Travel By Train Around Switzerland Using a Rail Pass
There is no better way to explore Switzerland than with a Swiss rail pass, as it offers unlimited train travel across the country and provides the best value for money.
If you plan to travel extensively around Switzerland, the best option is an Interrail or Eurail pass. The primary difference between these two is that Interrail passes are for European residents, while Eurail passes are for travellers from outside Europe.
ONE country pass Switzerland
If you are eligible for an Interrail pass, you can choose between a One Country Pass Switzerland – valid only within Swiss borders – or a more expensive Global Interrail Pass, which covers travel across the entire continent. Unfortunately, there is no Eurail One Country Pass for Switzerland, so if you live outside of Europe, your only option is to buy one of the Global Eurail Passes.
Note that Swiss residents aren’t eligible to buy a One Country Pass Switzerland, as it is intended exclusively for foreign tourists from other European countries.
Below you can see the available rail passes available for Switzerland. Seniors aged 60 and over and youths aged 12 to 27 receive discounted fares, while children aged 4 to 11 travel free when accompanied by an adult with a valid Interrail or Eurail pass. To purchase your Swiss rail pass, simply click ‘buy pass’ for the Eurail or Interrail pass you want, choose first or second class, apply any discounts you might be eligible for, and complete your booking.
Interrail one country pass SWITZERLAND:
GLOBAL INTERRAIL PASSES:
GLOBAL EURAIL PASSES:
HOW DOES a eurail or interrail pass WORK in switzerland?
Within its validity period, your Eurail or Interrail pass allows unlimited travel on all trains operated by Switzerland’s national rail company, SBB.
The pass is also valid on numerous other railway companies operating in Switzerland, including Zentralbahn, Rhaetische Bahn, Südostbahn, MOB (Chemin de fer Montreux–Oberland Bernois), FART (Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi), and BOB (Berner Oberland Bahn). It is likewise valid on trains operated by foreign rail companies such as Germany’s Deutsche Bahn and Italy’s Trenitalia, provided your journey remains within Switzerland’s borders. A complete overview of all Swiss railway companies that accept the Eurail and Interrail passes can be found in this handy PDF file.
Rail passes come with different numbers of travel days that can be used within a set period. For instance, a “4 days in a month” pass gives you unlimited train travel on any four separate days within one month. The one-month validity begins when you first activate the pass, usually on your initial travel day.. You can then use your remaining four travel days at any time within a month from that starting date. Continuous passes, on the other hand, are valid for consecutive days — for example, a “10 days in a row” pass starts on your first day of travel and remains valid for the following nine days.
The main advantage of an Interrail or Eurail Pass is the flexibility it offers. Rather than purchasing multiple individual tickets, you can simply board any train included in your pass. This makes spontaneous travel far easier, giving you the freedom to choose when and where to travel without sticking to a fixed schedule.
Simply put, a rail pass offers a convenient and highly economical way to explore Switzerland, especially for travellers who want to see a lot in a limited time.
OTHER PASS ADVANTAGES
Another benefit of a Eurail or Interrail pass is that it offers significant discounts on certain boat and steamer services across the Swiss lakes, as well as on selected cable cars, mountain railways, and rack railways.
Notable examples include 50% discounts on boat trips on Lake Constance operated by BSB Bodensee, on SGV ships on Lake Lucerne, and on CGN ships on Lake Geneva. For rack and mountain railways, the most notable discounts include 50% off the Rigi Railways, the Pilatus Railway (the steepest in the world), and the Jungfrau Railway (the highest in Europe).
See the Eurail and Interrail Switzerland PDF for a full overview of the discounts available when presenting your pass.
OTHER Swiss RAIL cards and PASSES
Besides the Eurail and Interrail passes for Switzerland, there are several other rail cards and train passes worth considering for your trip.
One of these is the Swiss Day Pass, which offers unlimited travel for one day across Switzerland on public transport, including most regular trains, buses, and boat services in the country. Another option is the Swiss Half Fare Card, which reduces Switzerland’s often expensive train fares by 50%.
You will need to do some calculations to determine whether a Eurail or Interrail pass, or one of these two options, offers the best value for your trip, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It largely depends on how extensive your travels around the country will be, whether you can take advantage of the additional discounts, and whether your journey includes other countries besides Switzerland.
Enjoy the great sights of SWITZERLAND by train
Whether you are visiting Switzerland’s major cities such as Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva, Basel, or Bern, exploring scenic railway routes like the Bernina Express, or heading into the Alps, travelling by train is the best way to see the country – and a Swiss rail pass is often the most convenient and cost-effective option!