Travel Tips & FAQ

For e-tickets purchased online, your Swiss Travel Pass is pre-activated for the selected start date. Simply print your e-ticket or keep it accessible on your mobile device. For physical passes, write your passport number on the pass before first use and keep it with your passport when traveling.

No, unlike in some European countries, you do not need to validate or stamp your Swiss Travel Pass before each journey. Simply have your valid pass and passport ready for inspection when requested by the conductor.

Lost or stolen Swiss Travel Passes cannot be replaced. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover this possibility. If your pass is lost or stolen, you'll need to purchase new tickets for your remaining journeys.

No, the Swiss Travel Pass is personal and non-transferable. Each traveler needs their own pass, which must match the passport details provided at purchase.

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass covers night trains within Switzerland. For international night trains, it covers the Swiss portion of the journey. Note that seat or sleeping compartment reservations are mandatory for night trains and are not included in your pass.

Most Swiss trains do not require reservations, allowing for flexible travel. However, scenic panoramic trains do require reservations with additional fees:

• Glacier Express (St. Moritz - Zermatt)
• Bernina Express (Chur - Tirano)
• GoldenPass Express (Montreux - Interlaken)
• Gotthard Panorama Express (Lucerne - Lugano)
• Chocolate Train (Montreux - Gruyères - Broc)

These reservations should be made as far in advance as possible, especially during high season (July-August).

You can make reservations:

• During the Swiss Travel Pass purchase process on our website
• By adding them later through your account
• At any Swiss railway station ticket office
• Through the SBB mobile app

We recommend booking at least 1-2 months in advance for summer travel and during ski season.

Seat reservation policies vary by train:

• Glacier Express: Cancellations up to 1 day before travel receive a 90% refund
• Bernina Express: Cancellations up to 1 day before travel receive a 90% refund
• GoldenPass Express: Fully refundable up to 1 day before travel
• Gotthard Panorama Express: Non-refundable

Changes are generally possible until 1 day before travel, subject to availability.

Switzerland is a year-round destination, with each season offering unique experiences:

• Summer (June-August): Perfect for hiking, mountain excursions, and lake activities. This is high season with the best weather but also the largest crowds.
• Fall (September-October): Fewer crowds, pleasant temperatures, and beautiful autumn colors make this an excellent time for sightseeing and hiking.
• Winter (December-March): Ideal for snow sports and Christmas markets. Mountain railways and cable cars operate throughout winter, though some hiking trails are closed.
• Spring (April-May): A quieter time with blooming flowers and gradually warming temperatures. Some mountain routes may still be closed due to snow.

For the best balance of good weather and fewer crowds, consider late May to mid-June or September.

This depends on your interests and how much you want to see:

• 3-4 days: Enough for a quick highlights tour of 1-2 regions (e.g., Zurich, Lucerne, and a mountain excursion)
• 6-8 days: Allows exploration of major regions and several key attractions
• 10-15 days: Comprehensive coverage of Switzerland's diverse regions at a comfortable pace

Remember that Switzerland is compact but mountainous, so travel between regions can take time despite short distances. We recommend focusing on 1-2 regions for shorter stays rather than trying to cover the entire country.

Choose a pass duration that covers your main travel days when you'll use public transportation extensively. Consider:

• Days with long-distance train journeys
• Days with multiple shorter trips
• Days visiting museums (500+ included with the pass)
• Days with mountain excursions that offer discounts

For trips with rest days or days spent entirely in one location, consider the Swiss Travel Pass Flex, which allows non-consecutive travel days.

For efficient planning:

• Group destinations by region to minimize travel time
• Use major cities as bases for day trips (Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva)
• Allow half a day for travel between regions
• Check train frequencies (major routes have trains every 30-60 minutes)
• Consider overnight stays in scenic smaller towns like Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, or Mürren

Use the SBB mobile app or website to check connections and plan journey times. The Swiss railway system is extremely punctual, so connections of just 5-10 minutes between trains are usually reliable.

Both approaches have advantages:

• Base cities: Staying in 2-3 strategic locations (like Zurich, Interlaken, and Lucerne or Montreux) minimizes hotel changes and allows for efficient day trips. With fast train connections, many attractions are reachable within 1-2 hours.
• Moving around: Changing accommodations lets you experience different regions more deeply and reduces daily travel time. This works well for longer itineraries.

For a first-time visit of 7 days or less, we recommend the base cities approach. For longer stays, a combination works well.

Mountain weather can change rapidly, and visibility is essential for enjoying the views:

• Be flexible with your itinerary and check weather forecasts the day before
• Have indoor alternatives planned (museums, city tours, chocolate/cheese factories)
• Consider webcams at mountain stations to check real-time conditions
• Sometimes clouds at valley level clear up at higher altitudes (and vice versa)
• For expensive excursions like Jungfraujoch, consider waiting for better weather

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is ideal if weather flexibility is important to you.

Switzerland offers many spectacular mountain experiences. Here's a quick comparison:

• Jungfraujoch: Highest railway station in Europe (3,454m). Impressive journey through mountains, views of the Aletsch Glacier. (25% discount with pass)
• Mt. Titlis: Accessible from Lucerne, features revolving cable car and glacier. (50% discount with pass)
• Schilthorn: James Bond filming location with revolving restaurant and views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. (50% discount with pass)
• Mt. Rigi: Lower altitude (1,797m) but fantastic lake views and historic cogwheel railway. (100% covered by pass)
• Mt. Pilatus: Near Lucerne, combines steepest cogwheel railway with cable cars. (50% discount with pass)

First-time visitors often choose between Jungfraujoch (more expensive, higher altitude) and Mt. Titlis or Schilthorn (less expensive with better Swiss Travel Pass benefits).

Even in summer, mountain temperatures can be cold:

• Dress in layers that can be added or removed
• Always bring a warm jacket and long pants
• Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip
• Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat (UV radiation is stronger at altitude)
• Bring a water bottle (staying hydrated helps prevent altitude sickness)
• Camera with fully charged battery

On clear days, the sun reflection from snow can be intense even when air temperatures are cool.

Switzerland has four official languages:

• German: Spoken in the north, east, and central regions (about 63% of the population)
• French: Spoken in the western cantons (about 23% of the population)
• Italian: Spoken in the southern canton of Ticino (about 8% of the population)
• Romansh: Spoken in parts of the southeastern canton of Graubünden (less than 1% of the population)

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and by younger Swiss people. All train announcements on major routes are in German, French, and English.

Yes, Switzerland uses Type J electrical outlets (three round pins in a triangular pattern) and 230V/50Hz power. While some Swiss outlets also accept European-style Type C (two round pins) plugs, it's best to bring a Swiss-specific adapter or a universal travel adapter that includes Type J.

Yes, Swiss tap water is among the cleanest in the world and perfectly safe to drink. Many towns and cities have decorative public fountains where you can refill your water bottle for free (unless specifically marked as non-potable). This helps reduce plastic waste and saves money compared to buying bottled water.

Business hours in Switzerland tend to be more limited than in some other countries:

• Retail stores: Generally 9:00-18:30 Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00 Saturday, closed Sunday (except in train stations and airports)
• Banks: 8:30-16:30 Monday-Friday, closed weekends
• Post offices: 8:00-12:00 and 13:30-18:00 Monday-Friday, 8:00-11:00 Saturday, closed Sunday
• Restaurants: Lunch typically 11:30-14:00, dinner 18:00-22:00

Note that in smaller towns and rural areas, shops might close for lunch between 12:00-13:30 and have shorter hours. Most businesses are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Service charges are included by law in all prices in Switzerland, including restaurant bills. Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for excellent service:

• Restaurants: Rounding up the bill or adding 5-10% for good service
• Taxis: Rounding up to the nearest franc or up to 5%
• Hotels: 1-2 CHF per bag for porters, 2-5 CHF per day for housekeeping

When paying by card, you'll need to tell the server the total amount you want to pay including any tip before they process your payment.

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro. While some shops in border areas and tourist destinations may accept Euros, they typically give change in Swiss Francs and often at unfavorable exchange rates.

Switzerland is increasingly cashless, but it's good to have payment options:

• Credit/Debit Cards: Widely accepted, especially Visa and Mastercard. American Express is less commonly accepted.
• Cash: Still useful for small purchases, markets, and some mountain huts.
• Mobile Payment: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are increasingly accepted.

Inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid cards being blocked for suspicious foreign transactions. For cash, ATMs are widely available and generally offer better exchange rates than currency exchange offices.

Yes, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe for travelers. However, the Swiss Travel Pass offers excellent value by covering transportation and museum entry. Other money-saving tips:

• Stay in smaller towns rather than major cities
• Consider self-catering accommodations
• Lunch menus often offer better value than dinner
• Shop at supermarkets like Migros or Coop for picnic supplies
• Refill water bottles at public fountains
• Take advantage of free activities like hiking

Budget approximately 150-200 CHF per person per day for mid-range travel, including accommodation, food, and activities (not including the Swiss Travel Pass).