Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover a dog or a bike?
Nope. Your pass covers you, and that's where it stops. There's no discount on a dog ticket, no discount on a bike day pass, and no clever workaround, you just buy the extra ticket like anyone else would. It catches a lot of people out, so if you're travelling with either, budget for it from the start rather than at the ticket machine on day one.
If you want the full picture of what else falls outside your pass, have a look at what the Swiss Travel Pass doesn't include.
How much does a dog ticket cost on Swiss trains?
Nationally, a dog travels on its own ticket at a flat rate, and it's the same price no matter how far you go:
- Day ticket: CHF 25
- Monthly: CHF 60
- Annual: CHF 350
That day ticket is genuinely national, it's valid on trains, boats, postbuses and city transport. So if your day looks like a train to Interlaken, a boat across the lake and a bus back into town, you've paid once and you're done.
When does a dog travel free?
Small dogs under 30cm ride free if they're in a carrier and that carrier stays under the seat. The moment the dog is on a seat instead of under it, it needs a full ticket, and that applies whatever its size, so a tiny dog on a cushion still costs you CHF 25. One more rule worth knowing: dogs aren't allowed in the dining car, so plan your lunch around that.
What do mountain railways charge for dogs?
Mountain railways set their own dog fares, and they vary widely, from well under the national rate to above it. Here's what you'll pay on some of the popular ones:
| Route | Dog fare |
|---|---|
| Monte Generoso | CHF 9 for the day (small dogs free in your arms) |
| Brienzer Rothorn | CHF 10 |
| Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch | CHF 30 |
| Berner Oberland Pass area | CHF 30 |
The Jungfrau region is a nice surprise here, dogs travel free on most routes, and it's only the Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch leg that needs a paid ticket. So you can do a lot of walking and riding around Grindelwald and Wengen without paying a franc for the dog, right up until you commit to the top.
How much is a bike day pass in Switzerland?
A Bike Day Pass costs CHF 14 and covers the whole day, so you can hop on and off as many trains as you like without buying again. Loading is self-service, so give yourself a bit of time on the platform rather than sprinting for the doors.
The catch is reservations. On some trains a bike reservation is compulsory, and turning up without one isn't an option on those services. Check the specific train before you travel, especially on busy scenic routes and in summer.
Where can't you take a bike?
Oeschinensee is the one to remember, it carries no bikes, no scooters and no paddleboards at all, at any price. If that's on your list, plan to leave the bike in Kandersteg.
How to sort your dog or bike ticket before you travel
- Decide whether you're travelling mainly on the national network or mostly on mountain railways, the pricing works completely differently.
- Buy the national day ticket (CHF 25 for the dog, CHF 14 for the bike) if you're covering ground on trains, boats, postbuses or city transport.
- Check each mountain railway separately for its own dog fare, and check whether it takes bikes at all.
- Book a bike reservation for any train that requires one, ideally a few days ahead in summer.
- Arrive at the platform a little earlier than usual so you've got time to load the bike or settle the dog before the doors close.
Once that's done, it's worth thinking about how the rest of your gear travels, see the luggage guide for sending bags on ahead.