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Swiss train passes made easy: Find your fit

Whether you’re hopping between lakeside cities, climbing Alpine peaks, or cruising on glacier-fed lakes, a rail pass lets you do it all with ease.

But not all passes are created equal. From all-you-can-travel options to half-price freedom, Switzerland offers several tailored choices. This guide breaks it all down so you can pick the right one for your adventure.

What to know before booking your Swiss travel pass

Before you hit “book,” there are a few key differences between these Swiss passes that can impact your plans, flexibility, and savings.

Swiss Travel Pass – For all-inclusive explorers

How it works: Hop on trains, buses, boats—no separate tickets needed. Show your pass, and you're good.
Extras: 500+ museums free, and full access to scenic rides and lake cruises.
Note: No seat reservations included—if you're taking scenic trains like Glacier Express, reserve separately.

Swiss Half Fare Card – for flexible, pay-as-you-go travel

How it works: Buy tickets as you go—at 50% off.
Note: No travel start date needed at checkout—buy anytime and activate when you're ready.

Berner Oberland Pass – for adventure-filled stays in the Alps

How it works: Unlimited travel in the Bernese Oberland region (Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, plus Lucerne, Bern & more).
Note: Buy online before you travel—the validity starts from your selected date (no on-the-spot activation).

Which Swiss Pass is best for you?

Feature

Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Half Fare Card

Berner Oberland Pass

Travel type

Unlimited travel

Pay as you go, 50% off

Unlimited regional travel

Transport modes

Trains, buses, boats, trams

Trains, buses, boats (regional)

Validity

3, 4, 6, 8, 15 days

1 month

3 to 10 days

Museum entry

500+ free museums

Not included

Certain attractions only

Best for

Multi-city, culture-packed trips

Mix of big trips & rest days

Bernese Alps adventure trips

Kid-friendly?

Free with Swiss Family Card

CHF 30 / free with family card

Unlock these attractions with your train pass

1/4

Scenic Routes

Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama, GoldenPass Line
✅ Included in Swiss Travel Pass

Your Swiss rail passes in action

Swiss Travel Pass

Smart strategy:
Use it on your busiest days—stack museums, scenic trains, and lake cruises. Start early, travel far, and don’t forget the free mountain rides.

3-day itinerary:

Day 1: Zürich museums + train to Lucerne
Day 2: Lake Lucerne cruise + Mt. Rigi
Day 3: Bern + GoldenPass scenic ride to Interlaken

Swiss Half Fare Card

Smart strategy:
Perfect for longer trips with rest days in between. Use it on your longest, most expensive train journeys.

3-day itinerary (spaced out):

Day 1: Geneva to Zermatt (50% off)
Day 4: Glacier Express to St. Moritz
Day 8: Jungfraujoch or Titlis

Berner Oberland Pass

Smart strategy:
Base yourself in Interlaken or Grindelwald. Bundle cable cars + cruises in a day for max savings.

3-day itinerary:

Day 1: Interlaken → Mürren → Schilthorn
Day 2: Grindelwald + Männlichen + First Cliff Walk
Day 3: Harder Kulm + Lake Brienz cruise

Tips for choosing a Swiss rail pass

Map your trip before picking a pass. If you're staying in one region, a local pass like the Berner Oberland Pass might be all you need. Want museums and national travel? Swiss Travel Pass wins.
Factor in rest days. If you’re not traveling every day, choose a flex pass or the Half Fare Card to avoid overpaying.
Use the SBB mobile app. It shows exact fares, Half Fare discounts, and makes itinerary planning much easier.
Traveling with kids? The free Swiss Family Card lets children aged 6–15 ride free with a parent holding a valid pass.
Skip queues and sometimes save with online-only deals by booking your pass in advance.

Frequently asked questions about choosing the right Swiss pass

What’s the difference between consecutive and flexible versions of a pass?

A consecutive pass gives you unlimited travel on back-to-back days (e.g., 3 days in a row). A flex pass lets you choose specific travel days within a longer window (e.g., 3 travel days within 1 month).

Can I combine two different passes on the same trip?

Yes! Many travelers pair the Swiss Half Fare Card with regional passes like the Berner Oberland Pass to maximize savings on both long-distance and local travel.

Are the passes valid for travel to neighboring countries like Italy or France?

Swiss rail passes cover only domestic routes. For cross-border trains (e.g. Geneva to Paris or Zürich to Milan), you’ll need a separate international ticket or pay the cross-border portion.

Is the Berner Oberland Pass valid for travel to Zermatt or St. Moritz?

No, the Berner Oberland Pass is regional. Zermatt and St. Moritz lie outside its coverage area, so you’d need to pay separately or use a nationwide pass.

What happens if I lose my pass?

If you’ve purchased it online, you can usually re-download it via your email or account. Paper versions are harder to replace—contact the issuing agent immediately.