In Switzerland, in addition to the national railway SBB CFF FFS and the smaller BLS, there is also an association of many different railway companies grouped together as the Schweizer Privatbahnen (Swiss Private Railways). These include both regular trains in the Swiss rail network and more tourist-oriented services. In addition to trains, some boats, cable cars, and buses are also included.

Summary

  • FIP 50 is valid with all rail and bus operators as well as ship operators grouped under SP
  • FIP Coupons are valid with most operators, but there are exceptions for some tourist services
  • Reservations are generally not required; specific tourist services have exceptions

Validity of FIP Tickets

FIP Coupon: ✅FIP Coupon for relatives: ⛔FIP 50 Tickets: ✅

FIP 50 Tickets are valid with all listed railway companies, see Rail and Bus Operators, as well as with the ship operators. FIP Coupons are also valid almost everywhere, with a few exceptions.

Train Categories and Reservations

FIP is accepted by the following operators:

Rail and Bus Operators

Appenzeller Bahnen (AB)

Description:Appenzeller Bahnen operates a network of railways in the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, St. Gallen, and Thurgau. There are services on standard, narrow, and metre gauge, including rack railway sections. Some buses are also operated.

All of these services can be used with FIP.

Rail lines:

  • Gossau SG – Appenzell – Wasserauen
  • St. Gallen – Gais – Appenzell
  • Gais – Altstätten Stadt
  • St. Gallen – Trogen
  • Rorschach – Heiden
  • Rheineck – Walzenhausen

Reservation possible: no

Aare Seeland mobil (ASM)

Description:The operator Aare Seeland mobil runs several metre-gauge lines in Switzerland. In addition, a large number of bus routes are operated.

All of these services can be used with FIP.

Rail lines:

  • Biel/Bienne – Täuffelen – Ins
  • Langenthal – St.Urban Ziegelei
  • Langenthal – Niederbipp – Oensingen
  • Solothurn – Niederbipp – Oensingen
  • Ligerz – Tessenberg (cable car)

Reservation possible: no

Aargau Verkehr AG (AVA)

Description:Aargau Verkehr AG was formed by the merger of BDWM Transport (BDWM) and Wynental- und Suhrentalbahn (WSB). The network comprises three metre-gauge tram/rail lines in the cantons of Aargau and Zurich, as well as several bus routes.

While FIP discounts are valid on the rail lines listed below and on bus routes, it is unknown whether FIP is valid on the Limmattalbahn, which operates as a tram between Zurich Altstetten and Killwangen-Spreitenbach.

Rail lines:

  • Wohlen – Bremgarten – Dietikon
  • Schöftland – Aarau – Menziken – Burg
  • Aarau – Schöftland

Reservation possible: no

Baselland Transport (BLT)

Description:Baselland Transport AG operates several tram lines and buses in the Basel area. While FIP is valid on all bus lines, we are not aware of its validity on the tram lines. Only the routes listed below can be used with FIP for certain.

Rail lines:

  • Dornach – Arlesheim – Basel – Rodersdorf
  • Liestal – Waldenburg

Reservation possible: no

Chemins de fer du Jura (CJ)

Description:Chemins de fer du Jura is a railway company in the Jura region of Switzerland. In addition to a standard-gauge line, it operates several metre-gauge lines. Bus routes are also operated.

All of these services can be used with FIP.

Rail lines:

  • Glovelier – La Chaux-de-Fonds
  • Tavannes – Le Noirmont
  • Porrentruy – Bonfol

Reservation possible: no

Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi (FART) ⚠️

Description:Ferrovie autolinee regionali ticinesi operates, in addition to some bus routes, the Swiss section of the Centovalli Railway from Locarno to Domodossola in Italy, as well as two small aerial cableways.Even though the Centovalli Railway runs into Italy, SP FIP tickets are valid on the entire route because the Italian section is operated by SSIF, which is also an SP FIP member. For the special Treno Panoramico Vigezzo Vision (marked as PE for Panorama Express in timetables), a reservation is required; see the dedicated section.

For the cable cars, it is unknown whether FIP is recognized. On bus routes, FIP is accepted.

Rail lines:

  • Locarno (– Camedo – Domodossola)

Reservation possible: partiallyReservation required: ⚠️ yes, for the Vigezzo Vision Panorama Express

Forchbahn (FB)

Description:The Forchbahn is a metre-gauge railway running between Zurich and Esslingen. Within Zurich it runs on the regular tram network, but as an express line it only stops at the most important stops. It is integrated into the Zurich S-Bahn network as line S18. FIP is valid on the entire route.

Rail lines:

  • Zürich Stadelhofen – Esslingen

Reservation possible: no

Frauenfeld–Wil Railway (FW)

Description:The Frauenfeld–Wil Railway is a metre-gauge railway operating between Wil in the canton of St. Gallen and Frauenfeld in Thurgau. FIP is valid on the entire route.

Rail lines:

  • Wil SG – Frauenfeld FW

Reservation possible: no

Jungfrau Railways (JB)

Description:Jungfrau Railways is a consortium of formerly independent private railways operating around the Jungfraujoch. It consists of the following operators:

  • Grindelwald-First-Bahn (BGF)
  • Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren (BLM)
  • Berner Oberland-Bahn (BOB)
  • Harderbahn (HB)
  • Jungfraubahn (JB)
  • Wengernalpbahn (WAB)

FIP discounts are not granted on all routes.

On the following sections, FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid without restrictions:

  • BOB: Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald
  • WAB: Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen via Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen
  • BLM: Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp (cable car)
  • BLM: Grütschalp to Mürren (train)
  • JB: Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher

On the following sections, FIP Coupons are not valid, but FIP 50 Tickets are accepted:

  • BGF: Grindelwald – First (gondola)
  • BOB: Wilderswil – Schynige Platte (train)
  • HB: Interlaken – Harder Kulm (funicular)
  • JB: Kleine Scheidegg – Jungfraujoch (train)

No FIP discounts are granted on the following routes:

  • Heimwehfluhbahn funicular from Interlaken to Heimwehfluh
  • Wengen – Männlichen aerial cableway
  • Grindelwald – Männlichen gondola (GGM)
  • Mürren – Allmendhubel funicular (SMA)
  • Stechelberg – Mürren – Schilthorn aerial cableway (LSMS)

Reservation possible: no

Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (MBC)

Description:MBC is a regional transport company in the canton of Vaud. It operates two metre-gauge lines, several bus routes, and a funicular.

The buses and narrow-gauge railways can be used with FIP; for the funicular it is not known whether FIP is accepted.

Rail lines:

  • Bière – Apples – Morges
  • Apples – L’Isletou – Mont-la-Ville

Reservation possible: no

Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) ⚠️

Description:The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn has a 144-kilometre network in the cantons of Valais, Uri, and Grisons. While all FIP discounts are recognized on some lines, this is not the case on the section between Zermatt and Gornergrat, where only FIP 50 Tickets can be used. The car shuttle through the Furka Tunnel is completely excluded from FIP. FIP is fully accepted on bus routes.

On the Glacier Express, which is jointly operated by MGB and the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), paid reservations are required; see the dedicated section.

Rail lines:

  • Brig – Zermatt
  • Brig – Disentis
  • Andermatt – Göschenen

Reservation possible: partiallyReservation required: ⚠️ yes, for the Glacier Express

Meiringen–Innertkirchen Railway (MIB)

Description:The Meiringen–Innertkirchen Railway (MIB) is a metre-gauge railway in the canton of Bern. It is now operated by Zentralbahn; see the section “Zentralbahn (ZB)” for details.

Chemin de fer Montreux–Oberland Bernois (MOB)

Description:The Montreux–Bernese Oberland Railway (MOB) operates the metre-gauge railway from Montreux to Lenk im Simmental. Today most trains run only between Montreux and Zweisimmen and further to Interlaken Ost. The section Zweisimmen – Lenk im Simmental is operated independently without through services.

It is also the operating railway company on the Transports Montreux–Vevey–Riviera (MVR) lines, which brings additional narrow-gauge lines and funiculars into MOB operations.

FIP is valid on all the MOB routes listed below. Between Zweisimmen and Interlaken Ost, however, the trains are operated by BLS AG. This means that Coupons for both SP and BLS are required to travel the entire route. FIP 50 Tickets can be booked continuously throughout.

For the GoldenPass Express (through trains from Montreux to Interlaken Ost) and GoldenPass Panoramic (trains between Montreux and Zweisimmen), both marked as PE in timetables, travel without a seat reservation is only possible if seats are still available. Otherwise, a paid reservation can be purchased via the MOB website. For certain panoramic coaches on the GoldenPass Panoramic, an additional surcharge may be levied on site.

Rail lines:

  • Montreux – Les Avants – Montbovon – Gstaad – Zweisimmen (– Interlaken Ost)
  • Zweisimmen – Lenk im Simmental
  • Vevey – Blonay - Les Pléiades
  • Vevey – Chardonne – Mt-Pelèrin (funicular)
  • Montreux – Glion – Rochers-de-Naye
  • Territet – Glion (funicular)
  • Les Avants – Sonloup (funicular)

Reservation possible: partiallyReservation required: no (however, travel on routes with reservation options is not guaranteed)

Transports Montreux–Vevey–Riviera (MVR)

Description:MVR operates several narrow-gauge lines and funiculars in and around Montreux and Vevey on Lake Geneva. Services on these lines are now operated by MOB; therefore, details on FIP validity can be found under “Chemin de fer Montreux–Oberland Bernois (MOB)”.

Nyon–St-Cergue–Morez (Nyon–La Cure) (NStCM)

Description:NStCM is a railway company in the canton of Vaud. It operates only the metre-gauge line from Nyon on Lake Geneva to St-Cergue and further to the French border at La Cure.

FIP is valid on the entire route.

Rail lines:

  • Nyon – St-Cergue – La Cure

Reservation possible: no

Oensingen-Balsthal-Bahn AG (OeBB)

Description:OeBB (not to be confused with ÖBB) is a railway company in the canton of Solothurn. It operates only a 4-kilometre line from Oensingen to Balsthal.

FIP is valid on the entire route.

Rail lines:

  • Oensingen – Balsthal

Reservation possible: no

RegionAlps (RA)

Description:RA is a railway company in the canton of Valais and operates various regional train services.

FIP is valid on all routes.

Rail lines:

  • Brig – St-Gingolph
  • Martigny – Sembrancher – Orsières
  • Sembrancher – Le Sable

Reservation possible: no

Rigi Bahnen AG (RB)

Description:Rigi Bahnen is a railway company operating two railway lines and several cable cars.

FIP is only partially valid on the routes listed below; on the other routes neither FIP Coupons nor FIP 50 Tickets are valid.

Routes with FIP validity:

  • Vitznau – Rigi Kulm
  • Goldau – Rigi Kulm
  • Weggis – Rigi Kaltbad (cable car)
  • Kräbel (Goldau) – Rigi Scheidegg (cable car)

Routes without FIP validity:

  • Obergschwend – Rigi Burggeist (cable car)
  • Küssnacht – Seebodenalp (cable car)
  • Vitznau – Hinterbergen (cable car)
  • Vitznau – Wissifluh (cable car)
  • Brunnen – Urmiberg (cable car)

Reservation possible: no

Regionalverkehr Bern–Solothurn (RBS)

Description:RBS is a regional transport company and operates four metre-gauge railway lines in the cantons of Bern and Solothurn. These are partly integrated into the Bern S-Bahn. Buses are also operated.

FIP is valid on all routes.

Rail lines:

  • Bern – Solothurn (RE 5)
  • Bern – Worb Dorf (S7)
  • Bern – Bätterkinden (S8)
  • Bern – Unterzollikofen (S9)

Reservation possible: no

Rhaetian Railway (RhB) ⚠️

Description:The Rhaetian Railway operates mainly in the canton of Grisons but also runs into Italy. Internationally it is particularly known for the panoramic trains Bernina Express and Glacier Express. Buses are also operated by RhB.

FIP is valid on almost all services. No discounts apply on the car shuttles through the Albula and Vereina tunnels. For the Glacier Express, paid reservations must be purchased in advance; see the dedicated section. For the Bernina Express, operating on the route Chur – Tirano and marked as PE, a surcharge must be paid in addition to the reservation; see the dedicated section.

Rail lines:

  • Chur – Disentis/Mustér
  • Chur – Arosa
  • Chur – Thusis – Filisur – Bever – St. Moritz
  • Chur – Landquart – Davos – Filisur
  • Chur – Landquart – Vereina – Scuol – Tarasp
  • St. Moritz – Bever – Scuol – Tarasp
  • St. Moritz – Pontresina – Poschiavo – Tirano
  • Samedan – Pontresina

Reservation possible: partiallyReservation required: ⚠️ yes, on the Bernina and Glacier Express

Schweizerische Südostbahn (SOB) ⚠️

Description:The Schweizerische Südostbahn operates services both on its own lines and on some SBB lines. In cooperation with SBB, the well-known long-distance trains Treno Gottardo, Alpenrhein-Express, and Aare Linth are operated by SOB.

For FIP discounts it should be noted that SP Coupons are not valid on lines where SOB operates only under an SBB licence, for example between Basel SBB and Arth-Goldau. On these routes, SBB FIP Coupons must be used instead. Continuous FIP 50 Tickets are possible, however. The following list includes only those routes on which SP Coupons are valid.

Routes on which SP FIP discounts apply:

  • Romanshorn – St. Gallen – Wattwil – Nesslau – Neu St Johann
  • Rapperswil – Pfäffikon SZ – Biberbrugg – Arth-Goldau
  • Wädenswil – Biberbrugg – Einsiedeln
  • Arth-Goldau – Bellinzona (either via Göschenen – Airolo or through the Gotthard Base Tunnel)

Reservation possible: partiallyReservation required: no

Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie (SSIF) ⚠️

Description:Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie operates the Italian section of the Centovalli Railway from Camedo to Domodossola.SP FIP tickets are valid on the entire route, including the Swiss section, as this is operated by FART, which is also part of SP. For the special Vigezzo Vision (marked as PE for Panorama Express in timetables), a reservation is required; see the dedicated section.

Rail lines:

  • (Locarno –) Camedo – Domodossola

Reservation possible: partiallyReservation required: ⚠️ yes, for the Vigezzo Vision Panorama Express

Sensetalbahn (STB)

Description:Sensetalbahn operated the line Flamatt – Laupen – Gümmenen, which today is operated by BLS. It is therefore questionable whether STB should still be listed here.

Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn (SZU)

Description:SZU operates the two Zurich S-Bahn lines S4 and S10. These run from Zürich HB to Sihlwald and to the Uetliberg. Both are integrated into FIP.

Rail lines:

  • Zürich HB – Adliswil – Sihlwald (S4)
  • Zürich HB – Uetliberg (S10)

Reservation possible: no

Regionalbahn THURBO (THURBO)

Description:Thurbo AG is a railway company in Eastern Switzerland and in cross-border traffic with Germany and Austria. It operates various lines of the St. Gallen S-Bahn and Zurich S-Bahn, plus some RE services.

FIP Coupons are valid on all routes within Switzerland. The international sections are operated in Germany by SBB GmbH and in Austria by ÖBB. For Austria, an additional ÖBB Coupon is required; routes into Germany are not usable with FIP. An exception is travel from Switzerland to Konstanz, as Konstanz counts as a border station. FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for all routes within Switzerland as well as the routes to Austria and to Konstanz.

Lines in the St. Gallen area:

  • Wil – St. Gallen – Schaffhausen (S1)
  • Nesslau-Neu St. Johann – St. Gallen – Altstätten (S2)
  • Weinfelden – St. Gallen – St. Margarethen (S5)
  • Weinfelden – Romanshorn – St. Margarethen (– Bregenz) (S7)
  • Wil – Wattwil (S9)
  • Wil – Romanshorn (S10)
  • Sargans – Chur (S12)
  • Weinfelden – Konstanz (S14 and S44)
  • St. Gallen – Herisau (S81)
  • St. Gallen – Wittenbach (S82)
  • Herisau – St. Gallen – Konstanz (RE 1)
  • St. Gallen – Buchs SG – Sargans (RE 13)

Lines in the Zurich area:

  • Winterthur – Rüti ZH (S26)
  • Winterthur – Stein am Rhein (S29)
  • Winterthur – Weinfelden (S30)
  • Winterthur – Wil (S35)
  • Bülach – Koblenz (CH) (S36)
  • Winterthur – Bülach (S41)

There are also night lines in both regions, replacing regular S-Bahn lines during night hours, which can also be used with FIP.

Reservation possible: no

Transports de Martigny et Régions (TMR) ⚠️

Description:TMR is a transport company in the canton of Valais. It operates one rail line, the Mont-Blanc Express. It also operates some buses in the region.

FIP discounts are valid between Martigny and Le Châtelard-Frontière on the Mont-Blanc Express. Between Le Châtelard-Frontière and Vallorcine, the line is operated by SNCF, for which FIP can also be used, but the SP Coupon is not valid there (an SNCF Coupon is required).

Trains after 23:00 require a reservation, which must be made at least 30 minutes before departure free of charge via the official website.

On bus routes, SP FIP discounts apply to all routes except the lines Salvan – La Creusaz – Van-d’en-Haut and Finhaut – Lac d’Emosson.

Rail lines:

  • Martigny – Le Châtelard-Frontière

Reservation possible: partiallyReservation required: ⚠️ yes, for trains after 23:00

Transports publics du Chablais (TPC)

Description:TPC operates four metre-gauge railway lines in the cantons of Vaud and Valais, plus some bus routes.

All services can be used with SP FIP discounts.

Rail lines:

  • Martigny – Le Châtelard-Frontière
  • Aigle – Leysin
  • Aigle – Ollon – Monthey – Champéry
  • Aigle – Sépey – Diablerets
  • Bex – Villars-sur-Ollon – Col-de-Bretaye

Reservation possible: no

Transports publics fribourgeois (TPF)

Description:TPF operates three standard-gauge lines, one narrow-gauge line, and a funicular in the canton of Fribourg. They also offer various bus routes.

All services can be used with SP FIP discounts.

Rail lines:

  • Fribourg/Freiburg – Murten – Ins
  • Romont – Bulle
  • Palézieux-Bulle – Montbovon
  • Bulle – Broc-Fabrique
  • Fribourg/Freiburg – Neuveville – St-Pierre (funicular)

Reservation possible: no

Transports Vallée-de-Joux – Yverdon-les-Bains – Sainte-Croix (TRAVYS)

Description:TRAVYS is a transport company operating one standard-gauge and one narrow-gauge railway as well as various bus routes in the north of the canton of Vaud.

All of these services can be used with SP FIP discounts. The standard-gauge section between Le Pont and Le Brassus is assigned to TRAVYS infrastructure but is operated by SBB.

Rail lines:

  • Yverdon-les-Bains – Ste-Croix
  • Orbe – Chavornay

Reservation possible: no

Transports Publics Neuchâtelois (TRN)

Description:Transports Publics Neuchâtelois is a transport company in the canton of Neuchâtel operating railways, funiculars, and bus routes, under the brand name “transN”.

We are aware that four rail routes can be used with SP FIP discounts. We do not currently know the situation on the remaining routes. We also do not have information on the use of the funiculars. All bus routes can be used.

Rail routes where FIP is valid:

  • La Chaux-de-Fonds – Les Ponts-de-Martel
  • Le Locle – Les Brenets
  • Travers – Fleurier – Buttes
  • Neuchâtel, Pl. Pury – Boudry

Reservation possible: no

Waldenburgerbahn (WB)

Description:Waldenburgerbahn refers to the line between Liestal and Waldenburg, which is now operated by Baselland Transport (BLT). See the dedicated section for details.

Wynental- und Suhrentalbahn (WSB)

Description:WSB is now part of Aargau Verkehr AG (AVA). See the dedicated section for details.

Zentralbahn (ZB)

Description:Zentralbahn operates a metre-gauge network consisting of the Brünig line (Lucerne – Interlaken Ost), the Luzern–Stans–Engelberg Railway, and the Meiringen–Innertkirchen Railway.

SP FIP discounts are valid on all three lines. The trains marked PE between Lucerne and Interlaken Ost can be used without surcharge. A reservation for this train can be purchased for a fee via the official websitebut is not mandatory.

Rail lines:

  • Luzern – Meiringen – Interlaken Ost
  • Meiringen – Innertkirchen
  • Luzern – Stans – Engelberg

Reservation possible: yes, for the Lucerne–Interlaken ExpressReservation required: no

Ship Operators

Bielersee-Schifffahrts-Gesellschaft (BSG)

Description:BSG operates ships on Lake Biel (Lac de Bienne) on the routes:

  • Biel/Bienne – Solothurn (Aare cruise)
  • Biel/Bienne – Murten (3 Lakes Tour)

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on these routes. Transfer points where you can change between rail and ship are:

  • Biel/Bienne
  • La Neuveville
  • Solothurn

Reservation possible: no

Compagnie générale de navigation (Lake Geneva) (CGN)

Description:CGN operates various ship services on Lake Geneva.

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on all routes. Transfer points where you can change between rail and ship are:

  • Genève (Geneva)
  • Nyon
  • Morges
  • Lausanne
  • Vevey
  • Montreux
  • Territet
  • Villeneuve
  • St-Gingolph (Suisse)
  • Évian-les-Bains
  • Thonon-les-Bains

Reservation possible: no

Société de navigation sur les Lacs de Neuchâtel et Morat (LNM)

Description:LNM operates ship services on Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Murten on the routes:

  • Neuchâtel – Murten
  • Neuchâtel – Biel/Bienne

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on these routes. Transfer points where you can change between rail and ship are:

  • Neuchâtel
  • Estavayer
  • Yverdon
  • Murten/Morat

Reservation possible: no

Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV)

Description:SGV operates various ship routes on Lake Lucerne. 1st class is located on the upper deck of the ships.

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on all scheduled routes (no special cruises), except on the car ferry Beckenried – Gersau.

Transfer points where you can change between rail and ship are:

  • Luzern
  • Küssnacht am Rigi
  • Brunnen
  • Flüelen
  • Stansstad
  • Hergiswil
  • Alpnachstad
  • Vitznau
  • Weggis

Reservation possible: no

Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG)

Description:ZSG operates various ship routes on Lake Zurich.

FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on almost all scheduled routes (no special cruises), including on the Limmat. Only the car ferry Horgen – Meilen is excluded.

Transfer points where you can change between rail and ship are:

  • Zürich HB
  • Zürich Stadelhofen
  • Zürich Enge
  • Thalwil
  • Meilen
  • Wädenswil
  • Pfäffikon SZ
  • Rapperswil
  • Lachen
  • Schmerikon

Reservation possible: no

Ticket and Reservation Purchase

Online

SBB Website
Many SP journeys can also be booked via the SBB website.
Reservation Costs
1st Class: 5 CHF
2nd Class: 5 CHF

FIP 50 Tickets

On the SBB website, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased with the “50% Halbtax” discount, provided they are not a saver ticket, saver day pass, or a special ticket.1 This option is actually intended for passengers with a Halbtax subscription (SBB discount card), but is also accepted as a straightforward solution for FIP 50 Tickets. The Halbtax price is usually preselected by default on the SBB website.

Important Information

In urban areas, a ticket with Halbtax discount may also include transport operated by companies that do not accept FIP (e.g., trams or buses). These sections cannot be used with FIP, and the purchased ticket is not valid there without a Halbtax subscription.

Reservations

Individual national reservations can be purchased online at SBB. To do so, search for the connection using the regular journey planner. Then select the desired connection (“Choose ticket”) and you can then select the additional option “Seat reservation only”.

Sources

DB Website
Reservations can be purchased for selected SP connections.
Reservation Costs
1st Class: € 6.90
2nd Class: € 5.50

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Seat reservations can be purchased via the Deutsche Bahn website. To do so, select the “Book seat only” option in the search.

On-Site

SBB Ticket Office
Reservation Costs
1st Class: 5 CHF
2nd Class: 5 CHF

FIP 50 Tickets

FIP 50 Tickets for travel within Switzerland and to many European countries can be purchased at SBB ticket offices.

Reservations

Reservations can be made for Switzerland as well as for most trains throughout Europe.

SBB Ticket Machine

FIP 50 Tickets

At SBB ticket machines, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased with the “50% Halbtax” discount, provided it is not a saver ticket, saver day pass, or a special ticket.1 This option is actually intended for passengers with a Halbtax subscription (SBB discount card), but is also accepted as a straightforward solution for FIP 50 Tickets. The Halbtax price is usually preselected at the machine.

Important Information

In urban areas, a ticket with Halbtax discount may also include transport operated by companies that do not accept FIP (e.g., trams or buses). These sections cannot be used with FIP, and the purchased ticket is not valid there without a Halbtax subscription.

Sources

DB Ticket Office
Reservation Costs
1st Class: € 6.90
2nd Class: € 5.50

Deutsche Bahn ticket offices are called DB Reisezentrum and are located in many larger stations throughout Germany.

FIP 50 Tickets

At DB ticket offices, FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased for journeys within Germany and to many European countries.

It is also possible to issue FIP 50 Tickets where only the section outside Germany is charged, and an additional ticket is required for the German section. This is especially important for DB employees, as FIP 50 Tickets are not valid in their home country.

Reservations

The reservation price is calculated per journey. This means that for connections with transfers, you only need to pay once for multiple trains.

Reservations can be made not only for Germany but also for a large number of trains throughout Europe.

In addition, there are ticket offices of the individual SP railways, which usually sell only the tickets of their respective railway.

On the Train

FIP tickets cannot be purchased on the train. A penalty fee will be charged for passengers without tickets.

Discounts

Children travel free of charge on regular services (no special cruises) up to and including 5 years of age. Children up to and including 15 years receive a 50% discount on the adult fare. From the age of 16, the regular adult fare applies.

Special Tariff Conditions

Glacier Express

The Glacier Express runs on the route St. Moritz – Chur – Andermatt – Brig – Zermatt and is jointly operated by the two SP railways Rhaetian Railway (RhB) and Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB). In the summer season, more than one connection per day is offered, sometimes also only on sections of the route.

SP FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on this train, but only with an additional paid seat reservation. This can be booked via the Glacier Express websiteand should be made well in advance, as trains can sell out quickly.

As an alternative to the Glacier Express (marked as PE in timetables), other services are available on the route for which no reservation is required.

Bernina Express

The Bernina Express is another well-known panoramic train in Switzerland. It runs on the route between Chur and Tirano in Italy and is operated exclusively by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB). In the summer season, more than one connection per day is offered.

SP FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on this train, but only with an additional paid seat reservation. This can be booked via the Bernina Express websiteand should be made well in advance, as trains can sell out quickly.

As an alternative to the Bernina Express (marked as PE in timetables), other services are available on the route for which no reservation is required.

Treno Panoramico Vigezzo Vision

The Treno Panoramico Vigezzo Vision runs on the route Domodossola – Càmedo – Locarno and is jointly operated by Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi (FART) and Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie (SSIF).

SP FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid on this train, but only with an additional paid seat reservation. This can be booked via this link.

Pilatusbahn

Pilatusbahn is not a member of FIP, but currently still offers a 50% discount on tickets upon presentation of the FIP Card when purchased at a Pilatusbahn ticket counter.

This special offer can be withdrawn by Pilatusbahn at any time.

Recommendations

Personal Tip

With SP FIP discounts, many internationally known trains within Switzerland and even beyond can be used. Even though some railways have a few restrictions or special rules, the Coupon is particularly worthwhile here. Highly recommended are, for example, the routes of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), e.g., to St. Moritz, or the GoldenPass Panoramic of MOB. For particularly impressive mountain panoramas, the Rigi Bahnen (RB), which goes up to the summit of the Rigi, or the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), from which the Matterhorn can be admired especially well, are ideal.

When traveling with a Coupon, it is advisable, if possible, also to have the Coupons of SBB and BLS. With all three in combination, Switzerland can be traveled very well and easily. This way both the main routes for getting from one place to another and the particularly beautiful tourist routes can be explored.

Sources