How to Travel by Train in Switzerland: Tickets, Prices and Rail Passes

Swiss trains are one of the easiest and most scenic ways to explore the country. The rail network connects big cities, lakeside towns and tiny Alpine villages with frequent, punctual services. The only confusing part for visitors is the ticket and pass system. In this guide we unpack how regular tickets, Supersaver tickets, Saver Day Passes and the Swiss Travel Pass work, what they cost and when it makes sense to use online aggregators versus official rail apps.

• Trains are frequent and punctual – major cities are connected every 30–60 minutes with minimal delays.
• One integrated system – one ticket often covers trains, buses, trams and boats within the chosen zones or route.
• Tickets are pricey but discounts are strong – Supersaver tickets and Saver Day Passes can cut costs by up to about 50 % if bought in advance.
• Rail passes are great for active itineraries – Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card often pay off in 3–5 busy travel days.
• Kids often travel for little or no extra cost – family cards let children ride free or with big discounts when travelling with parents.
• Airport–city links are easiest by train – frequent services run from Zurich Airport and Geneva Airport directly to the city centres.
• Booking is easiest online – via official apps and other digital tools, you rarely need a paper ticket.

Switzerland has a very dense rail network: it’s easy to travel by train from Zurich to Geneva, from Lucerne to Interlaken or from St. Moritz to Zermatt with smooth connections along the way. Timetables of various regional operators are coordinated, so transfers are usually short and well-timed.

Main train types:

• IC / EC (InterCity, EuroCity) – fast trains between major cities.
• IR (InterRegio) – slightly slower but still comfortable.
• Regional and S-Bahn trains – suburban and local services around cities and rural areas.

There is also a category of scenic tourist trains: Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass and various mountain lines to places like Jungfraujoch and Pilatus. These often require a paid seat reservation on top of any ticket or pass.

Classic intercity routes

• Zurich – Geneva via Bern
• Zurich – Lucerne – Interlaken
• Geneva – Lausanne – Montreux

These routes are served mainly by IC and IR trains and usually don’t require reservations.

Scenic trains

• Glacier Express – Zermatt to St. Moritz, a slow but spectacular Alpine route.
• Bernina Express – a UNESCO-listed line with viaducts and glacier views.
• GoldenPass – a scenic corridor linking Lucerne, Interlaken and Montreux.

On these tourist trains a seat reservation is usually compulsory, even if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass or another rail pass.

You can buy tickets in several ways:

• Official mobile rail app – search routes, compare options (standard, Supersaver, Saver Day Pass) and pay in a couple of taps.
• Ticket platforms like Omio – helpful if you want to compare different operators and also look at buses or other modes in one interface.
• Ticket machines at stations – English and other languages available, card payments accepted.
• Ticket counters – handy for complex itineraries, specific rail passes or larger groups.

Ticket types:

1. Standard point-to-point ticket
   • Valid on the selected date for the chosen route, usually not tied to a specific train.
   • You can take any train on that route within the ticket’s validity.
2. Supersaver Ticket
   • Discounted ticket (up to about 50 % off) tied to a specific train and departure time.
   • Cheaper but inflexible: if you miss the train, the ticket is lost.
3. Saver Day Pass
   • One-day pass for most of the national rail and public transport network.
   • Dynamic pricing: the earlier you buy, the cheaper it usually is.
4. City zone tickets
   • In metropolitan areas like around Zurich, fares are zone-based: you choose zones and duration (1 hour, day pass, etc.), then use any mode of transport within those zones.

To avoid buying separate tickets all the time, many travellers opt for a pass.

Swiss Travel Pass

The classic tourist pass for visitors:

• Valid for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days.
• Offers unlimited travel on most trains, many buses and boats.
• Includes free entry to many museums and discounts on mountain lifts.
• Adult 2nd-class passes start at roughly 250 CHF for 3 days, and around 420 CHF for 8 days (about 260 USD / 240 € and 440–450 USD / 400 € respectively, depending on exchange rates).

The Swiss Travel Pass is usually worth it if you plan lots of travelling: at least 3–4 city-to-city journeys plus one or two mountain excursions.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex

A more flexible version:

• Same 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days, but you can choose the travel days within one month instead of travelling on consecutive days.
• Costs slightly more than the regular pass, but great if your trip has rest days or slower city days between long rides.

Swiss Half Fare Card

A favourite for budget-conscious travellers:

• Validity – 1 month.
• Gives 50 % off on most trains, much of local public transport and many mountain railways.
• Often cheaper overall than a big unlimited pass if you have fewer but longer train trips and are happy to mix in Supersaver tickets and Saver Day Passes.

Regional passes

Dozens of regional passes exist for areas like Lake Lucerne, the Interlaken & Jungfrau region, Montreux and Lake Geneva and more. They typically offer:

• unlimited travel on local trains, buses and boats;
• discounts on mountain railways;
• free or discounted lifts.

They are worth considering if you spend 2–4 full days in one region and intend to explore it intensively.

Planning Swiss rail travel can be broken into a few steps:

1. Choose your base – for example Zurich, Lucerne or Interlaken.
2. Map out key journeys – say Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Zermatt.
3. Compare what’s cheaper – separate tickets using Supersaver offers, one or two Saver Day Passes on heavy travel days, or a full Swiss Travel Pass. Online route-comparison tools are handy to get a first idea, then you can double-check prices in official apps.
4. Factor in mountain segments – trips to places like Jungfraujoch or Pilatus can cost as much as long intercity rides. If you plan several such excursions, a Swiss Travel Pass or regional pass often saves money.

Airports

• From Zurich Airport to Zurich main station, trains run every few minutes and take about 10–15 minutes.
• From Geneva Airport to Geneva, the ride is around 7 minutes with frequent departures.

These rides are usually treated as normal public-transport journeys in the relevant zones, so they’re covered by Swiss Travel Passes, Saver Day Passes and many regional tickets.

Ski resorts

• For Zermatt, you take the train to Täsch and then a cogwheel train up to the car-free village.
• To reach St. Moritz, routes via Chur often include parts of scenic lines.
• The Interlaken area is a gateway to many mountain railways and ski areas with frequent trains and narrow-gauge lines.

The figures below are ballpark numbers to help you budget. Exact fares depend on date, demand and exchange rates.

City public transport (based on cost-of-living data)

• Single ticket for local public transport, 2nd class: roughly 3.5–6.3 USD per ride (about 3–6 €), depending on city and zones.
• Monthly public transport pass: roughly 88–225 USD (around 85–210 €), depending on city and coverage.

Intercity trains

• Standard 2nd-class fares between major cities typically range from 25–30 CHF for short hops up to 70–90 CHF for longer routes.
• Supersaver tickets can give up to about 50 % off the regular price if you book early and commit to a specific departure.

Saver Day Pass

• Lowest prices for 2nd class start around 50–55 CHF when bought well in advance and increase as the date approaches.
• With a Swiss Half Fare Card, minimum prices can be lower (around 30 CHF).

Swiss Travel Pass (adults, 2nd class)

• 3-day pass – from roughly 250 CHF (about 260 USD / 240 €).
• 8-day pass – around 420 CHF (roughly 440–450 USD / 400 €).

Use these ranges as a planning tool rather than exact quotes; always check current prices for your dates before buying tickets or passes.

• Book saver products early – Supersaver tickets and Saver Day Passes are cheapest when purchased well in advance.
• Avoid peak commuter hours – if possible skip weekday rush hours (7–9 am and 4–6 pm) for a calmer ride.
• Install the official rail app or use Omio as an extra tool to compare routes and see combined train–bus options in English.
• Check transfer times – 5–8 minutes is usually enough in Switzerland, but if you have kids or heavy luggage, build in more margin.
• Go digital – keep tickets and passes on your phone; inspectors scan QR codes, paper is rarely necessary.
• Validate where required – some regional or paper tickets need to be stamped before boarding.
• Use luggage racks – store big suitcases in the luggage areas near doors so aisles stay free.

Can I just board and buy a ticket from the inspector?
Generally no. You’re expected to buy a ticket before boarding (via app, machine or at the counter). Travelling without a ticket can result in a substantial fine.

Do I need a seat reservation?
Not on most regular IC, IR and regional trains. Reservations are mainly required for scenic tourist trains like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, and sometimes recommended at peak times.

Do kids travel free?
Children under 6 often ride free without their own ticket. For older kids there are family cards that let them travel free or at very low cost when accompanied by an adult – a good deal for family trips.

Should I get a Swiss Travel Pass or a Half Fare Card?
If you plan intensive travel – new destinations almost every day, plus mountain excursions – the Swiss Travel Pass is simpler and often better value. If your plan is a few big train rides plus relaxed city days, a Swiss Half Fare Card combined with Supersaver tickets and Saver Day Passes is usually cheaper.

Do I still need to book train tickets if I have a Swiss Travel Pass?
For normal IC/IR trains you can just board; your pass acts as your ticket. You only need extra reservations (and sometimes surcharges) on certain scenic trains and some special services.

Swiss trains make it effortless to combine cities, lakes and high mountains in one trip. Once you understand the difference between standard tickets, Supersaver offers, Saver Day Passes and the main rail passes, it becomes much easier to match your ticket strategy to your itinerary and budget. Spend a bit of time planning routes, rely on official apps and add tools like Omio – Omio where they genuinely help, and Switzerland’s rail network will feel like a fast, scenic moving sidewalk for your whole vacation.

Swiss Federal Railways – Swiss Travel Pass information

Swiss Federal Railways – Supersaver tickets and saver offers

Swiss Federal Railways – Saver Day Pass overview

Zurich public transport – ticket information (Zurich Tourism)

Compare train routes and tickets (Omio)