Switzerland

Bern

The Swiss capital, cradled in a bend of the Aare. Trams, buses and S-Bahn all share one zone-ticket system.

S-Bahn Bern

S-Bahn trains take the same Libero zone tickets as trams and buses, and every station in the city sits in zone 100 or 101. There are no gates - you must hold a ticket before departure. BLS and RBS run them, not SBB.

Updated on August 27, 2026

  • Until Dec 12, 2026

    Fares change on 13 December 2026

    Libero fares rise by an average of 3.5% from the timetable change on 13 December 2026; the prices here hold until the day before.

How to ride

  1. 1
    Buy your ticket before boarding
    Buy at a station machine, a counter or in an app. Every station inside the city is in zone 100 or 101.
  2. 2
    Board RBS lines at their own station
    S7, S8, S9 and RE5 leave from the RBS station. At busy times wait in your line's room and step onto the platform once it clears.
  3. 3
    Board a second-class car
    Tickets are class-specific. Sitting in first class on a second-class ticket counts as partially valid and costs extra.
  4. 4
    Keep your ticket until you get off
    There are no gates - only inspections. RBS staff check in plain clothes too, and in the evening at stations.

Fares

Single fares4

Single ticket, 1-2 zones (city, 2nd class)
Valid 60 minutes; inside zones 100/101 it covers trains, trams and buses in any direction.
5.2 CHF ≈ $6
Single ticket, 1-2 zones (1st class)
Only the trains have a first class; the upgrade from a second-class ticket is CHF 3.80.
9 CHF ≈ $11
Single ticket, 3 zones (2nd class)
The stage you reach when one neighbouring zone is added to the two city zones; valid 90 minutes.
8 CHF ≈ $10
Short-distance ticket (30 min)
Second class, one direction, no transfers; on trains it covers 1.5 km at most, defined stop by stop.
3 CHF ≈ $4

Passes & multi-ride1

Day ticket, zones 100/101 (2nd class)
The price of two singles; valid until 5 a.m. the morning after the day you validate it. First class is 18.00.
10.4 CHF ≈ $13

Add-ons & fees1

Bike day ticket (nationwide)
For a day with your own bike on the train; otherwise buy the bike a half-price single.
15 CHF ≈ $18

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026

Payment

Card payment at machines
The machines take common debit and credit cards; no brand names are published.
App tickets
Buy in an app; check-in apps settle at the cheapest price for the day.
Paper tickets
At machines: From machines and counters; undated tickets need stamping before you board. On board: Tickets are not sold on board; buy before you get on.
Cash
At machines: RBS station machines still take cash; BLS machines have gone cashless.

Quick facts

Fares from
5.2 CHF+

Heads-up

  • BLS ticket machines no longer take cash

    BLS ticket machines went cashless in their 2025-26 refit. If you only have cash, buy at an RBS station machine or use the anonymous public-transport prepaid card.

  • The surcharge rises with your cases in the past two years

    No valid ticket means a CHF 100 surcharge for a first offence, rising with the number of cases in the past two years - and no distinction is made between forgetting and dodging.

  • A second-class ticket in first class is only partly valid

    A second-class ticket used in first class counts as partially valid - CHF 75 for a first offence. Buy the class upgrade first if you want to sit there.

Timetable

Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka