how to travel by train in switzerland

Everything To Know About Train Travel in Switzerland

By: Author Charles

Posted on July 26, 2023

When it comes to transport around Switzerland, it does not get much better than the country’s train network. The Swiss trains are known to be some of the most convenient and dependable trains in the world. During a trip to the country, you will get to experience exactly that for yourself.

There are many important things to understand about the Swiss trains to better prepare yourself for your time there. From travel passes and discounts, to scenic trains and mountain railways, the Switzerland train network has a lot to take into consideration.

Read on to learn everything there is to know about train travel in Switzerland for your trip to this beautiful country.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Introduction to Train Travel in Switzerland

Without a doubt the most convenient, cost effective and easy way to travel around Switzerland is by train. From east to west and north to south, trains run anywhere and everywhere.

Not only are trains prevalent throughout the country, they are also extremely timely and rarely run off schedule. Switzerland has logistics figured out to a tee, so even if there are only a few minutes between train connections, no worries at all.

Now while trains are the main way to get from one city to the next in Switzerland, they are intertwined with other modes of transportation within cities.

Busses, trams, mountain rails, boats and cable cars, among others are also vastly used. All these examples are just as efficient as the train system and are an integral part of getting around a certain city or mountain range.

As a tourist visiting Switzerland, odds are you will be utilizing the transportation system quite often. Instead of paying for full priced tickets for each and every route, Switzerland has different train passes to offer its visitors. I will go over the options in the next section of the guide to explain the pros and cons of each offering.

On top of train passes, the guide will cover many more topics regarding train travel such as understanding different train classes, buying individual tickets, learning more about the Swiss train app, among plenty other topics. So, read on for everything you need to know about train travel in Switzerland!

2) Switzerland Travel Pass Options

Probably the most talked about topic regarding Switzerland trains is travel passes. There are a few different options to go over to figure out which one will be best for your trip.

Now, if you only plan on taking a train or two during your stay, then travel passes will most likely not be for you.

However, if you plan on hitting numerous cities and traveling frequently within cities, then travel passes are sure to save you some cash. The following are the main options to choose from:

A) Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass will get you unlimited travel on nearly every form of transportation throughout the country for one flat rate. You can choose from a 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 day pass.

The great thing about the Travel Pass is that besides for some mountain transport (25% – 50% off), you will not have to pre-purchase tickets from the ticket machines, rather you will just be able to walk onto a train or bus and show your travel pass when asked by the conductor.

Another positive is that the Travel Pass includes some free/discounted excursions such as the cable cars up to the Schilthorn from Murren (50% off), the route up to Jungfraujoch (25% off) and the Mount Rigi excursion outside of Lucerne (100% off), among many others.

You will also be able to get into hundreds of museums for free. Below is a price table of how much it costs for the two different classes.

A few notes about the prices in general:

• Adults between the ages of 16-25 get a 30% discount on the below prices
• Children between the ages of 6-16 travel free if accompanied by a parent (with a Swiss Family Card – more on that soon)
• Children under 6 are always free

So to quickly recap, the Swiss Travel Pass offers:

• One flat all included price for all transportation (extra cost for some mountain railways and Panorama train reservations)
• Certain excursions 100% included (i.e. Mount Rigi, Lake Boat Tours), while others discounted (i.e. Jungfraujoch 25% off, Pilatus & Schilthorn 50% off)
• No need to buy separate tickets each time (besides some mountain transport) – just get right onto the train and show the conductor your pass
• Hundreds of museums throughout the country included in the pass

B) Swiss Travel Pass Flex

Very similar to the prior mentioned Travel Pass, the Swiss Travel Pass Flex offers the same type of benefits, however instead of it being active for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days in a row, it can be used on non consecutive days and is valid for a month .

So, if you will be in Switzerland for 8 days but will only be using public transportation on days 1, 5 and 7, you can purchase the 3 day Travel Pass Flex instead of a 8 day Travel Pass as an example.

The downside though, compared to the regular Travel Pass it will cost more due to the flexibility aspect of it. All other benefits from the Swiss Travel Pass apply (including the age discounts).

C) Swiss Half Fare Card

The Half Fare Card is also a very popular choice for train travel in Switzerland. There are some important things to note regarding the Half Fare Card. For one it is a flat rate at 120 CHF and lasts 30 days.

So more likely than not, the card will last you your full trip rather than worrying about when to start/end your full travel pass.

As you might imagine by purchasing the Half Fare Card, everything you purchase will be half off – trains, busses, boats, & mountain transport – all 50% off (with some mountain transport at 25% off).

With the Half Fare Card you are also required to actually purchase tickets before you get onto the train (be sure to select half fare when making the purchase). When the conductor comes by you will have to show both your ticket and the card.

» Check out this map of the Switzerland rail network that goes into detail on what is included with the three passes mentioned above.

D) Saver Day Pass & 1 Day Travelpass

There are two options for those that are looking for unlimited one day travel in Switzerland – the Saver Day Pass and 1 Day Travelpass.

The Saver Day Pass gives you free unlimited travel on trains and busses but just for one single day. However, there is no discount on mountain transport or free museums like the Swiss Travel Pass would give you (beyond a few exceptions).

Similarly, the 1 Day Travelpass can be purchased but only if you already have a Swiss Half Fare Card.

The thought here is if you have one big day of travel with some expensive routes, purchasing one of these passes will end up being more economical for you if you have a Half Fare Card or no type of travel pass at all.

E) Swiss Family Pass

One of the great things about train travel in Switzerland is that the prices for children are much more reasonable and, in some cases, even free!

If a parent has any of the aforementioned Swiss passes (Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, Swiss Half Fare Card, etc) then any child under the age of 16 can travel for free.

The Family Pass is completely free of charge as along as the children are traveling with someone who has one of the passes.

You can add the Family Pass as part of your purchase if buying beforehand or just pick one up at a station ticket counter.

Purchasing Travel Passes

If you would like to have everything set prior to your trip (which I would recommend), you can purchase your Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex online ahead of time.

• Swiss Travel Pass -> buy online
• Swiss Travel Pass Flex -> buy online

You will have the option of choosing 3, 4, 6, 8, & 15 day options in either Second Class or First Class.

Alternatively, you can check out the SBB website for the other options. Click the link, scroll down to “Guests from abroad”, and choose the travel pass that is right for you. You can also buy these tickets at train station ticket offices throughout Switzerland (besides for the Saver Day Pass which must be purchased online beforehand).

Learn More: Are you deciding which travel pass is best for you? Be sure to read through this overview that dives deeper into the differences of the Swiss Travel Pass and the Half Fare Card .

3) Tickets Without A Travel Pass

I am sure there are also travelers who are only taking a couple quick train rides within the country and therefore will have no need for a travel pass. In this case you will have to buy individual full fare tickets.

On the SBB website you can take a look at different at different routes. After inputting your route and date, you can then click on a certain route time and you will then see the price come up.

Here is the important part to note – the price shown will reflect half of the actual cost of the train!

Since many Swiss citizens have passes that give them half off transportation, the default setting on the website will show the half fare.

This is a very important detail to note as you do not want to arrive in Switzerland and expect one price when purchasing tickets and then a price double what you thought pops up.

So if buying individual tickets and want to know how much tickets will cost always take a look if the half fare price is showing.

A second thing to note here is that some prices you see online may have a small “%” symbol.

This means that particular train has a discounted price and you can go ahead and purchase cheaper tickets than regular fare if you know you want to travel that exact route/time.

You may now ask, how am I supposed to understand the logistics between all of these different modes of transportation.

Well for that, Switzerland offers what is one of the most convenient phone apps there is – SBB Mobile .

SBB or Swiss Federal Railways is the national railway of Switzerland. You will see on many of the trains the letters “SBB CFF FFS” (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen – Chemins de fer Federaux Suisses – Ferrovie Federali Svizzere) – German – French – Italian – the three main languages that can be found throughout Switzerland.

Similar to the website, on the app, you can either select your destination and where you will be coming from, as well as the time and date, and you will be able to see a complete logistical schedule of how to get from point A to point B.

It will list out different options, length of travel, platform numbers and show exactly what types of transportation you will have to take along your journey. Here are a few screenshot from the app to get from Zurich to Geneva .

5) Buying tickets

If you do not purchase a Swiss Travel Pass (or flex), then you will have to go to the ticket machines or counter prior to each train ride and buy a ticket for that particular ride.

Below are a set of screenshots that walk you through the process of buying a ticket from these machines (note: I did not include every single step but for the most part it is pretty simple to operate).

Also, if you are a holder of the Half Fare Card make sure you purchase a half fare ticket!

Swiss Travel Pass : Are you planning on traveling frequently throughout Switzerland during your trip? Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass to save some money!

6) First vs. Second Class

One of the decisions you will have to make regarding train travel in Switzerland is whether to get a first or second class train ticket. First class tickets cost quite a bit more money than second class and depending on what type of traveler you are, it may be worth it.

The main two differences between 1 st and 2 nd would be comfort and quiet.

First class seats are wider and more comfortable than second class seats. You can definitely tell the difference but that is not to say that second class seats are uncomfortable.

I also want to point out that every train can be different, with some first classes being very high class and others not as much.

The second difference to point out is that first class is noticeably quieter and at times less hectic than second class. Especially when you get to some of the more touristy areas (around Interlaken for example) there are a large number of tourists getting onto these trains.

So many at times that people are standing and sitting on the stairs. It also can get very loud in these situations.

In first class, it is much more relaxed and quiet. There are not as many people in the cabin and you (probably) won’t have to worry about seating arrangements throughout your trip.

Below are some pictures showing the difference between 1st and 2nd class. The first two pictures are 1st class and you can see they have some wider seats, an armrest and are generally more comfortable.

Note in this last picture, the train car is actually split into two (1st class one section and 2nd class another). In the background you can see those 1st class seats and how they compare to those in the forefront of the picture.

Another last thing to note about 1st and 2nd class is that before you actually get on the train, most platforms have sections (A, B, C, D, etc) and on the electronic screens it will show you which section you should stand next to for each class.

If you do end up getting onto a first class section with a second class ticket, you will just have to walk forward/backward depending on where the second class train cars are.

7) Mountain Transport

Throughout the article I had mentioned a few times that some mountain transport options are not fully included in the travel passes.

To give you a better sense of what that means I have listed out a few of the main mountain transport routes that you may take while visiting the Jungfrau region .

Of course there are more mountain transport options beyond this area, but the below can give you a sense of what is and is not fully covered under the travel passes.

• Interlaken to Wengen (via Lauterbrunnen) – 100% covered by Swiss Pass
• Wengen to Mannlichen (via cable car) – 50% covered by Swiss Pass
• Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg (mountain train) – 25% covered by Swiss Pass
• Interlaken to Murren (either via Lauterbrunnen valley bus or Grutschalp cable car) – 100% covered by Swiss Pass
• Interlaken to Grindelwald (train) – 100% covered by Swiss Pass
• Grindelwald to First (cable car) – 50% covered by Swiss Pass

As a general way to think about it, once you start taking cable cars, cogwheels, and some higher up trains, you will pay 25% – 50% of the cost with the travel pass (or course the half fare card will give you the 50% off of everything).

For the Jungfrau region you can take a look at the ticket prices for different routes to get a better idea on how much certain trains cost.

8) Panoramic / Scenic Trains

In Switzerland there are certain routes that are considered Panoramic or Scenic Train Rides.

While there are a variety of routes, four of the main ones include the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass, and Gotthard Panorama Express .

These trains are known to have some of the most spectacular of views throughout a journey. It is not uncommon for a full day’s activity to just be taking a train from one city to the next.

It is important to note that on some of these routes you may be able to book special trains or seats that are far more unique than a normal train ride.

Whether that be more luxurious options, full panoramic windows, or even seats that face the front window of the train.

While these may be options to consider, there are normal trains on the routes as well if you don’t need the full experience (i.e. you don’t need to book the actual Glacier Express trains).

Below is just a quick overview of the scenic trains mentioned above:

Glacier Express

Route : Zermatt to St Moritz Duration : 8 hours Highlights : Panoramic Windows & Optional “Excellence Class” Reservation : Required Normal Train Option : Yes, but not direct (4 different trains)

Bernina Express

Route : Chur to Tirano Duration : 4 hours Highlights : Panoramic Windows Reservation : Required Normal Train Option : Yes, but not direct

Route : Lucerne to Montreux Duration : 5.5 hours Highlights : Three different train rides connecting the route Reservation : Not required for first two legs; recommended for third leg Normal Train Option : Yes

Gotthard Panorama Express

Route : Lucerne to Lugano Duration : 5.5 hours Highlights : Boat Ride & Train Ride Reservation : Required Normal Train Option : Yes

9) Quick Tidbits

1. While you can reserve seats on certain normal trains (non scenic/panorama trains) for a small fee (5 CHF), it is not necessary and tickets do not run out . If it is a very popular time and the train is crowded, worse comes to worse you might have to stand (or catch the next train).

2. The one time you do have to purchase a reservation and book a seat would be on some of the Panorama train rides (i.e. Glacier Express).

3. There are lockers at nearly every main station . If you are making a pitstop in a city for a day when going from one place to the next, you can leave your luggage in lockers at the station. Large lockers are usually in the 7 CHF range.

4. Do not forget to keep your tickets if you are on a multi leg route . If you are switching trains you will have to show your tickets on each leg of the trip.

5. Not all doors open by themselves on a train . You will see buttons on both the outside and inside of trains (and busses) that will open the doors. It can get confusing at times when you are stopped at a station and the doors do not open so you might have to be a bit proactive here and open them yourself.

6. As mentioned earlier, before you get on a train the board will tell you which sections of the platform are for first vs second class. However it is also important to note that at certain stations, different sections of the platform will take you to different stations ! So be careful in these instances – on the SBB app it tells you pretty clearly what section to stand at if the train does split up at some point.

7. I will mention this again – trains run on time ! When a train says it will depart at 9:52 it will nearly always depart at 9:52. So give yourself time beforehand to get to the station, buy tickets (if needed) and make your way to the platform.

8. Last but not least – look outside! The scenery on some of these train rides are just incredible . From lakes to valleys to mountains, the trains travel through all types of landscapes. So instead of opting for that nap, take a look through the window and enjoy the surroundings.

That is your full recap for train travel in Switzerland. I know it if a lot of info and I don’t think I even covered all of it but the guide should be a great starting point for you to better understand how to prepare yourself for the train aspect of your trip.

As always if you have any questions or comments please feel free to write them in below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Check out the other Switzerland itineraries and guides up on the site like the guide to hiking in Switzerland . Thanks for reading and safe travels out there!

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Wednesday 3rd of January 2024

Hi Charles - Great blog and very very helpful.

I wanted to reach out and ask the following:

I am planning a train trip from Verbier-TV to St. Anton on February. I have a couple of options but wanted to ask you what would be the best time during the day.

The options are:

1. Verbier (10:30 AM) - St. Anton (5:00PM) 2. Verbier (11:30 AM) - St. Anton (7:00PM) 3. Verbier (2:30 PM) - St. Anton (9:00PM)

The cheapest option is the third option (2:30PM) but wanted to ask you if it's better to go on the earlier trains(10:30 AM and 11:30 AM) because of the views, landscapes and light? Or not worth the extra money?

Also, could you please give us your thoughts on no exchange/flexibility tickets?

Thursday 28th of December 2023

Hi. I wonder if people over the age of 65 are not welcome in Switzerland? I don't see information on how much do Swiss Travel Passes cost for people over 65s? Do you have information on that topic? Thank you.

Thursday 21st of December 2023

I have never read a travel blog so detailed and easy to understand!. Kudos to you Charles..I am planning 6 days in Switzerland in the end of May. I am planning to use your 5 days itinerary and to add to it one more day in Zurich to cover Rhine falls. Is it ok?.. and can I add three days to cover northern Italy? Milan, Lake Como, and Venice. Is it possible and how much extra is it going to cost me for Italy part? And I want to use Swiss travel pass. Thanks in advance.

Rocky Lewis

Tuesday 10th of October 2023

Is English widely spoken and do stations and machines take credit cards? Please and thank you?

Friday 13th of October 2023

Hi Rocky - English is spoken to an extent. I do not think you will have too much trouble for the most part. The machines do take credit card.

Saturday 30th of September 2023

hello Charles .

i have been breaking my head for past few days and luckily came across your blog here..what a life saver .

please advise (will try to keep it short)

we are planning from 14 Dec to 2 Jan 2024 , a couple & a 1.5 yrs baby.

1 how to go about , i want to cover zurich,lucerne (day trip probably) Jungfrau region stay at wengen or Lautter for 4 nights

then what? i want to go to zermatt but want to cover another place between Interlaken and zermatt(maybe stay there 2 nitghts)where can we go which is nice and scenic .. from zermatt galcier ex to st moritz ...back to zurich (train)

should i go for half fare or 15 day swiss pass

how to get the zermatt from interlaken

considering a baby , what weather can we expect mid to end dec is it super crowded in streets , stations etc

also are the walking roads stroller friendly ..

what can i do in Jungfrau valley for 4 nights

what about phone cards and should ne carry cash or cards are accepted evrey where ?

are euros also acceppted or only CHF

of with i could call you :)

thanks manu

Sunday 1st of October 2023

Hi Manu - glad the articles have helped. You have quite a few questions here so I will try my best to answer!

1) Between Interlaken and Zermatt, you can choose from a few options. I like the idea to detour to Bern, which is one of my favorite cities in Switzerland. It can give you a break from the mountains as you enjoy some city life for a day or so. Another option is Crans Montana, which is just off the route too - that will be more mountain focused.

2) It is hard to say Swiss Pass vs Half Fare Card without knowing every last train you are taking. However, I have usually found that the Swiss Pass is worth it, even if it is a bit more expensive. Having the flexibility to take trains when you want and not purchase tickets can be very helpful. Plus you do get tons of free museums if that is of interest.

3) Zermatt to Interlaken can just be done by train. Usually there may be some train switches in Visp and/or Spiez

4) The weather will begin to be on the colder side with snow up in the mountain towns. If you are going to be there during holidays, you can expect a larger amount of crowds around. But overall, it will still be an enjoyable experience.

5) Some streets will be stroller friendly, others maybe not as much depending on cobblestones, etc. I think for the most part it should be ok

6) I have many travel guides for the Jungfrau - feel free to browse the Switzerland page for more

7) You can purchase a SIM card at the airport. I used little cash in Switzerland as credit card were accepted in most places. Always bring some local currency just in case. Euros may be accepted in some places, but not all.

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Switzerland is high on the wish list of many Eurail travelers. You can explore Switzerland by rail with a Eurail Pass and travel through the snow-capped Alps, alongside beautiful mountain lakes and across rolling green hills. Switzerland's stunning nature and charming cities make this a country you don't want to miss!

Train types in Switzerland

You can enjoy a large choice of Swiss trains, each type ready to transport you across the country as well as to and from other European countries. Switzerland's national railway company is the  SBB  (Schweizerische BundesBahn). Use the  Interrail train timetable  or  SBB timetable  to check times for trains in Switzerland.

Click here to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB).

• Domestic trains
• High-speed trains
• Night trains
• Scenic trains
• Private trains

There are a number of train types in Switzerland ready to transport you across the country, and to and from other European countries by day and night. Switzerland's national railway company is the  SBB  (Schweizerische BundesBahn). Use the  Eurail train timetable  or  SBB timetable  to check times for trains in Switzerland.

Regional trains in Switzerland

The main rail network in Switzerland is made up of the following regional and intercity trains:

RegioExpress  trains link regional destinations with larger Swiss cities.

Regio  trains connect local towns. 

InterCity  trains link major Swiss cities like Basel and Geneva.

InterRegio  trains connect Zurich and Geneva with cities across the whole of Switzerland. These trains make more stops than InterCity trains.

• Zurich:  Your Interrail Pass is valid for the S-bahn of Zurich  except lines S4, S10 and S18 .
• See our  Timetable  for more details about availability.

Click here  to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network (2 MB)

Travel tip:

There's an international regional train connection between Chiasso and Milan (Italy). This connection is a great option if you want to avoid  reservation fees .

On the  Eurail timetable  RegioExpress trains are listed as "RE", and Regio trains as "R". InterCity trains are listed as "IC", and InterRegio trains as "IR". Regional and Intercity trains do not require seat reservations. Reservations are however recommended for Intercity trains during high season (May-September) and public holidays.

High-speed trains in Switzerland

International high-speed trains in switzerland .

These high-speed trains operate to and from Switzerland:

• Basel – Frankfurt – Cologne – Hamburg
• Basel – Stuttgart – Munich
• Reservations are compulsory during summer season (June 1st until September 1st)
• Interlaken - Basel – Frankfurt – Berlin
• Zürich - Basel – Frankfurt – Hannover – Hamburg - Kiel
• Zürich – Salzburg – Vienna – Bratislava/Budapest
• Zürich – Innsbruck – Graz 
• Interlaken/Zürich – Basel – Cologne – Hamburg 
• Zürich – Milan – Genova/Bologna/Verona/Venezia 
• Geneva – Lausanne – Milan 
• Basel – Bern/Luzern – Milan 
• Zürich – Frankfurt – Dresden – Prague (Overnight)
• Zürich – Stuttgart 
• Zürich – Frankfurt – Hamburg (overnight) 
• Zürich – Frankfurt – Amsterdam (overnight) 
• Zürich – Frankfurt – Berlin (overnight)
• Frankfurt – Basel – Milan 
• Zürich – Munich (Reservations are compulsory from June 1st until September 1st)
• Zürich – Basel – Paris 
• Lausanne – Geneva – Paris 
• Lausanne – Dijon – Paris 
• Geneva – Lyon – Marseille (Only 01 July till 27 August)

Domestic high-speed trains in Switzerland

Domestic high-speed Swiss trains are called  InterCity Neigezug (ICN) . ICN trains transport passengers quickly and in comfort from one side of the country to the other.

Night trains in and between Switzerland

International night trains.

The following night trains connect Switzerland with Austria, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and the Netherlands:

ÖBB Nightjet : Zurich – Basel – Hamburg

Zurich – Basel – Düsseldorf – Amsterdam

Zurich – Basel – Berlin

Zurich – Linz – Vienna

EuroNight: Zurich – Graz

Zurich – Vienna – Budapest

Zurich – Innsbruck – Prague

Zurich – Basel – Dresden – Prague

Zurich – Villach – Ljubljana – Zagreb

Scenic train routes in Switzerland

Switzerland is famous for its beautiful scenic landscapes. The following scenic train routes offer special conditions for Eurail pass holders:

Bernina Express : Chur – Lugano via Tirano (Italy)

Chocolate train : Montreux – Broc-Chocolat

Centovalli Railway : Locarno (Switzerland) – Domodossola (Italy) 

Golden Pass : Luzern – Interlaken – Montreux

• Glacier Express : Davos/St. Moritz – Zermatt
• Jungfrau Railways : Interlaken – Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen – Jungfraujoch

Click here  to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB)

Private railway companies in Switzerland 

The Swiss railway network is operated not only by the SBB, there are a lot of private railway companies as well. Some of these companies are included in your Eurail Pass while other companies offer discounted travel.

Click here  to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB). 

Popular connections

• Domestic routes
• International routes

Reservations

How to make reservations for swiss trains.

Eurail reservation self-service system

Administration costs when booking through Eurail self-service

• € 2,- p.p.per train
• Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)

With railway carriers

• SBB Ticket Shop : Domestic trains
• DB (German railways) : International trains to Germany
• ÖBB (Austrian railways) : Domestic and international trains 
• SNCB (b-europe) : Only Eurocity trains to Italy and TGV Lyria to France 
• ÖBB Nightjet : Only Nightjet and Euro Night
• ČD (Czech railways) : Domestic and international trains
• Bernina Express (Rhatische Bahn) : Only Bernina express scenic trains 
• Glacier express : Only Glacier Express scenic trains

Other platforms

• Rail Europe : TGV (Lyria), Eurocity to Italy, Bernina Express

By calling the SBB (Swiss railways) booking center

• +41 0848 44 66 88 (open 24/7). 
• You will get a direct connection when calling this booking center. The Swiss SBB booking center can deliver your reservations to all  European  countries. Delivery costs are CHF8 (approx. €6.50). This call center may charge a booking fee. You can also pick up your reservations at main Swiss train stations. Just go to the ticket office with your order number. This call center can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.

Locally at the train station in Switzerland

An explanation of how each booking platform works can be found here:  How do I book my reservations

Get your Pass for Switzerland

Global pass.

Be free to visit Switzerland along with the other 32 Eurail countries.

Standard prices from $ 233

Tips and tricks

Quick facts.

Capital: Bern

Population: 8 million

Language: German, French, Italian

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

Dialing code:+41

Swiss hub stations

Switzerland's main hub stations are  Basel SBB ,  Bern ,  Geneva ,  Lausanne ,  Luzern  and  Zürich HB . From these train stations it's possible to connect to trains to most of Switzerland's main cities.

Station facilities

Stations in Switzerland usually have excellent facilities, often including:

Luggage lockers

Foreign exchange desks

Restaurants and cafés

Tourist information offices

ATM cash machines

Elevators and escalators

Access for disabled passengers

Spelling of city names

On Swiss train timetables and at train stations in Switzerland, you'll usually find the local spelling of Swiss cities and stations.

Here is the local spelling of some popular Swiss cities:

Geneva = Genève

Lucerne = Luzern

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Switzerland train guide – how to use the swiss rail network.

How to travel Switzerland by train — Tips for buying Swiss train tickets and advice for navigating Switzerland by rail.

Transportation

Swiss trains run like clockwork—in fact, Switzerland arguably has the most reliable train network in Europe. You can essentially get just about anywhere quickly and efficiently on the train and the views can’t be beaten (especially on the scenic routes). However, like everything in Switzerland, the trains are expensive but there are some ways to help keep costs down. So keep reading our Switzerland train guide to learn the ins and outs of Swiss train travel.

How To Buy Swiss Train Tickets

There are a few different ways to buy train tickets in Switzerland.

The easiest way to buy train tickets is through 3rd party booking sites like Omio  and TrainLine . Both these companies are super user-friendly, their apps work well, and they’ve worked the technical bugs out of the booking process. These services will also display discounted Supersaver tickets.

You can also book through the Swiss Rail website but some people report weird translation issues and sometimes the website has problems processing international credit cards.

You can also book tickets at the train station but you’ll need to wait in line if you don’t pre-purchase your tickets online.

How To Book Standard Swiss Train Tickets

As mentioned above, you can book your tickets directly at the train station since there is very little discount for booking domestic tickets early. You can use the service window (the workers will almost always speak English) or the automated machines (also in English).

I prefer using 3rd party booking sites like Omio  and TrainLine since you can skip the line and have the digital train tickets sent directly to your phone.

You can also purchase tickets (and check train times/prices) directly from the Swiss Federal Railways website (SBB)  www.sbb.ch .

Important!  Beware when looking at ticket prices on  www.sbb.ch because they automatically assume you’re using a half-fare travel card (which most Swiss citizens have). You must click “no discount” in the “Discount Card” drop-down menu. See below:

A few notes about Swiss train tickets:

• For example, you can buy a ticket from Zurich to Lucern for an 8 am train but you can hop on the 11 am train if you want — just as long as it’s the same day.
• For example, on a train going from Zurich to Lucern, you could exit the train at any stop along the way, spend a few hours there, and then get on another train late that day to complete the journey.
• Most international high-speed tickets will require a reservation — especially for trains between Switzerland and Germany (Eurocity trains) or France (TGV trains).

Supersaver Tickets

The Supersaver is a special online-only ticket that gives a bit of a discount on certain routes. To find these fares, simply do a standard search on  www.sbb.ch and look for results with a “%” next to it.

Then when you go to book the ticket you’ll need to select the “Supersaver Ticket” option. In this example, it knocks off about CHF 10 (which is about $10).

Note: Unlike normal Swiss train tickets, the Supersaver ticket is ONLY good for the specific train on the ticket — it can’t be used on any other train/time. So you do lose your flexibility.

Half-Fare Travelcard

Earlier we mentioned the Half-Fare Travelcard which gives 50% off all train tickets within Switzerland. The card costs CHF 120.00 ($130) for a month. This can save you some money if you take a lot of train rides in Switzerland but you’ll need to do the math first.

In general, you’ll need to take anywhere from 3-5 rides in a month for the half-fare card to be a good deal — but it depends on the length of the rides (i.e. the longer the more expensive).

Note: the card is also good for bus, boat, and tram travel.

Rail Passes

Eurail Passes for Switzerland can actually be a pretty good deal since normal tickets are expensive and there are no extra reservation fees for rail pass users. There are a number of Eurail Passes available but here are the main pass options:

• 3 to 15 Travel Days In a Month: In this option, you can choose 3, 4, 8, or 15 travel days in a month. This is a nice option because you have a bit of flexibility to stay in each location for a few days if you want. Learn more about Eurail passes at Eurail.com .
• 3 to 15 Consecutive Travel Days:  In this option, you can choose 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, or 15 consecutive travel days. This is a good option if you’re wanting to see a lot of different places in Switzerland.
• Learn more about Eurail passes at  Eurail.com .
• Regional and Global Passes: If you’re visiting more than Switzerland then you can look into Regional or Global Passes. Learn more about Eurail passes at  Eurail.com .

Determining the rail pass value is fairly straightforward. First, calculate the per-day value of the pass. For example, a second-class four days within a month Swiss pass is $327 — which is $82 per travel day. Therefore, if you were to buy normal point-to-point tickets they would need to cost more than $82/each for the pass to be worthwhile. So head to  www.sbb.ch  to plug in your desired journeys and see the prices.

Scenic Train Routes in Switzerland 

Switzerland offers some of the most beautiful views in Europe and there are a few special “scenic routes” that are often run by private railways. These tickets can be a bit expensive but it’s an unforgettable experience. Note: These trains often have an extra reservation fee for rail pass users.

The most famous scenic routes are:

• Bernina Express
• Chocolate train
• Centovalli Railway
• Golden Pass
• Glacier Express

Tips For Using Swiss Trains

First, we recommend getting to the train station about 20 minutes early so you can find your train platform in plenty of time — by the way, there is no check-in… you simply get on the train. Most stations are easy to navigate but it’s best to play it safe. Also, if you’re buying a ticket at the station you should leave more time because there can be lines to use the machines.

To find your train be sure to look at the departures board. This will tell you where to find your train. Pay attention to the board as the platform can sometimes change. Don’t worry if you don’t see your train on the board because they may not list it until it’s closer to departure time.

After you’ve found the platform, use the signs in the station to locate the train. Almost everything should be in English and most Swiss speak excellent English.

Since Swiss trains don’t require a reservation all you got to do is hop on and sit wherever.

There is plenty of luggage storage on the train — both above/behind the seats and in the luggage racks at the end of the cars.

Eventually, the conductor will come by to check your tickets.

MORE TIPS FOR RIDING TRAINS IN Switzerland

• The Departures Board:  You’ll find your train platform via the departure board at the train station. Don’t worry if you don’t see your train because they often only display trains departing within the next 10-20 minutes.
• Self-Service Machines Are In English:  Don’t worry if you don’t speak German/French because the ticket machines (and train station signs) are all in English.
• Download The Rail Planner App:  There are a number of rail apps but we like the  Eurail App  — it essentially has the timetables/info for every train in Europe and it doesn’t require an internet connection.
• Pack A Picnic:  You’re allowed to bring your own food and alcohol on trains. It’s great for those long train rides.
• Luggage:  There aren’t any weight limits on luggage and you can bring as much as you want (well, as much as you can carry). Simply bring it on and store it above your head, behind your seat, or in the luggage racks in each car.
• Making Connections:  Your trip might require you to change trains along the journey. Don’t worry if there isn’t much time between trains as switching trains are usually fairly quick and easy (it’s not like flying).
• Get To The Train Station Early:  Train stations are usually fairly easy to navigate but they can be a little confusing.
• Know Train Station Names:  Most large cities have multiple train stations so this often creates confusion. Double check to make sure you have the right station — especially when booking your ticket. Also, it’s common for there to be stops in the suburbs outside big cities but you won’t want to get off there (just watch what most of the train is doing).

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The Ultimate Train Itinerary for Switzerland

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Are you planning a trip to Switzerland? Then check out my amazing Switzerland train itinerary packed full of advice & the best routes to take!

It’s very easy to wax lyrical about a place, but I really do think Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

It just ticks all the boxes for me. The mountains are grand, majestic and powerful; there are emerald and sapphire lakes dotted all around the country; and the little towns and villages with cobblestone streets and ancient cathedrals are as picturesque as they come. It’s one of those rare countries where just being there is an activity in itself. And when the seasons change it becomes a winter wonderland with some of the world’s best skiing.

I’ve recently spent 5 days in Switzerland travelling around the country by train, bus and boat, and I now love the place that little bit more. I even said the classic line: “I could easily up sticks and move here…”

In this blog post I’m going to share my ultimate train itinerary for Switzerland. This is for all you guys who are planning a trip here and want to see the very best of the country.

From starting off in the stunning city of Zurich to seeing the beautiful mountain town of Zermatt, this itinerary is perfect for those of you who like to take things slow and enjoy your surroundings.

I’ll also give you lots of practical tips like how to use your Swiss Travel Pass , what the trains are like, and some of the tops things to do in each place you visit.

I really hope you guys find this Switzerland train itinerary useful for planning your trip here. And as ever, if you have any questions at all you can ask me in the comments below!

Why visit Switzerland by train, but and boat?

Beauty – You know the cliché “it’s the journey, not the destination…” Well, this rings true for most of the trains in Switzerland. You don’t need to travel far out of the main transport hubs before the views zooming past your window start to get spectacular.

Convenience – When it comes to infrastructure, Switzerland is a leading light in Europe. Everything works meticulously. If a train is one minute late, it is very late. There are rail connections between all major cities and towns. Also, everything is set up so connections between trains, buses and boats are organised so that you don’t lose any time between transfers. Basically, the Swiss Travel System makes it simple and easy travelling throughout the country.

Comfort – Swiss trains are renowned for being super comfortable and clean. Some carriages even have round tables and sofa-like seating making journeys with friends and family very sociable. They also have big panoramic windows, food buffet cars, seat service, and charging points too.

Budget – There’s no getting around the fact that Switzerland is an expensive country. However, the Swiss Travel Pass is an amazing way of travelling around and keeping costs down. It’s actually remarkable value for money.

Sustainability – One of the buzz words in Switzerland at the moment is Swisstainability . They are very proud of being one of the most sustainable countries in the world, and their rail network is a big part of that. Obviously travelling by train in Switzerland is a lot more environmentally friendly compared to other forms of transport.

Scenic travel trains – So there are normal trains that take you from A to B, and then there are scenic travel trains that take you from A to B but via the most beautiful route. These are the trains where you just kick back and watch the world go by.

What is the Swiss Travel Pass?

The Swiss Travel Pass is your all-in-one ticket for travelling Switzerland. It’s a bit like your old fashioned InterRail/Eurail ticket. This is where you buy a multi-day ticket, and then you can travel as much as you want within that timeframe. And it really is unlimited travel.

The best thing about the Swiss Travel Pass is it’s not just trains, but also for boats, busses and metros. You even get discounted prices off other modes of transport like mountain gondolas too, so it covers pretty much all transportation in Switzerland.

To highlight that, one day I caught the metro down to the port in Lausanne, then jumped on a boat to Montreux, then caught the train to Zermatt – all on the same ticket. Simples.

Another benefit of the Swiss Travel Pass is you get free entry into over 500 museums and attractions in the country saving you even more money on your holiday.

One of the things I really liked about the Swiss Travel Pass is it was just one ticket I had on my phone. I didn’t need to queue up multiple times to buy tickets, I could just jump on the train I needed without any trouble. It made things that little bit easier when travelling around the country and save A LOT of time.

How much does the Swiss Travel Pass cost?

For the Swiss Travel Pass, you can buy a 3,4,6,8 or 15-day ticket. This can either be consecutive or non-consecutive days depending on which pass you buy.

For my Switzerland by train itinerary, I had a 4-day non-consecutive ticket. You could probably do it in 4 consecutive days, but I think it’s well worth spending the day in somewhere like Zermatt (one of my favourite places in Switzerland). I explain all about this below.

With the Swiss Travel Pass Youth, young people up to their 25th birthday travelling through Switzerland benefit from a 30% discount off the regular Swiss Travel Pass ticket fare.

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 on train, bus, boat and mountain railway with the complimentary Swiss Family Card.

I’ve actually written a huge guide on how to use the Swiss Travel Pass . In this guide I go through the different ticket options, what additional perks of buying a Swiss Travel Pass are, and I go through loads of common questions too. So, if you have anything that’s confusing you about the Swiss Travel Pass, make sure you read my guide

Train itinerary for Switzerland

For this itinerary, I’ve highlighted some of the most popular places to visit in Switzerland.

Some of these trains, like the Lausanne to Zermatt leg, then the scenic train from Zermatt to Chur, are absolutely stunning. As I said, travelling here is an activity in itself, so this itinerary really emphasises that.

I mention it later on in this post, but you could do this itinerary in 4 days and skip the day in Zermatt, but I think it’s well worth spending the day there. It all depends on how much time you have though!

Day 1 – Zurich to Mount Rigi to Lucerne

Welcome to Zurich ! This place is so much more than just the financial capital of Switzerland. It is the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication.

Firstly, the city is stunningly beautiful. The picturesque Old Town (Altstadt) with its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and charming squares is like stepping back in time. You can wander through narrow alleys, explore historic churches, and discover hidden gems at every turn.

Now, add a touch of modernity. Zurich is a global financial hub and a city of innovation. The contrast between the medieval and contemporary is fascinating. The sleek and shiny financial district stands in juxtaposition to the historic landmarks.

As you guys will know, I am a sucker for a viewpoint. Well, one of the best viewpoints in the city can be found on the university terrace.

Getting here is easy – all you need to do is hop on the UBS Polybahn funicular (which is free with your Swiss Travel Pass) and it’s a short 5-minute ride to the top.

From here, you can see a number of church spires with the mountains in the background. It really is such a stunning view and very close to the Old Town.

Also, if you love your architecture, it’s worth popping into the main university building itself and seeing the atrium. There are so many clean lines here.

If you’re looking for a good museum to explore then I’d recommend Kunsthaus . The museum has an extensive and impressive collection of artworks spanning from the Middle Ages to contemporary art.

You can find masterpieces by renowned artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Marc Chagall, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and many more. If you’re an art lover then this place really is a must.

How long you spend in Zurich is completely up to you. You could easily spend the whole day here and head straight to Lucerne (skipping Mount Rigi along the way), or you could explore some of what the city has to offer in a couple of hours.

For me, I spent the morning in Zurich and then hopped on the train to Mount Rigi. You’ll see why below!

Getting to Mount Rigi

It might seem a bit out the way adding in a stop to Mount Rigi, but I promise you it’s well worth it. Just wait until you see the views at the top of the mountain!

Mount Rigi is known as “Queen of the Mountains”, and even among the Swiss it is considered beautiful.  

Getting here is very easy. From Zurich, you need to catch the EC/IC2 train to Arth-Goldau . The train is only 45 minutes but it quickly gives you a taste of what it’s like travelling around Switzerland.

Once you get to Arth-Goldau, you can walk over to the Rigi Bahnen – this is the oldest mountain railway in the world.

Getting to the top is an adventure in itself. The journey is super scenic, and as you ascend, you’ll be treated to increasingly spectacular views.

The summit of Mount Rigi offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne. It’s a picture-perfect spot that captures the essence of Switzerland’s stunning landscapes.

The journey to the top takes around 40 minutes , but I’d recommend getting off the cogwheel train at Rigi Staffel . This is the stop below the final stop (Rigi Kulm).

From here, you can take a leisurely 30-minute hike to the viewpoint itself. It’s quite a steep hike, but it makes the views at the top all the more worthwhile.

Mount Rigi really is one of the top things to do in Switzerland, so I think it’s well worth adding it to your Switzerland train itinerary.

Getting to Lucerne

Once you’ve finished at the top of Mount Rigi, you can catch the train down the other side of the mountain down to Vitznau . This train takes 40 minutes .

Once you hop off the train, just walk 50 metres in front of the station and you’ll find a boat waiting for you. This is the boat to Lucerne which takes 1 hour .

It’s journeys like this which highlight how good the Swiss Travel System is. All the boats leave 10 minutes after the trains down from Rigi arrive, so you’re never rushing to transfer from one to the other.

The boat ride itself is soooooo relaxing. I’d recommend grabbing glass of wine and just watching the world go by. This is what travelling in Switzerland is all about after all!

Day 2 – Lucerne to Fribourg to Lausanne

The journey from Lucerne to Lausanne takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes , so it’s not a long journey.

Obviously you can head straight to Lausanne, but I’d recommend breaking up the journey and having lunch in the old medieval town of Fribourg along the way. This is a lovely little place to visit and it’s the birthplace of the cheese fondue. It really is the perfect reason to visit!

Lucerne is the type of place I could easily imagine myself living. It has such a good vibe when walking around. 

To make the most of your time here, I’d recommend getting up early and going for a stroll around Lake Lucerne . From here, you’ll get the best views of “Dragon of the Mountains” (the giant mountain overlooking the city). There is a really nice path that takes you around the lake and only takes about 20 minutes walking towards the train station.

Another site well worth seeing along the way is Chapel Bridge . This is an ornate wooden bridge that dates back to 1365 (it has been subsequentially rebuilt since then!) It is the oldest surviving truss bridge in the world though, and it is one of the top things to do in Lucerne.

Getting to Fribourg

The IR15 train from Lucerne to Fribourg takes 1 hour and 25 minutes .

Fribourg is a very small city, so you can easily walk around here. A lot of people would skip places like Fribourg for their train itinerary for Switzerland, but they are so Swiss I think it’s important to add them in.

A couple of places I’d recommend visiting are Chapelle de Lorette – from here you’ll get the best view of the city. Another place that is a must is Middle Bridge – this is right over the River Sarine and again, the views are stunning.

Another place I’d recommend is St Nicolas Cathedral . This cathedral dates back to 1490 and it looms over the close packed buildings in the city. You can actually climb the 365 steps (one for every day of the year) to the top of the tower for another viewpoint.

As I’ve already mentioned, Fribourg is the official home of the cheese fondue. I LOVE cheese (I have a proper addiction), so I was very excited to visit Fribourg just for this reason alone.

The local fondue is made from Gruyere and Vacherin giving it a slightly tangier taste. The two places to go for your fondue at Café du Midi (which is where I went), and Café du Gothard .

Don’t you dare worry about the calories – just enjoy the cheesy goodness.

Getting to Lausanne

From Fribourg, the IR15/IC1 train takes 50 minutes , so this is a very quick and easy train. This whole train journey is gorgeous, but it goes up another level once you get views of Lake Geneva.

Day 3 – Lausanne to Zermatt

The journey from Lausanne to Zermatt takes around 3 hours and 10 minutes going direct. This journey involves catching the train to Visp, then catching another train to Tasch, before catching a final mountain train to Zermatt.

However, I am going to take you a very different route which involves a boat from Lausanne. Personally, this was one of my favourite activities I did in Switzerland, so I can’t recommend it enough.

No matter which route you take, you have to change at Visp and Tasch anyway, but it’s literally just getting off one train and getting on another.

Lausanne is a wonderful place to spend a few hours wandering around the cobblestone streets. Almost on every other corner is an independent chocolatier or a fromagerie selling Swiss cheese.

One of the top things to do in Lausanne is visit Lausanne Cathedral . This is a beautiful church at the top of a hill overlooking the city. The main hall has these ornate high-vaulted ceilings – it actually reminded me a lot of the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral in Montreal .

If you want some of the best views of Lausanne then head to the top of the cathedral. Here you get 360-degree views of the city with Lake Geneva and the mountains in the background.

Another place that’s well worth visiting is the Olympic Museum . Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Olympic Games, brought the International Olympic Committee to Lausanne in 1915, and it’s still here today.

This is a very interactive museum which highlights the triumphs of the Olympic Games and its storied history. The café-restaurant also offers fantastic views of the lake.

Getting to Montreux

Okay, so now I’m going to take you on a different part of the Swiss Travel System.

Opposite the metro stop Lausanne-Ouchy you’ll find the boat terminal for Lausanne. From here you can catch a boat from Lausanne to Montreux which takes 1 hour and 20 mins .

This boat leaves at 11:00 in the morning during summer, and then there is a later boat too. Make sure you check the timings on the SBB website though to be sure.

The best thing about this boat trip is it’s included in your Swiss Travel Pass so you can just stroll onto the boat. And what a boat it is!

It’s an old-fashioned steam paddleboat like harks back to the days of the Titanic. You can even see the open engine and waterwheels chugging along.

Honestly, I can’t tell you how beautiful this journey is along Lake Geneva. Just seeing tiny towns and the mountains roll by is something else. Also, there are a number of deck chairs on the boat – just perfect for watching the world go by!

Getting to Zermatt

From Montreux, you can catch the IR90 to Visp which takes 1 hour and 10 mins . From here, you need to change trains to Zermatt which takes another hour .

I know I keep banging on about all these gorgeous views, but the train from Visp to Zermatt is another stunning journey. This train trip takes you past mountain villages, and as you get closer and closer to the Alps the landscapes become more and more dramatic. Eventually you’re treated to a view of the Matterhorn itself. Wow.

Day 4 – Zermatt

If you wanted a shorter train itinerary for Switzerland, you could skip this day and catch the Glacier Express directly to Chur. This would mean you’d only need a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass and you can shorten the itinerary by a day. However, I really think it’s worth spending the whole day in Zermatt.

To get around the fact that you’d be wasting a day of your Swiss Travel Pass not travelling, you can actually buy a flexible ticket where you can travel for 4 nominated days as opposed to consecutive days. This way it means you can spend a day in Zermatt without losing a day on your ticket. It’s a little confusing but I explain it all in my guide on how to use the Swiss Travel Pass .

The reason why I think you should spend the whole day in Zermatt is because I think it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland. Walking around here feels like you’re on a film set or in a fairy-tale; it’s just so magical.

It also means you get to go on the Gornergrat railway too, something that shouldn’t be missed.

Even though this train isn’t included in your Swiss Travel Pass, you do get 50% off. And once again, I promise you it’s well worth it!

I would say the Gornergrat is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world with these spectacular views of the Matterhorn as you go up.

The Gornergrat train leaves Zermatt at 1,600m and takes you all the way up to the Gornergrat peak at 3,100m. The journey takes around 33 minutes so the best thing to do is bag yourself a window seat and enjoy the views.

At the top you have some amazing panoramas of the mountains including the Matterhorn. There’s also a hotel which you can stay in (which is Europe’s highest hotel) and a restaurant up here too.

My top tip is if you want to beat the crowds then head up on one of the first trains around 8am. Then you’ll have the top of the mountain pretty much to yourself. There’s a reason why this is one of the best things to do in Zermatt!

You can book your tickets for the Gornergrat train here .

If you’re travelling in winter, then here is my guide all about learning to ski in Zermatt . Still one of the best places I’ve ever been skiing!

Day 5 – Zermatt to Chur on the Glacier Express

I don’t want to say I’ve left the best till last, but if you love train journeys then the Glacier Express has to be on your bucket list.

This is one of the panoramic scenic trains where you just kick back and enjoy the ride. The whole point of this train trip is to look out the window and enjoy the views – nothing more.

The train leaves at 07:52 during summer and 08:52 during winter, and takes around 7 hours 30 minutes . It’s often referred to as “the slowest express train in the world”. It only travels 290 kilometres in that time but the views gradually get better and better with each passing hour.

No train trip like this would be complete without a good meal. Well, the Glacier Express provides a culinary experience like no other. Tables are elegantly set, and the panoramic windows provide stunning views while you eat.

The menu often includes a selection of Swiss dishes local to the region. For our lunch we had beef stroganoff and it was absolutely delicious. You can also pair this with a Swiss wine or a little digestif while you’re rolling along too.

One thing not everyone knows about the Glacier Express is you can freely move through the carriages. Why would you want to? Well, in the food coach where you can grab a coffee, they have panoramic windows which you can open.

I can’t tell you how amazing this is for photography. No glares from the lights, no weird colours – just uninterrupted views. I love taking photos so it really made a difference to my journey having this.

This train gets into Chur at around 13:52 in summer or 14:52 in winter. From here, you can either stay in Chur and carry on your Swiss adventure, or head back to Zurich.

Unfortunately this was the final stop on our rail itinerary for Switzerland, but 5 days was the perfect amount of time for travelling around the country.

I really hope you found my Swiss train itinerary useful for planning a trip here. As you can tell from my photos, this is such a stunning country to travel around. And doing it by train, bus and boat is just the perfect way of seeing the country.

If you have any questions about my itinerary, just let me know in the comments below. Otherwise, happy travelling!

This post was in association with My Switzerland and the Swiss Travel System showcasing some of the best things to do in Switzerland. As always, all views and opinions are my own.

If you’d prefer to drive, then check out my post on the perfect road trip in Switzerland . This was such an amazing road trip!

Like this blog post? then Pin it for the future!

About the Author

Macca Sherifi is the founder of the multiple award-winning blogs An Adventurous World and the Great British Bucket List. Every month he inspires over 200,000 avid readers to travel the world.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Train Itinerary for Switzerland”

Hi. First I would like to thank you for writing this blog. My family and I are planning to go to Switzerland this year. We are planning to visit as much places as we can on our 8-days trip. I am planning to get the Swiss travel pass, but I am confused with the family pass. There will be four of us (me, my husband, my 18 year-old son and my 12-year-old daughter). Does that mean I have to buy a family pass for just the three of us and a separate one for my son? And also with the consecutive days on the travel pass, does that mean have travel consecutive straight days? I have already booked 1 day tour to Top of Europe which will be around the 3rd day of our stay in Switzerland. Does that mean that the travel pass will become invalid since we wont be using it for 1 day? I really would love to hear from you and your feedback on my questions below.

Thank you and all the best on your next travel blog.

Regards, Verna Barcena

Thanks for commenting Verna. Firstly, have you read this blog post – https://www.anadventurousworld.com/how-to-use-the-swiss-travel-pass/ . That should cover a lot of questions you have. In it, I state that you can buy a flexible travel pass – this is where you can have a non-travel day in the middle of your Swiss Travel Pass which is exactly what you want to do. And yes, I think you’ll have to buy a separate pass for your son. Let me know if that helps or if you have any other questions at all!

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Swiss trains run like clockwork, so they say.  And they pretty much do.  The whole of Switzerland is covered by a frequent, punctual and efficient integrated train network that's really easy to use.  In most cases you can just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on.  Swiss Federal Railways (= SBB in German, CFF in French or FFS in Italian) runs most mainline trains, but there are many smaller private operators running local & regional routes.

Train travel within Switzerland

Swiss scenic trains

International trains to/from switzerland, station guides, other train travel information, useful country information, how to check times & buy tickets, do you need to book in advance, which website to use.

The following websites all link to the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) ticketing system and can all sell regular tickets , Saver Day Passes & advance-purchase Supersaver fares .  The price is the same whichever website you use.

Booking opens 6 months in advance.  You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 1, Swiss Federal Railways, www.sbb.ch

You can check train times & fares and buy tickets for any journey in Switzerland at the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website www.sbb.ch .

Prices are in CHF.  Be warned, the first price that www.sbb.ch shows you is usually only half the true price, because Sbb.ch assumes you have a Swiss Half Fare card as the majority of Swiss citizens do.  When you change Select discount to No discount the price doubles, so be aware of this when costing your journeys.  There's no booking fee.

Option 2 , Thetrainline.com

You may find it easier to check times & buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com , in CHF, €, £ or $.  It too can sell all tickets types, regular tickets , Saver Day Passes and advance-purchase Supersaver fares .  There's a small booking fee.  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Option 3 , Omio.com

Omio.com  is also really easy to use, in CHF, €, £ or $.  There's a small booking fee.

The SBB system not only covers SBB's own trains, it covers all Swiss public transport including private train operators and connecting ferries, buses and funicular railways.  Trains run every hour or every 30 minutes, even more frequently on core routes.  Trains, buses & ferries connect efficiently, and connections of even just a few minutes are reliable and easy to make.

Standard fares

There is one regular flexible fare between any two Swiss stations via a given route, good for any departure that day.  The price is fixed and availability is unlimited, you can buy at this price at the station on the day if you like.  You sit anywhere you like.

If you buy one of these full-price full-flex tickets at www.sbb.ch , www.thetrainline.com or www.omio.com , it is valid on any train between those stations by the route stated on the date you bought it for, even if you selected a specific train.

A round trip ticket costs the same as two one-ways.  The return journey must be made the same day if the journey is less than 116 km.  If the journey is more than 116 km the return journey may be made any day up to 10 days after the outward leg.  But you may as well stay flexible and just buy two one-ways.

With a regular Swiss ticket, you can break your journey (in other words, stop off) on the way as long as you complete the whole journey that same day.

Supersaver fares

For longer-distance journeys you may be offered a Supersaver advance-purchase ticket.

Supersaver fares are up to 70% cheaper than the regular flexible price.  You can buy Supersavers a minimum of 1 day in advance.  There is limited availability at each price point, the further ahead you book and the less popular the train you choose, the cheaper it's likely to be.

Supersaver fares are only good for the specific train you book, no refunds, no changes to travel plans.

However, if you miss your train, the Swiss Railways let you use the ticket as credit towards a full-fare ticket for a later train - just go to the ticket office and pay the difference between the Supersaver price and the regular full-price fare.

Obviously, be careful when using a train-specific Supersaver fare for an onward journey in connection with a train arriving from Paris or Milan or when arriving on a flight, unless you leave a long time buffer to absorb delay.

Using www.thetrainline.com or www.o mio.com , Supersaver or Saver Day Passes will appear in the search results if they're available.  Using www.sbb.ch , a black triangle with a % symbol will appear to the left of any departures in the search results which have a Supersaver fare available.  Select that departure and the Supersaver price will appear during the buying process when you click Options for the outward journey .  Supersaver fares can only be bought online, and only at www.sbb.ch , www.thetrainline.com or www.omio.com .  They will not appear if you look further ahead than 60 days.

Saver Day Pass

For longer-distance journeys you might also be offered a Saver Day Pass if it's cheaper than a full-fare full-flex ticket.

A Saver Day Pass gives you a whole day of unlimited travel on the entire Swiss transport system, the rail equivalent of an 'all you can eat' buffet.  It covers all SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) trains and most private railways, post-buses & ferries.  Saver Day Passes come in 1st & 2nd class versions, with or without Half Fare Card discount.  It covers the Bernina Express & Glacier Express routes, although you need a reservation for those trains.

The price of a Saver Day Pass varies, you'll see a different price on each date which increases like air fares as that date approaches.

A Saver Day Pass starts at CHF 52, cheaper than a full-price ticket from Zurich to Geneva (although a Supersaver fare might be cheaper still).  If you wait until the day before travel, it could cost CHF 119.

You can buy a Saver Day pass by running an enquiry at www.thetrainline.com or www.omio.com for a random long-distance route (for example, Zurich to Tirano), then looking for Saver Day Pass as a fare option.  You can also buy at www.sbb.ch or in person at Swiss stations.

Booking opens 6 months in advance.  Saver Day Passes cannot be bought on the day.  No refunds, no changes after buying it.

The routes covered by a Saver Day Pass are shown on the official Swiss train map as solid red, yellow or black lines.

Routes shown as dotted red, yellow or black lines are not covered, this includes a few smaller private railways and some well-known tourist mountain railways such as the Jungfrau Railway & Gornergrat Railway.  Unlike the Swiss Travel Passes , the Saver Day Pass doesn't get you any reduction on these dotted-line routes, if you want to use them you pay full-price.

One thing confuses people about the map:  Solid lines become dashed lines where the line is in a tunnel.  Dashed isn't the same as dotted !

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Swiss Passes & Half Fare Card

Switzerland is one of the few remaining European countries where expensive point-to-point fares and lack of compulsory reservations makes railpasses good value and convenient.  You can buy passes online from the Switzerland Travel Centre , a Swiss Federal Railways subsidiary.  But I'm often asked if a pass makes sense, or whether to go for a Half Fare card.  Incidentally, the Swiss Transfer Ticket was discontinued in 2019.

A Saver Day Pass is a useful one-day all-Switzerland pass, easily bought online or at the station up to the day before see the section above .

Swiss Travel Pass

A Swiss Travel Pass gives unlimited travel across the Swiss travel system for a continuous period of 3 days, 4 days, 8 days or 15 days.

A Swiss Travel Pass Flex gives unlimited travel across the Swiss travel system for either 3, 4, 8 or 15 travel days with an overall period of a month.  A Swiss Travel Pass Flex is more economical than a regular non-Flex Swiss Travel Pass if you plan to stay put between journeys.  The overall one month starts on any date you like, then you can 'spend' each of your unlimited travel days on any dates you like within that period.

Check prices in CHF, USD, GBP or Euros at www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com , an international site run by a subsidiary of SBB (Swiss Railways).

Is a Swiss Travel Pass cheaper than point-to-point tickets? 

Swiss rail fares are expensive, so a Swiss pass can save money, depending what you plan to do and whether you're adult or youth.  First check the price of the pass that suits you, then divide the price by the number of days travelling you plan to do to get the pass cost per day.  Are the journeys you plan to make each day cheaper than this?  If so, don't buy a pass.  Or do they cost more than this?  Then buy a pass!  You can check fares at www.sbb.ch .  It's not rocket science!

What does the pass cover?

See this official map of the Swiss rail network .  A Swiss Travel Pass (continuous or flex) gives you unlimited free travel on all the train, bus & ferry routes shown as solid red, yellow or black lines on the map.  Swiss Travel Passes give you a 50% discount (not free travel) on the routes shown as dotted red, yellow or black lines.

One thing that confuses people: A solid line becomes a dashed line when it's in a tunnel, but it's not the same as a dotted line!  Routes on which you only get a discount, not free travel, notably include the Jungfrau Railway & Gornergrat railway.

How to buy a pass

Buy at www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com .  Anyone from any country can buy here, in CHF, £, $ or €.  This is an official Swiss Railways shop, owned by SBB Swiss Railways.

Print your own pass or show it on your phone

You get an e-ticket/print-at-home option for Swiss Travel Passes and Swiss Travel Pass Flex, so you'll get your pass immediately with no delivery charges.  You can print it out or show it on your phone via their pass activation page at www.activateyourpass.com .

Would an Interrail or Eurail pass be cheaper?

You should compare the cost of a Swiss Travel Pass with the cost of an Interrail One-Country Pass for Switzerland (if you're a European resident) or Eurail global pass (if you live outside Europe) as Interrail & Eurail passes can be significantly cheaper.

Like Swiss Travel Passes, Interrail & Eurail passes give unlimited travel on Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the major private train operators such as the Rhätische Bahn (RhB), Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon (BLS).

Before 2017 there were some significant private railway operators that a Swiss Pass covered but an Interrail or Eurail pass did not, but in 2017 Interrail/Eurail coverage was extended to include many more private operators, notably the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) which operates the line to Zermatt and half of the Glacier Express route.  From 10 December 2023, the Berner Oberland Bahn joins the scheme, so Interlaken to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen are now covered too.

That leaves only the post-buses, lake boats and a few minor private railways which the Swiss Travel Pass covers but an Interrail or Eurail pass doesn't.  The line up the Jungfrau is not covered, but Interrail or Eurail passes give a 25% discount on normal fares.

Compare the lines covered by Interrail & Eurail on this map with the lines covered by a Swiss Travel Pass on this map .  On both maps, solid lines mean covered, dotted lines mean not covered (although there may be a discount).  Dashed lines simply means line in tunnel.

Swiss Half Fare card

Most Swiss residents have an annual half-fare card giving 50% off normal fares.  Visitors can buy one lasting a month.

The discount applies to Standard fares , Supersaver fares and Saver Day Passes .

The 1 month Half Fare Card costs CHF 120, so (obviously) only pays for itself if you plan to clock up more than CHF 240-worth of train journeys.  That's 3 full-price one-way trips between Lausanne and Zermatt, or 4 one-way trips between Basel and Interlaken, for example.

Again, it's not rocket science:  Use www.sbb.ch , www.thetrainline.com or www.o mio.com to check fares the journeys you plan to make, and halve this cost.  Does this exceed CHF 120?  Then buy the Half Fare Card.

Children 6-15 travel free with a family Half Fare card if accompanied by a parent.  This is a worthwhile benefit!

Buy online at www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com with prices in CHF, €, £ or $.

What are Swiss trains like ?

Classic intercity (ic) & interregional (ir) trains, double-deck intercity (ic) & interregional (ir) trains, icn tilting intercity (ic) trains.

These ICN Pendolino trains can tilt, enabling them to go round curves faster than normal trains.  They have cut journey times on several curvaceous Swiss InterCity routes.  Designed by Pininfarina, they feature a restaurant car and can reach 200km/h (125mph) although they don't often reach that speed in service.  You'll find these trains operating IC trains on these routes Geneva-Basel, Geneva-Zurich, Lausanne-Basel, Lausanne-Zurich, Basel-Lucerne-Lugano-Chiasso and Zurich-Lugano-Chiasso.  When using the journey planner at www.sbb.ch these trains are shown with a TT symbol in the facilities section, for Tilting Train.

Giruno Intercity (IC) & EuroCity (EC) trains

On the Basel/Zurich to Lugano route you'll find the latest Giruno trains, the international ones going through to Milan being classified EuroCity.  Giruno trains have low-floor accessible entrance doors, hence the rather strange seating arrangement inside.

Swiss private operators

Swiss local trains are run by SBB or a plethora of local private operators.  The trains come in all shapes & sizes, some old, some new.  Below left, a local train run by Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn (MGB) on the Brig-Zermatt line.  Below right, a train from St Moritz to Chur run by the Rhätische Bahn (RhB).

Seat maps : Click here

Travel tips.

Maps of the European rail network:   See the section on the Train travel in Europe page about rail maps .

Language problems

First-time visitors often think this will be a problem, but it hardly ever is.  At stations, signs are usually in English as well as German, French & Italian, or they use easy-to-understand pictograms.  On-train announcements on long-distance trains are often made in English.

First or second class?

Swiss fares are expensive, even in 2nd class.  And a 1st class ticket costs 75% more than a 2nd class one.  You don't get anything extra in 1st class on Swiss domestic trains - no free food or drink, no limo transfers, spa treatments or executive lounges.  Just wider seats, plusher seats, more elbow room as seats are usually 2+1 across the car width instead of 2+2 as in 2nd class, fewer people per car, fewer families and loud kids, more business travellers - see the photos above .  So unless it's a special occasion, or your company is paying, or you are rich, stick with 2nd class whilst within Switzerland as most travellers do.

Tip:   A yellow stripe above the windows or door indicates a 1st class car on Swiss trains.

Luggage on trains

There are no baggage fees or weight limits, and you don't check your bags in, you simply take them with you onto the train, placing them on the racks at the end of each car, or above your head.  More about luggage on European trains .

Left luggage at stations

Many larger Swiss stations have left-luggage lockers in various sizes, up to suitcase-sized.  More information on left luggage lockers & prices .

Food & drink on Swiss trains

Many Swiss long-distance trains have a waiter-service restaurant car, not cheap but a real treat!  A few regional trains now have vending machines selling hot drinks, cold drinks and snacks, operated with contactless bank cards.

Or feel free to bring your own food and drink (even a bottle of wine, if you like) onto the train, there's no rules against that on the rails!

First class lounges at stations

The lounges for first class passengers at Zurich & Geneva have been closed.  More about station lounges .

You can take a bike in the luggage van on most Swiss trains if you buy a Swiss Bike Card , for more details, see the bicycles by train page .

Dogs & pets

In Switzerland, dogs of any size can travel for half the 2nd class fare - although for longer journeys there's a Dog Day card which can be cheaper.  Small dogs up to 30cm high at the shoulder can travel free if they are in a carrier.  You'll find information on the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch .  You can easily buy Swiss tickets at the station when you get there.

For more about dogs & pets on trains in Europe, see the dogs & pets page .

Bernina Express:  More information

Glacier express:  more information, jungfrau bahn :  more information, golden pass line : montreux - interlaken - lucerne.

This is a mainly narrow-gauge route from Montreux to Interlaken & Lucerne via the well-known ski resort of Gstaad.  It's slower than using mainline trains, but very scenic and marketed to tourists as the Golden Pass route.   Until December 2022 it involved 3 trains, but it can now be done with just two: Montreux to Interlaken and Interlaken to Lucerne.  The first train is a new gauge-changing service, it runs from Montreux to Zweisimmen on the standard-gauge tracks of the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon (BLS) Railway then from Interlaken to Lucerne on the metre-gauge Brunig Railway operated by the Zentralbahn.  The new trains adjust their wheelsets at Zweisimmen.  They have 1st & 2nd class panorama cars and a new luxurious Prestige class.

As with other tourist trains, reservation is necessary if you want to travel in the panoramic tourists cars, but regular trains run frequently over the same route and these need no prior reservation.

The website for the joint service is www.goldenpass.ch .  But I find it easier to find Montreux-Lucerne Golden Pass times using the journey planner at www.sbb.ch - just make sure you put Zweisimmen in the via box, click advanced options and put Interlaken Ost in the second via box before running the enquiry.  Then it will find journeys with 1 or 2 changes via this slower scenic Golden Pass route, rather than the faster mainline route.

Gornergrat, Matterhorn, Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Titlis, Schilthorn

If you live in the UK, you can buy excursion tickets up these mountains here:  www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com

Invest in a good guidebook, even in the age of the internet.  For the independent traveller, I think this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks provide the same excellent level of practical information and historical background. You won't regret buying one!

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Holidays, vacations & tours of Switzerland

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour or short break for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & holidays which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Check out their 8-day Switzerland's Lakes & Mountains tour (link to their UK site) or Swiss Lakes & Mountains tour (link to their US & Canada site) which includes both the famously scenic Glacier Express and Bernina Express trains.  Also see their 5-day Classic Bernina Express & Glacier Express tour (link to their UK site) or Classic Bernina Express & Glacier Express tour (link to their US & Canada site) which also combine these two classic Alpine routes.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Switzerland by train including the Glacier and/or Bernina Expresses based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461 .  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/switzerland .

Byway, byway.travel

Byway ( byway.travel ) is a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a UK-Switzerland trip for you as a package, including hotels, starting from any British station you like.  Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

To see pre-configured packages from London to Switzerland, use the journey planner on their website .

Or they can build a trip to your requirements, call 0300 131 7173 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 300 131 7173) or email them or use this contact form .  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Hotels & accommodation in Switzerland

Personal recommendations.

In Zurich , for something special, look no further than the superb Hotel Schweizerhof , located right next to Zurich station.  One of my favourite hotels, they'll even send a uniformed commissionaire to meet you at the station and carry your bags across the road.

In the St Moritz-Pontresina area , the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl is an amazing place to stay perched on the top of a mountain, with clean simple and (for Switzerland) inexpensive rooms.  It's reached via the Muottas Muragl funicular railway from Punt Muragl station, between Pontresina & St Moritz.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Swiss Travel Pass.

Discover Switzerland with just a single ticket: The Swiss Travel Pass takes international guests to the most beautiful places in the country on flexible and affordable public transport.

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, as well as many other advantages.

The advantages for you.

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat
• Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply)
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns & cities
• Free admission to more than  500 museums Link opens in new window.
• Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
• Discount of up to 50% on other mountain excursions
• Discount of up to 50% on leisure travel offers

Swiss Family Card.

With the Swiss Family Card, children aged at least 6 and under 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by a parent with a valid Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. The Swiss Family Card is issued free of charge. To receive it, enter the children travelling with you under ‘Add passengers’ on SBB.ch during purchase of the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex). Children who are not travelling with a parent get a 50% discount on the regular price of the Swiss Travel Pass.

Offers for adults aged 25 or over.

Choose 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days of travel.

Prices effective until 31.12.2024. Prices and product specifications subject to change.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

Valid on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 freely selectable days within one month.

Offers for young persons under 25.

The Swiss Travel Pass Youth gives young persons under 25 a 30% discount on the Swiss Travel Pass. It offers the same validity.

Swiss Travel Pass Youth.

Swiss travel pass flex youth., important information about the swiss travel pass..

• The Swiss Travel Pass has been developed for guests from abroad. It is available to persons permanently resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
• The Swiss Travel Pass is available online or at any staffed public transport point of sale.
• For online purchasing, purchase as a “guest”. You do not need a login.
• The Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Family Card cannot be loaded onto a SwissPass card. You will not receive a customer number or an additional card.
• Children aged under 6 travel free. 

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Swiss travel pass, more on the topic..

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Rail traffic information

Find the latest information on the current service situation, information, disruptions as well as planned construction work on the Swiss rail network and on strikes and on important disruptions and strikes abroad.

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A Complete Guide To Train Travel in Switzerland

Taking a train ride is one of the best ways to enjoy the incredible views that the natural wonders of Switzerland offer. Train rides and beautiful landscapes have almost become synonymous with Switzerland.

Tourists, visitors, and Swiss residents themself have to enjoy a train ride at least once in their lifetime. But for a large part of the Swiss population, train rides are more than tourist attractions. They are an essential part of their public transport service which makes their daily life easier. 

Let’s take a look at how train travel works in Switzerland.

Train Travel in Switzerland 

Switzerland’s national railway company is the Swiss Federal Railways . It is the largest railway and transport company in Switzerland, and it covers approximately 3260 km of the railway as of 2020. Other railway companies include BLS and SOB .

The Swiss network system has two main routes, domestic and international. The most popular domestic routes are Basel-to-Bern, Basel-to-Zurich, Bern-to-Geneva, and Geneva-to-Zurich, whereas popular international routes include Zurich-to-Hamburg, Zurich-to-Vienna, and Zurich/Basel/Geneva-to-Paris.

Switzerland Travel Pass Options

The Swiss travel pass was specifically created to enable people to travel more freely throughout all Swiss territories. It is available to individuals permanently resident outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Swiss Travel Pass 

Swiss travel pass comes with different travel day options, and you can choose between 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days of travel within one month. Also, you can choose if you want your Swiss travel pass to be available for 1st class or 2nd class transport.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is a great option that allows you to select the days on which you will use the travel pass in order to take maximum advantage of this service. 

Just like a standard travel pass, the days you choose have to be within one month, and you can choose between 1st and 2nd class transport. However, you should know that the Swiss Travel Pass Flex can be significantly more expensive than the standard travel pass. For example, a three-day travel pass costs  232 CHF for the 2nd class and 369 CHF for 1st class, while a three-day travel pass flex costs 267 CHF for 2nd class and 424 CHF for 1st class.

Swiss Half Fare Card

A Half Fare Card is a travel card that enables you to pay half the price for all the public transport means. If you’re aged between 16-25 and buy a Swiss Half Fare Card, you can also get a Half Fare Youth Card for an exclusive price. 

The Half Fare Card has an indefinite use time and renews itself automatically. The card is joined with your travel pass card and remains valid for the same time of use. 

Saver day pass and 1 Day Travel Pass

A Saver Day Pass or One-Day Travel Pass is a travel card that enables you to travel for free by all public means of transport in Switzerland. Similar to other travel cards, this card is available for 1st and 2nd class transport and can be purchased at half price when using a half fare card. Unlike some other types of travel cards, this card has to be booked in advance, at least one day before.

Swiss Family Pass

A Family Pass is a travel card that enables a family to cut the cost of travel by allowing members aged 16 or younger to travel for free on all forms of public transport. 

This card can be purchased by parents and is available to buy at all train stations in Switzerland. And remember, children under the age of 6 always travel free of charge; however, they have to give up their seats in case the vehicle is overcrowded.

Train Tickets Without a Travel Pass

Then there is the multiple-journey ticket which, similarly to point-to-point tickets, is a one route ticket, but this ticket enables you to travel up to six times through that same route. 

Another option is the city ticket, which is perfect for people who travel to urban areas by train. This train ticket enables you to use urban public transport for free.

In addition to all the in-country transport routes, the Swiss railway service also offers transportation to several other European countries. The most popular destinations are Germany, Austria, France, and Italy. To travel to these destinations, you must buy a ticket for traveling to Europe . To purchase these tickets, you should look at the specific regulations and conditions of the particular country you want to travel to.

How To Buy Swiss Train Tickets in Switzerland?

You can also purchase tickets physically at the ticket counters located in each train station. However, like in most other purchases that people make nowadays, the favorite method of buying tickets by foreign residents, tourists, and Swiss residents is online. SBB offers online services where you can purchase all types of tickets and travel passes. The company also offers an online and offline timetable in order for customers to be informed about the time of arrival and departure of the trains at all times.

First vs. Second Class Train Ticket in Switzerland

You can purchase class upgrades on daily and multiple days tickets or passes. The daily class upgrade costs 52 CHF, while the multiple-day class upgrades cost 312 CHF. However, if you have already bought a 2nd class ticket or pass, and you want to change class, you have the option to do so.

Panoramic Trains in Switzerland 

One of the reasons Swiss trains are so popular in foreign countries is the many panoramic routes available in the Swiss railway system. These trips have initially been taken for practical reasons; however, many people take these trips solely to enjoy the beautiful view. Many of these lines are very old and would be out of service if not for the beautiful scenery they offer to their passengers. So let’s take a look at some of these lines. 

The Alpine cruise is a luxury train cruise that travels throughout the canton of Graubünden and has the reputation of being one of the most scenic train rides in the world. And if you are a fan of French Switzerland, the Glacier Express is a train ride that goes through the beautiful Alps in the canton of Valais. The journey connects the ski resort of Zermatt with that of St.Moritz.

Another panoramic line is the Bernina express . This line is the highest altitude rail route in Europe, and it connects the Swiss city of Chur with the Italian city of Tirano. The line is also a UNESCO world heritage line.

Tips for Travelling by Train in Switzerland 

• Pre-Plan your trip so that you don’t get anxious during your travels.
• Study the tickets and passcards prices and offers to calculate your spending and get the best offers possible.
• Study the railway system, and be attentive in the train station to avoid unpleasant surprises such as being lost or missing your train’s departure.
• Get luggage service to avoid the unnecessary exhaustion of carrying your luggage.
• Have a means of light transport for short distances. A bicycle would be perfect and can be loaded onto other means of public transportation.
• Enjoy the view and the food ; they might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Bottom Line

Train travel is at the heart of Switzerland’s identity. Switzerland’s advanced and elaborate railway system is an excellent means of transport for its residents and foreigners. It is easily accessible, provides great transport conditions, and offers a beautiful travel experience. 

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Introducing swiss train travel:, in partnership with the switzerland travel centre, links to useful info, the 20 things most worth knowing..., rail passes make it cheaper and easier, the journey prices on the sbb website:, 'supersaver/sparbilletter tickets:, saver day passes:, other tickets sold by sbb:, the most scenic routes:, how the timetable works:, choosing a location in switzerland, journeys from basel, journeys from bern, journeys from geneve, journeys from zurich, to the ski slopes and other mountains, taking the scenic trains, travelling on sbb's trains:, detailed train guides, finding your train:, storing and sending luggage:, detailed info on the major stations, international rail journeys, other sources of info:, related resources.

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Switzerland by train

Exploring Switzerland by train is inevitably fabulous with a plethora of incredible journeys to be experienced , so this guide provides all the essential info required for Swiss railway adventures!

Such a high percentage of Swiss residents take a train at least once every year, because it's generally fabulous ! The trains are frequent, famously punctual and the entire rail system is arranged so that making connections between trains is usually as easy as it possibly can be.

Although for a comparatively small country, Switzerland has a fairly high number of quirky aspects to its rail system which can initially be bewildering, hence the info below.

These are the twenty things that are particularly useful to know about rail travel in Switzerland:

• The Swiss rail network is a a combination of two railway systems:
• Standard mainline trains that link its major towns and cities;
• The independent railways, including the routes which ascend up into the mountains - some of which serve the ski resorts .
• Most of the mainline trains are operated by the national rail operator, SBB, but some are operated by BLS, particularly on routes to and from Bern; and SOB now operates some of the longer regional services; Bern - Olten ↔ Chur and Basel / Zurich ↔ Locarno via Göschenen.
• Tickets for travel by the BLS and SOB trains can be booked on the SBB website , at SBB stations and from SBB ticket machines; so when ShowMeTheJourney references SBB tickets, the info also applies to journeys by BLS and SOB trains.
• The only mainline trains on which Seat reservations are available are SBB's express IC trains - but they are optional, so have to be proactively added when booking tickets.
• Tickets for the journeys by SBB's express IC trains are now typically placed on sale up to 6 months ahead of the travel date.
• Discounted tickets are available when booking ahead online for journeys on the express IC trains and other longer-distance mainline journeys.
• Most Swiss rail travellers have Half Fare Cards, so the prices which are initially shown on the SBB website , are what holders of these cards will pay - hence they are 50% of the standard rate.
• Visitors to Switzerland can also purchase Half Fare Cards .
• Tickets for the journeys on the independent mountain railways aren't typically discounted, so cost the same if booked at the last minute at the station - though journeys by the MGB trains and the RhB trains are an exception.
• SBB also sells tickets for end-to-end journeys which involve taking a mainline train + a train managed by one of the mountain railway companies - on the SBB website , at SBB stations and from SBB ticket machines
• A range of rail passes are available which include travel on the mainline trains + the independent mountain railways - travel far enough and they can be much cheaper than using tickets.
• The passes are an alternative to buying and using tickets - you use the pass(es) instead of tickets.
• Some of the independent companies operate comparatively short branch lines, but others operate extensive networks
• The MGB operates the cross-country route across south-west Switzerland; Zermatt - Visp - Brig - Andermatt - Disentis/Mustér
• The MOB operates the western end of the 'Golden Pass' route, Montreux ↔ Zweisimmen;
• The ZB operates the eastern end of the 'Golden Pass' route, Luzern ↔ Interlaken and the Luzern ↔ Engelberg route;
• The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) operates multiple routes between Chur and Arosa, Davos, Disentis/Mustér, St Moritz and Tirano - this latter route is taken by the Bernina Express ;
• Special trains, on which seats can be reserved, provide direct services which travel between multiple railways - the Glacier Express travels Zermatt ↔ St Moritz; and the Golden Pass Express travels Montreux ↔ Interlaken.
• The timetables are generally arranged so that the transfer time between the mainline trains and the mountain railway is less than 10 minutes.
• This transfer time of less than 10 minutes also typically applies to connections between the mainline trains - though to facilitate this trains can be timetabled to spend up to 10 minutes at stations during a journey.
• Direct trains aren't available on these popular routes; Geneva ↔ Interlaken; Basel ↔ Geneva and Lausanne; Basel and Zurich ↔ Montreux and Sion; Geneva ↔ Lugano
• The core idea is that there will be sufficient time available to make the connections of 10 minutes or less between trains, the timetable planners have factored in a comfortable transit time at a station between trains.
• The express IC trains operated by SBB all convey restaurant cars .
• You don't have to travel on a mountain railway to experience a beautiful journey ; these very scenic routes are taken by the mainline trains:
• Zurich ↔ Chur
• Zurich ↔ Schaffhausen
• Zurich ↔ the Gotthard Base Tunnel
• Luzern and Zurich ↔ Locarno via Göschenen
• Thun ↔ The Lotschberg Base Tunnel
• Thun ↔ Interlaken
• Thun ↔ Brig via Kandersteg
• Lausanne ↔ Brig
• Lausanne ↔ Fribourg

Making the most of Switzerland's multiple scenic railway journeys and many of its longer cable car routes is made easier thanks to a range of rail passes . When using them, you typically don't have to know which company is operating the train you will be taking, you just can hop and off. The connections between the trains and railways make this easy - and thanks to the frequency of the rail services, you can set off from many Swiss stations to explore the entire country by train.

Notes on the ticketing:

Buying tickets for Swiss train journeys is particularly quirky if you're not resident in Switzerland, so if you're new to Swiss train travel, we particularly recommend taking a look at our full guide below. Amongst other things it explains how visitors to Switzerland can use Half Fare Cards.

Particularly worth knowing is that the SBB website now sells tickets for rail journeys within Switzerland up to six months ahead of the travel date - this is a recent change!

Children aged 6-15 and travelling with a person aged 16 and over, pay 50% of the adult rate per journey So a good option, if you will travelling long distances in a day on national SBB trains is a ' 1 Day Travel Pass for Children .

On the SBB trains a day bike pass costs CH 14 and they can be booked online here . The only other bike ticket available is a short-distance Point-to-Point ticket, which costs half the Adult fare.

If your dog is under 30 cm in height (up to their shoulder blades) and you travel with it in a basket or other suitable container, your dog may travel free of charge as hand luggage. However, special day passes are required for larger dogs .

For reasons, that are explained in detail on the full guide that can be accessed below, if you don't have a Swiss Half-Fare Card , you can ignore the prices you will initially see when looking up tickets on the SBB (Swiss national railways) website . The prices initially shown are always the Half Card rate, so if you don't have one, you will ultimately have to select 'No Discount' which will in effect double the price.

So if you will be using the timetable functionality on SBB, to compare prices of Swiss train journeys to buses/flights, you will need to take the first couple of steps of the booking process, in order to see the train ticket prices.

Limited numbers of discounted 'Supersaver/Sparbilletter' tickets are now available on all of SBB’s express (IC and IR) train routes. They are also now available for journeys by the MGB trains and the RhB trains . However, when searching for tickets, they MAY not be available on all departures, so you might have to search through the departures on a particular day to find them.

Whether 'Supersaver' tickets are available on a specific departure, is indicated on the SBB website by the presence of a % symbol on a black triangle.

These 'Supersaver/Sparbilletter' tickets can sell out fastest on the direct trains; so when looking up journeys, these 'Supersaver/Sparbilletter' tickets may be more likely to be available if you’re prepared to change trains.

If you will be making a long distance day return journey, purchasing a Saver Day Pass can often be a cheaper option than booking tickets for travel in each direction. When looking up a journey on the SBB website, if the Saver Day Pass is cheaper, it will be offered as the default ticket option. Though Saver Day Passes need to be booked at least a day ahead of your travel.

A plus of Saver Day Passes is that they also cover the fares on public transport to and from the stations.

In addition to Supersaver tickets, 'Point-to-Point' tickets are also available and in effect these are the standard, non-discounted tickets; so the price(s) you will see online for Point-to-Point tickets is also the price you will pay when booking last minute at the station. The two key advantages of booking these more expensive tickets are:

• You can take any train on your travel date, so won't need to be concerned about making the specific departure you have booked in time.
• They can be upgraded, for an additional cost, so that they are also valid on the public transport networks of the cities in which you will be starting and/or ending a journey.

Limited numbers of discounted tickets are also made available on all long distance express trains from and to Switzerland, so you can make savings if you book ahead; though SBB discontinued its long standing 'Swiss Transfer tickets at the close of 2018.

SMTJ has produced a guide to travelling on the most beautiful routes in Switzerland which we have been lucky enough to experience.

• St Moritz ↔ Tirano
• Andermatt ↔ Disentis/Muster
• Grindelwald > Kleine Scheidegg > Lauterbrunnen
• Chur ↔ St Moritz
• Zug > Arth-Goldau > Goschenen > Airolo > Bellinzona#
• Alpnachstad ↔ Pilatus Kulm
• Vitznau ↔ Rigi-Kulm
• Zermatt ↔ Gornergrrat
• Brig > Kandersteg > Spiez
• Montreux ↔ Zweisimmen plus another ten journeys , to make a Top 20.

Though despite multiple Swiss rail adventures, ShowMeTheJourney has yet to experience all of the best routes that can be taken by train in Switzerland, so in time it's likely that this will be become more than a Top 20 list of the country's Most Beautiful Train Journeys.

More than 80 videos showcasing the beauty of Swiss train travel have been made available on the ShowMeTheJourney channel on YouTube .

Trains usually operate to a regular ‘clock face’ timetable with hourly trains operating on most express train routes; though on some routes the service only operates every other hour. So to facilitate an hourly service between destinations on some routes, in hours when there is no direct train service, connections between trains are built into the national timetable.

Connections between trains are designed so that the waiting time between trains across Switzerland is less than 10 minutes; and the private railways also usually follow this pattern. Trains in Switzerland are VERY rarely more than 5 minutes late, so connections are usually guaranteed. Though to ensure connections, trains can often spend up to 10 minutes waiting at stations and still depart on time.

International daytime trains to and from Switzerland also fit into this regular timetable, when travelling between destinations in Switzerland. For example, some of the hourly trains between Basel and Interlaken are ICE trains, which have travelled from Germany, and not SBB’s regular IC trains.

How to choose your optimum location for exploring Switzerland by train.

The journey guides include access to booking links and information about the trains, tickets and destination stations. Plus for the scenic routes there are insights on how to make the most of the rides on the trains.

Make your Swiss train travel dreams a reality

Ride any of these trains and you can experience one of the greatest European rail journeys

SBB's express trains fall into two categories:

(1) The IC Train Services : Aside from speed, the key distinguishing feature of these trains is that they convey restaurant cars.

Most IC train services are double-deck, but some are single deck; at busy times of the day additional single deck coaches can be attached to the double deck trains..

New and shiny double deck IC trains are now available on some routes. The older double deck trains were beginning to show their age, hence newly modernsied coaches are now being introduced . The tilting ICN trains are still in service, but are now also branded as IC services; and they are also being refreshed.

(2) The IR train services:

Different types of services are designated IR (InterRegio). On the Geneve – Sion – Brig route they are the fastest trains and are no different to the single and double deck IC trains; except for the fact that they don’t convey restaurant cars.

On some routes the IR services are slower than IC services, but the standard ticket price won't be any cheaper.

Some IR trains convey 1st class observation cars in which ordinary 1st class tickets are valid. Also some IR services are operated by BLS or SOB.

The IC route numbers:

SBB has introduced route numbers for its IC and IR services - see the SBB IC/IR Trains route map in the links section above.

The IC train routes are now numbered as follows:

• IC 1 = St Gallen - Winterthur - Zurich Flughafen (airport) - Zurich HB (main station) - Bern - Fribourg - Lausanne - Geneve - Aeroport
• IC 2 = Zurich HB - Zug - Arth Goldau - Bellinzona - Lugano
• IC 3 = Basel - Zurich HB - Landquart - Chur
• IC 4 = Zurich HB - Schaffhausen
• IC 5 = Rorsach - St Gallen - Winterthur - Zurich Flughafen - Zurich HB - Olten - Biel/Bienne - Neuchatel - Geneve - Geneve Aeroport AND Zurich HB - Olten - Biel/Bienne - Neuchatel - Lausanne
• IC 6 = Basel - Olten - Bern - Thun - Spiez - Visp - Brig
• IC 8 = Romanshorn - Winterthur - Zurich Flughafen - Zurich HB - Bern - Thun - Spiez - Visp - Brig
• IC 21 = Basel - Luzern - Arth Goldau - Bellinzona - Lugano
• IC 51 = Basel - Delémont - Moutiers - Biel/Bienne
• IC 61 = Basel - Olten - Bern - Thun - Spiez - Interlaken Ost - Interlaken West

the lack of conventional Wi-Fi .

Swiss national rail operator SBB does not provide wi-fi on its trains in the conventional sense; meaning that passengers can't log on to a SBB portal for wi-fi. Instead SBB has equipped its IC trains and most IR trains with signal amplifiers to enable enhanced connectivity with local mobile networks. The coaches/cars equipped with this equipment have symbols by the doors - and SBB suggests that passengers who wish to access wi-fi during a journey, should travel in these coaches in order to access these 'hotspots'.

Also worth knowing

• A yellow band above the doors indicates that a coach is 1st class.
• For journeys within Switzerland, international trains have the same terms and conditions as Swiss trains. Meaning that reservations aren't compulsory for journeys WITHIN Switzerland by Lyria trans, or on the EC trains which have travelled to and from Italy.
• Passport checks can be carried out on board international trains to/from Switzerland . Travellers are singled out apparently randomly, so don't be offended if the customs staff ask to see your passport, but ignore your fellow passengers. Keep your passport in your hand luggage.

Click on the buttons below to access info such as on board facilities, and what to look out for when boarding and travelling with luggage/bikes.

Good to know about stations:

In Switzerland ticket inspections are carried out on the trains, so there is no need for stations to have barriers, or gate-lines. As a result the stations are open to the surrounding streets with multiple access points - so what's unusual is that you usually don't have to pass through station buildings in order to access the trains, or to transfer between buses and trains.

However, normally the short-cuts into the station can only be used if you already have a valid ticket. If you need to buy a ticket look out for the ticket symbols on any signs that you see; the ticket desks and machines may not be in what looks like a main station building. Often they're in the passage way beneath the tracks or are housed in the middle of a station.

The access to and from the trains

Elevators and particularly escalators can be rare at Swiss stations - especially in the middle of the platform/track (gleis/voie). Instead step free access is provided by slopes that connect the platform / track / gleis / voie to passage ways which are located beneath the railway tracks. So if you have luggage etc there is always an alternative to using the stairs.

The core departure info

At most stations the platforms/tracks/gleis/voies are used by multiple train departures per hour. So wait for your train where you can see the electronic displays which show the details of the next train to leave.

Also keep the departure time front of mind. It's not unusual for SBB express trains to be timetabled so that they spend up to 10 mins at a station between arrival and departure. So you often don't have to rush and board by the first door you see; even though most people do. But if you use the time to move further along the train you can have a greater chance of finding spare seats etc.

At Swiss stations the older type of electronic departure screens, the paper timetable posters and the station announcements all normally DON'T include every station that a train will be calling at. Sometimes only the next two or three stations that a train will be calling at are shown on the electronic indicators, along with the final destination of the train.

SBB also doesn’t use a system of train numbers on its information indicators or tickets, so being aware of the final destination of your train can help save time and confusion – hence we have striven to include it on our journey guides. If you’re not sure what train you need to board check at the information desk or ticket office.

Using the train departure indicators

At the main stations there are electronic indicators on the platforms/tracks, which indicate in which zone of the platform the 1st class, 2nd class and restaurant car coaches will be located, when the train arrives. They don't indicate in which zone a specific coach number will be located and they are also not particularly accurate - in our experience. What they are particularly useful for is working out at which end of a train the 1st class coaches will be located. Though new screens are now being introduced , which do also show the zones on the gleis (platforms/tracks), in which each specific coach of a train can be found.

Making connections

If you will be changing trains at larger stations, seek out, what can be hard to find, paper departure posters that you can find on the platform. They list all train departures in consecutive order so you can use then to check which platform / track / gleis / voie, your onward connection will be leaving from. If you're in luck you'll be able to remain on the same platform you have just arrived at.

Also when looking up and booking tickets for the many indirect Swiss journeys, the connections between trains will typically be around 10 minutes. This won't be an issue, as the timetable takes into account the time it will take to make a transit from one platform / track / gleis / voie, to another. The signage directing travellers is comparatively easy to follow and making the connection will typically take 1 or 2 minutes, though allow around 5 minutes at larger stations such as Bern and Zurich HB . Making connections will typically be easier if you don't board into the rear of the trains - the routes to the other platforms and tracks tend to be in the middle of the platforms. At Zurich HB its mainly easier to make connections from the front of the train - Except when arriving at the long-distance underground platforms / tracks on trains from destinations to the north of the city, including Munich, St Gallen and Winterthur, when the easiest connections will be from the rear of the trains.

The larger stations will have coin and card operated left luggage lockers, which can be accessed at any time. When depositing bags you must pay for an initial 24 hours - even if you will be only depositing a bag for a couple of hours.

Then on collection you pay the balance - the charge will rise per day, but keep in mind that you may have pay in excess of 20 francs in coins, though lockers which accept cards are now being installed. Change machines are usually available, though at the larger stations, with lockers in multiple locations, only one location can have a change machine

If you are going to be touring Switzerland then you can forward your luggage between stations, you don't have to take it on the trains. This can be a particularly useful service if you will be entering and leaving Switzerland at different locations. These luggage desks tend to be in a different part of a station to a left luggage office - it's easy to confuse the two.

Click the buttons below to discover how to travel to and from the stations by public transport, plus links to additional info including the station and city websites.

The Swiss Travel System website is a great source of both practical info and inspirational articles.

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This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney , which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

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How to plan your 2 week Switzerland Train Itinerary?

Switzerland is perfect to discover by train. I traveled for 2 weeks in Switzerland by train and planned and arranged everything myself. Be inspired by my Switzerland train itinerary that includes all the scenic train journeys of Switzerland. Plus a DIY guide on how to arrange everything yourself!

Are you ready to plan your own itinerary for Switzerland by train? Want some tested and tried tips for booking ahead and organizing your itinerary? Continue ready as I have done all the hard work for you.

Need more help? Check out my free spreadsheet with all the details to copy my Swiss train itinerary. Or use it as a base to make your own!

Interrail sponsored me with a Global Rail Pass in first class. For all the other costs, I paid in full myself and all my opinions are my own. This post does contain affiliate links. If you decide to book something via one of my links, I’ll earn a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you.

How to Plan Your 2-Week Switzerland Train Itinerary?

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• Interrail Global Pass in Switzerland
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Voralpen Express: Lucerne to St. Gallen

Gotthard panorama express: lucerne to lugano.

• Bernina Express: Lugano to St. Moritz

Glacier Express: St. Moritz to Zermatt

Golden pass line: montreux to lucerne.

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My Switzerland Train Tour with Interrail

For our Switzerland train tour, we used our Interrail Global Passes . With this pass, we were allowed 10 train days in a period of 1 month. As we only had 2 weeks of holiday, we decided to cram in as much as possible and use our train pass to take all the scenic train journeys in Switzerland. We traveled for 15 days in September and I arranged everything myself.

Interrail Global Pass

For people unfamiliar with the Interrail Global Train Pass, let me briefly capture the main benefits of this pass. The Interrail Global Pass offers you free train travel in all countries of Europe. You can choose different passes but Interrail sponsored us with 2 Global Passes.

On a few of our travels, we could just hop on a train and not pay anything extra. But certain train journeys in Switzerland have a mandatory reservation fee.

• Click here for Interrail (EU-citizens)
• Click here for Eurail (non-EU citizens)

2 weeks in Switzerland Itinerary

Switzerland is not a big country and the public transport system works fast, efficiently and is very reliable. Yet, 2 weeks was not enough to explore the whole of Switzerland. We didn’t visit the capital Bern, nor did we explore Zürich or Geneva. So what did we do? We took Switzerland’s most scenic train journeys! In general, we took a scenic train ride every other day and used the day in between to explore the surrounding area.

Did we see the whole of the county? Yes and no. It was a whirlwind Switzerland train tour. Mainly focusing on railway journeys. But, you can still use my guide, scrap out anything you don’t like and add extra days in between. This post is to show you that you CAN do the most scenic train journeys of Switzerland, all in only 2 weeks.

Grand Switzerland Train Tour

When I was researching our train trip in Switzerland, I found the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. A great inspirational website by the Swiss tourism board with amazing images and a cool feature where you see a Switzerland train map. They show things to see along the route and places of interest to stop. However, I didn’t find any practical information about train numbers, journey times, the best time to travel and how to arrange all of this on your own. Or even via an agency or tour operator to help you along.

So.. I trusted the good old internet and gathered all the information myself. And I must admit, it was not easy. Although I think of myself as a pretty savvy travel planner, I did have some difficulties coming up with a logic route without tracing back our steps. In the end, when I wanted to reserve all the mandatory seat reservations on the Swiss trains, I encountered the problem of tickets being fully booked. In the end, I decided to completely throw our Switzerland itinerary upside down and we ended up starting at the end of the previous itinerary.

Our two week Switzerland train itinerary

Before you go ahead and copy everything I’ve done, here are some things to know about us and our travel style. We only had two weeks but the same itinerary can be done in a much more relaxed pace in 3 weeks. When you have less time, you really need to cut out some train journeys in Switzerland.

We are a couple in our mid-thirties and we are reasonably fit. We have no problems to walk with a mid-sized backpack and we have no problems getting on and off a train multiple times a day. I get bored easily, so I like to travel at a high pace. Due to a huge FOMO, I wanted to cram as many sights and train journeys in as possible.

Where to arrive for your Switzerland train tour?

We traveled from the Netherlands via a quick and direct train from Cologne to Basel. As Basel is situated in the north of the country and it has Roman Ruins nearby, we made a 1 night stop here. Otherwise, we might have continued on to Lucerne. Either Lucerne or Zürich are great places to start your Switzerland train itinerary. But as you’ll see when you continue reading, my train itinerary in Switzerland is a loop, so basically, you can start anywhere on the route and circle back.

One day in Basel Switzerland

In our case, we arrived in Basel at 4 pm and had enough time to rest a bit, do a walking tour of the city, try our first cheese fondue of the trip and sleep in a bit. We went to visit the Roman Ruins of Augusta Raurica before continuing our journey to Lucerne.

We stayed at the Rheinfelderhof in Klein Basel. Due to its central location and spacious room with extensive breakfast, I found it offered very good value for money.

Arrive to Lucerne by train

I didn’t really plan our trip from Basel to Lucerne as we just took a regular train. There are no scenic train journeys between Basel and Lucerne so we just took the first train we could find when we arrived at the train station. As I wasn’t able to find a decent priced accommodation in Lucerne center, I opted for a 3-night stay at an Airbnb at a nearby village. This offered us the option to do grocery shopping and make our own breakfast, bring a packed lunch and cook dinner.

One of the things we did during our stay in Lucerne was the steepest cogwheel train up to Mt. Pilatus and enjoy the view. Although not really one of the great scenic train rides of Switzerland, I do want to mention it here as I really enjoyed the views over Lake Lucerne and the mountains in the distance.

Instead of packing our bags again, we decided to stay near Lucerne and take one of Switzerland’s scenic train journeys as a day trip. From Lucerne, we took the Voralpen Express or Pre-Alpine Express to the city of St. Gallen in the east of the country. Famous for its library and church, St. Gallen was a nice place to have lunch but the journey on the Voralpen Express was a perfect introduction to how scenic Switzerland really is.

We left early in the morning, when the mountain dew was still visible, leaving a hazy blanket over the lakes and green hills we passed. I’m calling them hills as they were definitely not mountains, but I’d rather not climb them as they looked pretty steep. We passed numerous lakes and bridges and saw some monasteries in the distance.

The Voralpen Express was one of the shortest scenic train rides, in only 2 hours we traveled from Lucerne to St. Gallen. The Voralpen Express, (VAE) is operated by the SOB, the Südostbahn (South East Railway) almost 13 times a day. You can also travel from Lucerne to St. Gallen via Zürich but this is not direct and that train doesn’t have panoramic windows.

You don’t need a reservation to take the Pre Alpine Express and no extra fees apply except for a valid train ticket.

Rhine Falls and Zürich

As we didn’t want to go to St. Gallen and return on the same route, we decided to check out St. Gallen and then continue our train trip along the Bodensee and continue towards the Rhine falls. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland also mentions that stretch from Zürich via Schaffhausen to St. Gallen on their website but in my personal opinion, the train journey is not that interesting. As a matter of fact, it took us nearly 2 hours on the super slow regional train that stops at

It was very tedious and took a lot of patience. What I like about train travel is the repetitive sound and motion of the train on the rails and that you see the landscape glide by as you pass it. But on the St. Gallen to Schaffhausen (the S8 regional train) it was more of a hiccup sprint and stop journey. But… It was worth it in the end as we went to Neuhausen am Rheinfall to see the Rhine falls which was spectacular and very very impressive. So much water rushing past you and the dramatic scenery around it. I do agree with the Grand Switzerland Train Tour to include the Rhine Falls, I just think there are less obnoxious routes to get there.

The next day, we left Lucerne behind us as we boarded a boat! Yes, how amazing is that! Boat rides are definitely part of the best Switzerland itinerary and we did it on the Wilhelm Tell Express or the Gotthard Panorama Express. Both are the same thing, just 2 different names.  

We first took the boat across Lake Lucerne to see all the little villages and enjoyed the sunshine on our faces. We disembarked at Flüelen and waited for the panoramic train to arrive. Just a couple of minutes later, the Gotthard Panorama Express glided into the station of Flüelen.

This felt like a proper panoramic Swiss railway journey! Excited I settled in my leather seat and gawked at the scenery beyond the bright big panoramic windows. It was spectacular. We had a bright and sunny day and the landscape around us was like a big green canvas and we glided right through it.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is all about the little town of Wassen that you’ll pass 3 times and the amazing viaducts of the Gotthard Pass. The train even slowed down when we passed through the Gotthard Tunnel, so we could learn about this major feat of engineering. I found the Gotthard Panorama Express very interesting and I learned a lot. And it was a great way to cut through Switzerland from central Lucerne to southern Lugano.

Explore Lugano for 1 day

As soon as we left the Gotthard Tunnel, it felt like we had arrived in Italy. Pastel-colored houses, a softer glow in the air and pizzerias in the little villages we passed. Lugano felt exactly the same. I have to admit, we didn’t go into Lugano city. We just arrived at the train station of Lugano and took a bus to our self-catered hotel. As we just had a full day of travel, we went grocery shopping and took things easy for the night. The next day, we set out the explore the San Salvatore mountain on the funicular and walked down to the lovely village of Morcote. If you don’t like hiking, you can also use this day to explore Lugano or the nearby castles of Bellinzona.

We stayed for 2 nights in Lugano at one of the cheapest hotels I could find with a kitchen and they had washing machines for us to use which was quite useful. The room was very basic and didn’t have any ambiance but it did the trick. Click here to see if this might be an option for you.

Bernina Express Train: Lugano to St. Moritz

The next morning, we packed up our bags again and returned to the train station. But not to take the train. Instead, we took the bus! We took the Bernina Bus from Lugano to the Italian city of Tirano. The bright red bus turned into the parking lot and I immediately got excited. The big windows gave us perfect views of the Lake of Lugano and Lake Como. It was absolutely spectacular. See my web story about our ride on the Bernina Express .

In little over 2 hours, we arrived at Tirano and used our hour in Italy to use our free European Union roaming on our phones to post some pictures on Instagram and we stocked up on some cheaper snacks for the next leg of our Swiss railway journey.

Sometimes dreams come true and the Bernina Express train from Tirano to St. Moritz was nothing short of a train lover’s dream come true. What a spectacular route from start to finish that was. But isn’t the Bernina Express a hype? Read exactly what I think of the Bernina Express here , but I can assure you, the Bernina Express is a must-do if you’re in Switzerland for the train travel.

The Bernina Express is mandatory for anyone who likes sweeping scenery, impressive altitude gains on the train and wants to enjoy some of the best views of Switzerland. All of this while you’re seated in luxurious seats and can order drinks and lunch as you go. (We didn’t as we stocked up on snacks in Italy). I spoke to a woman who took the Bernina Express as a day trip from St. Moritz . She went back and forth on the same route and this was the one time I could imagine that it is totally worth it. There is so much to see on the route, one journey is not enough.

One day in St. Moritz.

When I was planning our 15-day Switzerland itinerary via train, I figured after each long travel day, we would have 1 day to rest and stay in 1 place. This would give us 2 nights in each place and cut down on packing up too much. I still believe in this philosophy, but I regret the extra day we had in St. Moritz. Yes, it was nice to rest a bit but as we’re not posh, we don’t ski and it was September, I felt quite bored in St. Moritz. Looking back, we should have continued our travel plan and add the extra day later in our itinerary in Zermatt or in the Jungfraujoch area.

The next morning, we woke up at 6 am as our train to Chur left at 7 am. When I wanted to book the mandatory reservations for the Glacier Express, all spots were sold out. We could not take the 10 am or 11 am train from St. Moritz or Chur to Zermatt. In a desperate attempt not the change our plans, we took a 7 am train from St. Moritz to Chur and were scheduled to take the afternoon train from Chur to Zermatt.

The morning journey was spectacular. As the sun was rising above the mountains, she cast her golden rays over the Alps and the green meadows in between. We had the whole train compartment to ourselves and enjoyed one of the most impressive views of Switzerland as we passed the Landwasser Viaduct.

But the early morning took its toll on us. As we arrived in Chur with a whole afternoon to spare and sore feet from already walking that much. We decided to not take the Glacier Express Panoramic train from Chur to Zermatt. Instead, we took the regional train that follows the same route and would bring us to Zermatt 5 hours earlier. Although it was a long travel day, we still saw the same scenery as the Glacier Express. We lost the money in our reservation fee (as it’s non-refundable) but I was glad we took the regional train. And I could write a comparison story about it too!

One Day in Zermatt

Although I set out to see Switzerland by train in our 2-week itinerary, my best day was not a train-day. I cannot believe I dare to admit this in writing. Personally, my best day was the day we went hiking in Zermatt. Although I woke up with a bad cold, we decided to hike the 5-Seen Weg in the mountains of Zermatt. The day could not have been more perfect with crisp clear skies, the impressive Matterhorn mountain looming at the horizon and a great day hiking with my boyfriend. Yes, I was more dead than alive at the end of the day but it was gorgeous.

In case you’re wondering if you should take the Glacier Express all the way to Zermatt, then I’d recommend you do. Zermatt is such a cute village with an amazing vibe. I felt we could have hopped from one bar to the next, drinking beer, having fondue and just relax for a bit.

We stayed in an amazing apartment right in the center of town that I rented via Airbnb. It was big and the kitchen was amazing. And, it was the cheapest accommodation for our two weeks in Switzerland.

Zermatt to Montreux: along the Rhône River

Although I enjoyed hiking in the mountains around Zermatt, I was also excited to board the train, again, and continue our Swiss train journey. We took the regional train from Zermatt to Montreux. Although not a panoramic train, the route was quite impressive as we followed the Rhône River with her grape packed hills until we reached Lake Geneva. The train continued along the shore of the lake, giving us our first glimpses of the famous lake. We stopped in Montreux but you can continue to Geneva is you like.

3 nights in Montreux

We stayed in Montreux at the Royal Plaza Montreux & Spa Hotel for 3 nights. We would use Montreux mainly as a base to explore the region and for more train travel the following day, but the town itself surprised me.

But we didn’t just eat cheese fondue, walk along the Mediterranean flower beds and take up all the sunshine we could find. We also took more Swiss railway journeys while we stayed in Montreux.

Cogwheel Train to Rochers de Naye

We arrived quite early in Montreux and figured we take one of the scenic day trips up to the hills above Montreux and enjoy the view. We took the little train to Rochers de Naye that has a breathtaking view across Lake Geneva. Fun thing was that we spotted some groundhogs but the top attraction really is the view.

Chocolate Train to Gruyère and Broc

Was it as good as it sounds? A train that brings you to a cheese factory and a chocolate factory. Well, let me save you the disappointment, the name sounds fancier than the actual train trip. I was utterly disappointed actually. Yes, the 1-hour ride on the vintage Pullman train was amazing. The plush seating and the wooden clad benches transported you back to the good old days of luxurious train travel. But the transport by bus to the cheese factory in Gruyère was a disappointment. The visit to the Gruyère cheese factory was a waste of time as the audio tour didn’t tell anything interesting and you watch everything from above.

The visit to the town of Gruyère was nice. It was my boyfriend’s birthday so we enjoyed the day in the sun and indulged in a gigantic ice cream sundae. The visit to the Broc chocolate factory was ok. It was nice to see vintage advertisements and talk to the staff about the mass production of chocolate products but it felt like a commercial tourist trap.

All in all, not the worst day I ever spent traveling but it had cost us 1 valuable day of our train pass and we had to pay nearly 100€ in ‘reservation fees’ on top of that. If you think that you’ll follow the same route on the Golden Pass Line train route, then in my personal opinion, the Chocolate Train is not worth it.

Something that was worth it, was the Golden Pass Line from Montreux to Lucerne. It was basically a way to get from the west of Switzerland back to the middle part but this scenic train journey surprised me a lot. I felt the Golden Pass Train route had a lot to offer as it shows some typical stereotype scenery of Switzerland. But it also covers a lot of ground and although this was our 11th scenic train trip in Switzerland, I was still captured by the landscape and the flow of the train.

Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe Train station

One of the reasons to take the Golden Pass Train is because it stops in Interlaken and Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfraujoch region. We only had 1 night in the village of Wengen but this meant we had 2 options to travel to the Top of Europe Jungfraujoch station. Either the afternoon of our arrival or the next morning.

After nearly 2 weeks of sunshine in Switzerland, this was one of our very few clouded days. It even rained a bit in the afternoon. Therefore, we decided to take the train up the Jungfraujoch the next morning. See my web story about our trip here.

Although the round trip by train to the Jungfraujoch was expensive and we only got a 25% discount with our Global Rail passes, I’m glad we did visit the Jungfraujoch as it was one of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen. It’s not that often you get to stand at 3.454m (11.332ft) and enjoy the mountains around you.

We had a 1-night stay at the Victoria Hotel & Spa Lauberhorn in Wengen, which was perfect to explore the region.

Two weeks Switzerland Itinerary by Train

After our visit to the Jungfraujoch, we went back to Interlaken and continued on the Golden Pass Line to Lucerne. Basically, we came full circle as we recognized Mt. Pilatus and saw the outline of the city which we left behind earlier by boat. With one evening to spare, we continued to Zürich and explored the city for some dinner. The next morning, we had to depart early to return home again but otherwise, we could have explored Zürich by day.

• Pre-Alpine Express : Lucerne to St. Gallen
• Gotthard Panorama Express : Lucerne to Lugano
• Bernina Express : Lugano to St. Moritz and Chur
• Glacier Express : St. Moritz to Zermatt
• Golden Pass Train : Montreux to Lucerne
• Jungfraujoch Top of Europe : Interlaken to Jungfraujoch
• 2 week Switzerland Train Itinerary : Practical Guide to plan your Train Trip in Switzerland
• Steepest Cogwheel Train : Climb Mt. Pilatus
• Chocolate Train : Montreux to Gruyère and Broc

Planning your 2-week train itinerary Switzerland

In the end, we spent 15 nights in Switzerland. We took the major 5 panoramic train journeys around the country and we took 6 scenic day trips (by train) in Switzerland. This made a full circle in Switzerland and saw north, south, east and west. We covered the German-speaking part, the Italian speaking part, and the French part. We traveled over 1.500 km (945 miles) by train and almost all of it in Switzerland, without backtracking a lot.

But it wasn’t easy. It took me a good portion of my evenings, looking at maps, familiarizing myself with the names of the train routes around Switzerland and the places and little towns. Finding affordable places to stay was also mission impossible and making the mandatory train reservations was nerve-racking.

Highlight first or save the best for last

When I first started planning our Switzerland train trip, I first planned to go from Lucerne to Montreux with a visit to the Jungfraujoch and then onwards to the east. If you’ve read the above, you’ll see I actually went 100% the other way around. Why?

After careful deliberation, I realized we’d be doing the Voralpen Express and St. Gallen last. Although they were really nice trips and worth our time, I might have had a different opinion if we’d been traveling through the actual Alps first. In our first plan, we’d visit the Jungfraujoch first. Ticking off one of our must-dos first seemed like a good plan, but with our actual itinerary we slowly built up to the highest highlight. Saving the best for last is always a good idea to prevent travel fatigue and boredom.

My practical tips for planning your train itinerary in Switzerland

• Check out my Switzerland train map to see my 2 week Switzerland train itinerary
• Download the Swiss train app to research route times (for Apple here and for Android here ). Their website is patchy and glitchy but I found the SBB app works really well for all areas in Switzerland.
• Familiarize yourself with all the rules of your train pass . Of course, you can also just buy separate tickets but a Switzerland train pass will save you money
• Use a spreadsheet. Like mine. Why don’t you join my mailing list, download mine, and use the data I’ve gathered to make your own spreadsheet. Click here . Sign up for my newsletter and download mine
• Make reservations for your train tickets 3 months in advance via the sites below.
• After making the train reservations, make hotel bookings via this website or use Airbnb (or steal my recommendations with a list of all our accommodations below ).

Quick and Easy Links for Switzerland Train Travel

• Voralpen Express , no reservation needed, you can buy a ticket at the station or use your train pass
• Gotthard Panorama Express , you can book the boat tickets in the harbor but you need to make a reservation for the train from Flüelen to Lugano. (or try your luck and pay the conductor)
• Bernina Express , a reservation is mandatory. You need to make separate reservations for the bus and the train
• Glacier Express , also a mandatory reservation, although the local train follows the same route and no reservation is needed
• Golden Pass Train , a very odd website. It’s often down so keep trying
• Swiss Travel Pass will save you a lot of money!

Where to stay during your 2 week Swiss train adventure?

Here are the links of the hotels and AirBnB’s where we stayed during our 2 weeks in Switzerland. I paid for all myself, except for the hotel in Montreux where we received a discounted stay. But as always, all opinions are my own. All hotels were carefully selected by me for their location from the train station and their price compared to value.

• 1 night in Basel at Rheinfelderhof hotel.
• 3 nights at AirBnB in Eschenbach, 20 minutes by train from Lucerne in this apartment
• 2 nights at a basic self-catering hotel in Lugano, very basic but budget stay at Lugano Center Guesthouse
• 2 nights in St.Moritz in a budget room with a shared bathroom at Petit Steffani Hostel
• and 2 nights in downtown Zermatt in a spacious apartment , rented via Airbnb . I wanted to move in and live here forever
• 3 nights in Montreux at the Royal Plaza Montreux and Spa with sweeping views of Lake Geneva
• 1 night in Wengen to visit the Jungfraujoch at the Hotel & Spa Victoria Lauberhorn . This was our last night splurge where we enjoyed the view, the spa, and the breakfast.
• 1 final night to catch the early train home from Zürich. We stayed at the budget hotel Montana near the train station
• Fodor’s Essential Switzerland Guidebook is a good guide for information and practical travel tips. Purchase your copy here .
• Book your hotels in Switzerland via Booking.com or Hotels.com
• Find your direct flights to Zurich, Switzerland here
• Book your tours and activities direct with GetYourGuide or Viator
• Travel in style and hang this super cool Swiss Flag luggage tag on your bag. Check out these cool designs!
• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel in Switzerland. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Your 15-day train trip to Switzerland

Wow, are you still with me? I love you for reading that much. The thing is, this 2-week train trip to Switzerland really was a trip of a lifetime and I have so many details to share and try to cram them all into this post. I’m sure with my tips, you can stitch together your own train itinerary with the best train trips Switzerland has to offer.

Have you done a train trip through Switzerland? Which one was your most favorite train journey? How did you arrange everything? Let me know in the comment section below!

The Pinterest images above are with special thanks to Switzerland Tourism – BAFU and Rhaetische Bahn/Swiss Travel System.

Author: Naomi

30 comments.

Using your free spreadsheet. Trying to figure out what you used for you map. It appears it was an image copied over from someplace. Can you tell me what you used?

Hi Robin. The image is from the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland and I have added the route from Montreux to Brig. I hope you have a great time in Switzerland.

Comments are closed.

How to get around in Switzerland: from sky-high mountain rides to state-of-the-art railways

May 24, 2024 • 8 min read

Sit back, relax and soak in Switzerland's stunning scenery with these transport options © rudi_suardi / Getty Images

Nowhere does the saying "the journey is the destination" ring truer than in Switzerland .

With valleys deep and mountains high, get ready for rides of a lifetime – from hairpin-bend road trips to trains chugging high into the snowy wilds of the Alps and and heavenly boat journeys across piercing blue lakes. Travel in Switzerland isn’t only beautiful – it’s also environmentally sound. The eco-minded Swiss have nailed rail travel like no other nation, and climate-neutral boats, solar-powered cable cars, electric buses and car-free towns and resorts further boost its sustainable credentials. Thanks to plentiful charging stations, the entire country is drivable by electric car.

Journeys in Switzerland aren’t just about getting from A to B – they are travel moments you’ll be raving about for years to come. Here's how to get around this tremendously scenic country.

Be wowed by the Swiss scenery when traveling by train

You’ve got to hand it to the Swiss – their trains really are the dream: efficient, slickly modern, eco-friendly and with views that keep you glued to the window for the duration of the journey. 

Most major cities, including Bern , Geneva , Zurich and Basel , are connected by rail with daily services. Tickets do not need to be bought in advance, and they can be purchased at stations on the day of travel or on the official Swiss Railways website . That said, look out for sizable discounts when booking “supersaver” tickets ahead of travel.

Ride the panoramic trains for the best views

Primarily geared towards tourists, these panoramic trains often have cars with extra large (and remarkably well polished) windows that emphasize the incredible scenery and let you get some great photos. They all require reservations, with tickets usually sold for a specific leg on the routes rather than the full journey.

• Glacier Express : The "wow" never leaves your lips on this legendary Alpine train journey between Zermatt and St Moritz. The Brig–Zermatt Alpine leg makes for pretty powerful viewing, as does the area between Disentis/Mustér and Brig.
• GoldenPass Line : Skirting the shores of some of Switzerland’s most ravishing lakes, this route links Lucerne to Montreux . The journey is in three legs, and you must change trains twice. Regular trains, without panoramic windows, work the whole route hourly.
• Bernina Express : This route negotiates 55 tunnels and 196 bridges as it travels the Alpine valley of Engadine one way from Chur to Tirano in four hours, hitting its high point at 2253m (7392ft) above sea level. Between May and October, you can continue from Tirano to Lugano by bus.
• Mont Blanc/St Bernard Expresses : Go from Martigny to Chamonix, France, or over the sensationally wild St Bernard Pass.
• Voralpen Express : Glide between Lake Constance and Lake Lucerne, through St Gallen, Rapperswil and Romanshorn on this route.
• Gotthard Panorama Express : This rail-boat combo starts with a wonderful 2.5-hour cruise across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen, from where a train winds its way through ravines and past mountains to Bellinzona or Lugano.

Tip for saving francs on scenic train journeys: Regularly scheduled services, which often ply the same routes as the tourist trains, can be just as enjoyable and significantly less expensive.

Driving in Switzerland is a breeze 

Skirting lakes and vineyards and twisting up and over passes in the high Alps, Switzerland’s roads are beautiful on a cinematic scale, and the country has plenty of drives that are too darned scenic to rush.

The headline road trip is the 1600km (994-mile) Grand Tour of Switzerland , an epic, efficiently signposted lap of the country that links 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and shows off the Alpine nation from its most flattering angles. And the environmental clincher? It’s entirely drivable by electric car.

You’ll find car rental companies at airports and in cities and towns. Many now rent out electric cars, too. The minimum rental age is usually 25 but falls to 20 at some local firms. You always need a credit card. In winter, rental cars are usually equipped with winter tires.

Switzerland’s roads are well signposted and maintained, but you should always check conditions before heading up into the Alps, especially in winter. The highest passes are only open from June to October and, depending on the weather, you may need to use a tunnel instead. 

Tip for driving on freeways in Switzerland: You’ll need to pay an annual one-time charge of Sfr40 to use Swiss freeways and semi-freeways, identified by green signs. This is available as an E-vignette online or as a Vignette (sticker) at the border, at Swiss gas stations, post offices and at Swiss tourist offices abroad. The sticker must be displayed on the windshield. 

Buses serve remote mountain regions

If you are in no hurry, Switzerland’s bright yellow postal buses can be a fun way to reach the remote mountain regions. The country’s PostBus service is synchronized with train arrivals, and bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations.

Prices are comparable to train fares. Swiss national travel passes are valid, but a few tourist-oriented Alpine routes levy a surcharge. Tickets are purchased from the driver, though on some scenic routes over the Alps (for instance the Lugano to St Moritz run) reservations are necessary.

Take a mountain railway, cable car or funicular ride

What a way to commute! The cable cars, funiculars, cogwheel railways and gondolas that climb up to the country’s highest Alpine reaches  are an absolute joy to experience and a highlight of traveling in Switzerland (as long as you have a head for heights!). 

True marvels of engineering, the mountain gondolas graze treetops, rail-bound funiculars shimmy precariously close to rock faces, and cable cars wobble across valleys (don’t worry – they are safe and subject to regular checks), before all emerge at a spectacularly snowy summit or glacier. It’s worth checking out what money-saving passes are available locally because they often work out cheaper than individual tickets and costs can quickly mount up in a country with so much vertical.

Tip for taking cable cars: A word of warning: always check what time the last cable car goes down the mountain unless you fancy a very long trek down. In mountain resorts in winter, it's as early as 4pm when the light starts to fade. 

Boat travel is a slow but wonderful way to cross Switzerland's lakes

Switzerland is a landlocked country, but boats ply the country's large lakes, serviced by steamers operated by Swiss Federal Railways or private companies for which national travel passes are valid.

Passenger boats run on Lake Geneva , Constance, Lucerne , Lugano , Neuchâtel , Biel, Murten, Thun, Brienz and Zug. Traveling by boat is a slow and delightfully scenic way to get around.

Tip for seeing Switzerland from the water: Check out SwitzerlandMobility for a detailed overview of regional and national canoe routes on lakes and rivers - from Bodensee (Lake Constance) in the country’s north to Italian-flavoured Ticino in the south. 

Consider investing in a Swiss Travel Pass

Though travel in Switzerland is efficient and convenient, it can also be expensive, and visitors planning to use intercity routes should consider investing in a Swiss Travel Pass . With this transport pass, you're allowed unlimited travel by train (including premium panorama trains), bus and boat, as well as local public transportation in cities, free entry to 500 museums and discounts of up to 50% on mountain excursions.

Tip for families: Children under 16 travel free of charge with the complimentary Swiss Family Card when accompanied by at least one parent (holding a Swiss Travel System ticket).

Experience Switzerland up close by bicycle

Whether you’re looking to crawl up hills on a road bike, tear down trails on a mountain bike or simply want a gentle pedal through orchards and vineyards hugging the shores of a shimmering lake, Switzerland is brilliantly set up for cyclists. Many cities have free or inexpensive bike-rental schemes , and bicycle and e-bike rental is usually available at train stations.

There are many well-signed and highly scenic cycle routes heading along rivers and lakeshores in Switzerland, perfect for two-wheel adventures. For details on national, regional and local routes, rental (including e-bike rental), bike-friendly accommodations, guides and maps, check SwitzerlandMobility .

Tip for traveling by train with a bike: Bikes can be taken on slower trains, and sometimes even on InterCity (IC) or EuroCity (EC) trains, when there’s room in the luggage carriage. Advance booking is sometimes necessary.

Accessible transportation is good in Switzerland

Switzerland ranks among the world’s most easily navigable countries for travelers with physical disabilities. Most train stations have a mobile lift for boarding trains, and city buses are equipped with ramps. The majority of modern hotels also have wheelchair access (although budget accommodations tend not to have elevators).

Switzerland Tourism has excellent information on barrier-free travel , including details on airport arrangements, assisted rail travel and disabled parking, or get in touch with Procap , an authority on barrier-free travel in Switzerland. The SBB has helpful pages on accessible travel , including details on tickets, booking assistance and journey planning.

Ready to plan your trip to Switzerland? Here are your next steps:

• When to go? Read on for the best time to visit Switzerland
• Save these top places to go in Switzerland to your profile
• Traveling on a budget? Check out this  guide to Switzerland on a budget
• And here's everything you need to know before you head over

This article was first published Aug 23, 2021 and updated May 24, 2024.

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Home » Trip Planning » Budget Tips

11 Budget Tips for Swiss Train Travel

• Last Updated: 30 Apr 2021
• By Tanya, Founder of Swiss Family Fun

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Switzerland train travel is efficient, punctual, clean and a great way to see this beautiful country. But Swiss public transportation can also be expensive, especially if you are traveling with a large group or family. 

So here are tips for getting discounts on Swiss train fares to maximize your budget.

How much does it cost to ride a train in Switzerland?

Short-term travel passes, long-term travel cards, discount fares.

Full fare train travel in Switzerland can be expensive. Here are some sample one-way fares (double these for round trip).

• Zürich to Luzern = CHF 25
• Luzern to Interlaken = CHF 33
• Zürich to Zermatt = CHF 125
• Zermatt to Geneva = CHF 102

Children 6-16 pay half-fare. Children under 6 ride for free.

Seniors and students do not get a discount on full fare train tickets. But they do qualify for discounts on some travel passes, travel cards and mountain excursions.

Travel passes are designed for tourists, making Swiss travel more convenient and cost effective. Instead of buying individual tickets each day of travel, you purchase a travel passes for a specific number of days, from 2 to 10 days depending on the pass.

Most travel passes cover public transport (trains, trams, buses) and give discounts on mountain excursions and leisure activities. Look at the specific pass details for the exact benefits.

1. Swiss Travel Pass

The most popular option for tourists is the Swiss Travel Pass. It fully covers transportation on trains, buses, and boats for a predetermined number of days. It also gives a discount on mountain transport at many locations. This is the most flexible pass and is best if you are traveling long distances and don’t have a set itinerary.

Should you buy a Swiss Travel Pass?

2. Regional travel passes

Many mountain destinations offer a regional travel passes that covers trains, buses, boats, and some mountain transport (or discounts for them) in one region for a certain number of days. You’ll have to do the math, but generally, these are only worth it if you don’t have a car (meaning you are always traveling to/from places by public transport) and you will be using expensive mountain transport every day.

• Jungfrau Pass
• Berner Oberland Regional Pass
• Tell Pass for Central Switzerland
• Erlebnis Card for Upper Valais
• Graubünden Pass   for southeast Switzerland
• Golden Pass for western Switzerland

See Best Swiss Regional Passes

3. International travel passes

If you are traveling across Europe with a InterRail or Eurail pass, you may be eligible for discounts on Swiss train travel. But if Switzerland is the focus of your trip, it’s much better to purchase a Switzerland specific pass as mentioned above.

Interrail Global Pass – This pass is only available to residents of Europe and not valid in the country you live in (i.e. Swiss residents cannot use it in Switzerland). It is generally used to travel between major destinations/countries, e.g. 5 days of travel in one month. If you use this pass in Switzerland, it covers all public transportation and gives a discount on some mountain excursions (usually 25% off). If seat reservations are required on your train (like the Glacier Express), you must purchase those separately. Learn more .

Eurail Pass – This pass is only available to non-European residents. Depending which version of the pass you get, you get discounts on train trail and some mountain excursions in Switzerland. Learn more .

These travel cards are designed more for Swiss residents, giving them discounted travel over the long term. But these can also be purchased by tourists and may be a more cost efficient option in some scenarios.

4. Half-fare travelcard

The SBB Half-fare travelcard gives you a 50% discount on public transportation (trains, trams, buses and boats) and most mountain transport. This pass pays for itself rather quickly if you ride up just a few expensive mountains.

Swiss residents can purchase the yearly SBB Half-fare travelcard, which costs CHF 185/adult. First you have to order a Swiss Pass, which is a travel ID card. Then you can buy travel passes to load onto the card. Learn more .

Tourists can purchase a 1 month Half-fare card, which provides the same benefits but just for 30 days. In 2023, this short-term travelcard costs CHF 120/adult. Learn more .

More info about the SBB Half-fare card .

5. Junior card – Free travel for kids

If you are traveling with children aged 6 to 16, you should buy the SBB Junior card (sometimes called the Family Card). It costs CHF 30 per year and entitles the child to travel free on public transportation and most mountain transport when traveling with a parent with a valid ticket.

The Junior Card is available for purchase by both locals and tourists. You can buy the Junior card at a train station that has a ticket office. You need to bring IDs for your children proving their age.

You can also buy a Children’s Co-Travelcard, which allows children to travel free when traveling with any adult with a valid ticket. It also costs CHF 30/year.

Children under 6 are free on all public transport and almost all mountain transport when accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket.

More info about SBB Junior Cards

5. 1-month GA Travelcard

If you are staying in Switzerland for a few weeks, a one month GA card could be the most affordable way to travel. A GA pass includes free public transportation all over Switzerland, including trains, trams, buses and boats. It also include a discount on most mountain railways, usually 50% discount and some free. See the current validity map to see what’s covered.

In 2023, a 1-month GA Travelcard costs CHF 420 (2nd class), about the same price as an 8 day Swiss Travel Pass (see below). You do not need a SBB Half-fare card to use the 1 month GA Travelcard. Both Swiss residents and non-Swiss residents can purchase this card.

Buy a 1-Month GA travelcard

If you do a little research and purchase in advance, you can benefit from discounted fares and special promotions.

6. Supersaver fares

If you buy tickets in advance, you may get a Supersaver Ticket option, which can offer extreme discounts. In the example below, a normal one-way ticket from Zürich to Bern is CHF 51, but with Supersaver it’s only CHF 15.40 (even less with a SBB Half-fare card).

When booking tickets on SBB.ch or the SBB app, you’ll see the Supersaver option in the “Options for outward journey” section at the bottom of the screen. You’ll need to expand that section to see it. The Supersaver option isn’t always available. If you see the % symbol, then a discount option is available.

Please note that the Supersaver fare is for a specific date & time, so you cannot use this ticket for a different train that day, e.g. if you missed the train or wanted to take an earlier one. More  details on SBB .

7. SBB Railaway combi discounts

SBB Railaway does many special travel promotions within Switzerland. Their “combi discounts” give you a discount when you purchase your train travel together with a leisure activities like mountain excursions and museums. The discount is at least 10% but can be as high as 50%. They typically publish a new set of offers each season.

See SBB Railway Offers here .

A day pass covers all public transport covers all public transportation throughout Switzerland and gives discounts on some mountain transport. In 2022, the standard day pass costs CHF 150 full fare and CHF 75 with a SBB Half-fare card. But there are three ways you can get a discounted day pass.

8. Saver Day Passes

Anyone can buy Saver Day Passes in advance, which covers all public transportation throughout Switzerland and gives discounts on some mountain transport. These Saver Day Passes can be as low as CHF 52 for adults or CHF 29 for adults with a SBB half-fare card. This is about the same price as a return ticket from Zürich to Luzern. Amazing deal! 

The downside is that you have book very far in advance to get the biggest discount. If your plans change, there is bad weather or you get sick, you might not be able to use the pass.

The Saver Day Pass generally has the same validity as a GA Pass. But some mountains do not accept the Saver Day Pass (even if they accept the GA pass). So check the validity map to make sure your desired destinations are covered.

Learn more about the Saver Day Pass

9. “Gemeinde” Day Passes

Many towns pre-purchase GA Day Passes (covers travel for the entire country), which they offer at a discount to people who live in the town. You can see a list of towns and calendar of what’s still available here:  https://www.tageskarte-gemeinde.ch/en-us/

This website simply links you to the website for that Gemeinde (aka community), so you can see their rules for reserving and purchasing the tickets. You can often reserve them online, sometimes by phone, then pick them up a few days before your travel day. Typically only people living in the Gemeinde can reserve and pick up the tickets, so you could have a friend do it for you.

10. Leisure Card

If you have a SBB Half-fare card, you can purchase a “Leisure Card,” which includes 20 GA day passes for CHF 900. This works out to CHF 45/day, which is much cheaper than the standard half-fare day pass price of CHF 75/day. 

You have to use all 20 passes within a year of purchase. But you can use them anytime and don’t have to pre-book a specific day.

Buy SBB Leisure Card

Is it cheaper to buy Swiss train tickets online?

For regular tickets, it is not cheaper to purchase Swiss train tickets online. However, some discount offers (like Supersaver fares and Saver Day Passes) are only available on the SBB website and SBB mobile app. So it’s always better to purchase train tickets online or via mobile app so you can see if these discounts are available.

Do I need to reserve a seat on Swiss trains?

Seat reservations are only CHF 5 but it’s not usually necessary to make a seat reservation on Swiss trains. I’ve made a reservation only one time in 17 years.

But you may need/want to reserve a seat if:

• you are traveling on a special panorama train that requires a reservation (e.g. Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Express)
• the train is forecast to be very crowded and you are traveling a long distance on a single train
• you are traveling a popular commute route during commuting hours (Zurich – Bern, Bern – Geneva, Zurich – Lugano)
• you are traveling with children or a large group and want to sit together
• you want to sit in a special train car, like family area or business zone

You can only make reservations on most Intercity (IC) and ICN trains, not on local trains. You can see the forecast capacity on the SBB.ch or SBB mobile app. They have a little people icon that turns red as they predict the train to be more full.

You can make the reservation online at SBB.ch. You don’t reserve the seat when purchasing your ticket. You do it separately using the reservation booking system . During this process, make sure to select the same train your ticket is for.

Do I have to buy a train ticket for my dog?

Dogs larger than 30 cm tall must have a train ticket. Small dogs under 30cm may travel for free only if they travel inside a carrier or basket. 

For short journeys, purchase a half-fare ticket for your dog. For longer journeys, purchase a Dog Day Pass, which costs CHF 25. You can also purchase a Dog year pass for CHF 350. Learn more . 

Do I need a train ticket for my bike?

Yes, you need a separate train ticket for your bike. For short distances, you can purchase a half-price ticket for your bike in addition to your own ticket. For longer distances, purchase a bike day pass, which in 2022, costs CHF 14. Learn more about taking bikes on Swiss trains .

Do disabled passengers receive discounts?

Disabled passengers are not automatically entitled to discounts on Swiss train travel. However, you may receive discounts if you purchase Swiss train tickets from your country of origin. Learn more .

I hope these tips helped. Do you have any other ideas on how to save money on travel in Switzerland?

• TAGS: Swiss Public Transport , Train Tickets

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Thank you, very useful! Saved us quite a bit on train tickets

Great! So I could help you save some money on your trip.

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How to Travel Switzerland by Train in 5 Days

Is it possible to travel Switzerland by train in five days?

Yes, it is possible to travel across Switzerland by train in just five days, although it will be necessary to prioritize what you want to see and do in your limited time. To make the most of your time, it's important to prioritize which regions and cities you want to visit and plan your itinerary accordingly.

In the 17th century, it was common practice for wealthy Brits and Scandinavians to embark on a Grand Tour of Europe to expand their horizons. With its rough nature and mysterious alpine peaks, Switzerland started to play a key role in this journey by the 19th century.

The popular Grand Train Tour of centuries past has recently seen a revival. Instead of taking several weeks to explore Switzerland (as was common), today's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland provides all the highlights during a trip lasting one to two weeks. But for some globetrotters, spending two weeks in Switzerland is wishful thinking, so we often get asked: "How can we see most of Switzerland in just a few days?"

Here is our recommended itinerary for Switzerland by train in five days, starting at Zurich Airport (ZRH):

Buy your train pass online or at zurich airport.

The country's main airport in Zürich is seamlessly connected to the Swiss rail system. There is an underground train station just steps from the arrival area, including a travel center where you can make reservations for the Glacier Express you will use on day 5. If you have not purchased your Swiss Travel Pass online in advance, you can purchase public transportation tickets there.

For how long is the Swiss Travel Pass valid?

The Swiss Travel Pass ticket is available for three, four, six, eight, or 15 days. It provides unlimited access to most trains, buses, and boats in the country's network and admission to some 500 museums.

Having it in your pocket makes transferring among the various modes of transportation extremely smooth as you will not have to figure out the ticket machines. But unfortunately, you will not have time to climb many peaks in just five days. (Besides trains, the pass discounts many cable cars and funiculars.)

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.

With this five-day itinerary, I would suggest a one-way ticket to Lucerne combined with a four-day Swiss Travel Pass , which is valid in all these places .

In case you are torn between first or second-class tickets, here is what the first-class coach on an SBB InterCity train looks like:

From Zurich Airport to Lucerne

Once you are all set at the Zürich Airport train station, find the right track for the direct train to Lucerne (or switch once at Zürich HB). Sit on the left-hand side in the direction of the train because your first leg will include a scenic stretch along Lake Zürich.

The rest of your first day will depend on the arrival time- and your energy level. Our recommendation for a half-day trip from mid-May to autumn is the Golden Roundtrip Circuit.

Take a train or boat from Lucerne's main station to Alpnachstad (both are included in your pass). Hop onto the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to Pilatus Kulm (50 percent discount with your pass). From the top, enjoy the views of the surrounding alpine peaks. You are at 2132 meters above sea level, after all!

On your way down, you could take the cable car to Kriens, from where you will hop on the bus to Lucerne. (The Swiss Travel Pass includes the bus, but the cable car ride will be discounted at 50 percent.) Alternatively, take the cogwheel railway back to Alpnachstad.

I endorse the Golden Roundtrip from Lucerne to Mt. Pilatus

From Lucerne to Spiez in the Bernese Alps

Today, you will be riding the GoldenPass line to the canton of Bern by crossing Mt. Brünig. After a morning stroll through Lucerne, hop on the "Luzern - Interlaken Express," which leaves hourly. You will pass three lakes as you cross the Brünig mountain pass: A small arm of Lake Lucerne called Alpnachersee, followed by Lake Sarnen and Lake Lungern.

On the other side of the pass, expect epic views of the gigantic mountains that make up the Bernese Alps. If you left Lucerne early in the day, stop at the town of Brienz.

We have often paraded along the turquoise Lake Brienz . The trail starts just outside the station by the boat dock. It is a very nice walk with truly superb photo spots. But don't spend too much time here, because you have to make it to Spiez for your overnight stay.

In Brienz, hop back onto the "Luzern - Interlaken Express" headed to Interlaken Ost. There, make a transfer to a train headed to Spiez, the final stop for the day.

From Brienz to Locarno in the south of Switzerland

You will wake up in the charming town of Spiez by Lake Thun. I can guarantee you will feel the urge to take a stroll or shop for souvenirs. And my itinerary does not prevent you from doing so. Remember that your next destination is in Switzerland's south, where the palm trees sway... Tough choice!

Depending on which train connection you pick, today's leg from Spiez to Locarno will take 3 to 4.5 hours, with a transfer in Domodossola, Italy.

Be ready for a scenic train ride briefly interrupted by two major tunnels: the Lötschberg tunnel (14.6 km) before descending to Brig, and the Simplon tunnel (19.8 km) connecting Switzerland to Italy.

Domodossola is worth a visit, especially on a Saturday when the historic center is buzzing with the weekly market. Here, you will be switching onto the Centovalli Railway that takes you all the way to Locarno.

My family used to spend our summer vacation in a stone house in this valley. From the windows on the right-hand side, you will best see the impressive slopes of this remote valley.

Once in Locarno, spend the evening strolling by the lake. Or if you feel like spending a luxurious night atop Locarno, we can recommend Hotel Belvedere or Villa Orselina . The easiest way to get there is by funicular.

From sunny Locarno to ritzy St. Moritz

You might want to start early on day four as you will traverse more than one mountain on your way to St. Moritz. If traveling from mid-June to October, you should gear for the Palm Express departing in Lugano.

This four-hour bus ride to St. Moritz will cross the scenic Maloja Pass. Here is more information , including the mandatory reservation form and a timetable .

All others should transfer to a postal bus in Bellinzona. Look for a bus headed to Chur, but remember to get off in Thusis. You will transfer to the Bernina Express train bound for St. Moritz there.

Your Swiss Travel Pass also includes buses, so buying a ticket for these legs is unnecessary. Regardless of your choice, the views will be amazing, and this day will surely leave a lasting impression.

Needless to say, you are crossing from the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland into the canton of Grisons, where Romansh is the dominant language. St. Moritz is a ritzy hot spot; you will surely enjoy the rest of your day there.

How to Use the Swiss Travel Pass on the Bernina Express in 2024

From St. Moritz to Lausanne in the French-speaking part of Switzerland

For your final day of train travel in Switzerland, prepare for a bucket list experience: The Glacier Express train, a.k.a. the world’s slowest express train. For instance, reserve a seat on Gex 903 in winter, leaving St. Moritz at 9:15 AM.

Exactly 6 hours 25 minutes later, you must part with this panoramic train at Brig, where you will transfer onto a train headed for Lausanne. I suggest going to Zermatt on the Glacier Express if you have just one extra day. But on a five-day pass, this extra loop to see the Matterhorn is simply not feasible.

Either way, the ride on the Glacier Express across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels, alongside green meadows, remote villages, and untouched nature will leave a lasting impression. This ideal stretch is to lean back in your seat and gaze out the window.

When you make it to Lausanne at 5:43 PM, you will be glad to check into your hotel and hit the spa... Lausanne is located within one hour of the Geneva Airport (GVA), and there is a straight high-speed train connection to Paris on TGV Lyra.

Finally, I would like to stress the importance of reserving your seat on the Glacier Express beforehand. This route is usually fully booked during peak travel seasons. In case you are traveling on a Swiss Travel Pass , the reservation fee is included.

The ideal itinerary to experience Switzerland by train will require at least eight days of travel. But this five-day itinerary is also possible and allows you to maximize the country's dense rail network.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass Worth It in 2024?

Swiss Travel Pass FAQs: Helpful Answers for 2024

Switzerland Train Itinerary for Rail Lovers (2024)

Definitive Swiss Travel Pass Solo Traveler’s Guide (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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How to Travel Between Italy and Switzerland by Train

Leonid Andronov / Getty Images

If your trip to Europe includes stays in both Italy and Switzerland, traveling between the two countries by train is a convenient option, especially if you don't want to rent a car. While the process of getting from Italy to Switzerland, or vice versa, is mostly straightforward, there are a few things you should know before undertaking your journey.

There are essentially two main corridors for train travel between Italy and Switzerland. Almost all trains entering Switzerland from Italy begin in either Milan or Tirano, a small town on the Swiss border. Likewise, trains from Switzerland to Italy terminate in one of these two locations. The one exception is a single daily, direct train that runs between Venice, Italy and Geneva, Switzerland.

Milan is connected to the rest of Italy by high-speed or slower regional trains. If you're planning to travel from elsewhere in Italy on the same day you go from Milan to Switzerland, keep an eye on those schedules. Allow yourself at least an hour to connect in Milan, especially if you're arriving in Milan on an Intercity or Regionale train. Your train might be late reaching Milano Centrale, meaning you'll miss your connecting train to Switzerland. Not only will you have to wait several hours for the next train, but you may also have to buy a new ticket, pay a stiff change penalty, and miss out on your first choice of seats or carriages. Some of us have learned this lesson the hard way.

Travel Between Switzerland from Milan

From Milano Centrale, Milan's large, main train station, direct trains depart for the Swiss cities of Geneva, Basel, and Zurich. Routes and travel times are as follows, and we highlighted some of the major cities on these routes:

• EC 32 or 36 Milan to Geneva: 4 hours, with stops in Stresa (Lake Maggiore), Domodossola, Brig, Sion, Montreux, and Lausanne
• EC 50, 52 or 56 Milan to Basel: 4 hours, 12 minutes, with stops in Stresa (Lake Maggiore), Domodossola, Brig, Visp, Spiez, Thun, Bern, and Olten (EC 56 also stops in Liestal)
• EC 358 Milan to Basel: 4 hours, 46 minutes, with stops in Monza, Como S. Giovanni (Lake Como), Chiasso, Lugano, Bellinzona, Arth-Goldau, Rotkreuz, Lucerne, and Olten
• EC 310, 312, 314, 316, 320, 322. 324 Milan to Zurich: 3 hours, 40 minutes, with stops in Monza, Como S. Giovanni (Lake Como), Chiasso, Lugano, Bellinzona, Arth-Goldau, Rotkreuz, and Zug (EC 312 does not stop at Monza)

These trains are part of the EuroCity network, which are international trains connecting major cities across Europe. EuroCity trains run under the jurisdiction of whatever country they're in. This means you can purchase EuroCity train tickets from both the Italian (Trenitalia) and Swiss (SBB) national train services. When the train is in Italy, you are traveling with Trenitalia. When the train crosses into Switzerland, you're traveling with SBB.

EuroCity trains are labeled EC on train schedules. To function as an EC train, trains must meet specific criteria. Among them, they must be high-speed and only stop in train stations in or near major cities. They must have first- and second-class carriages, all cars must be air-conditioned, and there must be dining services aboard.

Seat reservations are required on all EuroCity trains (unless you're traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass). While second-class carriages are perfectly comfortable, first-class carriages tend to be less crowded, quieter, and they generally have cleaner bathrooms. Still, if you're traveling on a budget, you'll be perfectly comfortable in second-class train cars, especially for shorter trips.

In Milan's sprawling station, you'll be asked to show your printed, PDF, or e-ticket before you can access the train platform. Once onboard, a conductor will recheck your ticket. Once you cross into Switzerland, SBB conductors may take over and again ask to see your ticket—they may also request your passport or other official identification. If you're making the trip from Switzerland to Milan, expect more or less the same process in reverse.

If you're traveling during the day and the weather is clear, you can expect some lovely scenery. Depending on the route, you may catch glimpses of Lake Como or Lake Maggiore, the Italian and Swiss Alps, Lake Geneva, or Lake Lucerne. Trains traveling between Milan and Lucerne, Zurich, and Basel pass through the Gotthard Base Tunnel. At around 35 miles long, it is the world's longest and deepest train tunnel. Opened in 2016, it shortened travel time between Milan and points in Switzerland by up to an hour, since it goes through—rather than up and over—the Alps.

Traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass , which makes travel by train, bus, boat, and even cogwheel rail so easy and convenient in Switzerland, complicates things just a little when traveling to or from Italy. If you're going from Milan to anywhere in Switzerland and you have already purchased a Swiss Travel Pass, you only need to buy a ticket that's good as far as the first city across the Swiss border. For example, for travel from Milan to Geneva, you'd purchase a ticket as far as Brig, the first stop in Switzerland. Then just stay on the train, and when the SBB train conductor checks tickets, present your Swiss Travel Pass. If you bought second-class tickets for the Italian portion of your trip, but your Swiss Travel Pass is for first-class travel, you can change train carriages once you're in Switzerland—though it's not necessary to do so.

Likewise, holders of the Swiss Travel Pass who are leaving Switzerland bound for Italy need only purchase a ticket for the Italian portion of their trip. Seat reservations are compulsory for the Italian leg of the journey but are not required on most Swiss trains. So the trick is to reserve the Italian ticket with seat reservation in Switzerland, board the train and not have to change seats once you cross into Italy. We've found the easiest way to do this is in person at an SBB ticket office. The SBB staff person will give you a seat assignment for the Swiss leg of your journey (which you usually wouldn't need) that's valid to Milan. You'll pay a service fee of a few Swiss francs for the seat reservation within Switzerland.

Travel Between Tirano and Switzerland and Venice and Switzerland

Two other routes also connect Italy to Switzerland. The first is one of the most spectacular train rides in Europe—the Bernina Express from Tirano, Italy to St. Moritz, Switzerland. The scenic train climbs from Tirano up to the Bernina Glacier, then down into Pontresina and St. Moritz. Trains are run by the Rhaetian Railway . For more information, read our complete guide to the Bernina Express .

From Venice's Santa Lucia Station, there is one daily train to Geneva, Switzerland. The EuroCity 42 train leaves Venice at 4:18 p.m. and makes a lot of stops before arriving at Geneva at midnight. Stops are Venezia Mestre, Padova, Vicenza, Verona Porta Nuova, Peschiera Del Garda, Brescia, Milano Centrale, Gallarate, Domodossola, Brig, Sion, Montreux, and Lausanne. The seven-hour EuroCity 37 leaves Geneva at 7:39 a.m. and makes the same stops in reverse, arriving at Venice at 2:42 p.m.

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Moving To Switzerland As An Expat: A Step-By-Step Guide

• Last Updated: March 26, 2024
• Switzerland

Switzerland’s natural beauty and high quality of life attract many people each year. However, moving to Switzerland can be difficult because of all the paperwork, forms, and rules that you need to fill out and follow.

We’d hate to see you get overwhelmed or give up on your dreams, so the following guide will help you get organized and hopefully ease your process of moving to Switzerland. 

In this guide:

• Visas and residency: applications and requirements.
• Housing: sorting out accommodation.
• Registering with the local authorities .
• Healthcare: insurance and registering with a doctor.
• Opening a bank account .
• Enrolling your children in school .
• Driving in Switzerland .
• Things to know before you move .

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Step 1: Apply for a long-stay visa

Swiss immigration policies differ for different nationalities. Moving here is the easiest for EU/EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and Schengen citizens. If you are one of them, you do not need a visa to enter the country.

The same applies to several other countries. You can check whether you need a visa to enter Switzerland on the government site .

Regardless of whether you need a visa or not, you will have to apply for a residency permit if you decide to live here for more than three months.

Non-EU nationals

Moving there as a non-EU/EFTA/Schengen citizen is much more complicated. You have to apply for a D-type visa (long-stay visa) before traveling to the country. There is an annual cap on how many non-EU nationals are allowed to immigrate to Switzerland.

Here’s a list of documents required to apply for a D visa:

• A completed Switzerland Visa application form
• Two passport photos
• A valid passport
• Health insurance
• A cover letter that explains the reason for traveling to Switzerland
• Flight itinerary or proof of booked flight tickets
• Proof of accommodation in Switzerland
• Proof of civil status
• Proof that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay
• Proof of your employment status: employed, self-employed, student, retired.

Depending on which type of D visa you are applying for, extra documents might be required.

Remember to provide   the original document and three copies   of it, translated into English or one of Switzerland’s national languages (French, Italian, German, or Romansh).

D-visa types

• A work visa for those who have a Swiss work contract
• A student visa if you have a certificate of enrollment in a university
• A family reunion visa for anyone who is joining a family member already living in the country.
• An investment visa for those who can guarantee a minimum contribution of 250 000CHF in annual taxes.
• A retirement visa for foreign retirees who have enough funds to be able to support themselves throughout their retirement and can show ties to the country.

To apply for any of these visas, you have to go to the Swiss consulate or embassy in your country. The visa only allows you to enter the country, and you are expected to apply for a permit upon arrival.

Step 2: Sort out your accommodations

To even be allowed to register with the local authorities when you arrive, you have to provide a valid address, so I highly recommend sorting out accommodation before moving. I also advise anybody who is apartment hunting to not only look online but use property agents, as that would improve your chances.

Moving house and all the paperwork that comes with it is a real hassle. So, I personally recommend opting for a long-term lease right away.

On top of identification, a landlord will probably ask you for work-related documents, marital status, number of children, pets, proof of no ongoing legal judgment, etc.

Connecting utilities

Rent in Switzerland also covers utilities in most cases. Most rental homes come with utilities already connected since a previous tenant or owner would have set them up.

However, setting them up isn’t too complicated since the companies that provide the utilities aren’t fully liberalized. This means that you most likely won’t have a choice when it comes to the decision of what supplier you go with, as you’ll basically just have to sign with your local one.

Importing your household goods

Thankfully, the Swiss government allows household goods to be imported to the country duty-free since buying new furniture here can be very pricey. However, there are some conditions.

All items have to have been purchased and used for at least six months before your moval date. Make sure you can prove it. Otherwise, customs will most likely make you pay a very hefty fee if you don’t provide this documentation.

Your moving company should be able to help you with the customs forms and documentation.

Keep in mind that the Swiss border police are known for being very strict and pedantic.

Overall, I would say that even though shipping furniture, appliances, etc., can be expensive and a bit of a hassle, cost-wise, it is worth it, especially if you are moving from a country that is quite close by. 

For more information on your international removals options, read our Essential Guide To Cost-Effective International Removals .

Step 3: Register with the authorities on arrival

In order to obtain a residency permit, you have to register with the authorities on arrival. This is done at your local municipality within two weeks of entering the country and before your first working day.

Be sure to check the municipality’s website for all the required documents and to confirm their opening hours because some of them, especially the smaller ones, are only open 2 or 3 days a week.

If your registration was successful, you should expect your residency permit within 2 to 4 weeks.

Sorting out residence permits

Depending on how long you are planning to stay, you will be issued an L or a B residence permit.

An L permit is issued for a maximum of a 2-year stay and has to be renewed at the halfway mark. This permit is tied to your job offer. If you change your job, your permit renewal might be refused.

A B permit is for longer temporary residence or the first step in moving here permanently. You can apply for a C permit after ten years of living in Switzerland with a B permit if you are a non-EU/EFTA citizen and after five years if you are an EU/EFTA citizen.

A C permit allows you to reside in the country indefinitely and also allows you to apply for Swiss citizenship if you want.

Step 4: Sort out your healthcare

Signing up for health insurance is mandatory within the first three months of your arrival.

Free healthcare does not exist here, so you will have to sign with a private insurer.

The cost of the insurance is calculated based on where you live, so you could end up paying quite a lot, even if you don’t earn so much. Opting for a basic plan also only covers standard services, so dentistry and specialized treatments will most likely cost you extra.

Expats very often prefer to opt for international health insurance. To make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. 

Registering with a doctor 

Registering with a doctor is not a complicated process, as it often goes hand in hand with your health insurance. You will be able to choose which practitioner you want, but the options might be a bit limited if you have a cheaper plan.

I highly recommend using the Swiss Medical Association’s website to find a doctor.

Medical practitioners in Switzerland also have a reputation for being very professional, and most of them do speak English (especially in the big cities). Remember to also bring your Swiss health insurance card with you when you go for your appointment. 

Step 5: Open a bank account

Switzerland is pretty famous all over the world for its banks, so it’s no surprise that there is a great selection to choose from, with the two main ones being Credit Swiss and UBS.

Opening an account is pretty easy and straightforward. You can either go to a branch office and open your account there or create an account online, which can be a bit more complicated.

The whole process can take anywhere from a week to a month and a half (including the time to deliver the bank cards).

To be able to open an account, you will need an ID, a valid address with proof of residence, and proof of employment or legitimacy of the funds that you are looking to deposit. 

Step 6: Enroll your children in school

Switzerland has great public and private schools.

Most children in Switzerland attend a public school that is free as taxes finance it. You most likely won’t be able to choose which one your child goes to as it depends on your home address.

Each canton’s enrollment procedure is a bit different, so I recommend checking out your canton’s education department for more info.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in secondary schools, children are allocated to various streams based on their academic abilities. Your child’s language proficiency in one of the local languages will be among the main factors.

Switzerland also has some very prestigious private schools. If you are worried that your child’s local language abilities are not up to scratch, a private school can be a great solution. It does come with very big tuition fees, though. The enrollment process varies from school to school.

If you are considering an international school, be aware that many of them are often oversubscribed and have long waiting lists. It’s best to contact various international schools before you move to find out whether you can secure a place for your child.

Step 7: Sort out your driving license and your vehicle

If you plan on staying in Switzerland for less than a year, you can use your home country’s license without a problem, but it has to be in English, French, German, or Italian. If it’s not, then you also have to carry an International driver’s license with you.

If you are staying here for longer, you will have to apply for a Swiss driver’s license. Licenses from the EEA can be exchanged very easily. If you are a non-EEA national, you will have to take a practical and sometimes even a theory test in order to acquire a Swiss driving license.

Fun fact: a Swiss driving license never expires, so once you’ve got it, you’ve got it!

Importing a car

Importing your car to Switzerland can be done duty-free when you move, as long as you can prove that you bought it at least six months before. You can also use your foreign license plate for up to a year, but after that, you have to register it in Switzerland, which usually costs around 300 francs.

Buying a car in Switzerland

Buying a car is also an option, and the process is fairly simple. Anyone who lives there and has a driver’s license can buy one without any trouble. All you need to do after your purchase is made is to register the car at your local road traffic office.

Car insurance

Being insured to at least a third-party level is also required when driving in Switzerland. This costs around 350 francs a year. You can also opt for a variety of other types of car insurance if you wish.

Vehicle tax

Vehicle tax in Switzerland varies between 100 to 800 francs a year, depending on the canton you live in and your car type.

Motor vehicle inspection

Be sure also to always have your motor vehicle inspections up to date. All vehicles have to go through an MFK four years after the initial purchase and then seven years after it. After seven years of age, they have to be tested every two years.

Things to know about Switzerland

Let’s speak about the key features of living in Switzerland that you need to know before you move so that you can plan ahead accordingly. These include the country’s quirks, the cost of living, taxes, and other essential details.

Switzerland cantons and languages

Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, which are semi-autonomous states within the country. The cantons have their own governments, laws, and jurisdictions.

As a result, different cantons have different taxes, rules, education policies, etc.

Switzerland is a multilingual country. The four official languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

The cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Valais, Neuchâtel, Geneva, Vaud, and Jura are bilingual, with German and French being the predominant languages. If you are planning to move to one of these cantons, you will see that locals are fluent in both languages, and you can often hear a mix of the two in daily conversations and official communication.

There are cantons where multiple languages are spoken. For example, in Ticino, the main language spoken is Italian, but some areas near the Swiss-German border also have a significant German-speaking population. Similarly, in Graubünden, the canton with the highest linguistic diversity, German, Romansh, and Italian are spoken in different parts of the region.

The cost of living in Switzerland

Here are two facts for you to consider:

• Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world.
• The average Swiss city is significantly cheaper than Zurich or Geneva.

So, if you are planning to rent, here are the average rental costs in various cities across the country:

If you are planning to enjoy life in a less popular location (less crowded and touristy), you can find more reasonable prices.

In Jura, for example, the average monthly rent ranges from approximately $980 to $1,420.

Another affordable area is Aargau, located near Zurich. Here, you can find apartments with average monthly rents ranging from around $1,200 to $1,650. Aargau’s proximity to Zurich makes it an attractive option if you are looking for more affordable housing while still being within reach of the city.

Valais, a mountainous region known for its stunning landscapes, also offers reasonably priced rental options. The average rental prices in Valais range from roughly $990 to $1,650 per month. You can enjoy the beauty of the Swiss Alps while keeping housing costs relatively affordable.

Freiburg, in the west of Switzerland, is another area where rental prices are relatively cheap compared to some urban centers. The average monthly rent in Freiburg ranges from around $880 to $1,320.

Lastly, Neuchâtel, a charming city located by Lake Neuchâtel, provides affordable rental opportunities with average prices ranging from approximately $990 to $1,650 per month.

However, to be honest, no one is moving to Switzerland for affordability. It’s the lifestyle and the quality of life that attract people to this country. To choose the right place, head to our guide to the best places to live in Switzerland and see what lifestyle options you have across the country.

Taxes in Switzerland

Taxes in Switzerland are paid to the federal government and to the canton and municipality that you live in. This means that the percentage of your income that will go to taxes depends on where you live.

For example, some of the highest tax rates are in Canton Vaud, and some of the lowest are in Canton Zug.

The whole system is pretty complicated, especially if you are a newcomer to the country, so asking for professional advice is always a good idea.

Final thoughts on moving to Switzerland

Switzerland is a great but complicated place to move to, and you will probably need some time to adjust to the lifestyle and figure out how everything operates.

There are plenty of expats already living in Switzeròand, especially in the big cities, so finding friends, even if you don’t necessarily speak the language, won’t be too difficult. 

You might find helpful:

• The Pros And Cons Of Living In Switzerland – discover the positive and negative sides of Switzerland before you make a firm commitment to the country.
• 16 Best Places To Live In Switzerland As An Expat – a detailed review of the best locations for families, professional expats, ski and nature enthusiasts.
• Haven’t found what you were looking for? Contact us or comment below with your question and we’ll do our best to help.

Celine Arison

Céline Arison currently lives in Italy but is originally from France and the US. She has always loved to travel and explore new places all around the world and then write about them. She has been to places like Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Costa Rica, Dubai, Singapore and many more but Italy will always be her favorite. When she is not traveling or writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family or even learning languages. She speaks English, French, German and Italian. We hope you will enjoy the articles and find them useful! Contact: [email protected]

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Ten epic ways to travel that also improve the world

I n today’s era of responsible travel, sustainable destinations and experiences have never been more in demand. From staying in an upcycled train carriage to signing a tourist pledge, these nations and operators prove there’s no single approach for protecting the planet. Read on for our Traveller Awards 2024 winners in the Sustainability category.

Wilderness DumaTau

In 2021, conservation-minded safari company Wilderness completely deconstructed and rebuilt DumaTau, its luxury camp in northern Botswana’s Linyanti Wilderness Reserve. Rooms have been reoriented to take full advantage of the camp’s aquatic location along ancient elephant corridors, with water lily motifs woven throughout the property, but the floating boma pontoon – accessed by a long staircase descending to the lagoon – is an architectural delight, a place where guests can recount their wildlife sightings over cocktails around the fire. More than just pretty looks, Wilderness recruits nearly all its staff from surrounding villages and works with communities to help minimise human-wildlife conflicts with elephants and lions. See wildernessdestinations.com

Founders Lodge by Mantis, South Africa

Upcycling assumes creative proportions at this “birthplace of Eastern Cape conservation”, located in a private reserve an hour’s drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Owner Adrian Gardiner’s restored private railway carriage, which sleeps five, halts at its final stop, Founders Siding, built on a hill beside a “ticket office” which is in fact a loo with views of the wildlife-rich plains. Back at the lodge, the honeymoon pod is an elegantly repurposed shipping container. Guests needn’t venture far to see wildlife: protected white rhinos wallow beside the lodge’s onsite hide. See mantiscollection.com

Switzerland

Switzerland has long paid attention to its fragile alpine environment and natural beauty. An eighth of the country is covered by protected parks, a third is forested, and Switzerland leads in train travel and recycling. Famous mountain resorts such as Zermatt, Murren and Rigi are car-free. Now the Swiss Federal Council has committed to a climate-neutral Switzerland by 2050 and put sustainability on top of its tourism strategy. The result is its Swisstainable accreditation program for hotels, restaurants and other tourism business, whose three categories clearly indicate the level of environmental and social sustainability already achieved. See myswitzerland.com

Tasmanian Walking Company

You know they’re genuine when general manager Heath Garratt, out for a weekend walk, carries 20 tangled kilos of fishing boat flotsam kilometres along the beach, up the steep steps and back to the van. The TWC philosophy (they’re known as the Australian Walking Company for mainland adventures) means no trace left on the trail and low food miles are embraced. Sustainability is also at the fore in the design and operation of their huts and lodges, most of them off-grid. Their foundation supports wildlife and landscape conservation programs and their guides acknowledge the traditional owners of all the lands they walk on and explain how it was used and cared for. See taswalkingco.com.au

Despite being one of the world’s smallest countries, an archipelago of around 340 islands in the Western Pacific, Palau is a leader in sustainable tourism. In 2009, it declared itself the world’s first shark sanctuary. In 2015, it became the first nation to protect 80 per cent of its waters with a marine sanctuary. And in 2020, it was the first country to ban reef-toxic sunscreens. Visitors must also play their part. On arrival, everyone signs the Palau Pledge, a promise stamped in your passport that you will be culturally and environmentally sensitive during your stay – another world first. See pristineparadisepalau.com

Earthship Biotecture, New Mexico

Started by visionary conservationist Mike Reynolds, Earthship Biotecture is a community of innovatively designed self-sufficient homes near Taos that includes an academy for people who want to learn how to build one of their own. An Earthship home provides for all the basic human needs – shelter, food, heat, clean water, sewerage and rubbish disposal – with minimal impact on the environment. You can learn more about the project at the onsite visitor centre, take a guided tour of the community and even stay in a home from $US165 ($250) a night. See earthshipbiotecture.com

A US-led movement that picked up steam in the 2000s, tiny houses have gone global, encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle by inhabiting compact, eco-friendly homes – even if it’s just for a holiday. Tiny Away hosts frazzled city dwellers in fully furnished tiny homes in rural locations throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Other operators include Wander, which has glass-fronted WanderPods on the Scenic Rim and Kangaroo Island, and CABN, which offers off-grid sustainable cabins in pristine South Australian locales. All promise the chance to escape urban life and recharge in nature. See tinyaway.com ; wander.com.au ; cabn.life

Earth Lodge, South Africa

Built into a downward slope, Earth Lodge’s audacious design still has the same stride-stopping wow factor as when it first opened. It is invisible on approach and is only revealed when you walk down a narrow pathway leading to an open-sided lounge overlooking the bush. What gets less attention is the property’s commitment to conversation and community engagement – it was the first South African reserve to employ a black ranger and one of the first to employ a female ranger. Current initiatives include a catering facility for vulnerable kids, a digital learning centre and a school netball and soccer league. See sabisabi.com

Headwaters Eco Lodge

Queenstown has an ambitious plan to become the first tourist town on Earth to be completely carbon-zero by 2030. And no operator in the region has done more to help Queenstown achieve this than The Headwaters Eco Lodge in nearby Glenorchy. It’s the world’s first accommodation to be recognised by the Living Building Challenge, the most rigorous of all assessment programs only completely self-sufficient buildings can pass. It’s made entirely of recycled building materials, runs on solar power, offers compost toilets and all waste water is used to irrigate a wetland in the middle of the property. See theheadwatersecolodge.com

Ethical Adventures

Owner and lead guide Rob Woods makes sure guests discover their own piece of the Northern Territory away from the crowds, during single and multi-day experiential tours in Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. Tours go beyond the obvious and most popular attractions of the parks and deep into secret places not usually revealed, which helps those on his trips connect with the environment in a more personal way. There are private waterholes to swim in and waterfalls away from tour coaches. Part of Woods’ tour ethos is also to educate people on the need for a more sustainable future. See ethicaladventures.com.au

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Gauahar Khan and husband Zaid recreate iconic DDLJ train scene in Switzerland & it's hilarious

Gauahar is now happily married with Zaid Darbar and has a toddler. In the midst of festivities, the trio took a quick break and fly to Switzerland. Gauahar who has close to 10 million, engages with her fans and keeps then posted about her travel and work.

Gauahar Khan didn't ever need a Bollywood film or a TV show to become popular. Gauahar started off as a model and went onto gain recognition through her fashion, style and wit.

She was always a risk taker in terms of taking up projects. She was the first celebrity in India who did a reality show, Khan sisters with her sister Nigaar Khan, which was an attempt to Keeping Up With Kardashians. The duo later featured in Sach Ka Saamna where her sister was grilled and accused of being jealous of her sister's complexion and achievements.

Gauahar, who won the Bigg Boss 7 title, is still known as the most fierce and fearless Bigg Boss contestant. She has been appreciated for her role in Rocket Singh and super hit songs, Chokra Jawan and Jhallah Wallah.

At one point, Gauahar was also controversy's favourite child. From a wardrobe malfunction while walking on the ramp to getting slapped at India's Raw Star, she has managed to move past her experiences and handle it like a pro.

The 40-year-old now enjoys the smaller things in life. She recently recreated a hilarious version of the iconic DDLJ train scene. Take a look.

View this post on Instagram

She wrote, "Mandatory filmy reel in Switzerland ! Even if you have 2 mins to shoot it , before train leaves . Hahahah . Swiss trains are always on time." Gauahar has been enjoying the sunny day in Europe.

The two even enjoy making reels with their son around. Take a look at this one.

She was last seen hosting Jhalak Dikhla Jaa season 11 this year.

For more such stories on fashion, travel and celebs, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle.

Saloni Singh is the Lifestyle editor at Indiatimes. As a seasoned writer and editor, Saloni brings a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail to the dynamic world of celebrity fashion, wellness, health and travel. Saloni crafts content that not only informs and educates but also inspires readers to live their most stylish, healthy and adventurous lives.

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