Switzerland

In Switzerland, there are three different operators for which FIP Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets can be purchased:

• The state railway company SBB CFF FFS (Swiss Federal Railways), which operates mainly on most main lines
• A consortium of Swiss private railways (SP - Schweizer Privatbahnen)
• The BLS

Together, these cover almost the entire Swiss rail network, including some means of transport that are unique in Europe with FIP, such as cable cars or certain bus lines.

Only a few very touristy services are not included in FIP. Additionally, cross-border travel on long-distance trains to France and Italy involves some effort, as special surcharges apply here.

Identify Train Operators and Search Connections

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You can search for trains using the journey planner. In the More Information section for each train, the operator is specified. For cross-border connections, multiple operators are often involved.

(The operator information is correct in almost all cases. Outside Germany, operator details may be incorrect if train numbers are used more than once.)

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Switzerland has one of the densest rail networks in the world. Despite challenging topography, most of the country is accessible by train. Trains run frequently, especially on main lines, and are well coordinated in an integrated timetable. Although most lines are not built for very high speeds, short connections often result in manageable travel times. The Swiss rail system is also known for its punctuality, though exceptions exist. The country is well connected by rail to its neighbors, with regular trains.

Germany

There are several cross-border connections from Germany to Switzerland:

• The most used is from Freiburg im Breisgau to Basel. ICE trains run here usually once or twice per hour in each direction, coming from Hamburg, Kassel, Frankfurt (Main) or Hannover, Dortmund, Cologne, Frankfurt (Main), and then run between Mannheim and Basel on the same route. In Switzerland, some continue to Zurich, Interlaken, Bern, or Chur.
• There are also occasional EC and ECE trains on the route, also from Mannheim.
• Regional trains also run from Germany to Basel.

Note that FIP Coupons from DB are valid up to Basel Bad Bf (Badischer Bahnhof), as this is an official border station of DB and SBB.

Other important cross-border connections are Stuttgart - Zurich via Schaffhausen (joint border station of SBB and DB) and Munich - Zurich via Lindau, St. Margrethen, and St. Gallen, served by IC and ECE trains. The route from Lindau to St. Gallen via St. Margrethen passes through Austria, so an ÖBB ticket is required for this section.

There are also several cross-border regional connections. Switzerland can also be reached by ferries, some of which are FIP eligible.

Austria

Austria and Switzerland have only one real border crossing, at St. Margrethen. Mainly regional trains run here, but also Eurocity trains, which in Austria only stop in Bregenz and otherwise come from Germany (Munich).

Entry from Austria is also possible via the Buchs SG border crossing through Liechtenstein. In Liechtenstein, ÖBB FIP Tickets are valid. Thus, it is possible to have a continuous ticket between Austria and Switzerland with ÖBB and SBB Coupons. This is also the main route between the two countries, with Austrian Railjet and Eurocity trains running between Vienna / Graz and Zurich, as well as regional trains.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein and Switzerland are only connected by a few trains during the week. These cross-border S-Bahn trains run only during peak hours and are operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). Therefore, ÖBB Coupons and FIP 50 Tickets are valid up to the border point Buchs SG in Switzerland.

Otherwise, border traffic is mainly handled by buses, where FIP Tickets are not valid.

Italy

From Italy, both long-distance and regional trains cross into Switzerland. From Milan, you can reach the Swiss network via Como or Domodossola. Trains via Como usually continue to Zurich, those via Domodossola to Bern and Basel. Both Eurocity and regional trains run on these routes. Other border crossings can only be crossed by regional trains. For cross-border Eurocity trains, a surcharge and reservation are required. Additionally, the ECE train Frankfurt – Milan and the EC trains Zurich – Milan operate.

The surcharge for cross-border EC/ECE trains to Italy is €20 (1st/2nd class). If booked at a DB travel center, the surcharge is only €11 (2nd class) or €13 (1st class) and includes a seat reservation (e.g. to Frankfurt).

France

From France, cross-border TGV trains operate to Zurich via Basel. Within Switzerland, these trains can be used without a reservation with FIP 50 Tickets or FIP Coupons from SBB. For cross-border journeys, a FIP Global Fare must be purchased; see Cross-border TGV inOui / ICE trains.

There are also various cross-border regional train connections. In Basel, Basel SBB station is the border station, from which SNCF Coupons are valid for trains such as TER towards Strasbourg.

In the Geneva area, cross-border regional trains operate under the name Léman Express, run by SBB and SNCF.

TER trains from Lyon to Geneva can be used up to Geneva with an SNCF Coupon.²