Must-knows about the Tell-Pass Winter

  • The pass covers traveling in Central Switzerland, around Lake Lucerne: see the map.
  • Within this region, it allows free unlimited traveling by bus, boat, train, and mountain transport.
  • This Tell-Pass is available for traveling in winter. For summer trips, there’s another version of the pass.
  • The pass is only offered for travel in 2nd class.
Ticket type: Public transport pass
Season: 1 November 2023 - 31 March 2024
Valid for max. 10 days
Included area: Central Switzerland

What's included in the Tell-Pass Winter? Copy link to clipboard

  • The pass provides free unlimited traveling for 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 consecutive days.
  • You can make unlimited trips by train, bus, boat, and into the mountains (cable cars, funiculars, et cetera).
  • There are discounts on attractions and museums: see the map.
  • Children travel along at a low fixed price, or for free.

Price of the Tell-Pass Winter: seasons 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Copy link to clipboard

DurationPrice winter 2023-2024Price winter 2024-2025More information (discounts, prices in EUR/GBP/USD)
2 daysCHF 120CHF 120swissrailways.com
3 daysCHF 150CHF 160swissrailways.com
4 daysCHF 170CHF 180swissrailways.com
5 daysCHF 180CHF 200swissrailways.com
10 daysCHF 240CHF 260swissrailways.com

Discounts

  • There's a fixed price of CHF 30 for Tell-Passes for children from 6 up to and including 15. They have to travel along with an adult. The adult does not need to be a relative of the child.
  • The Junior Travelcard is also valid, as well as the Children’s Co-travelcard. If you have one of those, you don't need the child version of the pass.
  • Children up to 5 travel along for free. They don't need a pass.
  • There are no special fares for seniors.

Websites to buy the Tell-Pass Winter from Copy link to clipboard

Switzerland Travel Centre
Tell-Pass
The Tell Pass allows you to discover Central Switzerland without limits by train, bus and boat. Available for 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 consecutive days.

Offered by Official SBB shop: swissrailways.com

  • Official webshop of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), operated by Switzerland Travel Centre (STC)
  • Instant delivery through e-mail in 5 minutes
  • Free cancellation until 1 day before travel, if you choose the FLEX OPTION. No questions asked.
  • Extra Support: MySwissAlps can answer most questions regarding your order as well.
HappyRail
Tell-Pass
Rail pass for Central Switzerland and around Lake Lucerne.

Offered by HappyRail: www.happyrail.com

  • Excellent prices in all currencies. No additional fees.
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
  • Experienced team of train travel experts
This list includes external links to our trusted partners.

Discounts on the Tell-Pass Winter Copy link to clipboard

Members-only

Members-only promotion

Members-only promotion | This promotion ends 31 March 2024

This promotion is available to members only. Check out all the benefits members have access to.

These promotions are offered by our trusted partners.
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Tell-Pass Winter scenic train rides Copy link to clipboard

Scenic trainDiscount
GoldenPassFree:
  • Interlaken to Lucerne (train)
More information:

Montreux to Interlaken (train): no discount. Seat reservations and surcharge for Prestige class in GoldenPass Express: no discount.

Gotthard Panorama ExpressFree:
  • Arth-Goldau to Flüelen to Göschenen (train)
  • Lucerne to Flüelen (boat)
More information:

Göschenen to Lugano: no discount. Seat reservations: no discount.

Voralpen-ExpressFree:
  • Lucerne to Pfäffikon (train)
More information:

Pfäffikon to St. Gallen: no discount.

Tell-Pass Winter mountain trips Copy link to clipboard

MountainDiscount
BürgenstockFree:
  • Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock to Bürgenstock (funicular)
  • Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock (boat)
  • Stansstad to Bürgenstock (bus)
More information:

Hammetschwand lift: no discount.

PilatusFree:
  • Alpnachstad to Mount Pilatus (train)
  • Kriens to Mount Pilatus (cableway)
  • Lucerne to Alpnachstad (train or boat)
  • Lucerne to Kriens (bus)
RigiFree:
  • Arth-Goldau to Mount Rigi (train)
  • Vitznau to Mount Rigi (train)
  • Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad (cableway)
  • Kräbel to Rigi Scheidegg (cableway)
  • To Arth-Goldau (train)
  • To Vitznau and Weggis (boat or bus)
TitlisFree:
  • Engelberg to Mount Titlis (cableway)
  • Ice Flyer lift

Other activities for Tell-Pass Winter holders Copy link to clipboard

ActivityDiscount
Boat Lake LucerneFree:
  • All boats
Swiss Museum of TransportDiscount 20%:
  • Swiss Chocolate Adventure entrance fee

The Tell-Pass Winter map Copy link to clipboard

The Tell-Pass Winter allows traveling in the Central Switzerland region. That's roughly the area between Lucerne, Interlaken, Andermatt, and Zug. Download the map for all details.

Tell-Pass Winter map 2023-2024

How the map works

  • Free traveling applies to all routes on the map. Blue lines are boats, the other lines are trains, buses, or mountain transport.
  • Traveling with the Tell-Pass Winter applies to all trains that operate on the indicated lines and that are listed in the timetable. The train type (InterCity, local, panoramic) and the operating company do not matter. Panoramic trains such as the GoldenPass are thus included.
  • The map document also includes a list of discounted attractions.

How does the Tell-Pass Winter work?

The pass allows you to travel as much as you like. Just board with your pass and enjoy the ride. There’s no need to buy tickets. You’ll keep your pass on your phone.

How to start using your Tell-Pass Winter

The pass is ready to use once you’ve received it. Simply keep it on your phone.

  • You will receive a PDF file. This file has a QR code that train staff can scan from your smartphone.
  • Optionally, you can print backup copies of the pass on A4- or letter-sized paper.
  • The pass is ready to use if it includes all information like the start date, passenger name, and birth date. Your name may be truncated if it’s too long to fit on the pass, but that’s no problem.

Tell-Pass Winter travel days

The travel days are consecutive. If you don’t travel on such a day, it still counts as such.

Seat reservations

For 99% of all trains and buses in Switzerland, seat reservations aren’t necessary. You can just board with your Tell-Pass Winter and find a seat. If you need or want seat reservations, you need to arrange for them separately. Seat reservations are not included in the pass.

On board the train, bus, or boat

Once you’re on board, you will need to present your Tell-Pass Winter to ticket controllers if they ask for it. The staff may want to check your passport as well, to make sure you’re the owner of the pass.

Ticket checks for mountain transport are mostly done before you board.

Additional tickets

Basically, you do not need tickets for trips in the Tell-Pass Winter validity area, and you can just board any bus, train, etc.

There are many cableways that also allow free traveling. If you can’t scan your Tell-Pass Winter to enter the cableway, funicular, or mountain train, just show your pass to the personnel. They’ll get you a free ticket to pass the access gates.

Our personal tips: what not to miss if you have a Tell-Pass Winter

  • Many famous mountain trips are included for free. On a clear weather day, you can’t go wrong with a free ride to the top of Pilatus, Rigi, or Titlis.
  • The funicular up to Stoos is a short but exciting ride. It’s also free of charge.
  • The glass factory Glasi in Hergiswil is worth a visit. You’ll get a discount on the entrance fee.

FAQ about the Tell-Pass Winter

  1. How do I know if the Tell-Pass Winter is my best option?

    If you prefer ticketless travel, and you’re planning to explore Central Switzerland only (see the map), this pass is probably a good fit.

    It’s also a good option if you like flexibility and don’t plan everything in advance.

    For less extensive traveling, you’d better find a different pass, like the Swiss Half Fare Card. If you plan to explore more than Central Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass is worth looking into.

  2. Does the Tell-Pass Winter offer discounts apart from travel?

    Yes: several museums and other activities, like a guided Lucerne city tour, are discounted. These are called “Bonus partners”. Please download the map for an overview.

  3. Do I need a SwissPass account for my Tell-Pass Winter?

    No. You don’t have to add your Tell-Pass to a SwissPass account or any other account.

  4. What’s the difference between Tell-Pass Winter and Tell-Pass Summer?

    The Tell-Pass Winter is cheaper than the Tell-Pass Summer, because not all mountains are accessible in wintertime. But both passes cover the same region.

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Arno
Page author: ArnoI have visited Switzerland countless times since 1997. I've explored most of the country, but find myself staying in the Bernese Oberland and Graubünden most frequently. The alps and the rail network remain very impressive, even after all these years.