Actually, the confusion is not just due to clueless commuters but also to inconsistent practices of some controllers.
As reported in the Swiss media, in some cases passengers who have had a small dog sitting on their laps did not have to pay, whereas others in the same situation had to present a ticket.
“The inspectors seem to be navigating blindly,” according to the report. So whether or not you have to pay “depends on who is checking the tickets”.
But how it can it be, when everything related to train rides is strictly regulated? (Read more about this below)
As it turns out, Switzerland’s national rail company, SBB, does have rules in place for dog companions.
This is what you should know
According to SBB, “dogs of any size travelling in passenger carriages or luggage vans must always pay second-class half fare or the stipulated minimum fare, if there is one. Dogs must sit under your seat so that passage is not blocked for other passengers.”
There are, however, some exceptions to this general rule.
For instance, you can transport small dogs of up to 30 cm tall for free as hand luggage, provided they are in a transport box, basket or other animal-friendly container and placed under your seat.
“However, once the dog is no longer in its container, you will be required to purchase a separate ticket.”
So if you get on a train with a Great Dane (a dog, not person), be sure to have a ticket.
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What about ‘disability’ dogs?
They too can ride for free, in both first and second-class carriages (depending on the ticket their owners have).
This rule applies to assistance dogs, as well as those still in training; guide dogs; mobility support dogs; diabetes and epilepsy alert dogs; hearing dogs. etc.
“Working” dogs, such as service dogs, search dogs, rescue dogs, avalanche and disaster dogs, can also ride for free.
The only requirement is that the owner must have the Pass for Working Dogs, available at staffed public transport points of sale. These passes are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
Also, these conditions must be met:
- The person accompanied by the assistance or working dog must hold a valid ticket.
- The person accompanied by the dog must hold the Pass for Working Dogs.
- The benefit is referenced as the free Pass for Working Dogs on the SwissPass of the dog owner/companion. The Pass for Working Dogs is personal and not transferable.
- The assistance dog or working dog must wear a special tag on its collar.
- Guide dogs must wear a harness provided by a training institution, as well as a special tag on its collar.
However (and this should go without saying, but probably needs to be said anyway), “guard dogs, cattle dogs, hunting dogs, and therapy dogs are explicitly excluded” from the free-ride rule, SBB says.
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A ticket to ride
If you travel often by train with your pooch (and if he or she doesn’t fit into any of the above exemption categories), you can purchase a monthly or annual Dog Pass, for 60 or 350 francs, respectively.
And in case you are new-ish to Switzerland and don’t know all the train rules (and there are many), this article will provide all the essential information:
