Understanding Train Travel in Switzerland
- Ivanally Travel and More
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
I consider myself a bit of a train geek, so buckle up, you’re about to learn how to move around Switzerland like a local. 🚆
Let's just say I am writing this post while commuting to work, on the beautiful Treno Gottardo.
First things first: public transport in Switzerland really is as efficient as people say. Trains are punctual, connections are logical, and the network goes far beyond big cities. We’re talking remote villages in the Maggia Valley in Ticino, mountain peaks in Central Switzerland, and everything in between. Trains, buses, boats, cable cars, funiculars, mountain lifts, it’s all part of the same beautifully choreographed system.
Your new best friend: SBB
If you remember only one thing, make it this: www.sbb.ch or the SBB app.
This is where you:
Check timetables
Buy tickets
Store and show tickets
See platforms and delays (it can happen haha!)
Find out if seat reservations are mandatory
I probably use only 60% of what the app can do, and that’s already more than enough to travel stress‑free across the country.
Ticketing basics (the essentials)
Swiss tickets come in a few main flavours:
Full fare
Half fare (if you have the Half‑Fare Travelcard)
Children: kids under 6 travel free; there are discounted options for older children and families
Prices depend on distance, class (1st or 2nd), and demand — but unlike flights, you won’t be punished for buying late.
Staying longer? These passes matter
If you’re in Switzerland for more than a quick vacation, passes can save you a lot of money.
GA (General Abonnement)
The holy grail of Swiss public transport, and also the most expensive.
Unlimited public transport across Switzerland for a full year
Available in 1st and 2nd class
Includes buses, trains, boats, trams, and many mountain lifts
Discounts on private or touristic railways (Pilatus, Jungfrau, etc.)
If you live here and travel a lot, this can absolutely make sense.
Half‑Fare Travelcard
My number one recommendation.
Around CHF 180 per year
Gives you 50% off almost every ticket in Switzerland
Even with just a few longer trips, it pays for itself very quickly.
Half‑Fare PLUS
Think of this as a prepaid card.
You pay a fixed amount upfront
You receive more travel credit than what you paid
Tickets are paid using that credit throughout the year
A great deal if you travel regularly but not enough for a GA.
Tageskarte (Day Pass)
Prices vary (roughly from CHF 40 to 100)
Unlimited travel across Switzerland for one full day
Valid on almost all public transport, just like the GA
Perfect for spontaneous exploration days.
Swiss Travel Pass Flex
This one is especially interesting for tourists or sporadic travellers.
You buy a bundle of travel days (for example 10)
Use them freely within a longer period
Ideal if you take longer trips but not every day
Prices change, but it’s generally considered a very sweet deal.
A very underrated family perk
This is surprisingly unknown: Switzerland is extremely family‑friendly when it comes to transport.
With a small annual fee, a child can travel for free with an adult for a whole year. If you’re travelling with kids, look this up, it’s one of the best offers in the system.
Types of trains (what you’ll actually ride)
You’ll mostly encounter:
Regional trains (R) – frequent stops, short distances
InterRegio (IR) – faster, fewer stops
InterCity (IC) and EuroCity (EC) – long distances, major cities
Special trains – panoramic and touristic routes
Seat reservations are generally not compulsory. When they are, the SBB app will clearly tell you.
My favourite train: Treno Gottardo
If I had to pick just one, it would be the Treno Gottardo, running from Zurich or Basel to Locarno in Ticino.
Why I love it:
That brown‑copper colour (iconic)
Extremely comfortable interiors
Generous legroom and calm atmosphere
A mini‑bar machine
And hands‑down the nicest train crew in Switzerland, I’ve had genuinely lovely conversations on board
It runs on the historic Gotthard line, meaning you get curves, tunnels, villages, and scenery, not just speed.
Panoramic routes worth planning around
Switzerland takes scenic rail travel very seriously. A few highlights:
Gotthard Panorama Express
Boat ride on Lake Lucerne
Then train on the old Gotthard line down to Ticino
Combines history, landscape, and slow travel in the best way
www.gotthard-panorama-express.ch
Glacier Express
From St. Moritz to Zermatt across the Alps
Probably the most famous scenic train in the country
I’m doing it this year (gifted - told you everyone knows I like trains), so stay tuned
Bernina Express
From Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano (Italy)
UNESCO World Heritage line
Think glaciers, spiral viaducts, and dramatic altitude changes
GoldenPass Line
Connects Lucerne, Interlaken, and Montreux
A perfect mix of lakes, mountains, and vineyards
What you can do with just a daily ticket
One of the most underrated things about Swiss public transport is how many actual experiences are already included in your ticket, especially if you’re travelling with a Tageskarte, a GA, a Swiss Travel Pass, or a Half-Fare + day pass combo.
Here are a few favourites that really show how far one ticket can take you.
Mount Rigi - the classic (and a place I visit quite often)
Mount Rigi is often called the Queen of the Mountains, and for good reason.
With most Swiss-wide day tickets, you can:
Take the boat on Lake Lucerne
Hop on the Vitznau–Rigi railway or the Arth–Rigi line
Enjoy panoramic views over lakes and the Alps
No extra planning, no complicated add-ons, just pure, old-school Swiss mountain magic.
Boat rides on Lake Zurich & Lake Lucerne
Yes, boats are public transport in Switzerland.
With day tickets and most travel passes, you can cruise:
Lake Zurich: perfect for a relaxed city break with views of the Alps on clear days - the village of Rapperswill on the other side of the lake is a gem you can't miss, especially in june, when roses bloom all over the city.
Lake Lucerne: one of the most scenic boat routes in the country, surrounded by dramatic mountains - you'll also pass by Rütli, where Switzerland was born.
It’s sightseeing disguised as a commute, and it never gets old.
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (without the Glacier Express hype)
Here’s a little secret: you don’t have to take the Glacier Express to enjoy its scenery.
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and other regional trains run on the same tracks.
That means:
The same jaw-dropping landscapes
More flexibility
Way lower costs
And full coverage with Swiss travel passes
This applies to other panoramic routes too: regional trains often share the same lines and views.
Vigezzina–Centovalli Railway
One of my personal favourites.
This narrow-gauge line:
Connects Locarno to Domodossola (Italy)
Passes through wild valleys, bridges, and forests
Feels slow, scenic, and wonderfully nostalgic
Even though it crosses into Italy, it’s fully covered by Swiss travel passes and connects seamlessly to trains towards Brig and beyond.
It’s the perfect example of how borders matter very little when trains are involved.
The golden rule of Swiss rail travel
If a famous panoramic train runs on a certain route, chances are regular trains run there too.
They might not have panoramic windows or a fancy name, but they offer the same views, the same tracks, and a lot more freedom.
Sometimes, the best Swiss travel experiences are simply… already included.
A very Swiss souvenir (train-coded)
No budget for a Rolex or a Jaeger‑LeCoultre? Same.
If you want something iconic but more accessible, I can’t recommend Mondaine watches enough. I got mine as a Christmas present and still love it.
You’ll find:
Classic models
And versions with the famous stop‑to‑go system, inspired by Swiss railway clocks
A perfect way to remember your time in Switzerland, in all senses.
Yes, it’s expensive, but here’s the trick
Switzerland isn’t cheap. No sugar‑coating it.
But if you’re staying longer than a few days, my strongest advice is this:
👉 Spend the ~CHF 180 once and get the Half‑Fare Travelcard.
From that moment on, every ticket you buy will be cheaper, and the system suddenly feels much more reasonable.
And honestly? When trains run on time, take you everywhere, and double as sightseeing platforms, it feels like money well spent.
Happy travels, and see you on the platform.
Ciao ciao, e al prossimo viaggio!
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