What a Swiss Travel Pass costs in 2026
Prices run from $221 (€191) for a youth three day Continuous pass in second class up to $1,010 (€928) for fifteen days of Flexi in first. Youth pricing covers you if you're 16 to 25. Every figure is the full price, per person, with nothing to add at the till.
Second class
Second class, across all four ticket types.
| Days | Continuous adult | Continuous youth | Flexi adult | Flexi youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | $313 (€270) | $221 (€191) | $356 (€311) | $252 (€219) |
| 4 days | $381 (€327) | $269 (€231) | $430 (€376) | $303 (€266) |
| 6 days | $492 (€418) | $348 (€296) | $523 (€448) | $370 (€317) |
| 8 days | $541 (€467) | $384 (€330) | $566 (€494) | $401 (€349) |
| 15 days | $615 (€507) | $439 (€359) | $640 (€542) | $456 (€383) |
First class
First class, the same four.
| Days | Continuous adult | Continuous youth | Flexi adult | Flexi youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | $499 (€430) | $351 (€304) | $569 (€490) | $401 (€346) |
| 4 days | $607 (€520) | $427 (€368) | $684 (€593) | $481 (€419) |
| 6 days | $782 (€664) | $551 (€470) | $831 (€708) | $586 (€500) |
| 8 days | $860 (€742) | $607 (€525) | $899 (€783) | $634 (€554) |
| 15 days | $971 (€871) | $687 (€617) | $1,010 (€928) | $715 (€657) |
The jump from second to first is the biggest single lever on the total: six days Continuous is $492 (€418) in second and $782 (€664) in first. If you're wavering, first class against second class on Swiss trains goes through what the extra buys you on board. The other product you might be weighing is the Swiss Half Fare Card at $185 (€160), which is valid for 30 days from first use.
Continuous or Flexi
Continuous Starts by itself
$313 (€270) three days, second class
- Activates automatically on the date you pick at purchase
- Counts consecutive days whether you board a train or not
Flexi Days you choose
$356 (€311) three days, second class
- Each travel day switched on individually, online
- Same five durations, more expensive at every one
Flexi costs more at every length, and the premium shrinks as the pass gets longer: three days second class is $313 (€270) against $356 (€311), while fifteen days is $615 (€507) against $640 (€542). So Flexi is at its most expensive, proportionally, on exactly the short trips where you'd reach for it. If you're stuck between four days and six, or six and eight, choosing how many days of pass to buy works through the tipping points.
Who travels free on it
Children under 6 travel free, full stop. Children 6 to 15 travel free with the Swiss Family Card, which comes with an adult pass and with the Half Fare Card at no extra cost and isn't something you have to request separately. That can take a family total down a long way before you've compared a single fare, and Swiss Travel Pass rules for families covers how the card is applied.
Who it suits, and who it doesn't
Continuous earns its price if you're moving most days, because the meter runs whether you use it or not. Flexi makes sense if you're basing yourself in one place and taking two or three big days out of it, and paying the premium for the days you skip. The pass is sold at one price by everyone, so the decision was never about shopping around, and the Swiss Travel Pass overview sets out how the whole product hangs together if you want the full picture before committing.
It doesn't suit you at all if you live in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, because you can't buy one. Residence outside those two countries is a condition of sale and you may be asked to prove it.
Buying it: what arrives and when
- The price is the price It's identical wherever you buy, so there's no discount to hunt for and nothing to gain by shopping around for one.
- Book as early as you like Passes can be issued up to 180 days ahead, so booking early costs you nothing and locks in your dates.
- Your pass arrives by email A PDF with a QR code on it. It can't be loaded into the national railway app, and doesn't need to be.
- Show the code when you're asked That QR code is what an inspector scans, and nothing else has to be shown, other than your passport or ID card if you're asked to confirm where you live.
The terms that catch people out
Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before the start date. After that it's a 100% charge, with no partial refund and no credit. An issued pass can't be amended either, so a change of date, class or duration means cancelling and rebooking, which only works while you're still outside that 48 hour window.
Activation depends on which pass you bought. Continuous starts on its own, on the date you chose at purchase, whether or not you're anywhere near a station. Flexi travel days are activated one at a time online, so you switch a day on before you use it, not after.
FAQ
Is it cheaper at a Swiss station than online?
No. The railway sets the price and it's the same wherever you buy, so a three day second class pass is $313 (€270) whoever takes your card.
Can I change the dates on a pass I've already bought?
An issued pass can't be amended. You cancel it and book again, which is free of charge up to 48 hours before the start date and costs you the full price after that.
Do I need to print the pass?
No. The PDF arrives by email with a QR code, and that code is what the inspector scans, on paper or on a screen.
Do my children need their own pass?
Under 6, no, they travel free. From 6 to 15 they travel free on the Swiss Family Card, which comes with your pass at no extra cost and doesn't need requesting.
How far ahead can I buy?
Up to 180 days before the start date. Since the price doesn't move and cancellation is free until 48 hours out, there's little reason to leave it late.
What happens if I can't prove I live abroad?
Buyers must live outside Switzerland or Liechtenstein and may be asked to prove it, so carry the passport or ID card you'd show a ticket inspector.
