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How to use a Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Travel Pass is your ideal ticket to explore the whole of Switzerland. This pass is all you need to access the Swiss Travel System, which includes trains, buses, boats, and more. Defined by the mountainous landscape, Switzerland is made even more accessible with your pass offering free or discounted access to peaks like Mount Rigi, Stoos, Jungfraujoch, and more. The pass can be personalized as per your travel requirements. Perks like entry to 500 museums, free public transport in 90+ cities, and flexibility make the Swiss Travel Pass a valuable travel asset.
How to choose the right Swiss Travel Pass?
Step 1: Choose pass type
Swiss Continuous Travel Pass
- Best suited for: Travelers who are constantly on the move
- Continuously valid from the date of activation
Swiss Flexible Travel Pass
- Best suited for: Travelers planning a paced-out journey
- Valid for select days of your choosing within a set timeframe
Swiss Half Fare Card
- Best suited for: Travelers planning a long stay in Switzerland
- Purchase tickets at 50% reduction
Step 2: Choose a travel class
First-class pass
- Best suited for: Travelers seeking privacy
- Quiet atmosphere ideal for working, reading, or relaxing
- More amenities at your service like spacious seats, ample legroom, larger workstations, better power access, and sometimes at-seat meals
Second-class pass
- Best suited for: Budget travelers
- Communal journey with more like-minded travelers
- Affordable rail passes that offer services to make your trip comfortable
Step 3: Choose pass validity
Continuous Pass
- 3/4/6/8/15-days of constant validity
Flexible Pass
- Valid for 3/4/6/8/15-random days of your choosing within a month
*Swiss Half Fare Card is valid for 1 month
Book Swiss Travel Passes
How to use a Swiss Travel Pass?
Using a Swiss Travel Pass is straightforward and fully digital. However, they do vary slightly with the pass type. Check out the section below to learn more about using the Flexible Pass, Continuous Pass, and Half-Fare Card.
How to redeem your Swiss Flexible Travel Pass?
How to redeem your Swiss Continuous Travel Pass?
How to redeem your Swiss Half Fare Card?
- An email voucher with a Swiss Flexible Travel Pass receipt will be sent upon booking confirmation
- Go to www.activateyourpass.com, input all the necessary details & choose your travel days to activate your Swiss Travel Pass
- You will receive a separate e-ticket for each activated travel day
- Reserve your seats if required
- Produce the activated pass, seat reservation tickets, and passport upon inspection
- Upon booking confirmation, an e-voucher with the Swiss Continuous Travel Pass attached as a PDF will be sent to your email
- Download the Pass and print it out
- The pass will be automatically activated on the date you selected while booking
- Reserve seats if required
- Upon inspection, produce your Continuous Pass, seat reservation tickets, and passport
- Once payment is confirmed, you will receive your Swiss Half Fare Card pdf via email
- Download and print it out
- The pass will be automatically activated on the date you selected while booking
- Display your Half Fare Card while purchasing tickets online, at manned railway stations, from the ticketing machines at rail stations, or through the SBB app, to avail of the discount.
- Upon inspection, produce your train tickets, and passport
Travel tips
- Seat reservations: If reservations are necessary, be sure to book them in advance as they can run out during peak season.
- Ticket validity: Once activated, Swiss Travel Passes are valid from 00:00 AM to 05:00 AM the next day. So if you are on a night train on the last day of the pass's validity, you can travel till 5 AM the next morning.
- Inclusions: Be sure to take advantage of the useful inclusions with the pass. Mountains railway excursions to Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos are free and many others including Jungfraujoch are discounted. You also get to visit many museums.
- Digital Pass: Your Swiss Travel Pass is conveniently digital. But if you feel old-school and want to keep the ticket as a souvenir of a great trip, or want to be on the safe side, print it out.
- Essential documents: Ticket inspectors will ask for your passport, visa, or residency card along with the Swiss Travel Pass. Take note to carry them.
- First-class tickets: First-class tickets come with many perks making it a good purchase for those seeking an elevated experience. Certain Swiss boats have first class on the upper deck with better viewing areas.
- Discounted travel routes: If the pass permits discounted access to certain routes, you need to purchase those tickets online or at stations and show the pass to avail of the discount.
- Continuous Pass validity: If you have an activated Continuous Pass, and you haven’t traveled on a day, it still constitutes a travel day.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in my Swiss Travel Pass?
A Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited journeys on Swiss trains including premium scenic trains, buses, and boats. Public transport in 90+ cities is also free with a Swiss Travel Pass. It offers discounts for cable cars, and mountain railway at Jungfraujoch, Gornergrat etc. You can also access many museums and landmarks freely with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Who is eligible for a Swiss Travel Pass?
Tourists who are non-residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein are eligible for a Swiss Travel Pass.
How do I activate my Swiss Travel Pass?
Swiss Continuous Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card are automatically activated on the date you choose while booking. A Swiss Flexible Travel Pass must be activated at www.activateyourpass.com.
How do I use my Swiss Travel Pass at the station?
If you have a Swiss Continuous Travel Pass or a Swiss Flexible Travel Pass, simply turn up at the station and board with your pass. You can take any available seat. If you have a Swiss Half Fare Card, purchase tickets from the station or online and board with those discounted train tickets. Make advance seat reservations with the Swiss Travel Pass if required.
When can I start using my Swiss Travel Pass?
In the case of the Swiss Continuous Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card, you can start using the pass from the date you selected while purchasing your pass. For the Swiss Flexible Travel Pass, you can use the pass as and when the travel day is activated. The one-month expiration date is calculated from the first travel day in this case.
What is the difference between first-class and second-class tickets?
The first class offers a noise-less environment apt for working, reading, and relaxing. They also come with better amenities like comfy and spacious seats, wide legroom, and sometimes at-seat catering. On boats, first class is on the upper deck with better viewing capacity. On the other hand, second class is more budget-friendly. You can continue to enjoy comfortable amenities and meet a lot of like-minded fellow travelers en route.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
A Swiss Travel Pass is totally worth it if you have plans for extensive Swiss exploration. The more you travel with trains, buses, and boats, the more the pass makes sense economically. It also lends flexibility to your trip and offers many perks.
What should I keep in mind while booking a Swiss Travel Pass?
While booking a Swiss Travel Pass, be sure to have a general idea of your itinerary to choose the right pass with the required validity. If you have chosen a Continuous Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card, you need to be very careful when you select the date. This becomes the date your pass gets activated for travel. Also, be sure to cross-verify your email address as the pass is sent there.
What documents should I produce while traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass?
Along with your Swiss Travel Pass, carry your Passport, visa/residence card, and seat reservation tickets if required.
What routes does the Swiss Travel Pass cover?
Check out the Swiss Travel Pass map to discover the routes covered by the pass.
Does Swiss Travel Pass offer reduced pricing for children?
Yes, Swiss Travel Passes offer reduced pricing for youth and children. Children below the age of 6 can travel for free, given they do not occupy any seats.
How will I receive my Swiss Travel Pass?
You will receive your pass as an e-ticket which can be downloaded and printed.