Switzerland boasts an efficient system of car trains that transport vehicles through the mountains, allowing travellers to bypass alpine passes. This service is particularly advantageous for those with limited time or navigating the regions during winter months.
This post takes a detailed look at each of the routes, based on 2026 information.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview of the Car Train Routes
There are five different car train routes within Switzerland:
Kandersteg to Goppenstein - Lötschberg Tunnel
Kandersteg to Iselle (Italy) - Lötschberg Tunnel, seasonal
Brig to Iselle (Italy) - Simplon Tunnel
Oberwald to Realp - Furka Tunnel
Selfranga (Klosters) to Sagliains - Vereina Tunnel
Here is a quick overview of the 5 car train routes, followed by detailed description of each route.
Route | Travel Time | Frequency | Cost per Car up to 3.5t (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
Lötschberg Tunnel Kandersteg to Goppenstein | 14 minutes | Mon-Thurs: Every 30 minutes Fri-Sun: Every 9 minutes | CHF 28 |
Lötschberg Tunnel Kandersteg to Iselle | 53 minutes | Every 90 minutes Winter break until 28 March | CHF 109 |
Simplon Tunnel Brig to Iselle (Italy) | 18 minutes | Every 90 minutes | CHF 27 |
Furka Tunnel Oberwald to Realp | 21 minutes | Fri-Sun: Every 30 minutes Tues-Thurs: every 60 minutes | CHF 33 |
Vereina Tunnel Klosters Selfranga to Sagliains (Engadin) | 20 minutes | Every 30 minutes | CHF 39 |
1. Lötschberg Tunnel: Between Kandersteg and Goppenstein
The car train journeys through the Bernese Alps using the Lötschberg Tunnel, linking the Bernese Oberland and Valais cantons.
Travel Time:
14 minutes
Frequency:
Monday to Thursday - every 30 minutes
Friday to Sunday - every 9 minutes
Operating Hours:
Kanderstegg to Goppenstein - 5:25 to 23:28
Goppenstein to Kandersteg - 5:26 to 23:20
Pricing For One-Way Tickets:
Monday to Thursday:
Cars under 3.5t/9 seats: CHF 28
Motorhome under 5t: CHF 28
Trailer/Caravan under 3.5t: CHF 25
Friday to Sunday:
Cars under 3.5t/9 seats: CHF 31
Motorhome under 5t: CHF 31
Trailer/Caravan under 3.5t: CHF 25
How To Buy Your Ticket: Online. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket at the staffed ticket office at the train, but only from Friday to Sunday, and on public holidays. A surcharge applies at the ticket office.
Buy online here:https://www.bls.ch/en/fahren/autoverlad/fahrplan
Card accepted online: TWINT, all major credit cards and PostFinance debit cards are accepted online
Cards accepted at the ticket office: Cash, TWINT, all major credit cards, PostFinance debit card, EC card, Mestro, WISA Electron, Reka-Card, public transport vouchers and prepaid cards
Reservation requirements:
Not required for this route
What to Know About Your Ticket:
The ticket is valid for 1 months from date of purchase
Seasonal Closures:
Open year round
Alternate Route:
There is no road from Kandersteg to Goppenstein. You will need to drive around through Bern, Montreux, Martigny, Visp in the winter time, or take the Grimsel Pass to Oberwald-Brig-Visp in the summer (check opening times of the Grimsel Pass)
💡 Tips and Safety:
Always stay inside your vehicle
Make sure to check waiting times before you head to the train. Waiting times can be long during high-peak times
Save time by buying your ticket online
Secure your roof luggage, including bicycles (vehicles with roof luggage can only ride in covered carriages)
Convertibles must close their roofs
Bring your passport when traveling between Switzerland and Italy
Points Cards and Discounts:
Points cards for frequent travellers are available from BLS, and are worth it if you travel at least 4 times per year through the tunnel:
Points card CHF 250 gives you 300 points = each point is worth 1 Swiss Franc, therefore a savings of CHF 50.
Points card CHF 750 gives you 1200 points = each point is worth 1 Swiss Franc, therefore a savings of CHF 450
Points cards are valid for 3 years
Points cards are non-transferable
Annual Season Ticket - great if you use the tunnel at least 3 times per week:
CHF 3559 for an annual subscription for a passenger car and is non- transferrable
These points cards are also valid for the Simplon tunnel (Brig-Iselle)
2. Lötschberg Tunnel: Between Kandersteg and Iselle (Italy) - SEASONAL
The car train journeys through the Bernese Alps using the Lötschberg Tunnel from Switzerland to Italy.
Note: this route is seasonal from 28 March 2026 to October 10 2026.
Travel Time:
53 minutes
Frequency:
Every 90 minutes, but days vary - check the calendar when booking
Operating Hours:
Kanderstegg to Iselle - 5:34 to 17:16
Iselle to Kandersteg - 6:59 to 18:44
Pricing For One-Way Tickets:
Cars/Motorhomes under 3.5t: CHF 109
With Trailer/Motorhomes: CHF 159
How To Buy Your Ticket: Online only
Buy online here:https://www.bls.ch/en/fahren/autoverlad/fahrplan
Card accepted online: TWINT, all major credit cards and PostFinance debit cards are accepted online
Cards accepted at the ticket office: Cash, TWINT, all major credit cards, PostFinance debit card, EC card, Mestro, WISA Electron, Reka-Card, public transport vouchers and prepaid cards
Reservation requirements:
Reservations not required and are included in your ticket. Reservations can be made 5 hours prior to departure
What to Know About Your Ticket:
The ticket purchased online is only valid for the travel date, departure time, vehicle category and the corresponding route (Kandersteg - Iselle or vice versa) shown on the ticket
Seasonal Closures:
Closed until 28 March 2026, and from 11 October 2026 to March 2027
Alternate Route:
During winter operations, take the Kandersteg-Goppenstein car train, drive to Brugg and take the Brig-Iselle car train.
There is no road through the Bernese Alps from Kandersteg. You will need to drive around through Bern, Montreux, Martigny, Visp in the winter time, or take the Grimsel Pass to Oberwald-Brig-Visp in the summer (check opening times of the Grimsel Pass)
💡 Tips and Safety:
Always stay inside your vehicle
Reservations are obligatory
Tickets are only available online
Secure your roof luggage, including bicycles (vehicles with roof luggage can only ride in covered carriages)
Convertibles must close their roofs
Bring your passport when traveling between Switzerland and Italy
Points Cards and Discounts:
Annual subscriptions, points cards and customer cards are not valid for this route
3. Simplon Tunnel: Between Brig and Iselle (Italy)
This car train journeys through the Simplon Tunnel from Switzerland to Italy.
Travel Time:
18 minutes
Frequency:
Every 90 minutes
Operating Hours:
Brig to Iselle - 5:28 to 21:58
Iselle to Brig - 6:02 to 21:08
Pricing For One-Way Tickets:
Cars/Motorhomes under 3.5t: CHF 27
With Trailer/Motorhomes: CHF 24
How To Buy Your Ticket: Online for vehicles up to 3.5t/9 seats, at the station for trailers and mobile homes
Buy online here:https://www.bls.ch/en/fahren/autoverlad/fahrplan
Card accepted online: TWINT, all major credit cards and PostFinance debit cards are accepted online
Cards accepted at the ticket office: Cash, TWINT, all major credit cards, PostFinance debit card, EC card, Mestro, WISA Electron, Reka-Card, public transport vouchers and prepaid cards
Reservation requirements:
Not required for this route
What to Know About Your Ticket:
Tickets are valid for 1 months from date of purchase
Seasonal Closures:
Open year round
Alternate Route:
Drive the Simplonpass: often snow covered in the winter - proper winter tires/chains required
💡 Tips and Safety:
Always stay inside your vehicle
Secure your roof luggage, including bicycles (vehicles with roof luggage can only ride in covered carriages)
Convertibles must close their roofs
Bring your passport when traveling between Switzerland and Italy
Points Cards and Discounts: Points cards for frequent travellers are available from BLS, and are worth it if you travel at least 4 times per year through the tunnel:
Points card CHF 250 gives you 300 points = each point is worth 1 Swiss Franc, therefore a savings of CHF 50.
Points card CHF 750 gives you 1200 points = each point is worth 1 Swiss Franc, therefore a savings of CHF 450
Points cards are valid for 3 years
Points cards are non-transferable
Annual Season Ticket - great if you use the tunnel at least 3 times per week:
CHF 3559 for an annual subscription for a passenger car and is non- transferrable
These points cards are also valid for the Lötschberg Tunnel (Kanderstegg-Goppenstein)
4. Furka Tunnel: Between Realp and Oberwald
The car train journeys through the Furka Tunnel, linking the Valais and Uri cantons.
Travel Time:
20 minutes
Operating Hours - Until 14 June, 2026 (new schedule will start in June):
Realp to Oberwald:
Friday to Sunday every 30 minutes: 6:05 to 22:05
Monday every 30 minutes: 6:05 to 21:05
Tuesday to Thursday every 60 minutes: 6:05 to 21:05
Oberwald to Realp:
Friday to Sunday every 30 minutes: 5:35 to 21:35
Monday every 30 minutes: 5:35 to 8:35
Tuesday to Thursday every 60 minutes: 5:35 to 8:35
Pricing For One-Way Tickets:
Cars: CHF 33
With Trailer: CHF 66
Motorbikes: CHF 33
How To Buy Your Ticket:
Card accepted online: TWINT, all major credit cards
Reservation requirements:
Not possible for this car train
What to Know About Your Ticket:
Tickets are not tied to a specific departure, and are valid for a one-way trip, regardless of direction. Always carry your booking confirmation with the QR code. If the barrier doesn’t open automatically, scan your QR code at the terminal to gain access.
Seasonal Closures:
Open year round
Alternate Route:
In summer: drive across the Furkapass - this takes 45 minutes longer than the car train
In winter: no alternatives
💡 Tips and Safety:
Always stay inside your vehicle
Secure your roof luggage, including bicycles (vehicles with roof luggage can only ride in covered carriages)
Convertibles must close their roofs
Check waiting times before heading for the train
Points Cards and Discounts:
The Furka Abo 10, 20 or 30 - great for saving on 10 or more trips per year
5. Klosters Selfranga to Sagliains
The car train journeys through the Vereina Tunnel.
Travel Time:
18 minutes
Frequency:
Every 30 minutes
Operating Hours until 1 May, 2026:
Klosters Selfranga to Sagliains - 5:20, from 6:20 every 30 minutes until 20:50, 21:50, 22:50, 23:50
Sagliains to Klosters Selfranga - 5:50, from 6:20 every 30 minutes until 20:20, 21:20, 22:20, 23:20, 00:20
Operating Hours 1 May - 30 November:
Klosters to Selfranga - 5:20, from 6:20 every 30 minutes until 19:50, 20:20 (Fri to Sun only), 20:50
Sagliains to Klosters - 5:50, from 6:20 every 30 minutes until 19:20, 19:50 (Fri to Sun only), 20:20, 21:20
Pricing For One-Way Tickets (Winter rates):
Cars/Trailers/Motorhomes under 3.5t: CHF 39
3.5t to 5t: CHF 84
Motorcycles: CHF 22
How To Buy Your Ticket:
At the ticket office only at the moment
Payment methods accepted: CHF, Euro, EC direct, credit cards, Swiss Postcard, Reka-Checks, Reka-Card, M-Card, TWINT, RhB/SBB gift card
Reservation requirements:
Not required for this route
What to Know About Your Ticket:
Motorhomes, open vehicles and vehicles with fabric roofs must be checked in 15 minutes before the train departs
Motorcycles must be checked in at least 15 minutes before the train departs. Motorcycles must be approved for a top speed of at least 80 km. Motorcycles, small motorcycles and mopeds with a maximum speed of under 80 km/h cannot be loaded.
Seasonal Closures:
Open year round
Alternate Route:
Drive the Vereina Tunnel, open year round
💡 Tips and Safety:
Always stay inside your vehicle
Secure your roof luggage, including bicycles (vehicles with roof luggage can only ride in covered carriages)
Convertibles must close their roofs
Expect congestion and waits in winter
Points Cards and Discounts:
Vereina Value Card: Discounts up to 35% for frequent travellers
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