Swiss Travel Pass - Train Booking

Lloasoonnull11

I purchased two Swiss Travel Passes (15 day, 2nd class) for later September and was trying to book train tickets, but the system is asking for payment. I set-up the mobile app on my phone and can see the QR codes there. They do have the correct start and end dates and my travel train date is within the range of time. But when I go to book a train in the app it asks for payment. I’ve watched a few YouTube videos to help me out but am still not getting the results needed. Is there some way I need to link the Travel Pass to my train booking that I don’t know about? Maybe I’m not able to book a train from (Zug to Chur) before the activation date of my travel? I was able to book a Glacier Express trip and that did link to the pass to cover the cost. Any suggestions you could offer would be much appreciated.

Krist

This is a question that comes up time and time again.

You have the pass. The pass serves as your ticket. As such you do not need to “book” train tickets. And because you do not need to book train tickets when you have a pass there is no way to do so.

So to travel eg. From Zug to Chur all you need to do is:

Look up the schedule on sbb-tickets.cc or on the app
Go to the station in time for your train (5 minutes is enough).
Go to the platform your train leaves from, get on the train and find a seat.

When the conductor comes, show them your pass, and a valid ID (probably your passport in your case).

That is it. There is no need to book anything in advance. There is no need to do any formalities. Just find your train (or bus, tram, etc…) and get on.

For the Glacier Express you need a reservation in addition to either a ticket or pass, and you appear to have been able to obtain that.

Lloasoonnull11

Krist Thank you so much! You make it sound so easy (I guess it really is). As in Canada, we don’t have many trains to cross the country and you need to book tickets in advance here. You info is much appreciated. Thank you!

Krist

Lloasoonnull11

You should not compare SBB with VIA rail. SBB is more like Go Transit in Toronto. Its a part of a nationwide mass transit system that also includes busses, trams etc… And your STP gives you access to to everything.