Swiss Federal Railways launch VR app

Swiss Federal Railways have launched the full version of the SBB VR app on 14 August 2018 to enable users to experience Swiss tourism using virtual reality (VR).

The VR app is intended as a platform for inspiration (videos, stories, etc.) relating to Swiss destinations and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.

Experience Switzerland from home

The app provides customers with inspiration for leisure trips to a variety of destinations in Switzerland, all in virtual reality. Among others, it shows the spectacular railway journeys of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland in 360 degrees.

For the moment, the following routes are included:

  • St. Gallen – Schaffhausen
  • Luzern – Interlaken – Montreux
  • Gotthard Panorama Express: Lugano – Flüelen – Luzern

Also, new adventures in Arosa, Luzern, Mount Pilatus, Zurich, Lugano and Zermatt have been added and there are ongoing plans to develop the app further. Glasses are not needed to use the SBB VR app. However, in order to experience the full range of features available, using Cardboard or Samsung Gear glasses is recommended.

Where to download the SBB VR app

The app can be downloaded for free in the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store and the Oculus Store. It is available in German, French, Italian and English.

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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Product range and area of validity in 2019

Here are all the changes at a glance: The prices for Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) will be increasing by an average of 5%. The Swiss Transfer Ticket is going to be discontinued. And mountain excursions will generally be included at a 50% discount.

Swiss Travel System product range & prices (valid as of 01 Jan 2019)

  • Average price increase of Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex by 5%. Please note the new prices, valid for all tickets with first day of validity 01 January 2019 or later. Information about exact prices in CHF is attached.
  • Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex still available with validity of 3, 4, 8 or 15 days.
  • No changes or price increases for Swiss Half Fare Card and Swiss Family Card.
  • Reminder: Discontinuation of Swiss Transfer Ticket as of 2019. 31 December 2018 is the last day of sale. The last possible 1st day of validity depends on the standard presale deadlines of the distribution system.

Adjustments in the area of validity of the Swiss Travel Pass (valid as of 01 Jan 2019)

  • Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex receive a general 50% discount on mountain excursions (exception: Jungfraujoch 25%).
  • Compared to 2018, tickets with a 50% reduction have to be issued for excursions to Schilthorn, Stanserhorn and Brunni –> not fully included anymore. The excursion to Rigi remains 100% included.

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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Glacier Express Excellence Class: The new premium class of the Glacier Express

With Excellence Class, the new premium class of coaches of the Glacier Express, the journey between St. Moritz and Zermatt becomes even more comfortable and captivating.

Excellence Class impresses with its high-quality full service offer and its modern design. Guests are being treated to a truly exceptional journey across the Swiss Alps while marvelling at the fantastic panorama. Thanks to comfortable lounge seating, each traveller enjoys a window seat. Excellence Class offers personal travel guidance, a trendy bar area, a premium multi-course lunch and many more amenities – all included.

The coach provides space for 20 guests. The ride in Excellence Class comes at a surcharge of CHF 420, regardless of the type of ticket a passenger is holding. On 2 March 2019, this truly exclusive coach will have its maiden voyage and will afterwards be a regular feature of the Glacier Express. Group reservation is open as of now.

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Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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The new cableway to Männlichen is a Royal Ride

The new cableway up Männlichen has been in operation since the beginning of June 2018. Thanks to an open-air balcony, travelers enjoy the ride with all their senses.

It’s truly a royal feeling: Floating up the Männlichen from Wengen in the new cableway makes passengers feel like a queen or king. The ride to 2,222 metres altitude only takes a few minutes. However, the fantastic view onto the Lauterbrunnental Valley, the snow-capped mountains and the lush alpine meadows is uniquely beautiful.

A gondola ride with a royal view of the Jungfrau region.

Guests who wish to cap it all off – with a crown – book the passage on the open-air balcony: From the interior of the gondola, a spiral staircase leads up onto the balcony with up to ten standing places. Here, travellers can savour the ride with the sun on their faces and the wind in their hair.

The ride on the open-air balcony can only be booked during the summer season. The surcharge in addition to the regular ticket fare is CHF 5.00. Holders of a valid Swiss Travel Pass benefit from a 50% reduction on this mountain excursion.

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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Group luggage market test to be continued in 2019

The “Express Door-to-Door Group Luggage” service will be prolonged for one year through 31 December 2019.

Express Door-to-Door Group Luggage is available for groups of 10 to 50 persons travelling across Switzerland by train, bus and boat. Net price per transport is CHF 200. Find detailed information about the offer here.

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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Changes in luggage service as of June 2018

There are various changes in the luggage services of public transport in Switzerland. The adjustments were implemented at all public-transport points of sale as of 5 June 2018.

Listed below an overview over important product changes in the luggage service:

  • Flight luggage (Swiss railway station to foreign airport): discontinuation of check-in at the station and discontinuation of express service (same day delivery from railway station)
  • SBB railway station counter Zurich Airport daily open from 04.30h
  • Discontinuation of all flight luggage products via Geneva Airport
  • Flight luggage (foreign airport to Swiss railway station): discontinuation of express service (same day delivery)
  • Express luggage (railway station to railway station): discontinuation of express service (same day delivery)

The fact sheet and the theme text provide a good and detailed overview over the current valid luggage services of public transport in Switzerland.

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Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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New Schilthorn boarding pass for guaranteed departure times

Guests can now book their cableway journey to Schilthorn for a chosen time convenient to them. Thus, their departure time is guaranteed even on heavily frequented days.

The journey to the top of Schilthorn is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. With the additional purchase of a boarding pass, the chosen departure time is guaranteed. Holders of such a boarding pass can use a separate entrance and depart without waiting time. The boarding pass costs CHF 5.00 per person and ride.

The personal boarding pass can be purchased on the Schilthorn Railway website or directly at a ticket window on site. It must be obtained one day ahead of travel.

The Schilthorn in the Bernese Oberland delights with a fantastic panoramic view onto the Swiss Skyline with Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Whether a meal in the 360° restaurant Piz Gloria, a visit at the interactive adventure exhibition “Bond World 007” or a walk on the “Skyline Walk” platform with a view into the seemingly bottomless deep: the Schilthorn offers activities and sights that are simply unique.

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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Swiss Travel Guide App: The first public transport app for tourists

The Swiss Travel Guide is the first public transport app for tourists and the ideal companion for travels by train, bus and boat throughout Switzerland.

Thanks to this app, available for iOS and Android, any journey through Switzerland can now be planned to perfection, and the visitor never misses a highlight. The Swiss Travel Guide app is a digital travel guide for tourists as well as locals who want to explore Switzerland by public transport.

By means of an integrated map, the app indicates regional highlights, which can be added to the individualised cockpit. Inspiring panoramic trains, mountain railways or museums: over 500 highlights can be called up with the Swiss Travel Guide app. Due to direct access to the SBB timetable as well as interactive maps of train stations, guests can make the most of their Swiss journey and thus never miss a highlight.

More app benefits:

  • Discounts on culinary delights, guided city tours or mountain railways: Digital coupons can be downloaded once and redeemed on site.
  • With the integrated share function, travellers can share their personal travel statistics (amount of kilometres travelled) via Social Media channels anytime.
  • Important contact numbers regarding lost-and-found offices, timetable information or transport police can be accessed offline at any time.

Download:

The Swiss Travel Guide is now available for free download in a first English version in the App Store and in the Google Play Store:

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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Discontinuation of Swiss Transfer Ticket as of 2019

The Swiss Transfer Ticket can be sold until 31 December 2018 only. Tickets issued in 2018 with validity in 2019 can be used as usual.

31 December 2018 has been designated as the last day of sale. Tickets issued in 2018 but starting their validity in 2019 remain valid and can be used by the client normally. The Swiss Transfer Ticket includes a free transfer from any Swiss border railway station or arrival airport to the guest’s vacation destination in Switzerland and back. As of 2019, it will no longer be available.

The last possible 1st day of validity depends on the standard presale deadlines of the distribution system. Tickets with a validity in 2019 can be used as usual. As a substitute, normal point-to-point tickets can be issued to the clients.

Important: Tailor-made tickets (Swiss Transfer Ticket Combi incl. Swiss Half Fare Card) are not affected and remain on offer.

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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Cancellation of surcharge on Lake Zurich

Boat trips on Lake Zurich and the Limmat used to be subject to a CHF 5.00 surcharge for every passenger. This surcharge has been cancelled as of 30 March 2018.

The Lake Zurich Navigation Company ZSG offers a uniquely attractive leisure-and-pleasure travel experience on Switzerland’s Lake Zurich, the Obersee upper lake and the River Limmat. Effective start of summer season on 30 March 2018, nothing but a valid ticket is required for a relaxing boat trip.

Thus, passengers do not have to pay the extra fee of CHF 5.00 any longer.

Any questions?

Regarding all other questions or requests, please contact our Media & Trade Team via the contact form.

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