Increased sensitivity regarding sustainable ways of living has resulted in further increases in demand for environmentally friendly international modes of transport which conserve resources. In the year 2023, international passenger services recorded a 15% increase in passenger numbers for cross-border travel, representing an increase of 1.6 million passengers compared to 2022 and a total of 12.3 million cross-border passengers. Due to the substantial demand and the positive impact on the climate and in cooperation with its partner railways, SBB is continuing to expand its offering when it comes to daytime and night-time connections.
On international passenger services, SBB aims to offer the attractive international services between Switzerland and numerous destinations in Europe with both daytime connections and night trains.
Rail is the most climate-friendly and energy-efficient means of public transport. Travelling by train saves resources, saves energy and space and produces limited quantities of CO2. For example, an outward and return journey by night train from Zurich to Prague via Leipzig and Dresden saves over 300kg CO2, and the journey from Zurich to Vienna and back saves some 260kg CO2.
The TGV trains between Switzerland and France reach a maximum speed of 320km/h, making it possible to get from Geneva to Paris in a little more than three hours. Travelling by ICE train, Frankfurt is under three hours from Basel and Cologne is under four hours away – from city centre to city centre. Thanks to the Gotthard, Lötschberg and Ceneri Base Tunnels, every city in Switzerland is close to Milan.
Whether it is Paris, Frankfurt or one of the roughly 120 European destinations connected to Switzerland by international trains: the railway station is right in the city centre or just a few minutes’ walk away. The comfort of rail travel is not only apparent when you arrive at your destination: All international trains have spacious seating with sockets and on-board catering, and most have WiFi too. By night train, you can even travel to Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia in your sleep.
With international Supersaver Tickets, discounts mean that the journey can be up to 70% cheaper. For longer stays or to discover more countries in Europe, flat-rate Interrail passes are ideal. By taking the night train you also save the cost of one or two nights spent in a hotel. The current offering can be obtained at SBB.ch, in SBB Travel Centres and, since November 2024, on SBB Mobile too.
Since the modernisation of our ticketing systems at the end of 2023, it has been easier to book international travel on SBB.ch. All day and night connections from Switzerland to neighbouring countries, Benelux, Denmark, the Czech Republic and relevant routes to Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia are available on SBB.ch and in SBB Travel Centres. In addition, international journeys to Bratislava by Railjet, to London (via Paris) by Eurostar or to Barcelona (via Paris) by TGV can be booked. Since October 2024, all of this – with the exception of the night trains – has also been possible on SBB Mobile. For journeys in more distant countries, Interrail tickets are an interesting option.
When it comes to international tickets, SBB has not yet achieved all it aims to. The purchase and selling of international tickets is a big challenge. This is because every railway company runs its own ticketing system, meaning that SBB needs to be able to represent these different systems within its own system. SBB is working in close cooperation with its partner railways and is strongly committed to introducing international ticketing standards. Together with its partners, SBB has developed the CER ticketing roadmap so that further improvements can be made in the purchasing of international train tickets. The overarching aim is ‘one ticket, one journey’. SBB has a keen interest in making ticketing for international rail travel easier and more customer friendly. For this reason, SBB is actively supporting the initiatives of CER (Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies).
Berlin, Prague or Verona: SBB offers direct rail travel to some 120 European destinations. Whether direct during the day, with changes or at night while you sleep, SBB takes passengers to their favourite cities in a way which is fast, comfortable and climate-friendly. With the city pages, which gather together all the most important information and tips on connections, tickets and leisure activities, it is very easy to plan journeys.
Interrail passes make it possible for passengers to explore up to 33 European countries by rail. The pass is available in both 1st and 2nd class and is particularly suitable for longer journeys through multiple European countries. Interrail passes are available for young people, adults, seniors and families. Up to two children below the age of 12 can travel with an adult for free. Passengers with Interrail passes also get attractive discounts within Europe, for example in restaurants, hostels and ferry crossings.
SBB is firmly committed to promoting sustainability. With over 200 specific measures, SBB is actively pushing for more environmentally friendly rail travel. SBB is implementing the circular economy across its entire business and is saving natural resources. So that customers can gain a clear understanding of the CO2 reductions involved in rail travel, when making timetable enquiries, the Ecocalculator is made available.
The Mobitool comparison calculator allows users to compare the CO2 output of international travel by various means of transport. It quickly becomes apparent that no motorised means of transport is as climate-friendly as rail. Together with its partners, SBB thus offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to short-haul flights and car travel.
- 1844: The first rails on Swiss territory are inaugurated as part of the international Strasbourg–Basel route with the arrival in Basel of the first French train.
- 1882: The Gotthard Tunnel is inaugurated. At 15km, it was the longest railway tunnel in the world at the time. The introduction of regular rail connections between Lucerne and Chiasso quickly becomes a great success.
- 1906: The first of the two Simplon Tunnel bores opens. With a length of almost 20km, it takes the place of the Gotthard Tunnel as the longest railway tunnel in the world.
- 1920: The second Simplon Tunnel bore is opened. The year before, the legendary Simplon Orient Express makes its maiden journey. Until 1962 (with some interruptions due to wars aside) it provided a daily connection through Switzerland between Paris, Venice and Istanbul.
- 1957: The legendary Trans-Europ-Express (TEE) starts operation. These modern first-class trains run thanks to cooperation between the state railways of various European countries. They set new standards in comfort for international passenger services, such as customs checks aboard trains.
- 1958: The Transalpin, ÖBB and SBB’s flagship train, starts running between Zurich and Vienna. The name Transalpin disappears in 2010 with the introduction of Railjet trains but is inherited in 2013 by the daily EC connection between Zurich and Graz.
- 1984: The first TGV runs between Paris and Lausanne.
- 1987: The new Eurocity (EC) is brought into being. At the same time, the Trans-Europ-Express (TEE) is shut down. In contrast with the TEE, the new EC also operates with 2nd class coaches.
- 1992: A first-generation ICE runs from Germany to Zurich for the first time. The same year, the Swiss population votes in favour of the Alptransit project.
- 1993: Cisalpino AG founded. Three years later, the first tilting trains to run international passenger services are operating between Switzerland and Italy.
- 2002: Lyria SAS, a subsidiary of SNCF and SBB, is founded.
- 2007: The 34km-long Lötschberg Base Tunnel (property of BLS) begins operations. There are now faster connections, and more of them, from French-speaking Switzerland and Bern to Italy. The journey time between Bern and Visp is around 56 minutes, for example.
- 2009: The first Railjet runs between Vienna and Zurich. In the same year, Cisalpino AG is disbanded and the two parent companies, SBB and Trenitalia take over the operations between Switzerland and Italy.
- 2016: The 57km long Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world, is opened.
- 2020: The Ceneri Base Tunnel begins operations.
Developments in recent years: Over the last few years, and in cooperation with its partner railways, SBB has expanded international passenger services connections. With the introduction of new trains to Germany (ICE 4), France (TGV 2N2) and Italy (SBB Giruno) in 2020 and the introduction of new connections on these lines, seating capacity is significantly expanded. New direct connections to Bologna, Genoa and Venice are introduced. Since 2021, the offering of daytime connections to Munich is expanded and the travel time is reduced. The number of direct connections to Stuttgart is increased. In 2023, a seasonal direct connection from Lausanne to Marseille and a seasonal direct weekend connection from Zurich to Sestri Levante is introduced. Per day and direction, there are over 90 direct connections from Switzerland to Europe all in all.
- ČD (Czech Republic)
- DB (Germany)
- HŽ (Croatia)
- MÁV (Hungary)
- NS (Netherlands)
- ÖBB (Austria)
- SNCF (France)
- SŽ (Slovenia)
- Trenitalia (Italy)
- ŽSR (Slovakia)
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