Understanding Your Swiss Train Ticket

Why can a Swiss train ticket look different?

Swiss train tickets can look different depending on the ticket type. Some tickets are open and flexible, while others are valid only for a specific train or travel time. A Saver Day Pass may also show an asterisk (*) instead of a departure or destination station.

This article explains how to identify and read three common Swiss ticket types available on Rail Europe: Point-to-Point Ticket, Saver Day Pass and Super Saver Ticket.

Point-to-Point Ticket

A Point-to-Point Ticket is an open ticket for a selected route and travel date. It is not restricted to the specific trains shown in the timetable. Passengers can take any eligible train operating between the selected origin and destination on the travel date printed on the ticket.

SBB Point-to-Point Tickets are typically valid for one calendar day. The validity starts at 12:00 AM on the travel date and lasts until 5:00 AM the following morning.

How to check a Point-to-Point Ticket

Ticket type – “Point-to-point Ticket”.

Validity – The date/time, such as 25.06 00:00 to 26.06 05:00, is the ticket validity period, not a train departure and arrival time.

From and To – Check the selected origin and destination, such as Zürich HB → Interlaken Ost.

Via – If shown, this indicates the routing on the ticket.

Class – Check the travel class, such as 1st or 2nd class.

Order number – This can be used to identify the booking when contacting Rail Europe.

As this is an open ticket, passengers are free to choose any eligible train on the selected route during the validity period. On services without reserved seating, passengers may sit on any vacant seat within their booked class.

Saver Day Pass

The Saver Day Pass offers a convenient and cost-effective way to explore Switzerland by train, providing unlimited travel on the covered Swiss Travel System network for a full day, subject to the applicable validity and network conditions.

With a Saver Day Pass, passengers can make multiple journeys during the validity period. This provides flexibility to travel between different destinations without purchasing a separate ticket for each journey.

The Saver Day Pass is valid for one day. The validity starts at 12:00 AM on the selected date and continues until 5:00 AM the following morning.

How to check a Saver Day Pass

Ticket type – “Saver Day Pass”.

Validity – Check the selected date and validity period.

From and To – The fields may show “*” instead of station names. This means the pass is not tied to one fixed origin and destination.

Class – Check the travel class shown on the ticket.

Validity information – Check the statement confirming that the pass is valid for travel on GA Travelcard area routes in the relevant class.

Order number – This can be used to identify the booking when contacting Rail Europe.

On services without reserved seating, passengers may sit on any vacant seat within their booked class.

Super Saver Ticket

A Super Saver Ticket is a discounted ticket linked to a specific train and travel time. Unlike an open Point-to Point Ticket, it is not flexible for travel on any train on the same route.

The ticket is valid only for the specific train or services stated on the ticket. In the sample, the journey is Basel Bad Bf → Andermatt, with the journey time shown as 10:47 to 14:06 and the applicable services listed on the ticket.

Super Saver Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Before you travel, please make sure to check your travel date, departure time, route, and train details, as these tickets are only valid for the booked journey.

How to check a Super Saver Ticket

Ticket type – “Supersaver Ticket”.

Travel date and time – Check the exact date and departure/arrival time.

From and To – Check the departure and destination stations.

Via – Check the routing shown, if applicable.

Train/service restriction – Check the “Only valid for” section. The sample lists EC151, IC671, IR2421 and R651.

Class – Check the travel class.

Order number – This can be used to identify the booking when contacting Rail Europe.

Because the Super Saver Ticket is tied to the specified train/service and time, passengers should travel according to the details printed on the ticket. Where seating is not reserved, passengers can sit on any vacant seat within their booked class.

In simple terms

Point-to-Point Ticket – An open ticket for a selected route and date. You can generally choose any eligible train on that route during the ticket's validity period.

Saver Day Pass – The Saver Day Pass offers a convenient and cost-effective way to explore Switzerland by train, with unlimited travel for one day throughout the GA Travelcard area. It is valid on eligible regional trains, trams, buses, and boats, subject to the applicable validity and network conditions.

Super Saver Ticket – A discounted ticket linked to a specific train/service and time. It is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.