Switzerland
Trains in Switzerland: tickets, passes and routes
Yes — for most trips the train is the best way to move around Switzerland: Zurich–Bern takes 56 minutes and Zurich–Zermatt about 3 h 15, with stations under both major airports. Full fares run CHF 50–130, so buy a Half Fare card, a pass or a Supersaver ticket; a hire car only pays off for remote valleys.
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GuideSwitzerland
Key facts
- Verdict
- Train first; skip the hire car unless you are heading for a remote valley
- Sample times
- Zurich–Bern 56 min; Zurich–Zermatt 3 h 15
- Full farecheck
- CHF 50–130 per long leg (2026 estimate)
- Cheapest fix
- Half Fare card or a rail pass; Supersaver tickets on fixed trains
- Scenic trainscheck
- Pass-valid plus a CHF 20–60 reservation (2026 estimate)
- Book ahead
- Scenic trains and summer pass routes; ordinary trains rarely need it
- Airport links
- ZRH and GVA have stations in the terminal
Details
Switzerland's rail network is the backbone of the trip. Trains run at least hourly on main lines, connect to PostBus routes and lake boats, and almost always arrive on time. Zurich and Geneva airports both have stations under or beside the terminal, so you can land and be in Bern or Lausanne within a couple of hours without touching a taxi.
The catch is price. A walk-up full fare on a long leg is CHF 50–130 (2026 estimate), and a family of four paying full fare on three legs will spend more than a small car costs to hire. The fix is one of three things: a Half Fare card, which cuts every ticket roughly in half for a month; a multi-day rail pass, which suits anyone moving every day or two; or Supersaver tickets, cheap advance fares tied to one specific departure. Supersaver tickets are the best value if your plans are fixed, but they are not refundable and not valid on a later train.
For scenic lines — Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express — your pass or ticket covers the travel, but a seat reservation is charged separately at roughly CHF 20–60 (2026 estimate) and sells out in summer. Ordinary regional trains run the same valleys for less, with opening windows and no reservation. If you mainly want the view rather than the branded train, take those.
Mountain railways and cable cars sit outside the ordinary network. Expect CHF 50–250 return for a big summit (2026 estimate), with discounts of 25–50% for pass holders on many lines. Check the webcam before paying: cloud at 2,000 m turns a CHF 100 ticket into a white wall.
Practical points: station toilets cost CHF 1–2, shops in stations stay open on Sundays when town shops close, and mountain railways generally run about 08:00–17:00 with a strict last descent. Many lifts and high lines shut between seasons in spring and autumn.
| Ticket or pass | Best for | Cost signal (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Full fare | One short, unplanned leg | CHF 50–130 per long leg |
| Half Fare card | Two or more long legs in a month | Card fee plus half-price tickets |
| Multi-day rail pass | Moving every day or two | Priced per consecutive days |
| Supersaver ticket | Fixed plans, booked ahead | Cheapest per leg, no flexibility |
| Seat reservation | Glacier, Bernina, GoldenPass in summer | CHF 20–60 on top of the ticket |
| Mountain railway or cable car | One big summit | CHF 50–250 return, pass discounts common |
Tips
Decide your pass before you land. If you will take more than about three long train legs, a pass or Half Fare card usually beats full fares; if you are staying in one city and doing day trips, Supersaver tickets bought a few weeks out are often cheaper.
Book scenic trains and summer PostBus pass routes as soon as your dates are fixed — those are the only services that genuinely sell out. Ordinary intercity trains almost never need a reservation, and you can buy at the machine minutes before departure.
Travel light on transfer days. Swiss connections are short and stairs are common outside the biggest stations; a suitcase you can lift beats a cheap fare you miss.
Use the train for airport transfers too: Zurich and Geneva stations are in the terminal, so a 10-minute ride can replace a CHF 60 taxi.
- Buy Supersaver tickets only for trains you are certain to catch.
- Check webcams before buying a summit ticket.
- Keep the last descent time in mind — it is enforced.
- Sunday: station shops and supermarkets stay open when towns close.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is the train a good way to get around Switzerland?
Yes. It is the default: frequent, punctual and connected to buses, boats and cable cars. Zurich–Bern is 56 minutes and Zurich–Zermatt about 3 h 15. Full fares are high, so pair the train with a pass or advance ticket.
Do I need a rail pass for Switzerland?
Not always. A pass pays off if you take more than about three long legs or move every day or two. Staying in one base with day trips, a Half Fare card or Supersaver tickets usually costs less. Compare both against your own route before buying.
How far in advance should I book trains in Switzerland?
Ordinary intercity trains rarely need booking — buy at the station or on the app. Book scenic trains (Glacier, Bernina, GoldenPass) and summer PostBus pass routes as soon as dates are fixed, since reservations sell out in summer. Supersaver tickets reward booking weeks ahead.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialSwitzerland Tourism
- officialSBB (Swiss Federal Railways)
- secondaryWikivoyage – Switzerland