The Swiss Travel Pass: 7 Things You SHOULD Know (#2 Is Crucial)

Planning to explore Switzerland by train?

Then you’ve probably heard of the Swiss Travel Pass — and for good reason.

It’s one of the most convenient ways to travel around this stunning country.

But before you buy it, there are a few things you really should know — especially #2. Trust me, it can make or break your experience.

Let’s dive in.

1. 🚆 It Covers Almost All Public Transportation in Switzerland

With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can hop on and off nearly all trains, buses, and boats — no extra tickets needed.

I always tell my clients “anyhing that doesn’t go UP is good to go”. If it goes up, it is rarely covered. But there are exceptions – Rigi, Stoos, Stanserhorn, Mürren (no further) and Wengen (no further)

The pass also includes famous panoramic trains like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and GoldenPass Line (note: you’ll still need to pay separately for seat reservations).

City trams, buses, and even lake ferries? Covered. It’s your all-in-one transport freedom pass.

👉👉 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS

2. 🎟️ You Don’t Need to Buy Tickets — But You Do Need to Show the Pass

This one’s crucial. Unlike other passes that give you a discount, the Swiss Travel Pass lets you travel without buying a ticket — just hop on.

But here’s the catch: you need to have your valid, dated pass (for the flex version) ready to show conductors.

If you’re going to show it on your mobile phone, make sure your phone is charged.

For most of you, I recommend you have a downloaded PDF version with you at all times. Even if you have it on your phone somewhere. You can never be too careful.

And you “sometimes” need to show ID – that means your actual passport.

• No drivers license.
• No photocopy of your passport

👉👉 THE SHORT VERSION:

• Carry your Swiss Travel Pass and Passport with you at all times.

3. 🏞️ Many Mountain Excursions Are Discounted (Some Are Free!)

While it doesn’t give you 100% free access to every mountain top, the Swiss Travel Pass gets you free rides on places like

• Mount Rigi
• Stanserhorn
• up to Stoos (but not up to Fronalpstock)
• up to Wengen & Murren too. No further. (so if you go to Kleine Scheidegg or Mannlichen or Schilthorn, you need to pay)

For big-name peaks like

• First
• Brienzer Rothorn
• Titlis
• Pilatus
• Schilthorn
• Gornergrat & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

you’ll usually get 50% off. So, always as when you buy a ticket (or check for that option when you use the website)

So yes, it helps make those bucket-list views a bit more affordable.

4. 🏛️ Museums Are Included — Over 500 of Them!

Art lover? History buff? Or just need a rainy day plan? Your pass gives you free entry to more than 500 museums across Switzerland.

That includes places like the

• Olympic Museum in Lausanne
• Château de Chillon near Montreux
• Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) – Zurich
• Ballenberg Open-Air Museum – Brienz
• 50% off the Transport Museum in Lucerne

It’s an underrated perk most people miss.

👉👉 Here is the link to the list

6. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids Travel Free With the Family Card

Traveling with children under 16?

They travel completely free when accompanied by a parent holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass — as long as you also request the free Swiss Family Card.

This can save families hundreds of francs and makes the pass even more valuable.

👉👉 READ MORE ABOUT THE SWISS FAMILY CARD

7. 📲 Use It With the SBB Mobile App for Maximum Convenience

Switzerland’s transport system runs like clockwork, and the SBB Mobile app is your best friend.

You can check timetables, plan routes, and show your Swiss Travel Pass right from the app. It’s the easiest way to navigate like a local.

👉👉 GRAB MY GUIDE TO BECOMING A PRO WITH THE SBB APP

7. 📅 Choose From Consecutive or Flex Days — Know the Difference!

The standard Swiss Travel Pass is available for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days. That means if you start using it on a Monday, it ends on Thursday (for a 4-day pass), even if you don’t travel each day.

But here’s where it gets interesting: there’s also a Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

With the Flex version, you can choose the same number of days (3, 4, 6, 8, or 15), but use them non-consecutively over a 30-day period.

So if you’re traveling every few days or breaking up your trip with longer stays, the Flex pass gives you freedom to activate only when you need it.

💡 Example: You travel Lucerne → Interlaken on Day 1, chill for two days, then head to Zermatt on Day 4 — that’s only 2 days used on the Flex Pass.

👎🏼 DOWNSIDE: It is more expensive, so unless you have a serious gap in your travels, it is rarely worth it for most people. I calculate such which pass is ideal for people on a regular basis, and rarely do people need the Flex. But maybe your itinerary requires it?

Just remember: for each day you travel, you’ll need to manually activate that day in your online account or app before boarding the train.