Public Transit in Basel, Lucerne and Bern

Posted by mosesrus (Franklin, Tennessee) on 11/02/23 03:37 PM

We will be staying in a hotel in Basel for four nights later this month and be given a Basel Card for our use while there. As I understand it, we do not have to validate it for any ride, but just have it on our person to display if asked, is this correct?

We also will be staying three nights in a Lucerne Airbnb where we will not be given a free card by our host. I understand we can buy single ride tickets or day passes from available ticket machines or use the Fairtiq App, Is there any requirement that tickets be validated there?

Finally, we will be making a day trip from Basel to Bern. iIs Bern’s public transit system similar to Basel and/or Lucerne’s, eg.., single ride and day pass tickets available from ticket machines, an App for purchases, and no validation requirements?
Thank-you.

Posted by balso

Paris

11/02/23 04:33 PM

7300 posts

Hi,
Regarding the Basel Card, you are correct. Actually, your hotel booking confirmation also lets you travel to your hotel for free (before you check-in an get the card) - never tried it myself as I stayed within walking distance from the train station. I do not remember if you need to write things down (e.g.) on the physical Basel Card or not, but your hotel will tell you.

In Lucerne... you might find that you do not need transportation, it is very compact. But if you do, a day pass costs 2x a single ticket, so it is quickly worth it. If I remember correctly, tickets are timestamped when bought: no validation needed, and do not buy them in advance!

For Bern, since you will purchase a train ticket, you could purchase a city-ticket that will include the day pass in Bern. But there as well, it is easy to walk from the train station into the old town. You might not need tickets at all.

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

11/02/23 05:16 PM

5603 posts

Will you have a Swiss Travel Pass. I think the STP covers local transportation also. If I'm incorrect, someone here will jump in. Have a wonderful trip !

Posted by rob in cal

Greater Sacramento

11/02/23 05:39 PM

604 posts

STP certainly does cover local transportation in addition to its other far ranging powers.

Posted by WengenK

Wengen

11/02/23 07:31 PM

2493 posts

The Fairtiq App (or the Easyride function in the SBB app, which is the same thing) as a good option for local transit, as you will be automatically capped to a day pass. So you do not have to estimate in advance how much you will travel. Does requie everyone to have a phone though.

If you buy tickets otoh it is possible to buy tickets for multiple persons using one instance of the SBB app.