 Matterhorn glacier paradise
• 10 Glacier 3000
• 11 Aletsch Arena
• 12 Diavolezza
• 13 Swiss Miniatur
• 14 Charlie Chaplin's World
• 15 Schilthorn
• 16 Sunnegga

Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins

Luzern Interlaken Express

Duration: 1hr 50 mins

Duration: 5hr 30 mins

The slowest express train in the world

Duration: 7 hrs 30 mins

Bernina Express (train):4 h - 4 h 30 min

Bernina Express (Bus): 3 h

Things to do

Eiger express.

Get the best view of the famous Eiger North Face from the new Eiger Express gondola! The world's most modern tricable gondola takes you from Grindelwald to the Eiger Glacier in just 15 minutes.

A multimedia experience tour

Take a thrilling, multimedia journey back in time through over 100 years of history of the Jungfrau Railway, an alpine sensation.

Glacier Platform

A view as far as the Black Forest and the Vosges on one side, and the Aletsch Glacier comes into view on the other side, bordered by four-thousand-metre peaks. On the glacier platform you are guaranteed snow and ice 365 days a year.

On a mirror-smooth tour through a frosty world, you will discover enchanting sculptures in the niches of the Ice Palace. An eagle, penguin or bear, as though they had just turned to ice, appear quite natural.

Ski and Snowboard Park

Too hot in the lowlands? If lounging around in the sun is not your thing, Jungfraujoch is the place for you. At the Snow Fun Park, snow lovers can refresh themselves and give winter sports a try. In the hottest months, the temperatures on the Jungfraujoch are regularly above the zero degree limit.

Snow Park Opening times

Open from mid-May until mid-October

Daily from 10.00 to 16.30 h

There may be restrictions during bad weather.

Prices (In CHF per person)

The highest Lindt shop in the world offers an extensive range of the finest Lindt chocolate and provides exciting insights into chocolate production.

Alpine sensation

A shudder runs down the spine of whoever enters the 250 metre long corridor between the Sphinx Hall and Ice Palace. Not only because of the frosty temperatures, but also because of the sacrifices made by the miners to open up the Jungfraujoch to the railway. 30 memorial tablets bear witness to this. The music on the way also gives you goosebumps: It brings back to life the beginnings of the Jungfraubahn, together with the images from the time of the tourism visionaries. Even if visitors are more comfortable today than the miners were – they feel relieved when, at the end of the experience, they can pose in front of the giant snow globe and say: I made it!

Top of Europe Shop Jungfraujoch

Take a piece of Swissness home – find the perfect souvenir of your unique excursion into this high alpine glacier world at the souvenir store at 3,454 meters above sea level.

Restaurants

Aletsch, Crystal, Bollywood (Indian)

Photo Gallery

FAQs On Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

Can i book jungfraujoch tickets on your website.

Yes, book your Jungfrau tickets with ease and confidence at just the click of a button. Your Jungfrau ticket includes: return travel to Jungfraujoch and all the free attractions at the top.

Can I get discount on Jungfraujoch tickets?

You can avail discount on Jungfraujoch tickets if you are holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass or a Eurail Pass.

What activities can I avail of with the Jungfraujoch excursion ticket?

You enjoy the amazing journey to the top and attractions like the Alpine Sensation, Observation deck and the Ice Palace.

How do I reach Jungfraujoch?

You can reach the Jungfraujoch via train or via a train and cableway combination

The train journey can be via 2 routes

Interlaken – Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch

Interlaken – Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch

The train and cableway combination route is

Train from Interlaken to Grindelwald - cableway from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher station - train from Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch.

Is my excursion voucher valid on the train route and the cable car route?

Yes, you can choose to travel with the traditional train route or the new Eiger Express cabins with the SWISStours Jungfrau excursion voucher.

How much time does it takes to reach Jungfraujoch?

By train from Interlaken - 2 hours 6 mins

By train from Grindelwald - 1 hour 26 mins

By Eiger Express cableway from Grindelwald – 45 minutes

Are there different classes of train travel?

There are two classes First & Second Class. Your class of Swiss Pass or Eurail Pass will determine the class you are entitled to. if you have chosen a second-class Swiss Travel Pass or Eurail Pass , then your Jungfrau tickets will also be second class.

How much time do I need to visit Jungfraujoch?

We recommend at least 5–6 hours to allow a reasonable amount of time to spend on the Jungfraujoch.

Is the excursion open all year round?

Yes, the Jungfraujoch excursion is open 365 days a year.

Is a fixed date required to book Jungfraujoch?

Although you have to enter a date whilst booking on our site, the SWISStours Jungfrau Voucher will be open dated. You have the flexibility of using the voucher within the validity of your Swiss Travel Pass or the date of validity mentioned on it.

What kind of ticket does an infant and child require?

Kids under 6 years of age always travel free. Kids aged 6 to under 16 pay the child fare or travel free with parents holding a Swiss Travel Pass or at a reduced rate with the Eurail Pass.

Will there be snow?

A trip to the Jungfraujoch guarantees snow all year round.

Are there restaurants at the Jungfraujoch?

Yes, you have a choice of restaurants at the Jungfraujoch. You can choose a coffee bar, self-service restaurant, a la carte dining and even an Indian Bollywood themed restaurant.

• Note Rates valid till Dec 14, 2024
• Operational days Excursion operates all year round.
• Cancellation A cancellation penalty of 15% will apply on totally unutilised voucher, unless stamped and signed by the mountain authority personnel in circumstances of excursions being closed due to bad weather.
• Must Read 2 seasonal rates apply. The voucher will be valid till the end of the chosen season only. Season 1: 1st Jan - 31st May & 1st Sep - 31st Oct & 1st Nov - 9th Dec Season 2: 1st Jun - 31st Aug Please ensure that you choose the correct date / rate to ensure that your voucher is accepted for travel. Any mismatch in chosen rate / date can result in your voucher being rejected. For example, if you have chosen a travel date of 29th May and your voucher is valid till 31st May (end of season 1), then you cannot present the voucher for travel on 2nd June, the same will not be accepted for travel

Condition Apply

To be booked in conjuction with a Swiss Travel Pass

• First book a Swiss Travel Pass.
• Make sure the Swiss Travel Pass reflects in the shopping cart.
• Then select the scenic train from the list.
• This seat reservation is subject to availability at the time of booking
• Our Staff will get in touch with you via email to confirm the exact date, sector and timing.
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