Swiss Travel Pass, validity and areas covered
A traveler named Bruno is planning his first trip to Switzerland in December/January and is unsure about using public transport and the Swiss Travel Pass. He needs specific guidance on which routes are free with his pass and how to avoid possible fines for traveling without a ticket on his planned route from Wengen to Mürren.
- Use the updated map to check which mountain transport is included with your Swiss Travel Pass.
- For most normal trains and buses, you can board freely with your Swiss Travel Pass, but always be prepared to show it during ticket checks.
- Be sure to carry your passport or ID while traveling, as it may be required with the Swiss Travel Pass.
AI-generated summary-
Hello guys!
It will be my first time in Switzerland in December/January and I don’t have much experience in Europe, I don’t have much experience with public transport either.
I bought the Swiss Pass Travel and I’m still in a long learning process, especially with this route website (http://www.sbb.ch/en/timetable.html).
My question is: How do I know exactly which routes will be free on my trip?
I know this map: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity
I find this map really useful when I want to go from “city to city”, but when going somewhere more specific, I am worried about which tickets I should buy in advance or book, as I read about having to pay a fine if I getting on the transport and not having the ticket.
Is there any way for me to see exactly the routes and types of transport I will have to take and pay for on a trip?
For example, one day I plan to make this trip: Wengen to Murren, Bistro Birg, Birg.
When I look at this route on the SBB website, there is only a solid red line, with no distinction of what I will have to pay and what is included in my Swiss Travel Pass.
What about the fine? Do I run the risk of having to pay something if I mistakenly get on a transport that is not free even though I have the Swiss Travel Pass?
I really tried to find a thread that answered my questions, but I couldn’t find it completely.
Thank you very much!
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Hi Bruno,
Welcome to MySwissAlps! The new map (2023) can be download from http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity now. The map shows almost everything. Including Birg, which is the mid station of the cableway from Mürren to Schilthorn. That’s on the map too.
If something is missing on the map, you can take a look at the attached document (2022 version). But that’s really only needed for tiny bus lines you have doubts about, for example. Normally, all buses are included. As well as all trains and all boats. It’s only mountain transport that is either free, or discounted, or not included at all.
I hope this helped!
Thanks so much for your help, Annika!
And about the fines that happen for not having a ticket, could you tell me how this works?
In the case of mountain transport, they are all charged before I enter, correct? No chance of these ′′ fines ′′ happening?
Because on trains, I get on first and the ticket is only checked halfway through.
In situations where I could suffer this penalty, can I be completely unconcerned about having the Swiss Travel Pass?
Thank you again!
The basic ‘legal’ background to the Swiss Travel Pass is that it gives free travel on all lines which form the core network used by day to day local residents and travellers (eg to get to work) in other words all ‘normal villages, towns and cities. It is also free to any higher altitude mountain places in Switzerland which are legally ‘communes’ ie ‘real’ towns or villages, rather than just ‘mountain outposts’
This is the reason why, for example, the STP gives ‘free’ travel as far as Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren but not higher up (eg Kleine Scheidegg).
For the same reason the STP is free as far up as Zermatt (but not Gornergrat), Engelberg (but not Titlis)
All cable cars and many of the mountain railways have gates which you wouldn’t get past without a valid ticket. However there are exceptions (for example you can step on the Schynige Platte railway train straight from the roadside)
I really appreciate your help, 196oman!
This information was very helpful!
Yes, especially in case of mountain transportation there will be checks before you board. For most normal trains, buses and boats it’s as follows: you just get on with your Swiss Travel Pass without prior checks. If personnel comes along to check for rail tickets and passes, you just show your (digital) Swiss Travel Pass and that’s all. For all free routes you don’t need anything else and no, you won’t be fined :-).
Fines and their rates depend on the company you’re traveling with.
But there’s no need to worry about that. You can figure out which routes are free and which are discounted (thus requiring an additional discounted ticket) in advance. Here’s more info about how it works: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse.
… And be sure to have your passport as well. There have been a few rare instances where the conductor asked for my ticket and when I showed my STP, he then asked for my passport.
As I understand it that is because you must have proof of identity on your person at all times in Switzerland.
Yes, definitely true pvonk! Thanks for the addition :-). The requirement to carry along a passport/ID is mentioned at https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse. My phrasing “you don’t need anything else” above was aimed at tickets and passes, but I agree this can be confusing.
Wow. And that I didn’t know! Good thing I didn’t die yesterday.
Nobody in Switzerland is required to carry an ID or passport at all times, not even tourists/foreigners.
The reason why you must show an ID or passport when using the Swiss Travel Pass or e-tickets is because the requirement is stated in the respective GTCs.
Thank you all!
You guys really helped me to make my experience in Switzerland better!
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