Are you thinking of travelling through Switzerland by train but are wondering how convenient this may be?
Or maybe you fear that if you travel Switzerland by train, you will have to miss out on many beautiful attractions Switzerland has to offer?
Well, let me tell you that Switzerland is probably the most reliable country when it comes to travel on public transport and the network is extensive.
And because of these points, all it needs is a bit of planning and the right train ticket to make it easy and affordable when travelling through Switzerland by train and public transport.
When I say on public transport you have the option to travel Switzerland by train, bus, boat and even some mountain cable cars.
List of Contents
- 1 Where to stay in Switzerland
- 2 Sustainability – We care
- 3 Choose your Swiss Travel Ticket
- 4 Swiss Travel Pass (Non-Swiss residents only)
- 5 Regional Travel Pass
- 6 Apps you need when travelling though Switzerland by train
- 7 Special Swiss Trains
- 8 Send your luggage with Swiss Trains
- 9 Travel Switzerland by Train & Bike
- 10 Suggested Swiss Itinerary – Travel Switzerland by Train
- 11 FAQ when Travelling Switzerland by Train
- 11.1 What is the most beautiful train ride in Switzerland?
- 11.2 Where can I go by train in Switzerland?
- 11.3 What is the prettiest train ride from Zurich?
- 11.4 When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
- 11.5 What is the cheapest scenic train in Switzerland?
- 11.6 What is the most famous train ride in Switzerland?
- 12 Your Travel Guide to Switzerland
Where to stay in Switzerland
If you are planning a train journey through Switzerland choose your accommodation carfully. Remember you do not have a car and therefore a beautiful accommodation near the train station might just be the best option for you.
Blowse the map and find the perfect place to sleep in Switzerland.
We do have some recommendations on our 15 day Train Journey through Switzerland post.
Sustainability – We care
Traveling by train in Switzerland or anywhere else really, is a more environmentally friendly option compared to other forms of transportation. This is why any train travel is such a great choice to get from A to B.
It is also more comfortable for the whole travel party. This way the one who is normally driving can for once also relax and admire the beautiful landscapes Switzerland has to offer.
Choose your Swiss Travel Ticket
Switzerland has one of the largest rail networks in Europe and “almost” all places of interest are accessible by public transport.
Once you have chosen where you would like to travel in Switzerland it is then time to check all the different Swiss train tickets on offer.
Swiss Travel Pass (Non-Swiss residents only)
If you wish to plan a multi-day Switzerland itinerary by train then the easiest option is to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass.
Actually, the Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel not only by train, but also by bus and boat, as well as many other advantages. Note, that the Swiss Travel Pass is a Swiss train ticket for tourists not living in Switzerland.
- Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply)
- Free admission to more than 500 museums
- Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
- Discounts up to 50% on other mountain excursions.
The Swiss Travel Pass is the Golden Ticket if you want to travel Switzerland by train and public transport.
The ticket covers the entire Swiss rail network for 3, 4, 6, 8 and 15 consecutive days without having to book or buy any additional tickets.
Once you have purchased your ticket it will be stored on your phone with a QR code and you are good to go.
Definitely the best solution when travelling Switzerland by train and public transport.
Read also the BEST 15 day Switzerland Itinerary by train or the ultimat Swiss Guide – 10 Different Switzerland Itineraries to help your plan your trip
Children on the Swiss Travel Pass
Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday and 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.
Swiss Travel Pass Youth
The Swiss Travel Pass Youth is for young persons under the age of 25. It is exactly the same ticket as for adults but a 30% discount is offered.
Alternatively, the Swiss Travel Pass Youth can also be purchased on a flex system (Swiss Travel Pass Flex Youth).
Meaning that within one month you can chose your travel days and they do NOT need to be on consecutive days. The flex version is also available for adults.
To get the full information on the different Swiss Travel Passes and prices read their website.
Regional Travel Pass
If your Swiss itinerary is more focused on one or two Swiss regions rather than the whole of Switzerland, then check what the specific region is offering.
For example, if you travel around Lake Lucerne region a TellPass might be enough for you. It covers public transport within the Lake Lucerne region and even includes some gondolas to reach some mountain tops.
Another great pass would be the Jungfrau travel pass. This is if your Swiss journey will be around the Bernese Oberland & the Jungfrau region including Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
There are so many different options available and we agree, it can sometimes get a bit confusing.
Apps you need when travelling though Switzerland by train
The good thing is that the Swiss trains are running pretty frequently. This is good for when you need to reschedule your itinerary, because you may have missed a train. Or maybe you wish to do a detour and visit another landmark of Switzerland you have just heard about.
The best and only App you need to plan your travels with the Swiss public transport is the SBB APP.
Download it onto your phone, it is free of charge and you can change and check the train times and connections super easy.
It even shows you on the App where the train is located on a live stream.
Special Swiss Trains
Next to the normal general SBB Regional trains, some private companies also share the Swiss railway system.
Like the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St.Moritz. Or the Gornergrat train in Zermatt.
It is possible that these special trains are NOT included in your Swiss Travel Pass. Before boarding a train make sure you are sitting in the right one, otherwise you may face some extra charges.
Sometimes these special trains also ask for you to make a mandatory seat reservation. Reservation fares are not covered in the different Swiss travel tickets.
If of course you are planning to ride the Glacier Express for example, you just need to get to a train station and add the seat reservation to your Swiss Travel Pass.
If your chosen special Swiss train is not included in the Travel Pass, there is normally a special price offered.
The train map below is an interactive map and shows you what is included depending on your Swiss train travel ticket. Click on it to get full access.
Send your luggage with Swiss Trains
When travelling Switzerland by train you also have the option to transport your luggage ahead of you to your next destination.
This is super handy if you choose for example to do a lot of hiking in some part of Switzerland where you do not need all your belongings.
In this case send a suitcase to a hotel you will be sleeping at on your second half of the Swiss travels.
Find all information you need to transfer your luggage by Swiss train on the SBB website.
Travel Switzerland by Train & Bike
You may want to bring your bike on your Swiss tour.
This is no problem as on many Swiss trains this is possible.
However, keep in mind that if you want to take your bike on a Swiss train there are some regulations, and you may even need to book a place ahead.
A bike travelling on a Swiss train also needs a ticket. You can get a daily bike ticket or even a weekly or monthly ticket.
We have written a comprehensive blog for another Swiss itinerary where we travelled by train to Murten with our bikes. In this article you find out a lot on what you need to look out when travelling in Switzerland by train and bike.
Suggested Swiss Itinerary – Travel Switzerland by Train
This train itinerary is ideal if you have a 15 days Swiss Travel Pass. You can of course shorten it. Remember the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days.
Day one – Zurich to Lucerne City and lake tour. Overnight at Mount Pilatus
Day two – Mount Pilatus to Brienz. Overnight at Brienzer Rothorn
Day three – Brienzer Rothorn to Interlaken to Grindelwald. Overnight at Grindelwald First
Day four – Grindelwald to Mürren
Day five – Mürren Schilthorn to Alestsch Arena, Fiescheralp. Overnight at Fiescheralp
Day six – Aletsch Arena to Zermatt. Overnight in Zermatt
Day seven – Stay in Zermatt
Day eight – Zermatt to Bergün. Overnight in Bergün
Day nine – Bergün to St.Moritz. Overnight in St. Moritz
Day ten – St. Moritz to Diavolezza Mountain station. Overnight in Diavolezza.
Day eleven – Diavolezza to Zürich. Overnight in Zürich
Day twelve – Zürich to Lugano Ticinio. Overnight in Locarno
Day thirteen – Lugano to Locarno-Ascona. Overnight in Locarno.
Day fourteen – Locarno-Ascone to Bellinzona. Overnight in Bellinzona
Day fifteen – Bellinzona to Zürich (or to your end station)
Read the full Swiss itinerary – 15 Days Train Travel through Switzerland
If the suggested itinerary above is nor for you, then I am sure you will find what you are looking for on our Ultimate Swiss Travel Guide – 10 different Switzerland Itineraries
