Unlimited travel throughout Switzerland by train, bus and boat
The Swiss Travel System includes rail, lake steamers and city transportation lines and with our Swiss Pass, you can use all of these to travel through Switzerland.
What you get:
Unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System that includes trains, buses and boats.
Travel: 4 days to 1 month (continuous) or 3 to 6 days within 1 month (flexi)
Continuous Pass: travel days must be used consecutively
Flexible Pass: travel days may be used consecutively or not
Class of service: 1st and 2nd class
Discounts: Child (6-15), Youth (16-26), Friends/Families (2 to 5 people travelling together)
Seat reservation: exclusively available on Rail Europe websites, mandatory on high speed and scenic trains.
" Free map of Switzerland
Pass fares
Prices are displayed in ZAR.
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION This pass cannot be used by residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
CONDITIONS OF USE Pass must be validated (stamped at the train station) within 6 months of the issuance date.
AFTER SALES A 15% cancellation penalty applies to completely unused and unvalidated passes returned within 1 year of issue date. Partially used, lost or stolen passes are non-refundable.
How to activate my pass?
You must activate or validate your Rail Pass at the train station. A railway staff will write down the first and last day of validity on your pass and will stamp it. This procedure must be done before using your Rail Pass, whether it is a Flexi Pass or a Regular Pass. Click on the link to view the features that are necessary to activate a
Regular Pass
/
Flexi Pass
.
Special for Families — The Swiss Family Card: The Swiss Family Card is just for families traveling together. And Switzerland is indeed an ideal place to take your family. The Swiss Family Card allows children under 16 to travel free when accompanied by a parent holding a valid Swiss Travel System ticket. Probably the best part of all about the Swiss Family Card is that it is free! Just request it when you purchase your Swiss Pass.
Conditions: Passes must be validated within 6 months of issue date.
Options: Mount Titlis, Mount Pilatus, Schilthorn/Piz Gloria (Available only in conjunction with a Swiss Pass, Swiss Flexipass, Swiss Saverpass, Swiss Saver Flexipass or Swiss Youth Pass.)
Bonuses:
50% discount with the Swiss Pass, Swiss Flexi Pass, Swiss Youth Pass and on Cable cars and Mountain trains not included in the Swiss travel System range of passes.
The Swiss Pass, Swiss Youth Pass and Swiss Flexi Pass are also valid as Swiss Museum Pass and give free admission to more than 450 museums and exhibits in Switzerland.
Free public transportation systems in 38 Swiss Cities.
Guided city tours: Basel (50% discount on the guided city tour), Bern ( 20% discount on guided walking tour through old town/clock tower or guided city bus tours), Geneva (20% discount on the guided city tour), Lausanne (20% discount on guided city tours), Lucerne (20% discount on the guided city stroll), Schaffhausen (50% discount on guided city tour), Zuerich (50% discount on guided city walking tours)
Travel destination
And, you’ll want to use them all to journey through the Alps, St. Moritz, Lugano, Zermatt and more. Be sure to see our "Special for Families." You and your children will have the time of your life traveling together in Switzerland, and at a great bargain.
A. When travelling to Switzerland, or departing from this country, your ticket does not need to be punched. Ticket inspectors will check your ticket during your Lyria journey. You should be able to produce currently valid proof of eligibility for the fare you have chosen at any time.
A. Lyria trains offer two different classes of travel. In First class, a delicious cold at-seat meal is offered to you, no matter what time you travel. A large selection of Swiss, French, international magazines and newspapers are also available for your perusal. Onboard taxi booking service is also available from Monday to Friday. Comfortable seats will welcome you in Second class where you can also enjoy the convenience of a bar-buffet car.
A. A Swiss pass is valid on trains operated by SBB (Schweizerische BundesBahn), the national railway company of Switzerland. For domestic trains in Switzerland operated, seat reservations are not required. Exceptions are the special scenic trains such as Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Golden Pass and Wilhelm Tell Express. For these trains, a supplement and/or seat reservation is required for Swiss Pass holders. There are also some international trains from Switzerland that require a reservation fee. Examples are the ICE International to Germany, the TGV Lyria to France and the Railjet to Budapest.
A. In most cases, railpasses are not accepted on city transportation systems such as buses and subways. Passes will generally cover local commuter trains that are above ground.
The exception to this is the Swiss Pass, which is valid for transportation in 37 Swiss cities.
A. TGV Lyria is a high speed train and requires a compulsory reservation. Special pass holder fares are available if you carry a Eurail Pass covering France or Switzerland, Swiss Pass or France Rail Pass but subject to limited availability.
A. A Swiss Pass enables you to travel free of charge in the Swiss public transport services for periods ranging from four days to one month in 41 cities.
A. Generally, dogs are permitted on trains. Sometimes they may need to be contained in a pet carrier, or they may have to wear a muzzle or leash. Dogs normally travel at half the fare of a 2nd class ticket; this charge is payable directly to the conductor. Pets are not allowed on trains in Great Britain, Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Finland.
Currently the only animals that will be permitted to travel on the Eurostar are guide dogs for the visually impaired.
A. - Business class offers the highest class of service in trains. It will include 1st seats, meals , access to lounges, and no restrictions on being exchanged.
Flexi First class offers on day train 1st class seat , and are the most exchangeable. Night trains will offer first class couchette (shared sleeping) or sleepers and are exchangeable. Meal service may be available for purchase.
Best Price First class day trains will also offer 1st class seats with lowest ticket prices that may have restrictions. Meal service may be available for purchase. Night trains will offer first class couchette or sleepers and lowest ticket prices that may have restrictions.
Flexi Second day trains will offer 2nd class seats that are exchangeable. Night trains offer lower comfort couchette (shared sleeping) or sleepers and are exchangeable.
Best Price Second day trains will offer 2nd class seats with lowest ticket prices that may have restrictions. Night trains offer lower comfort couchette (shared sleeping) or sleepers with lowest ticket prices that may have restrictions.
Super Saver class is available on night train only and will offer reclingin seats with with lowest ticket prices that may have restrictions.
A. Discounted Senior rates for travelers 60 and older are available on the following passes:
Balkan Flexipass-1st class
BritRail Consecutive and Flexipass 1st class,
BritRail England Consecutive and Flexipass 1st Class
France Rail Pass, 1st Class
Eurail Ireland Pass - 2nd Class
Eurail Romania Pass - 1st class
A. Swiss passes must be validated within 6 months of issuing date by a railway official in Switzerland (station’s desk) who also fills in the passport number. Swiss passes must be validated prior to boarding the first train.
A. Special amenities for disabled travelers are offered on trains and at many train stations, and are clearly indicated with pictograms (for telephones, toilets, elevators, etc.).
Special equipment is also available for use by handicapped passengers. This equipment must be reserved locally in advance. Be sure to specify if you need personal assistance (whether with a wheelchair, boarding, etc.).
A. A Swiss pass enables you to travel free of charge in the Swiss public transport services whereas a “point to point” ticket is a rail ticket valid on a specific route, between two city stations.
A. Children 4 and under who do not need a bed travel free and do not require a sleeper reservation or a ticket. If the child is between the ages of 4 - 11 or is under 4 but will require a separate bed, then a special child’s fare will apply.
A. You can get free (or cheap) boat trips, discounts on rail travel, free admission in museums, a 50% discount on mountain top excursions and more. You can obtain these benefits locally by showing your Swiss pass, or you can contact the specific benefit company in advance. The discount benefits apply during the validity of your Swiss pass, whereas free passage on trains, buses or ferries is only valid on travel days.
A. You can print your Lyria ticket directly from your printer at home or, alternatively, you can retrieve it from the self-service machines available at the train stations in France only before boarding your Lyria train.
A. You can make reservations to travel on TGV Lyria trains up to 3 months before your travel date. To take advantage of the best fares, always try to buy your ticket as early as possible. And when buying your TGV Lyria tickets, check what exchange and refund conditions apply. Your fare type will be clearly stated on your ticket.
A. Rail passes for children are generally half the adult fare. Some passes do not offer a child pass. Child tickets are offered on most trains and vary by train type. They are generally about half of an adult ticket.
The Swiss Pass allows children under 16 to travel free when they are traveling with a parent who is holding a Swiss Pass. On BritRail passes, children 5 through 15 are free with each paying adult.
A. With Lyria, you’ll be allowed two bags or suitcases plus your hand luggage. Keep in mind that there is no charge for oversize luggage on Lyria trains.
A. No, but we do offer discounted rate for many of our tickets and passes for Youth passengers. To qualify for a Youth Pass, you must be under age 26 on the first day of travel.
A. Located in the middle of the train (carriage 4 or 14), TGV Lyria bar provides a service for tasty snacks and meals: sandwiches, hot/cold local dishes, salads, children’s menu, hot and cold drinks, treats are available to eat at the bar or take away. In First class, you can also enjoy the convenience of Lyriapremière service at seat.
A. The Swiss Family Card is a terrific value that allows children under 16 years of age to travel free when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The card is free, simply request one at the time you purchase your Swiss Pass. If you forget to mention it, then present your Swiss pass before boarding the train at any Swiss train station ticket window, at the time of validation and advise them that you need a Family Card. They will be able to provide you one.
A. Our popular Swiss Card provides 1 roundtrip by rail from any Swiss airport or border to 1 single destination. It also includes a 50% discount on all Swiss railways, lake steamers, postal buses, and excursions to mountaintops.
A. Full Fare is an unrestricted ticket. It is fully exchangeable and refundable even after the departure date. For exchanges and refunds, your local Raileurope office must receive the ticket no later than 60 days after the train’s departure date. Click here to get the Contact Us adress.
Value fare is non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
Youth Fare (for travelers under 26 years of age) is exchangeable once in Europe before departure date. It is non-refundable.
Passholder Fare (issued in conjunction with appropriate railpass) is exchangeable once in Europe. It is non-refundable.
Senior Fare (for travelers 60 years of age and over) is exchangeable once in Europe. It is non-refundable.
A. No, there are no student discounts. Discounts are offered to youth travelers instead. A youth traveler is any traveler who is 25 years of age or younger.
A. ICE trains link major German cities from Cologne in the west to Berlin in the east. But they also cross borders and go into France, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands.
A. TGV Lyria offers direct, high speed services between Paris-Gare de Lyon, Dijon and cities such as Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Neuchatel, Bern and Zurich. During winter, TGV Lyria snow train connects you directly from Paris to the charming resorts of the canton of Vaud (including Château-d’Oex, Leysin, Les Diablerets and Villars) and Valais (Verbier, CransMontana, Leukerbad, Saas-Fee and Zermatt, among others).
A. The term "Gender Specific" means that these compartments will not allow male and female passengers to travel in the same compartment. The exception to this condition is if you and your travel companion(s) intend on using all beds within the compartment.
Trains in which this condition applies are: Elipsos, CNL, Lusitania, Spanish Night trains.