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  • Your Ticket to Swiss Bliss: Exploring the Validity of the Swiss Travel Pass

    Klook ANZ
    Klook ANZ
    Last updated 7 Aug 2023
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    What is the Swiss Travel Pass?

    The Swiss Rail Pass allows you to travel on trains, buses and even boats across Switzerland as long as they fall under the Swiss Travel System. Say goodbye to the hassle of buying single-fare tickets, saving you both time and money.
    You’ll also be entitled to special fares on TGV Lyria (railway lines connecting France and Switzerland) on Swiss leg of your journey. On top of transport, the Swiss Travel Pass also allows you free entrance to up to 500 museums and exhibits around Switzerland.

    How long is the Swiss Travel Pass valid?

    Go around the mountainside villages of Switzerland. Image credits: Jacques Bop on Unsplash
    Go around the mountainside villages of Switzerland. Image credits: Jacques Bop on Unsplash
    The Swiss Travel Pass is valid for 3 to 15 days of consecutive travel. You can also choose a Swiss Travel Pass Flexi, which is good for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days within a 30-day period.

    What counts as a travel day with a Swiss Travel Pass?

    The travel days are considered to be a calendar day. The validity period starts at 12:00 a.m. on the day of validity and ends at 5:00 a.m. on the following day. For example, if you get a 3-day pass, the actual valid hours would be 77 hours starting from 12:00 am on the first day.

    What is the Swiss Travel Pass Flex?

    The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is good for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days within a month, depending on whether you travel in first or second class. Pass holders are eligible for all additional benefits offered by the Swiss Travel Pass on the specified travel days.

    What public transport does the Swiss Travel Pass cover?

    Red train in Switzerland
    Source: Pexels
    The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on the whole boat, rail and Postbus network in Switzerland. Here's an easy guide on what transportation in Switzerland the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for:

    Transport Type

    Coverage

    Fare for Swiss Travel Pass holders

    Fare for Swiss Half Fare Card holders

    InterCity trains

    Connect major cities in Switzerland

    Free

    50%

    InterCityExpress trains

    High-speed trains between Germany and Switzerland

    Free for in-Switzerland routes

    50% for in-Switzerland routes

    EuroCity trains

    Cross border trains to/ from other European countries like Germany and Italy

    Free for in-Switzerland routes

    50% for in-Switzerland routes

    Regio trains

    Operate within the same region and connect local towns

    Free

    50%

    InterRegio trains

    Connects cities and regions

    Free

    50%

    RegioExpress trains

    Connect regional destinations with larger Swiss cities

    Free

    50%

    PanoramaExpress / Panoramic trains

    Scenic trains across Switzerland

    Fare included, seat reservation not included

    50%

    Sub-urban trains / metro

    Operates within most big cities like Zurich

    Free

    50%

    Buses

    Free

    50%

    Trams

    Free

    50%

    Boats / ferries

    Free

    50%

    Rock-railroad

    Conditional

    50%

    Gondola lift / aerial tramway / cog railway

    Conditional

    50%

    Is Jungfraujoch free with a Swiss Travel Pass?

    The Swiss Travel Pass does not cover the entire trip to the Jungfraujoch but the pass will take you as far as Wengen or Grindelwald.

    Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid for mountain excursions?

    Ski, climb, and hike at Zermatt, the location of the mighty Matterhorn. Credit: aposchnee
    Ski, climb, and hike at Zermatt, the location of the mighty Matterhorn. Credit: aposchnee
    The Swiss Travel Pass includes access to Stoos, Brunni, Klewenalp, Stanserhorn, and Rigi. For other mountains and cableways that aren't covered by the Swiss Travel Pass such as Gornergrat, Titlis, passholders can still enjoy a 50% discount.
    Not all mountain excursions are included in the Swiss Travel Pass, popular excursions such as Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), Titlis, and Glacier 3000 require pass holders to pay the fare with a certain discount.
    Here's a guide on which mountain excursions the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for:

    Mountain Excursion

    Fare for Swiss Travel Pass holders

    Fare for Swiss Half Fare Card holders

    Mount Rigi

    Free

    50%

    CabriO Stanserhorn

    Free

    50%

    Stoos

    Free

    50%

    Pilatus

    50%

    50%

    Titlis

    50%

    50%

    Brienzer Rothorn

    50%

    50%

    Schynige Platte

    50%

    50%

    Harder Kulm

    50%

    50%

    Grindelwald First

    50%

    50%

    Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

    50%

    50%

    Schilthorn

    50%

    50%

    Glacier 3000

    50%

    50%

    Rochers-de-Naye

    50%

    50%

    Gornergrat

    50%

    50%

    Sunnegga, Zermatt

    50%

    50%

    Rothorn, Zermatt

    50%

    50%

    Matterhorn

    50%

    50%

    Monte Generoso

    50%

    50%

    Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on Swiss Panoramic trains?

    Swiss Travel Pass Glacier Express
    The Glacier Express is one of the most scenic train rides in Switzerland.
    The Swiss Travel Pass covers the cost of your ticket, however seat reservations are required and most routes require an additional fee. If you have a 2nd class Pass but would like to travel in 1st class on any of these services, you can pay for a class upgrade.
    The ticket fare for all 5 panoramic trains are included in your Swiss Travel Pass! But seat reservation with an additional reservation fee is required. Swiss Half Fare Card holders can enjoy 50% off on ticket fares.

    Premium panoramic trains

    Fare Swiss Travel Pass holders

    Fare for Swiss Half Fare Card holders

    Luzern-Interlaken Express

    Free

    50%

    GoldenPass Express

    Free

    50%

    Bernina Express

    Free

    50%

    Bernina Express bus

    Free

    50%

    Glacier Express

    Free

    50%

    Gotthard Panorama Express boat

    Free

    50%

    Gotthard Panorama Express train

    Free

    50%

    Which museums are included in the Swiss Travel Pass?

    Shopping street in Lausanne
    Photo Credit: IMBiblio on Flickr
    The Swiss Travel Pass offers free entry to more than 500 Museums, including the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Château de Chillon and the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum.

    If I activate my flexible pass for the wrong date, can I deactivate it?

    Yes, the ticket of the Swiss Travel Pass Flex for an activated travel day can be deactivated as often as desired. The deactivation must be made before the start of the travel date (ie. the day before the travel day at 23:59), after that no activation can be made.

    Does a Swiss Travel Pass validity start on activation date or first travel date?

    cafe up in the summit of a mountain in Switzerland
    There are cafes and restaurants at the summit of many mountains where you can just take in the scenery. Credit: Photo by Alex Beholder on Unsplash
    Validity ends at 05:00 in the morning after the pass expiry date. Passes are given a start date at the time of purchase. This is the first date of travel and, the pass will only be valid from this date.

    When does a ticket have to be activated for today?

    A Swiss Travel Pass Flex ticket must be activated before boarding at the latest. The delivered ticket is valid immediately after activation for traveling and it is not possible to deactivate it.

    Can I extend my Swiss Travel Pass?

    No you can't "extend" the validity period of an existing Swiss Travel Pass but you can purchase a 3-day pass to add to your number of travel days.