How do I buy bus tickets in Switzerland?
Jo is planning a trip using buses in Switzerland and needs advice on buying tickets since she typically uses trains or a Swiss Travel Pass. She's unsure if she can buy bus tickets through the SBB app, how to validate them, and if return tickets are available. Jo prefers not to rely solely on her phone for tickets due to connectivity concerns.
- You can purchase bus tickets through the SBB app or at ticket machines, and sometimes directly from the bus driver.
- Single or return tickets do not require validation; only multiple-journey tickets do.
- The SBB app also provides bus schedules for easy planning.
AI-generated summary-
On previous trips I’ve either mostly used trains, or bought a Swiss Travel Pass, so I’m not too familiar with buying tickets for buses. This time, I’ve worked out that it’ll be cheapest for me to buy a half fare pass, meaning I’ll still need to buy tickets for my bus rides. I have a few questions if anyone could help me?
Can I buy bus tickets on the SBB app? If so, do I still need to validate them somehow on board the bus?
Will there always be a ticket machine at a bus stop, or can I buy a ticket from the driver? I’d prefer this to using the app, because sometimes my phone doesn’t get a good signal for going online when out and about, and I’m always a bit worried that if my phone stops working or runs out of battery, I won’t be able to show my ticket! I know I’m old fashioned! Do I need to validate paper tickets on the bus?
Are there always return bus fares available? Are these always twice the price of a single?
I seem to remember a few years ago there was a PostBus app which allowed you to check timetables, but I can’t find this now. Does it all come under the SBB app?
Thanks for any help you can offer, I may well think of more questions soon!
Jo
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Hi Jo,
For your information, the transport network in Switzerland is integrated. All public transport tickets including bus tickets can be purchased online through the SBB website and mobile app, or directly from the ticket machine or ticket counter. Sometimes it’s possible to purchase your tickets directly from the bus driver but this is not always the case. A single or return ticket doesn’t need to be validated, only if you purchase a multiple-journey ticket.
And yes, you can check bus schedules on the SBB timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
For more useful information about travelling by bus in Switzerland: http://www.myswissalps.com/bus
Let us know if you need further info.
Regards,
Anna
To further clarify a bit about what an integrated public transport network means: as a traveler, you don’t need to know about the (many!) public transport companies (SBB is the biggest but there are many more), nor do you need to know about the mode of transport. You buy a ticket for a route, and that includes all companies and modes of transport to get from point A to B.
Unfortunately there are exceptions to this rule, but the above means that in many cases, you’ll buy one ticket, even if it includes a train and a bus portion.
Have fun!
Many thanks for the help 🙂
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