Must-knows about dogs on Swiss public transport

  • You can take along your dog on nearly all Swiss trains, buses, boats, cable cars and other mountain routes.
  • Dogs may not be allowed in restaurant areas of boats and trains, often with exceptions for guide dogs and assistance dogs.
  • The general rule is: small dogs with a wither height of up to 30 cm transported in a carrier travel for free. You often need to pay for larger dogs.
  • The exact rules and costs differ per transport company. You’ll find links to price overviews on each of our activities pages.
  • Alternatively, just show up with your dog at the ticket desk. The personnel will get you the right ticket, if required.

Traveling with dogs on trains in Switzerland

Are dogs allowed in Swiss trains?

Yes, you can take along your dog in Swiss trains. But they’re not allowed in dining cars (except for guide dogs and assistance dogs) and in the Glacier Express, because food is served throughout this train.

Your dog should stay under your seat, so it doesn’t block passage for other passengers.

What does it cost to travel with dogs?

Small dogs with a wither height of up to 30 cm can travel for free in SBB trains if you carry them in a basket or container. You’ll have to pay for larger dogs.

These are the options:

  • You can buy a dog ticket for a specific route, which costs 50% of the full fare for passengers. Of course, you require a valid ticket or rail pass for the appropriate class for yourself.
  • If you’re planning a long trip, consider a Day Pass for dogs at CHF 25.
  • There are monthly and yearly SBB Dog Passes too. But these are mostly meant for Swiss residents who make lots of trips with their dogs.

Regional train companies may have their own rules. Those are generally quite similar to the rules for national SBB trains. But to mention just one exception: all dogs travel for free on the trains between Interlaken and Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen/Wengen.

Taking your dog on buses, boats, and mountain transport

Dogs on buses

Dogs with a wither height of up to 30 cm travel for free in the national Swiss Postbuses, if you carry them in a basket or container. You need a 2nd class bus ticket if your dog is larger than that. The SBB dog tickets and Day Passes for dogs are valid in Postbuses too. Your dog should stay under your seat, without obstructing aisles or other travelers’ legroom.

To many regional and urban bus companies, the same rules apply.

Dogs on boats

Dogs are allowed on Swiss boats. They may not be welcome in restaurant sections though. And they’re usually not allowed on special culinary cruises. Exceptions may apply to guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Each boat company has its own pricing rules for dogs. But in general, small dogs transported in a carrier travel for free, and you’ll have to pay for larger ones.

Dogs in cable cars, cogwheel trains, and other mountain transport

Dogs are allowed on pretty much all Swiss mountain routes. In many cases, you can take them along for free. Some popular mountain destinations may charge you though.

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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.