The Swiss railroad network, about 5,000 km in length, is the densest transportation network in the world.
‘One train an hour’ applies for all major destinations. The trains are well equipped and many have dining cars or beverage carts.
The national railway company is Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB), or Chemins de Fer Fédéraux (CFF) in French and Ferrovie Federali Svizzere (FFS) in Italian.
Domestic 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 cities. From here numerous regional trains carry them to lovely little villages in maximum comfort. For tourists the journey itself is often a main goal in itself.
Train types
- Intercity-Neigezug (ICN, high-speed trains)
- Intercity-Express (ICE)
- Intercity (IC)
- InterRegio (IR)
- RegioExpress (RE)
- Regio
- S-Bahn/RER (commuter trains)
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.
Bikes are allowed on most trains free of charge if there is enough room (most likely outside peak hours). Some trains have indications in the timetable that no bikes are allowed or a fee applies.
Private railway companies
An InterRail pass is also valid for travel with the following private railway companies:
- BLS AG
- FART Regional lines Ticino, including the Centovalli railway to Domodossola (Italy)
- MOB Montreux Oberland Bernois
- RhB Rhätische Bahn AG
- SOB Südostbahn
- SSIF Società Subalpina di Imprese ferroviarie
- THURBO AG
- Voralpen-Express
- ZB Zentralbahn AG
There are also several private railway companies that offer a 50% discount for InterRail pass holders
Reservations are not needed for most domestic Swiss trains. Exceptions are local scenic trains like the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. See Pass Benefits Switzerland for more details.
Most international trains to and from Switzerland require a seat reservation. Overview of international reservation fees
