[Komal]

27 August 2026 at 9:01:48 #2798445

Hello myswissalps.com team,
I have few questions regarding Swiss Travel Pass, I am planning to buy (2 adults) 15 day STP for our upcoming trip to Switzerland.
1. Is there any material difference between buying from “shop.sbb.ch” OR “Swissrailways.com”.  Is there any advantage from one over other? I will be buying from Canada.

2. How to buy 50% and 25% discounted train and gondola tickets using SBB app? I understand by default app displays 50% discounted rates and while buying I can select GA travel pass for STP discount, however there are few trains in Jungfrau region which provides 25% discount. I don’t know what option to select in app to purchase those tickets.

3. Photo ID: Is driving license (with photo) issued by Government, considered a valid id and will work in trains instead of Passport ? I want to avoid carrying passport for many day trips we have planned. Also for my son (age 11) with Swiss Family Pass, do we need to carry photo id ?

4. Swisspass Account: Do I need Swiss pass account to buy tickets and store in app ? Does guest profile in SBB app store multiple ticket purchases, class upgrades etc ? I am constantly getting technical error while creating Swiss pass account online.

thanks in advance
regards
-Komal

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[Arno]

Reply 1 of 4 • 27 August 2026 at 14:30:21 #2798446

Hi Komal,

1. The first site (SBB) is the domestic website, primarily geared to Swiss residents. The second site, http://www.swissrailways.com, is the official SBB tourist website. That’s the one you need if buying from abroad. They’re better geared for foreign payment methods and providing support.

2. You can’t purchase that via the app. All mountains have their own webshop, which often (not always) offers the Swiss Travel Pass discount too. The most popular mountain tickets, with the proper Swiss Travel Pass discount, are available via http://www.swissrailways.com as well. I always use the app for train schedules only.

3. All travelers need the document they use to cross the border into Switzerland, which normally is your passport. Some people take a copy, but that’s not valid for travel either.

4. SwissPass is for Swiss residents and unrelated to the Swiss Travel Pass. You do not need it. All you need is your Swiss Travel Pass from the above shop, and it will be emailed to you within a few minutes after purchase. Keep it on your phone and show it when requested by the train staff. You don’t need anything else besides your passport.

All Swiss Travel Pass details, including how to use it, are here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/

Enjoy your travels!

[Laurae]

Reply 2 of 4 • 27 August 2026 at 15:48:40 #2798447

Hello, Kamal.  If you are using your Swiss Travel Pass for other entries (such as museums or other venues, for instance the Maison Callier chocolate experience) some are not set up to give you the discount allowed.  I encountered this at the Maison Callier.  In that case I went to the ticket counter and in spite of the sign saying there was a 2 hour wait they gave me the next available entry time as I could not have booked my free entry online.  I also needed to show many museums a photo of the original ticket I received (not the QR code) as it was the only document that stated that the Pass also served as the Swiss Museum entry pass.  I saved it as a file on my phone.  You can always carry the paper copy as well.  If that should be lost or stolen because you booked online the SBB has a record and can issue a new one.

Happy travels.
Laura E

[andrew]

Reply 3 of 4 • 27 August 2026 at 15:55:08 #2798448

Hi Komal,
I note that one of the web addresses you mention is one letter different from one that Arno mentions. It reminds me that I understand there is currently a very plausible scam using a  close lookalike website of the SBB site.
Please, everyone, make sure you are on the correct SBB website when you book your tickets.
Andrew

[Arno]

Reply 4 of 4 • 27 August 2026 at 16:55:39 #2798449

Thanks for catching that, Andrew. I have edited the original post so nobody will get confused. Indeed, it’s important to end up on the correct website. My links are safe.