Switzerland railway info
The Swiss railroad network, about 5,000 km in length, is the densest transportation network in the world. Efficiently organized and developed, the Swiss Transport system guarantees very short waiting times when changing trains. ‘One train an hour’ applies for all major destinations. The trains are well equipped and many have dining cars or beverage carts.
Website of the Swiss railway company SBB: English version / German.
Timetable Switzerland: SBB timetable
Railway map: InterRail railway map Switzerland (PDF)
Network
National trains depart every 30 or 60 minutes. Air-conditioned InterCity trains with dining cars, mini-bars and children’s playroom cars bring passengers to all Swiss cites, from where numerous regional trains carry them to lovely little villages in maximum comfort.
For tourists the journey itself is often a main goal in itself. The Swiss transportation system is based on this idea, to make travelling an experience.
Railway services
There are restaurants on the intercity and ICN network in Switzerland and on the international routes to Germany and Austria. It is possible to reserve seats. There is also a bistro or trolley service in some trains.
Private railway companies
An InterRail Pass valid in Switzerland is also valid for travel on the following private railway companies:
- BLS AG
- FART Ferrovie Autoliniee Regionali Ticinesi, including the Centovalli railway to Domodossola (Italy)
- MOB Montreux Oberland Bernois
- RhB Rhätische Bahn AG
- SOB Südostbahn
- SSIF Società subalpina di imprese ferroviarie
- SZU Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg-Bahn
- THURBO AG
Furthermore you get discounts on various other trains, buses and shipping services in Switzerland, for details visit the page Pass Benefits Switzerland.
Related Pages
- InterRail Global Pass (valid in 30 countries, incl. Switzerland)
- InterRail One Country Pass Switzerland
- Tourist Information for Switzerland
- Pass Benefits in Switzerland
Special Trains
There are some special trains in Switzerland that require a reservation or supplement. You can make reservations before your trip at the main train stations in your country or during your trip at most international train stations.
- (EC) Cisalpino Cisalpino (domestic travel free of extra charge, travel to Italy: CHF 8,00)
- Lyria (high-speed train)/ TGV (special fare)
- CityNightLine (night train)
- Elipsos (night train)
- Bernina Express (scenic train)
- Centovalli Railway (scenic train)
- Glacier Express (scenic train)
- Golden Pass (scenic train)
- Wilhelm Tell Express (scenic train)
InterRail Passes for Switzerland railway info
- InterRail Global Pass
- valid in 30 countries, incl. Switzerland railway info
- InterRail One Country Pass
- available for 28 countries, incl. Switzerland railway info