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THURBO

THURBO runs regional S-Bahn trains across eastern Switzerland, including cross-border services to Konstanz, Waldshut, Bregenz and Lindau. Tickets in CHF.

Country
Switzerland
Official website
Official website
Train tickets
1

THURBO is a regional train operator based in eastern Switzerland. It is a subsidiary of SBB with the canton of Thurgau also holding a stake, and it runs S-Bahn services rather than long-distance trains, so most journeys are short regional hops rather than cross-country trips.

Where THURBO runs

THURBO operates a 658 kilometre network covering the S-Bahn St. Gallen, S-Bahn Schaffhausen and S-Bahn Bodensee systems, plus sections of the Zürich S-Bahn around Winterthur. The average passenger rides about 13 kilometres, roughly 10 minutes, which tells you what the network is built for: commuting and short regional trips rather than one long transfer point to another.

THURBO also crosses the border. Its trains run to Konstanz in Germany, and it reaches Waldshut, Bregenz and Lindau, making it a practical link for day trips around Lake Constance without switching to a different national operator partway.

Scale and operations

THURBO is the third-largest regional operator in Switzerland by passenger numbers, carrying more than 35 million passengers a year with a fleet of around 110 vehicles. SBB and Südostbahn (SOB) jointly run the operations centres that coordinate signalling and scheduling across the 658 kilometre network, which matters mainly if a disruption hits: THURBO's own trains, SBB's infrastructure and SOB's control centre in Herisau are all part of the same chain when something goes wrong.

Tickets and passes

THURBO does not run its own ticket counters. Buy through the SBB Mobile app, sbb.ch, a ticket machine, a staffed public-transport sales point, or the regional fare-network channels that cover THURBO's own area, and fares are set and shown in Swiss francs. For a Lake Constance day trip that crosses into Germany or Austria, the Bodensee Ticket (Bahn, Bus, Ferry) covers train, bus and ferry travel across all three countries on one ticket, which is worth buying instead of separate national tickets if your day involves more than one border crossing.

Night travel

On Fridays, Saturdays, the nights before public holidays and during major events, an eastern Switzerland night network keeps trains and buses running into the early morning, useful for anyone planning a late trip home from St. Gallen, Winterthur or the wider region rather than booking a taxi.

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Frequently asked questions

What area does THURBO cover?

THURBO runs a 658 km regional S-Bahn network across eastern Switzerland, including the St. Gallen, Schaffhausen and Bodensee S-Bahn systems and parts of the Zürich S-Bahn around Winterthur.

Does THURBO cross into Germany or Austria?

Yes. THURBO trains reach Konstanz in Germany, and the network extends to Waldshut, Bregenz and Lindau, making it a practical way to cross the Lake Constance border by train.

Where do I buy a THURBO ticket?

THURBO has no ticket counters of its own. Buy through the SBB Mobile app, sbb.ch, a ticket machine, or a regional fare-network sales point, with fares shown in Swiss francs.

Is there a combined ticket for Lake Constance trips?

The Bodensee Ticket (Bahn, Bus, Ferry) covers train, bus and ferry travel across the Swiss, German and Austrian sides of Lake Constance on a single ticket, useful if your trip crosses more than one border.

More operators in Switzerland

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