swiss yearly travel pass

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

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 25, 2024

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

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

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

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

READ ALSO: Switzerland Itinerary for First Trip

What is the Swiss Travel Pass

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

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

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

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

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

Swiss Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel Pass Flex

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to use Swiss Travel Pass & Travel Pass Flex

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

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

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

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

How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost in 2024?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is included with the Swiss Travel Pass

This is what IS INCLUDED with the Swiss Travel Pass:

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

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

What is not included (but gives you a discount)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

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

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

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

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

In most cases, the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it, especially if you are traveling for at least 6-8 days and are visiting multiple destinations in Switzerland. Plus, it saves you lots of time, research, and math. Another advantage is that you can just take the next suitable train, boat, etc. without having to waste time looking for tickets.

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

Where can you buy the Swiss Travel Pass?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sunday 28th of April 2024

Hi, what's the difference between second class and first class and which do you recommend?

Monday 29th of April 2024

Hi Lan, there are a few benefits in the 1st class vs. 2nd. You have more space and more comfortable, adjustable seats on the train. First-class passengers can also sit on a higher deck on most boat trips. Some trains also have 'quiet zones' in the 1st class, but that's more interesting for business travelers who want to work during their journey. Hope this helps.

Saturday 30th of March 2024

Hi Jurga My wife and I will be traveling to Swizerland and planning to go thru several places from Zurich to Lucerne - Interlaken -Lauterbrunnen-Murren-Wengen-Gimmewald-Gridelwald and train to Milan.

Is the Swiss Pass a good option getting around for 10 days?

Thursday 4th of April 2024

@Jurga, Jurga, thank you very much for your response.

One more question: I read that the Bernese Oberalnd Pass better to use in my situation. What do you recommend between the two? Thank you.

Hi Robert, yes, if you are staying for 10 days and plan on using public transportation daily, a Swiss Pass definitely a good idea.

Sunday 24th of March 2024

Thanks. Good information. One question: If I buy a flex pass for, say, 6 days, but will be in Switzerland for 9 days and 8 nights, is the pass good for local busses, say in Bern or Zurich, on days I am not traveling between regions, without it counting as a full day of use?

Monday 25th of March 2024

@Jurga, thanks for the helpful answer. We'll buy two 8 day passes. Only 20 Francs more than the 6 day flex pass. Cheers!

Hi Bruce, I'm afraid that any use will count for that day (also museums, buses, etc.). With the flex pass, you will have to activate the dates on which you are using it online (you'll get the instructions when you get the pass) and if someone checks it on the day you didn't activate it for, you may get a fine. It might be simpler/cheaper to buy a local ticket if you need it for just one or two short rides on those days and keep your Swiss Pass for the days when you embark on the much more expensive journeys.

Sunday 3rd of March 2024

Thank you Jurga, for your Travel Pass explained, you saved my sanity! The official sites are good but not usually for a first-time visitor. Like how you explained one should board the N1 trolley and not the bus from Lucerne railway station to get to Kriens. Additionally, your guides to Lucerne and the various day trips from the picturesque city are very insightful. I am now confident with my decision to take the acclaim Swiss public transportation from Geneva to Lucerne in the spring for a girls' trip. Fingers crossed ;)

Monday 4th of March 2024

Glad to help, Jacqi. Have a great time in Switzerland!

John Altshuler

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Most helpful discussion of the various Swiss passes I've seen so far.

Wednesday 28th of February 2024

Glad to help, John. Have a great time in Switzerland!

How to Buy, Activate and Use the Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one transport pass that makes it easier and more affordable to travel around Switzerland, where the public transport system is renowned for its efficiency. 

Also sometimes referred to as the Swisspass, Swiss Train Pass or Swiss Pass, the pass is valid for various durations.

It even gives holders access to discounted travel on many mountain railways and cable cars as well as trains, buses and boats. 

Now you have decided to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass, where do you buy it? When and how can you activate it? And how do you actually use the Swiss Travel Pass? 

In this guide we cover everything you need to know before setting off on your travels around the incredible country of Switzerland. 

From how to buy the Swiss Travel Pass and whether or not your type of pass needs activating to how to use your pass on the go, this article covers it all. 

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

What's in this Article

Where to buy the Swiss Travel Pass

Let’s get started by taking a look at where you should buy your pass. 

First, you need to decide whether to purchase a regular Swiss Travel Pass (for travel on consecutive days) or a Swiss Travel Pass Flex. The differences are explained in > this article.

Then it’s super simple to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass. I recommend you buy the pass via GetYour Guide , an authorised reseller of Travel Switzerland.

What’s great about using GetYourGuide is that they offer full refunds on many products, including the Swiss Travel Pass, if you cancel up to 24 hours before use. 

Consecutive Day Swiss Travel Pass Prices

Swiss Travel Pass Flex Prices

How to buy your Swiss Travel Pass step-by-step

The GetYourGuide site is also really user-friendly. After clicking the link to purchase your pass ( this link for the consecutive day pass and this link for the Flex pass ), the first step is to choose how many adults, youths (aged 16 to 25) and children (aged 6 to 15) are travelling. 

This can be done directly beneath ‘About this activity’. Kids aged 5 or under don’t need a ticket or a pass, as they travel for free.

Next, select the start date you want: you can skip through months here by clicking the arrow on the top right.

Then, when you have selected the date you will first use your pass, click on ‘Check availability’. 

Now you can choose the pass you’d like to buy.

Add the pass you want to your cart. 

📍 I recommend double checking at this point that you have selected the right class of travel and duration. 

Then click ‘Checkout’. 

Next it’s just a case of adding your billing details as with any online purchase. 

You’ll also be asked to complete the full names and dates of birth for each traveller. Make sure these match your passports exactly to prevent any problems later on. 

How you’ll get your Swiss Travel Pass

Once you have made your purchase, when and how is your pass delivered? 

The Swiss Travel Pass (for travel on consecutive days) will be emailed to the address you provided in the booking process, and will come in the form of a PDF attachment which can be downloaded to your mobile device.

I highly recommend printing a paper copy of this as a back-up, though you can simply present the mobile version when using transport in Switzerland. 

While both paper and digital versions of the pass are accepted, your phone could suddenly run out of battery and then you’d have no way of proving you have a pass! 

You should also carry your passport or another form of photo ID each time you travel. 

> Click here to buy your Swiss Travel Pass

How you’ll get your Swiss Travel Pass Flex

If you purchase a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, you will receive a purchase receipt and a voucher by email.

The voucher is NOT valid for travel.

Each day you wish you travel you should activate your pass (see the instructions below). By doing this, you will receive a valid ticket for travel on that date.

> Click here to buy your Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

When and how to activate the Swiss Travel Pass

There is often confusion about whether or not a Swiss Travel Pass has to be activated. The answer varies according to the type of pass you’ve bought so follow the instructions below to learn how to activate your Swiss Travel Pass.

Activating your Swiss Travel Pass (consecutive days)

The regular, consecutive days Swiss Travel Pass does not need to be activated. All you need to do is show it to the ticket inspector when requested.

Activating your Swiss Travel Pass Flex

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex, however, must be activated in advance and before each day that you use the pass. You can do this via Activate Your Pass here .

Your pass should be activated before your first trip, and you’ll need to enter your reference number as well as your full name and date of birth. 

For every travel date you activate, a valid ticket will be generated. This e-ticket can then be seen at activateyourpass.com . You can show this e-ticket to the ticket inspector on your phone or tablet, or use a printed copy. 

What if your plans change along the way? 

If you have already activated a travel date that you want to change, the Swiss Travel Pass allows you to change these as much as you want to until the start of each validity period.

The validity period commences at 23:59. Once the clock hits midnight, you can no longer change or deactivate this particular ticket. 

For example, if you have activated your Swiss Travel Pass Flex to be used on 17 July and you no longer wish to use your pass that day, you can change the date of travel until 23:59 on 16 July.

How to use the Swiss Travel Pass

So now let’s cover how to use the Swiss Travel Pass Flex or consecutive-days pass. 

When travelling with a Swiss Travel Pass – either consecutive days or Flex, you simply board the train and sit wherever you wish in the correct carriage for your class of travel. 

The only exception to this is when travelling on the Bernina Express or Glacier Express, which we cover below.

When requested by the ticket inspector, simply present your Swiss Travel Pass.  You may also be asked to present some photo ID, such as your passport to verify that you are the pass holder.

Using the Swiss Travel Pass on panoramic trains

The Bernina Express and Glacier Express , two of Switzerland’s most famous premium panoramic trains, are the only Swiss trains on which reserving a seat is compulsory.

The actual ticket price of the journey on these trains is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass but seat reservation fees are compulsory and should be purchased online well in advance of your travel date.

Seat reservations for the Bernina Express can be purchased here and Glacier Express seat reservations can be purchased here .

On all other panoramic trains* – Luzern – Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Line and Gotthard Panorama Express – seat reservations are not required. Simply board the train and sit anywhere in the correct carriage for your class of your travel.

*Note that the Gotthard Panorama Express only offers 1st class train travel. If you hold a 2nd class Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex you must pay a class upgrade for this journey.

Additionally there is a compulsory supplement of CHF 16 for each passenger that travels on the Gotthard Panorama Express. > Purchase class upgrades and the compulsory supplement here .

Using the Swiss Travel Pass on buses, boats and mountain transport

Don’t forget that Swiss Travel Pass holders can also use boats, buses and some mountain transport services. Even when this isn’t the case, you may qualify for a generous discount as a pass holder. 

When boarding boats and buses, simply show your Swiss Travel Pass when you enter.  For free (where applicable) or discounted travel on cable cars, funiculars and mountain railways, present your pass at the ticket counter.

Selected museums also allow pass holders to enter for free. Just show your Pass at the ticket counter.

Travelling beyond the Swiss border with a Swiss Travel Pass

When travelling to an area beyond that covered by the pass – such as into another country – you’ll need to buy a ticket for that sector. This will apply, for example, to journeys into France, Italy, Germany or Austria. 

International tickets are generally not available for purchase on the Swiss Railways website or app so we recommend buying them from the railway of the country concerned.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers travel as far as the major rail border points of Basel and Le Chatelard-Frontiere on the French border, Chiasso on the Italian border, Konstanz on the border with Germany and St. Margrethen on the Austrian border.

Some postal bus services within Liechtenstein and Austria are also covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

You can view a map of the Area of Validity of the Swiss Travel Pass > here .

The SwissPass app 

Is there a Swiss Travel Pass app? No, there isn’t.  

Many travellers notice a reference to the SwissPass on the SBB Mobile app however this refers to a digital travel account for residents only. 

A SwissPass account is for Swiss citizens only, not tourists, and is a separate product that uses a chip and pin card.

The Swiss Travel Pass doesn’t have to be added to an app. All you need is to be able to show the ticket inspector a paper or digital copy, and photo ID if requested.

The excellent SBB Mobile app ( which we explain here ) can be used for checking timetables but it is not necessary (or possible) to connect your Swiss Travel Pass to the app.

Another app that is useful is the Swiss Travel Guide app which has an integrated map and timetable and points out more than 500 Swiss highlights.

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. 🇨🇭

Buying, activating and using the Swiss Travel Pass summary

The Swiss Travel Pass allows you to use the clean, fast and efficient public transport system in Switzerland. It can be used on trams, buses and boats as well as trains, and can save you a lot of time and money. Exclusive free entry to museums and generous discounts can also apply. 

Buying your pass is easy, and purchasing it through our preferred supplier means you won’t even lose money if your plans change, as long as you cancel 24 hours before the start date. 

Only the Swiss Travel Pass Flex requires activation, which is easy to do via this link . 

Once you have your chosen pass, I recommend taking a paper copy as well as the digital version as back-up. Also carry your passport or other photo ID in case it’s requested. 

Unless you want to travel on the popular scenic Swiss train routes, seat reservations are not normally required. 

Wherever your Swiss Travel Pass takes you, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with beautiful Switzerland and will want to return time and time again!

How to Buy, Activate and Use the Swiss Travel Pass – Summary

Now that you have read this guide, you can confidently buy, activate (if necessary) and use your Swiss Travel Pass.

This all-in-one transport pass is the perfect hop on hop off ticket for travelling in Switzerland.

🇨🇭 Ready to buy yours? > Click here to buy the Swiss Travel Pass and > Click here to buy the Swiss Travel Pass Flex .

If you’re still unsure whether the pass is the best value for your trip, we answer the question Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it? here .

Switzerland Travel Essentials

Rail passes.

Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Half Fare Card

Eurail Global Pass

Regional Rail Passes

Berner Oberland Pass

Jungfrau Travel Pass

Rail Packages

Self-Drive Packages

Itinerary Planning

Digital Guides

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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Frequently asked questions about SwissPass

FAQs about ZVV travelcards on the SwissPass are answered below.        

You can view and download a PDF version here (PDF, 137 KB) .

1. Questions about purchasing

What offers are available on the swisspass.

• NetworkPass (personal annual and monthly travelcards)
• 9 o’clock pass (personal annual and monthly travelcards)
• Z-Pass (personal annual and monthly travelcards)
• Various other public transport products and additional mobility and leisure services.

Can other tickets, such as single tickets, be loaded onto the SwissPass?

No, only personal annual and monthly travelcards can be loaded onto the SwissPass at present.

Does a ZVV travelcard have to be loaded onto the SwissPass?

Personal annual and monthly travelcards are only issued on the SwissPass. Transferable monthly travelcards can still be issued on standard security paper at ZVV and SBB ticket machines.

What do I need to purchase a ZVV travelcard on the SwissPass for the first time?

If you do not yet have a SwissPass (e.g. for a Half-Fare Travelcard), you need a current and good-quality passport photo . After the purchase, your SwissPass will be delivered to your address within no more than 10 days. You will receive a temporary SwissPass for the meantime.

How can I pay for my SwissPass travelcard?

Various payment options are available depending on the point of sale. At the ZVV ticket shop, travelcards can be purchased via credit card, PostFinance card, Reka-Card, TWINT or invoice.

2. Questions about ticket inspection

Can the swisspass be entered in the zvv app and does the swisspass card still need to be presented during a ticket inspection.

Yes, the SwissPass can be linked in the ZVV app. If you purchase a mobile ticket, it is sufficient to present this during an inspection. It is not necessary to present the SwissPass as well.

Travelcard-holders also have the option of travelling without the SwissPass card by displaying the digital version of the SwissPass in the app, which is valid for inspections, provided they have logged in in advance. However, a different official identity document is required.

What can I do if I have forgotten my SwissPass?

• If you notice that you have forgotten your SwissPass before you begin your journey, you can go to a ticket office and present official identification. For CHF 5, you can obtain a ‘Forgot my SwissPass’ receipt that allows you to travel in conjunction with an official ID.
• After a ticket inspection (in which you were unable to present your SwissPass), you can present your SwissPass at a ZVV ticket office within 10 days. Bring along your payment notice and official ID. In this case, you will only be charged a processing fee of CHF 5.  

3. Questions about travelcard renewal

How long is the swisspass card valid.

The SwissPass card is valid for five years. After that, you will receive a new card when you purchase a new public transport service.

Where can I find the validity date for my existing travelcard?

The validity date can be viewed:

• in your customer account at zvv.ch
• at swisspass.ch
• at ZVV and SBB ticket machines
• at a ticket office or by asking a ticket inspector

Can I cancel my SwissPass?

The SwissPass itself is not a travelcard, but just a carrier card. It is therefore not possible to cancel your SwissPass. Validity periods, extensions and terminations differ depending on the travelcard.

Unlike GA and Half-Fare Travelcards, ZVV travelcards are not automatically renewed. We will remind you to renew your travelcard. If you do not wish to renew your travelcard when it expires, you can keep the SwissPass and use it later if you obtain a new travelcard.

How and when will I be reminded about the expiry of my ZVV travelcard?

If you wish, we will send you a reminder via email or text message on the first and last day of validity.

• Annual travelcard-holders will receive a notice via email approximately one month before the travelcard expires. Notification via post is also possible on request.
• Monthly travelcard-holders will receive a reminder via email or text message seven days before the travelcard expires.

You can manage your notifications in your customer account at www.zvv.ch.

Where can ZVV travelcards on the SwissPass be renewed?

We recommend that you visit the ZVV ticket shop or use the ZVV ticket app to renew your travelcards.

Renewal is also possible at all ticket offices. Monthly travelcards can also be renewed at ZVV and SBB ticket machines.

Can a SwissPass be replaced if lost, damaged or stolen?

Yes, a SwissPass can be replaced for CHF 30. You can order a replacement card in the ZVV ticket shop or at a ticket office.

Valid as of November 2020

The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway between Disentis and Andermatt.

The 'loetschberg' steamship is the flagship of the fleet on lake brienz in the bernese oberland., glacier express on the landwasser viaduct near filisur, can you issue print@home swiss travel system tickets.

The Swiss Travel Pass, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex and the Swiss Half-Fare Card can be issued as a print@home ticket / eTicket (you must print out the ticket).

Who is eligible to purchase a Swiss Travel System Pass nor Ticket?

Swiss Travel System passes and tickets are available to anyone who is resident outside Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Are the tickets refundable?

In the case of loss or theft, it is not possible to refund tickets.

Please contact us directly if you are unable to travel due nto sickness or accident or if you would like to exchange your paper Swiss Travel System pass or ticket. An exchange is only possible before the date of departure and within working hours. Please note our opening hours if trying to contact us (Monday to Friday from 08:00-17:00 and Saturdays from 10:00-16:00).

Important: Print at Home Tickets are non-exchangeable, non-refundable.

Swiss Travel Pass

What is the swiss travel pass youth.

The Swiss Travel Pass Youth is valid for those aged 16-24 years on the first day of travel and offers a 15% reduction on nthe normal adult price. The Swiss Travel Pass Youth entitles you to all of the same benefits as the Swiss Travel Pass.

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.

Swiss Family Card

What is a swiss family card.

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

How can I get a Swiss Family Card?

A Swiss Family Card can be issued free of charge when at least one parent is travelling using a Swiss Travel System Pass.

What about children under 6?

Children aged 0-5 years travel free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult.

Swiss Half Fare Card

What is the difference between the swiss half fare card and the swiss travel pass.

The Swiss Half Fare Card entitles you to 50% discount on the whole boat, rail and Postbus network in Switzerland. An additional ticket is needed if you wish to use public transport with the cities. Please ensure that you show your Swiss Half Fare Card together with any additional tickets if you are subject to an inspection at any time.

Will I get a discount on mountain railways or museum entrances?

Most mountain railways honour the 50% discount offered by your Swiss Half Fare Card. There is no reduction on museum entrances.

How long is the Swiss Half Fare Card valid for?

The Swiss Half Fare Card is valid for one month. It is not possible to extend this period. Please be aware that the reduction offered can sometimes be less than 50% due to reserved minimum pricing (eg. short journeys, city transport networks).

SwissPass – one card for everything.

Whether the GA Travelcard, Half Fare Travelcard, Regional Travelcard or Point-to-Point Travelcard, with the SwissPass, you have your ticket to ride – and much more too. Even without a valid travelcard, you can use your SwissPass for numerous partner services.

How do I get a SwissPass card?

SwissPass card with a travelcard:

As a new customer, your SwissPass will automatically be delivered to you when you purchase a Half Fare Travelcard, a GA Travelcard or another travelcard – regardless of whether you made the purchase at a public transport point of sale or conveniently online at SBB.ch. If you make the purchase in person, please bring a valid form of official ID and a current passport photo with you.

SwissPass card without a travelcard:

It is also possible to obtain a free SwissPass card to use SwissPass Plus partner services. Obtain your SwissPass card at a public transport point of sale or order it via your customer account at swisspass.ch.

The new SwissPass card.

As of mid-December 2021, a new SwissPass card with additional features has been available. This new generation of cards will gradually phase out the cards currently in use. If you hold an older version of the SwissPass card but would like to have access to the additional features, you can obtain a new SwissPass card for free at a public transport point of sale.

The most visible change is the new, fresh design. The cards also have improved security features and additional functions:

• Storage space: the storage capacity has been increased and enables you to save additional partner services.
• Door opener: the new SwissPass can be used as an access or identification medium by companies that use the security systems of the Swiss firm Legic.
• Safe login online: SwissPass supports the Fast Identity Online standard, or FIDO for short. This authentication standard is used globally to simplify the login process for devices and web services (e.g. Facebook, Google, Microsoft Office 365, etc.).
• Payment function: pay for your tickets at ticket machines and public transport staffed points of sale using the SwissPass and receive a monthly invoice. A prepaid version is also possible, for example, as credit on the card for children. You can also activate the payment function with older card generations. In this case, you will automatically receive a new-generation SwissPass card free of charge. 
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Important information about stored partner services when receiving a new SwissPass card.

Some partners such as Mobility or edrive will transfer your personal data automatically. Please contact any partner services that don’t transfer the current services to the new card in order to clarify the next steps.

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• Regional Travelcards on the SwissPass
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Swiss Travel Pass FAQs: Helpful Answers for 2024

The Swiss Travel Pass is designed for backpackers, city hoppers, families, and railway lovers. It offers a cost-effective way to travel across Switzerland by public transportation.

You’re probably wondering: How much does it cost? And are there any discounts? We often get these and many other questions about the Swiss Travel Pass.

Deciding whether the Swiss Travel Pass is right for you can be overwhelming. Our comprehensive overview of benefits could be a good starter. But first-timers will end up with many unanswered questions, still.

So, we decided to answer them once and for all. We've got you covered, from where to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass to its activation and available discounts to the refund policy. Whether you're a curious first-time visitor to Switzerland or want to plan a Swiss itinerary for your friends from abroad, keep reading for answers to the most common Swiss Travel Pass FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Swiss Travel Pass

Purchase and refunds.

The Swiss Travel Pass is valid for consecutive periods of 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days and must be activated within six months of the purchase date.

The Swiss Travel Pass can be purchased on the official SBB website, at SBB ticket offices and authorized resellers, or worldwide through online travel agencies such as RailEurope .

The Swiss Travel Pass is available for anyone with a permanent residence outside of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. This includes any foreign nationals and Swiss people with a permanent address abroad. It’s important that Swiss who live abroad can produce the following forms of identification while traveling on a Swiss Travel Pass: a Swiss passport, plus a residence permit, driving license, or residence certificate from abroad.

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass offers discounts for children and teenagers up to 16 years. Youth from 16 up until their 25th birthday enjoy a 30% discount with the Swiss Travel Pass Youth. However, there are no discounted rates for senior citizens. Children up to 6 years travel for free on all Swiss public transport. From the age of 6 to 16, they travel for free with a parent who is a holder of a Swiss Travel Pass and a Swiss Family Card. The latter is a free add-on that can be requested at a train station or during the online purchase of a Swiss Travel Pass. On the SBB website, simply add the child as a passenger under “‘Add passengers” in order to receive the Swiss Family Card automatically.

The Swiss Travel Pass price does not vary between online outlets and ticket booths in Switzerland. But time is money, and purchasing it in advance may save you precious time during your trip. Simply skip the lines at the ticket office and hop onboard public transportation! You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass a maximum of 60 days before the day you want it for, right up to the day before travel.

You can secure your Swiss Travel Pass up to 11 months ahead , ensuring availability during peak seasons and potentially benefiting from early booking discounts. Early purchase also lets you focus on other trip planning aspects.

Yes, you can get a refund if the Swiss Travel Pass is returned to the vendor before you start using it. If you have already started your journey, you may get a partial refund if you provide proof of illness or injury, if you had to stop your trip unexpectedly, or if you have a confirmation from a railway office.

If you lose your Swiss Travel Pass, contact the Swiss Federal Railways as soon as possible by submitting a loss report . They can cancel the pass to prevent unauthorized use and issue a new one at a fee. However, If you lose your pass or it gets stolen, you cannot get a refund.

Unfortunately, travel passes can only be refunded if they are returned to the issuing office prior to the first day of validity. Generally speaking, you cannot change dates of an active pass.

The Swiss Travel Pass is available as a PDF attachment that can be downloaded to a mobile device. We recommended keeping a printed copy as a backup, just in case you run out of battery on your smartphone. Both paper and digital versions are accepted, but it is important to carry a photo ID each time you travel.

Buy a Swiss Travel Pass at GetYourGuide

Purchase the Swiss Travel Pass online at the most reputable vendor starting at CHF 244. You will receive an immediate email confirmation with a PDF ticket.

What the physical Swiss Travel Pass contains:

How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost in 2024?

As of January 1, 2024, the prices for the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex will increase an average of 5.9 percent compared to 2023. The prices for both passes will continue to be offered for 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days.

Swiss Travel Pass Price 2024: Fares, Discounts, Price Changes

What's the difference between the consecutive swiss travel pass and the swiss travel pass flex.

There are two types of Swiss Travel Passes: the consecutive Swiss Travel Pass. and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. Both passes offer unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, but there are some key differences between the two.

The consecutive Swiss Travel Pass is valid for a specified number of consecutive days , such as 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. You can use the pass for continuous travel within the specified days.

On the other hand, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex allows you to choose a certain number of non-consecutive days within one month.

For example, if you have a 15-day Flex pass, you can travel for 15 days within one month, but these days do not have to be consecutive. The Flex Pass is ideal for travelers who wish to have more flexibility in their itinerary and have the freedom to choose when and where to travel.

When choosing between the two passes, consider your travel itinerary, stay duration, and budget. If you plan to travel extensively around Switzerland and visit many museums, then the Swiss Travel Pass is a good option. However, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is a better choice if you want more flexibility in your itinerary and have the freedom to choose when and where to travel.

Activation and logistics

The Swiss Travel Pass for consecutive days does not need to be activated. When you purchase your pass from an online travel agent, they send an email directly to your account. You will receive a PDF file containing a QR code the train staff can check and scan. You may also receive a link in the email that will allow you to add the code to any wallet app on your smartphone. Alternatively, you may print out the PDF on a sheet of paper. The pass is ready to be used if it contains information such as your start date, passenger name, and birth date. If you have purchased a consecutive ticket, you must fill in your start date during the check-out. Your pass will automatically be activated on that particular date and run for the preset number of days. Once in Switzerland, present the pass and your passport or ID to the conductor on board.

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex must be activated in Switzerland before each day of travel. There is a dedicated website where you have to enter your ticket reference number and name to validate the travel days.

A travel day on the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is based on the calendar day, allowing for travel within the validity period of the pass. However, remember that travel days are not calculated on a 24-hour basis, and the final day of validity ends at 5 AM on the following day.

The Swiss Travel Pass is unavailable for purchase by Swiss residents, as it is primarily marketed toward tourists visiting Switzerland. It is only available to those with a permanent residency outside of Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Swiss residents have other options, such as the Half Fare Card, the GA, or other regional passes that may suit their travel needs.

Benefits and perks

No, the Swiss Travel Pass does not guarantee a seat on a train. With a valid pass, you can board any train that has seats available, including trains such as the Glacier Express that explicitly require a seat reservation. Contact the conductor to make a seat reservation on the spot.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers most of the public transportation services in Switzerland. Some private transportation services may require an extra fee or reservation. Have a look at the area of validity map to see exactly which lines are included.

The Swiss Travel Pass offers free entry to over 500 museums and other attractions. Some special exhibitions and events may require an additional fee, even with the pass. Download a list of participating museums or read our suggestions for free Swiss Travel Pass museums to visit.

You bet. The Swiss Travel Pass is available in both the first and second classes. Make your choice during the check-out when you purchase the pass, but remember that you can pay the differential to first class if you ever decide to upgrade on the spot.

The Swiss Travel Pass allows unlimited travel on all trains, buses, and boats operated by the Swiss Federal Railways and other participating companies, including the famous Glacier Express and GoldenPass Express lines.

Yes, city transportation is a key benefit of the Swiss Travel Pass. It is valid for transportation to and from the airports in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, as well as other airports in Switzerland.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass the same as the Swiss Pass?

Good question! No, the two passes are not the same. Consider the Swiss Travel Pass a golden ticket for tourists, granting them access to various transportation options. Swiss Pass is the former name.

Today, the SwissPass is a chip card and digital account intended for Swiss residents. It lets them load annual public transport passes and other products onto an electronic card.

As a tourist, it's important to remember that the Swiss Travel Pass and SwissPass are two distinct products, each catering to different needs. Adding your Swiss Travel Pass to a SwissPass online account would be like trying to use a library card to buy groceries - it simply doesn't make sense.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it will depend on your individual needs and preferences. The Swiss Travel Pass offers many benefits that can greatly enhance your travel experiences in Switzerland.

Key benefits include saving money on transportation, free access to museums, and the convenience of not purchasing individual tickets.

Read our dedicated post to find out: Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

Get our ultimate free guide! Swiss Travel Pass: How to make it work in 2024

The free guide includes a round-trip itinerary starting in Zurich for budget travelers. It “hacks” a three-day Swiss Travel Pass to make it last for a five-day stay…

Got any more questions?

We hope to have answered your pressing Swiss Travel Pass FAQs. If you have any additional inquiries, please leave a comment or send an email. We will research the answer and reply as soon as possible.

Definitive Swiss Travel Pass Solo Traveler’s Guide (2024)

Benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass in 2024

Swiss Travel Pass Overview and Insights for 2024

Dimitri Burkhard

As the founder, editor, and community manager of Newly Swissed, Dimitri owns the strategic vision. He is passionate about storytelling and is a member of Swiss Travel Communicators. Dimitri loves discovering new trends and covers architecture, design, start-ups and tourism.

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We are traveling to Switzerland in July and our must do is the Glacier Express from Brig to Chur. If I purchase the Swiss travel pass that will get us on the train but then we need to purchase and actual seat, is that correct?

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Swiss Travel Pass Flex

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

On validated travel days:

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

Information

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

General provisions and legal information

Price – Adult

Non-consecutive days can be selected individually.

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024

Price – Youth

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

Swiss Family Card

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

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

Bonus Benefits with the Swiss Travel Pass

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10 Ultimate Benefits of Swiss Travel Pass

Blog section.

• 1. Jungfrau
• 3. Matterhorn
• 5. Grindelwald First
• Blog section 6
• Blog section 7
• Blog section 8

Introduction

The Swiss Travel Pass offers several benefits for travelers in Switzerland, including:

Unlimited Travel: Offers unlimited travel on consecutive or flexible days across the Swiss Travel System network in 90 urban areas.

Flexibility: Available in flexible or consecutive durations, such as 3, 4, 8, or 15 days within a month.

Comprehensive Access: Covers trains, buses, and boats on an extensive network of routes.

Scenic Routes: Includes some of the most scenic train routes in Switzerland, like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express.

Museum Entries: Free admission to over 500 museums throughout Switzerland.

Discounts: Provides up to 50% discounts or free travel on many mountain railways and cable cars, along with other activities and attractions.

Family Friendly: Children under 16 travel free with a parent holding a Swiss Travel Pass.

Convenience: Eliminates the need to purchase individual tickets, simplifying travel planning.

One of the best benefits of Swiss Travel Pass is that it helps you save a lot of money when compared to the cost of buying excursions and public transport tickets individually.

Here we have listed down the top 10 benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass.

1.Unlimited travel by rail, road, and bus

Yes! It's true. Unlimited travel, no restrictions at all on the Swiss Travel System. This includes rail, boat, tram and bus. You just have to show your Swiss Travel Pass. That's it.

This is a big advantage especially for tourists who are looking to explore Switzerland in depth during the limited number of days they have. Without the benefits of Swiss Pass, travellers would have to pay for every train, bus or tram ride from point to point. This not only becomes a time-waster while you're on a tight schedule but also turns out much more expensive.

2. Children travel free

Children under the age of 16 years can travel absolutely free with a parent. All you have to do is select for a Swiss Family Card while booking your Swiss Travel Pass .

If you're travelling with kids under 16, Swiss Travel Pass is worth it. Children under 16 years are not only free on the Swiss Travel Pass but also travel completely free on most mountains that offer discounts to passholders.

In essence, you only pay for your children's accommodation in Switzerland. If you were ever at a crossroads as to whether to buy buy Swiss Travel Pass at all, this should be enough to show you which direction to go in.

3. Free entry to over 500 museums

Museum-lovers will love this benefit. You can enjoy free entry to over 500+ museums in Switzerland. It includes some of the most visited museums such as Olympic Museum, Chateau de Chillon, and the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum.

"Verkehrshaus" - The museum of transportation in Lucerne offers holders of a Swiss Travel pass discount of flat 50% on the regular entrance fee to the museum and discounts even on the day pass to the museum.

The day pass provides admission to the Museum, a visit to the Swiss Chocolate Adventure and the Media World and the daily screenings in the Filmtheatre and Planetarium.

4. Up to 50% off on excursions

Mountain excursions can be a bit expensive, but not when you are a Swiss Travel Pass holder. You can enjoy a discount on Swiss Travel Pass up to 50% of on major must-see mountain excursions in Switzerland.

With over100 million pictures per year, Matterhorn is the most photographed mountain in the world and no first-time traveller would miss the opportunity to visit this peak. Also famous for being on the Toberlone chocolate cover, a visit to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise would usually cost around CHF 44 to CHF 58 per Adult if you are holding a Swiss Travel Pass. For non-pass holders, the price would range from CHF 87 to CHF 115 per Adult.

Another one of the other most popular attractions in Switzerland is Europe's highest train station: the Jungfraujoch, at 3454 m above sea level. The observatory is located at 3571 m. Being the most popular peak amongst people visiting Switzerland, it is also the most expensive.

Holding a Swiss Travel Pass considerably reduces the cost of Jungfraujoch tickets . The prices range from CHF 118 to CHF 155 per Adult if you are holding a Swiss Travel Pass. For non-pass holders, the price would range from CHF 185 to CHF 235 per Adult.

Children under 16, usually pay half the adult price on all mountains. However if holding a Swiss Travel Pass/family card, these mountains become free.

Also Mountains like Stanserhorn and Rigi in Lucerne are completely free if you are holding a Swiss Travel Pass.

Stanserhorn is a unique mountain as you travel up in the World's first CabriO®, which is an open double decker cable car. Imagine having this experience free of cost. Non-pass holders have to pay full price.

Mount Rigi, the other free peak in Lucerne if you are holding a Swiss Travel Pass, is fondly called "Queen of the Mountains". Rigi Kulm is the highest point (1798 m) and offers great views of Lake Lucerne, the Alps in the south and the plains in the north, all the way to Germany.

5. Up to 50% on Scenic trains

Switzerland is known for its beauty scenic trains. In fact, there is a Grand Train Tour that takes you across Switzerland on a train. And you if you are holding a Swiss Travel Pass, you again enjoy discounted prices\

The Glacier Express & Bernina Express are Switzerland's two most scenic train journeys and these Panoramic journeys are free with your Swiss Travel Pass. However you need to pay a compulsory seat reservation fee regardless of whether you are holding a travel pass or point to point ticket. This means, the pass covers the cost of your full price point-to-point ticket, which is a massive saving.

The Golden Pass line is another extraordinary journey in 3 different trains, with a panoramic view of breath-taking scenery. Unlike the Bernina Express and Glacier Express, the Golden Pass is not a direct train. You pass three mountain passes, the famous 4000-metre Alpine peaks, 8 lakes and unforgettable views.

In this train, you can travel for free with a Swiss Travel pass. You do not even need seat reservations in 2nd class, although reservations are recommended for some legs of the train. In any case, it comes down to the same principle as the other two panoramic trains; you pay only for the seat reservation and not the full price of the point-to-point ticket.

6. Also available as E-Swiss Pass

E-Swiss Pass allows you to carry your Swiss Travel Pass ticket on your mobile or you can take a print of it. It is unlike the physical ticket, which if lost, will result in 100% loss of your ticket price.

Therefore, no need to worry about carrying paper tickets. Just show your Swiss Travel Pass on your cell phone.

7. Convenience of an all in one Ticket

If you have travelled before, you would know that more than anything else, time is very val-uable. In such a situation, the last thing one would want to do is stand in line for point-to-point tickets. With the pass, it is easy to just get onto your preferred mode of transport and get on with your day.

8. Available as Continuous as well as Flexi

The Swiss Travel Pass doesn't tie you down to consecutive days travel.

Let's suppose you intend to travel outside your base in Switzerland only for 4 out of the 8 days, you can benefit from the Flexi Pass option.

This option is valid on 3, 4, 8 or 15 freely selectable days within one month rather than 3,4,8 or 15 consecutive days offered in a continuous pass. The Flexi Swiss Travel Pass holders can enjoy the same benefits as that of the consecutive passholders but only on the chosen days of travel.

Travellers who want the comfort of a car but also want the best deals on the mountains and other benefits of the pass should opt for the Flexi option. That way, they can use the pass on certain days and get the best deals on those days.

9. Youth get additional discounts

Children below 16 travel free as we already mentioned.

However, it's okay if your child missed the 16-year cut off for a free family pass. The Swiss Travel Pass offers a youth aged 16 to 25 years a 15% discount on the Adult Swiss Travel Pass. The other benefits of Swiss Rail Pass though, are the same as an adult Swiss Travel Pass.

10. Saves tons of money compared to multiple single-ticket journeys

Since you will be exploring Switzerland, you will certainly have to travel a lot. Using multiple sin-gle-tickets for train, bus, or boat will be very expensive compared to a one-time payment of Swiss Travel Pass.

Also, you get numerous money-saving benefits of Swiss Rail Pass like free entry to museums, 50% off on mountain excursions, and many more. To every traveller, the choice is obvious; it is al-ways a Swiss Travel Pass.

Let's take for example, a simple trip to Mt. Titlis if you had your base in Lucerne.

If you were holding a Swiss Travel Pass: Journey from Lucerne to Engelberg (Base of Mt. Titlis): No additional Cost, included in Pass Return Cable car ticket from Base station to the top of Mt. Titlis: CHF 60 per Adult Journey from Engelberg (Base of Mt. Titlis) to Lucerne: No additional Cost, included in Pass.

If you were NOT holding a Swiss Travel Pass: Journey from Lucerne to Engelberg (Base of Mt. Titlis): CHF 18.40 per Adult Return Cable car ticket from Base station to the top of Mt. Titlis: CHF 96 per Adult Journey from Engelberg (Base of Mt. Titlis) to Lucerne: CHF 18.40 per Adult

So taking the pass is definitely a no brainer.

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[answered] is swiss travel pass worth it, top discounts on swiss travel pass in 2024.

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

Swiss Travel Pass

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

What's included?

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

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

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

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Where will Eurovision 2025 be held? The three Swiss towns vying to host

Geneva, basel and st gallen have all thrown their hats into the eccentric musical ring, article bookmarked.

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Following  Nemo ’s big win in  Malmo ,  Sweden  with the song  The Code,  Switzerland  will host  Eurovision  for the third time in 2025.

The last time the Swiss hosted the contest was 35 years ago in  Lausanne in1989. Before that, the 1956 instalment of the competition visited  Lugano  in Switzerland’s Ticino region.

As the host country, Switzerland will join the Big Five – the  UK ,  France,  Spain ,  Germany  and  Italy  – to automatically qualify for next year’s live final.

Though the event often set up in the capital, there’s a huge tourism draw to wherever lands the title of host city.

Switzerland’s national broadcaster (SSR SRG) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are currently shortlisting the Swiss locations to set the stage.

Here are the potential host cities already bidding to be backdrop to the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Where could Eurovision 2025 be held?

According to local media Switzerland’s second city, Geneva , has already submitted a proposal to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation with preliminary plans to host Eurovision 2025.

The Palexpo convention centre, with a capacity for nearly 15,000 spectators, is pegged to accommodate the contest if Geneva  were selected as the host city.

As the gateway to the Alps , glitzy Geneva is a city break favourite among the the skiing crowds, as well as those looking for top-notch watch ateliers, chocolate to satisfy a sweet tooth and lakeside vineyards.

Conradin Cramer, president of the canton of  Basel -Stadt, posted to Twitter/X: “Congratulations to Nemo on his great victory at #ESC2024 in Malmö! Switzerland will now host #ESC2025. # Basel is an excellent venue. And we are ready: with our infrastructure, accessibility and hospitality. #ESC2025Basel.”

The third biggest Swiss city is a tangle of pastel townhouses on the Rhine, edgy art fairs and al fresco watering holes come summer.

Spaces that could host the international performance include the St Jakobshalle concert hall and St Jakob-Park FC Basel sports stadium.

The newly opened St Galler Kantonalbank Hall in St Gallen has been proposed as a potential venue with the space to host 12,000 Eurovision fans.

Christine Bolt, head of the Olma Messen AG in eastern Switzerland expressed her support for St Gallen to take centre stage next year.

Bolt said: “Thanks to the new hall, we are playing in the first league.

“It is part of our core mission to carry out events in the interests of Eastern Switzerland. Together with our partners in the next phase, we will check whether we officially apply or not.”

If the contest was to set up in St Gallen, the charming north eastern city features a renowned business university and the baroque facades and library of the Unesco-listed Abbey of Saint Gall.

How is the Eurovision host city decided?

The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and the EBU will select a shortlisted city based on their proposals and require that they meet the hosting criteria for the contest. A group of organisers are currently working in Bern to plan the details of the eccentric music competition.

A Eurovision destination must have:

• A venue with a capacity for at least 10,000 people 
• A press centre for journalists
• Reach to an international airport 
• Enough hotel accommodation to host delegates and their teams 

Switzerland’s chosen host city is expected to be officially announced in September after the Host City Bid process and ahead of ticket sales.

Read more: Basel city guide: Where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Switzerland’s underrated third city

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Must-Pass Defense Bill Includes 4.5% Military Pay Raise on Top of 15% Increase for Junior Enlisted Troops

A key House panel is endorsing a 4.5% across-the-board pay raise for service members on top of a 15% raise for junior enlisted troops in a must-pass defense policy bill that was released Monday.

The recommendation from the House Armed Services Committee in its draft version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, means the military's lowest-ranking forces could see a 19.5% pay hike next year if the plan becomes law.

There are still several hurdles before the bill becomes law, including negotiations with the Senate, which has not yet revealed its plans for a military pay raise next year. But inclusion in the base text of the House NDAA signals that House members will prioritize increasing junior enlisted pay as the defense bill works its way through Congress.

Read Next: 'It's OK Not to Be OK': Special Operations Wing Orders Stand-Down After Roger Fortson's Police Killing

Members of the House Armed Services Committee previously said they wanted to give E-1s through E-4s a 15% pay raise after a bipartisan group of lawmakers empaneled to study military quality-of-life issues found military pay has lagged behind inflation and private-sector pay.

The committee introduced a bill last month to enact the 15% pay raise. Committee leaders said they planned to include the bill in their NDAA.

Meanwhile, by law, all service members are entitled to an annual raise. The raise they are entitled to next year is 4.5%, which is also the rate the Biden administration requested in its annual budget proposal to Congress.

The proposed House NDAA that was released Monday includes both the across-the-board raise and the targeted raise for junior enlisted members, meaning E-1s through E-4s would get a 19.5% raise next year, according to the bill text and committee staffers who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the committee.

"Members were seeing that some kids are making more money at Walmart or Home Depot," a senior staffer for committee Republicans said at the briefing. "If we're asking young kids to launch multimillion-dollar planes off billion-dollar aircraft [carriers], we should pay them a little more than your greeter at Walmart."

While top senators have also indicated they are interested in re-examining junior enlisted pay this year, they have not fully endorsed the House plan yet. The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to work on its version of the NDAA next month.

Also unclear is where the Biden administration will fall on the targeted raise for junior enlisted troops.

Last year, when some House members tried to give junior enlisted troops a 30% pay bump, administration officials opposed the proposal on the ground that they believed it was premature amid a comprehensive review of military pay. The administration's review is not expected to be done until the end of the year, and defense officials have continued to defer to the review when asked about increasing junior enlisted pay.

But House committee staffers argued their proposal should not be a "big surprise" to the administration since the House got close to hiking junior enlisted pay last year and the 15% rate the House Armed Services Committee chose this year is aligned with one of the options the administration's review is considering.

The House committee is scheduled to debate its NDAA next week.

Related: 'Restore Real Value': House Panel Wants to Give Junior Enlisted Troops 15% Pay Raise

Rebecca Kheel

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Senate Approves Bill to Reauthorize F.A.A. and Improve Air Travel

The Senate also passed a short-term extension of the current F.A.A. law to give the House time to clear the longer-term package early next week.

By Kayla Guo

Reporting from the Capitol

The Senate on Thursday passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs for the next five years and put in place new safety measures and consumer protections for passengers, at a moment of intense uncertainty and disruption in the air travel system.

The bill , which still must win final approval in the House before becoming law, would provide more than $105 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration and another $738 million to the National Transportation Safety Board for airport modernization, technology programs and safety. It would also bolster the hiring and training of air traffic controllers, codify airlines’ refund obligations to passengers, ensure fee-free family seating and strengthen protections for passengers with disabilities.

“Aviation safety has been front of mind for millions of Americans recently, and this F.A.A. bill is the best thing Congress can do to give Americans the peace of mind they deserve,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, said on the Senate floor on Thursday evening.

It passed in an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 88 to 4, just one day before the current law is scheduled to lapse. The Senate also unanimously approved a short-term extension to allow time for the House to take up and clear the longer-term package next week, a step that would send it to President Biden.

The legislation is a bipartisan compromise negotiated over months by the Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over the F.A.A., after Congress authorized several short-term extensions of the agency when lawmakers failed to meet earlier deadlines. The House passed its version of the bill almost a year ago in a lopsided vote of 351 to 69.

Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, chairwoman of the Commerce Committee, celebrated the bill’s provisions on consumer protections, aviation safety, air traffic controllers, airport infrastructure and work force development on the floor after passage.

“This is a big moment for aviation,” Ms. Cantwell said. “We have had safety issues and concerns that we need to make a big investment. This legislation is that investment — in safety standards, in protecting consumers and advancing a work force and technology that will allow the United States to be the gold standard in aviation.”

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, said: “This legislation is a strong, bipartisan, bicameral bill that includes hundreds of priorities for senators and representatives, both Republican and Democrat. This bill gives the FAA the safety tools it needs at a critical time.”

As one of the few remaining bills considered a must-pass item this year, the F.A.A. package, which prompted several regional disputes, became a magnet for dozens of amendments and policy riders that threatened to delay it in the Senate.

With the legislation threatening to stall, the House on Wednesday approved a one-week extension for the F.A.A. before leaving Washington for the weekend. The Senate followed suit on Thursday, steering around lingering disputes that had threatened to scuttle the effort and cause a brief lapse for the F.A.A.

The debate came at a time of acute uncertainty about the aviation system, which has had a recent spate of concerning episodes such as dangerous near collisions on runways, plane malfunctions and thousands of flight delays and cancellations.

It was unclear for much of Thursday whether the Senate would be able to push through the legislation and the extension, as senators demanded votes on amendments or threatened to block speedy passage. No amendments were ultimately brought to a vote.

The most intense regional fight was over a provision in the bill that would add five round-trip long-haul flights out of Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington. Proponents, which include Delta Air Lines, have said they want to expand access to the nation’s capital and increase competition.

The proposal incensed lawmakers representing the area , who argued that the airport maintains the busiest runway in the country and cannot support additional flights. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner of Virginia and Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, all Democrats, filed an amendment to strike the new flights.

Mr. Kaine and Mr. Warner threatened to hold the bill up if they did not receive a vote. But Mr. Cruz blocked an effort to bring up a compromise amendment that would have given the transportation secretary the final say on new flights after considering any effects they would have on delays and passenger safety.

“The Senate abdicated its responsibility to protect the safety of the 25 million people who fly through D.C.A. every year,” Mr. Kaine and Mr. Warner said in a statement. “Some of our colleagues were too afraid to let the experts make the call. They didn’t want to show the American people that they care more about a few lawmakers’ desire for direct flights than they care about the safety and convenience of the traveling public. That is shameful and an embarrassment.”

The senators from Virginia and Maryland were the only votes against the bill.

Another group of senators failed to secure a vote on a proposal to halt the Transportation Security Administration’s expansion of facial recognition technology at airports and restrict it where it is in use.

Senators had also proposed adding a number of unrelated bills, including one that would compensate people harmed by exposure to the nation’s nuclear weapons program , legislation to fully fund the replacement of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and a credit card competition measure. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Republican of Tennessee, and Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, were pushing for a vote on their bill to protect minors online into Thursday. None of them made it into the final product.

An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the bridge in Baltimore that collapsed. It is the Francis Scott Key Bridge, not the Francis Key Scott Bridge.

How we handle corrections

Kayla Guo covers Congress for The New York Times as the 2023-24 reporting fellow based in Washington. More about Kayla Guo

Our Coverage of Congress

Here’s the latest news and analysis from capitol hill..

Aviation Bill: The House passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs  and improve air travel  at a time of intense passenger woes and dysfunction in the system, sending the bill to President Biden.

Addressing A.I.: A bipartisan group of senators released a long-awaited legislative plan for A.I. , calling for billions in funding to propel American leadership in the technology while offering few details on regulations.

A White-Collar Indictment: Representative Henry Cuellar started from humble origins, but records show he welcomed the trappings of power afforded by his position. Here’s how an indictment shattered his blue-collar image .

Biden Impeachment: A crop of freshman Democrats on the House Oversight Committee has countered Republicans’ allegations against Biden with attention-grabbing charges of their own .

Marjorie Taylor Greene: The hard-right congresswoman from Georgia failed spectacularly  in her bid to depose Speaker Mike Johnson. But for a figure who sees her power in creating chaos, the loss was the point .

Swiss duty-free retailer Avolta's turnover hits $3.1 bln as travel recovers

The group also posted core earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 168.6 million Swiss francs, up from 134.1 million for the same period in 2023.

"With a strong start in the first quarter and continued positive trends in the second, we confidently prepare for the upcoming summer season," said Chief Executive Xavier Rossinyol.

Avolta has been benefiting from a strong rebound in global travel, particularly in Europe and the U.S., as global passenger traffic edges closer to pre-pandemic levels worldwide.

The company confirmed its full-year and medium-term targets and said turnover in the Asia-Pacific region grew by 5.5% organically to 144.3 million Swiss francs, driven by a recovery in intra-regional traffic.

($1 = 0.9004 Swiss francs)