Welcome to the very first edition of Swiss We Go!
Each week, you will get a clear, practical update, packed with great information, on what’s happening across Switzerland’s trains, boats, buses, and mountain transports, all in one place.
Let’s go!
News and Promotions This Week
🚆 TRAINS
SBB
SBB Freizeit Pass on sale until 3 February, 2026:
For 450CHF (2nd class), 630CHF (1st class), travel any 10 days throughout all of Switzerland until the end of 2026. Equal to 45CHF per day. Regular Tageskarte costs 78CHF in 2nd class - savings of 33CHF per day.
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Buy the SBB Halbtax PLUS 1000 card for 800CHF and get a bonus of 200CHF:
Travel for 1,000CHF in a year, and pay only 800CHF. In combination with HalbTax Card (190CHF/yr). Halbtax PLUS 2000 and Halbtax PLUS 3000 also available.
💡 SBB has updated its app with pick your own seat on select trains:
Available on IC2 and IC21 (Zurich/Basel/Lugano). Further routes will slowly be added over 2026.
Also available on the TVG connection from Zurich to Paris.
TPF (Transports Publics Fribourgeois)
Winter Train/Train des Neiges from Gruyère – Gstaad Saanenland:
On weekends from 3 January to 22 March, the Train des Neiges operates the following route: Palezieux - Bulle - Montbovon - Chateau-D’Oex - Gstaad Saanenland - Zweisimmen (excluding the weekends of 24/25 January, and 31 January/1 February)
The TPF Magic Pass Travel Offer:
30% discount on the purchase of a 2nd class ticket - log into your Magic Pass account to see the offer. This discount can be combined with a Half Fare Travelcard, and is on offer from 9 January to 15 March, 2026
🚢 BATEAUX
Vierwaldstättersee Schifffarht:
Weggis stop is closed from 5 January until 11 February due to construction. Transfer to the replacement bus service at the Hertenstein stop.
On winter schedule - one roundtrip per day to Flüllen and back, departs Lucerne at 10:12 from Pier 1, arrives back in Lucerne at 15:47
Thunersee with BLS Schifffahrt:
On winter schedule - 1 sailing per day from Thun to Interlaken West - sails at 11:40 from Thun Bahnhof, arrives Interlaken West at 13:49, arrives back in Thun at 16:20
💡 Spring schedules for lake boats will be published in February - ideal for planning early-season outings
🚍 BUS
PostAuto
Winter schedules are still fully active across mountain regions
Several alpine routes have added early-morning services for the ski season
PostAuto to buy 115 electric buses from Solaris with deliveries in 2026 and 2027 to add to their growing electric fleet
OTHER DEALS AND PROMOTIONS
Migros Ferien: Book Train + Hotel trips to neighbouring countries and get 5x Cumulus Points!
Centovalli Vigezzina Railway “Winter for Two” Promotion - 1h53 Scenic mountain train route from Switzerland to Italy
Route: Locarno, Switzerland - Domodossola, Italy - 53km
Times: Regular trains between 8h00 and 17h00
“From January 7 to February 18, 2026, the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway invites you to experience winter aboard its trains with the “Winter for Two” promotion: by purchasing two adult round-trip tickets for the Domodossola–Locarno or Locarno–Domodossola route, you will pay for only one ticket at the special price of 39 CHF” (2nd class, 49CHF for 1st class).
Includes reservation fees and any panoramic supplements.
New Modern Trains
Comfortable Seating
Weekend Escape: The Chateau-D’Oex International Balloon Festival
January 24 - February 1
If you are looking for a winter outing that feels magical without skis, this might be it. The annual Balloon Festival in Chateau-D’Oex transforms the Pays-d’Enhaut into a floating landscape of colour, with hot-air balloons from around the world rising above snowy peaks.
Why go:
A uniquely Swiss winter tradition
Spectacular mountain scenery
Family-friendly atmosphere
Easy to reach by train or bus
Daily launches (weather permitting)
How to get there:
Rail: Take the Golden Pass Express route (PE30) via Montreux (1h11), or from Interlaken (2h9), Spiez (1h50) or Zweisimmen (54m) to Château d’Oex
From Bulle: TPF is adding extra trains on the S50 line starting from Palezieux on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival
PostAuto: Local buses connect the train station to festival areas if you prefer not to walk
What to do:
Watch morning balloon launches - preparation, inflation and release of balloons start at 9h00
Explore the village and its winter market
Visit the balloon museum
Enjoy fondue or hot chocolate with mountain views
💡 Travel Tip of the Week
When planning winter outings, check both rail and PostAuto timetables. Many alpine villages rely on seamless train-to-bus connections, and winter schedules can shift from week to week.
Thanks for joining the first issue of Swiss We Go!
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See you next week,
Swiss We Go!