Visiting Switzerland for the first time? Navigating public transport or trying to find the best travel deals can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! After living in Switzerland for a year and helping many friends plan their trips, here are my top tips to make your experience smooth and enjoyable.
Living in Switzerland? Be sure to check out my other article specifically for residents.
📱 SBB Mobile App: Your Travel Companion
The SBB Mobile App is essential for traveling in Switzerland. With this single app, you can buy tickets for trains, buses, and even some boats and cable cars across the entire country—from Zürich to Geneva and everywhere in between. It’s the easiest way to plan your trips, check schedules, and purchase tickets on the go.
For shorter, one-way trips, you can also purchase simple point-to-point tickets through the app, which are ideal for quick journeys between nearby towns or cities. This makes it convenient whether you’re traveling long distances or just hopping on a local bus or train.
Download it here:
Android | iOS
🧾 SBB Saver Day Pass: The Best Deal for Public Transport
If you’re relying solely on public transport, the SBB Saver Day Pass is an excellent option. Available up to 6 months in advance, it starts at 52 CHF (without a Half-Fare Travelcard) and can go up to 119 CHF as the date approaches. This pass gives you unlimited access to Switzerland’s trains, buses, and even some cable cars, with discounts available on select routes. Check the validity map here.
You can purchase it online here or through the app under “Shop and Services” > “Saver Day Pass.”
🇨🇭Swiss Travel Pass: Ideal for Museum Lovers
For those staying at least three consecutive days and interested in museums, the Swiss Travel Pass offers excellent value. For 255 CHF (298 USD) in second class, the pass provides unlimited access to the country’s public transport system for three consecutive days. Plus, it includes free entry to over 500 museums, making it a great option if you plan on doing a mix of sightseeing and cultural visits.
Get more details and purchase the pass here.
🎫 1-month GA Travelcard: A Tourist’s Best Friend
Switzerland offers a 1-month GA travelcard, perfect for exploring the country extensively during your visit. This travelcard allows you unlimited travel on the entire Swiss public transport network, including trains, trams, buses, boats, and even some cable cars just like the GA – check out the map for more detail.
How Much Does It Cost?
The GA comes in two travel classes—1st and 2nd—and prices vary based on age, some example prices:
- Adults (2nd class): CHF 440/month
- Adults (1st class): CHF 695/month
- Young adults (age 16-25, 2nd class): CHF 695/month
Overall, the 1-month GA travelcard offers a convenient and potentially cost-effective way for visitors to explore Switzerland’s extensive public transport network and discover the beauty of the country at their own pace.
To learn even more details, visit the official website.
❓ FAQ About SBB
Can I Switch Between 1st and 2nd Class With my Ticket?
Yes! You can upgrade from 2nd to 1st class by paying the fare difference for a specific journey. This is useful for longer trips where you want to enjoy added comfort or in busy routes when 2nd class tend to get full.
Can I Take an Earlier Train?
This depends on your ticket type:
- Standard and Point-to-Point Tickets: These are generally valid for travel anytime on the selected day and route, giving you the flexibility to take an earlier train.
- Saver Offers (Supersaver Tickets, Saver Day Passes, etc.): These are restricted to specific trains and times. You cannot take an earlier train with these tickets.
If your ticket includes a seat reservation, it will only apply to the specific train you booked. To check your ticket’s validity, open the SBB app and review the ticket details.
Are SBB Tickets Flexible?
The flexibility of your ticket depends on the type of ticket you purchased. Standard fare tickets offer more flexibility and can often be used throughout the day on your chosen route. Saver tickets, however, are tied to specific times and trains. For clarity, refer to your ticket details in the SBB app.
Are SBB Tickets Refundable?
The refund policy for SBB tickets depends on how the ticket was purchased and the type of ticket:
- Standard Fare Tickets: If you purchased while logged into your SBB account, you can refund or exchange your ticket for free before the validity period begins. For guest purchases (not logged in), refund options are limited and depend on whether the ticket has been used.
- Saver Offers (Supersaver Tickets, Saver Day Passes, etc.): Saver tickets generally cannot be refunded or exchanged. However, if purchased while logged in, they can be refunded or exchanged for free within 30 minutes of purchase. For guest purchases, refunds are usually restricted and require proof of non-use in specific cases.
- Non-Usage Refunds: If you can prove that a ticket hasn’t been used, you might be eligible for a refund even after the validity period, subject to a CHF 10 fee.
For detailed information and to initiate a refund, visit the SBB refund page or contact SBB customer service.
How Do I Refund a Ticket?
Refunds can be initiated either via the app or website:
- SBB Mobile App:
- Open the “Tickets & Travelcards” tab.
- Select the ticket under “Valid.”
- Tap the three-dot menu and choose “Refund ticket.”
- Follow the steps to process your refund.
- Website:
- Go to the Orders section of your profile.
- Select the ticket and click “Refund.”
- Confirm the details and issue the refund.
For guest purchases (not logged in), you must use the refund form on the SBB website. Saver tickets are refundable only up to 30 minutes after purchase, and free refunds aren’t available for guest purchases.
How do I Reserve a Seat?
Seat reservations in Switzerland are optional for most trains, except panoramic trains. You can reserve seats in the following ways:
- Online or Mobile App:
- Open the SBB Mobile app or visit SBB.ch.
- Select your route, travel date, and time.
- Choose “Seat reservation only” during the booking process and complete your purchase.
- Phone: Call the SBB Contact Center (note that fees may apply depending on your location).
- In Person: Visit a ticket counter at a major train station.
- Travel Agents: If your ticket was purchased through a travel agency, they may assist with seat reservations.
Seat reservations cost CHF 5 for most regular trains, while panoramic train reservations are priced higher, ranging from CHF 12 to CHF 49 depending on the train.
How Much Are Panoramic Train Seat Reservations?
Seat reservation costs vary by train:
- Glacier Express: CHF 44–49
- Bernina Express: CHF 20–36
- Gotthard Panorama Express: CHF 16 (includes a surcharge)
- Golden Pass Express: CHF 20 (optional)
- Lucerne-Interlaken Express: CHF 12–16 (optional)
How Can I Pay for Tickets?
SBB offers multiple payment options:
- By Invoice: Monthly billing for certain purchases (excluding travel cards and international tickets).
- By Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express Switzerland, and Diners Club are accepted.
- By Debit Card: PostFinance Card, Debit Mastercard, Visa Debit, and Reka Card are accepted. Note that debit cards from other providers may not be accepted.
What Does SBB Stand For?
SBB stands for Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (Swiss Federal Railways). It is also known as CFF (Chemins de Fers Fédéraux Suisses) in French and FFS (Ferrovie Federali Svizzere) in Italian.
Where is the SBB Station in Zurich Airport?
The SBB train station is located directly beneath the Airport Centre, under Terminal B. Follow the signs for the train station within the airport.
How to Reach SBB Trains from Basel Airport?
Basel EuroAirport is not directly connected to the railway system, but you can access nearby train stations:
- To Basel Central Station (Basel SBB): Take Bus No. 50, which connects the airport to Basel SBB station.
- To France (Mulhouse, Colmar, Strasbourg): Take the Distribus Shuttle No. 11 to Saint-Louis train station, then transfer to a train.
Timetables and additional information can be found on the BVB website or the TER Fluo website (for French train connections).
SBB vs. ZVV: What’s the Difference?
- SBB (Swiss Federal Railways): Operates trains across Switzerland, offering tickets for specific routes and a variety of ticket options.
- ZVV (Zurich Public Transport): Operates regionally within the Zurich area, using a zone-based ticketing system that covers trains, buses, trams, and boats.
If you’re traveling locally in Zurich, use a ZVV ticket. For intercity travel, opt for an SBB ticket. Both systems can be managed using the SBB Mobile app.
