Yes, the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) is fully covered by the Eurail Pass. In 2026, your pass allows you to travel on all standard SBB-operated trains, including InterCity (IC), InterRegio (IR), and RegioExpress (RE) services, with no additional seat reservations required for most domestic routes. This coverage also extends to many S-Bahn (suburban) networks in major cities like Zurich and Bern. However, it is important to distinguish between SBB and private mountain railways; while your Eurail pass might get you to Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen via SBB, specialized routes like the Jungfrau Railway or the Pilatus Cogwheel often require a separate ticket, though Eurail holders frequently receive a 25% to 50% discount. Always check the "Eurail Rail Planner" app to confirm if a specific scenic or private line is included or merely discounted.
Excellent question. The short answer is yes, absolutely.
SBB (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen) is the Swiss Federal Railways, the primary national railway company of Switzerland. It is fully covered by Eurail Passes (for non-European residents) and Interrail Passes (for European residents).
Here are the key details:
What’s Included with Your Pass on SBB:
- All SBB trains: This includes standard InterCity (IC), InterRegio (IR), and regional (R) trains.
- Panoramic Trains: Famous scenic routes like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express are covered. However, seat reservations are mandatory and cost extra (often substantial, especially for the Glacier Express).
- Other Swiss Railways: Your pass is also valid on virtually all other private railway companies in Switzerland (e.g., BLS, MOB, RhB, MGB).
- Public Transport in Cities: A major benefit is that the Eurail/Interrail Pass includes urban public transport (trams, buses, local S-Bahn trains) in many Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Bern. It also covers boat trips on lakes operated by SBB partners (like Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Zurich).
- Mountain Transport: The pass offers discounts (usually 25-50%) on many private mountain railways, cable cars, and funiculars (e.g., to Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, or Mount Titlis). A few are fully covered, like the journey to Gornergrat (from Zermatt) or the Rigi Bahn.
Important Conditions & Costs to Remember:
- Seat Reservations: For most regular SBB trains, reservations are not required or even possible. You can just