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
- Direct
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.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Buy direct from THURBO
THURBO
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
Train service
asm runs regional trains and buses in Oberaargau, Solothurn and Seeland, linking Langenthal, Solothurn, Biel/Bienne and Ins.
Official websiteAargau Verkehr runs the Wynental-Suhrentalbahn from Aarau and the Bremgarten to Dietikon line, using SBB and regional tariffs.
Official websiteAppenzeller Bahnen runs regional and rack trains between St. Gallen, Appenzell, Gais, Altstätten, Rorschach and Heiden. Tickets accept national Swiss passes.
Official websiteBLS runs Bern's S-Bahn, regional trains to the Lötschberg and Emmental, plus boats on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, priced in CHF.
Official websiteBrienz Rothorn Bahn is a seasonal steam cogwheel railway from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm in the Bernese Oberland. Seat guarantee recommended. CHF fares.
Official websiteCJ runs narrow-gauge trains around La Chaux-de-Fonds, Tavannes, Glovelier, Le Noirmont and Saignelégier, plus steam and heritage trains.
Official websiteFerrovia Monte Generoso is a seasonal rack railway from Capolago to the 1704 m summit above Lake Lugano, Ticino. Swiss GA not valid. CHF fares.
Official websiteFLP's S60 line runs every 15 minutes between Lugano and Ponte Tresa, on the Arcobaleno zone tariff in CHF, with tickets via the FAIRTIQ app.
Official websiteGornergrat Bahn is Zermatt's cog railway to the 3,089 m Gornergrat, with Matterhorn views. Trains run about every 24 minutes; fares are in CHF.
Official websiteJungfrau Railways (Jungfraubahnen)
Jungfrau Railways runs the trains and cableways to the Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald-First and other Bernese Oberland peaks. Fares are in CHF.
Official websiteLEB runs the narrow gauge train from Lausanne-Flon to Echallens and Bercher. Mobilis and SwissPass tickets, including the AG, are accepted.
Official websiteMatterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs 144 km of Alpine track from Zermatt to Disentis, with its own multi day pass and a car shuttle at Furka.
Official websiteMBC runs the Bière to Morges and Apples to L'Isle regional trains, plus area buses, under the cantonal Mobilis fare.
Official websiteMOB/MVR runs the GoldenPass Express Montreux to Interlaken, plus rack railways to Rochers-de-Naye and Les Pléiades. CHF only; GPX reservation CHF 20.
Official websiteNStCM trains link Nyon with St-Cergue and La Cure across 19 stops. Tickets use the Mobilis zone tariff, and SwissPass GA and half-fare cards are valid.
Official websitePilatusbahnen runs the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, plus cableways from Kriens, up Mount Pilatus near Lucerne. Prices in CHF.
Official websiteRegionAlps runs regional trains from St-Gingolph to Brig, and Martigny to Le Châble and Orsières. Buy tickets before boarding; CHF only.
Official websiteRegionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn (RBS)
RBS runs S-Bahn Bern trains from an underground Bern station to Solothurn, Worb and Jegenstorf on Libero and Swiss half-fare tickets.
Official websiteRhätische Bahn runs Graubünden's regional trains and the Bernina Express, a separately booked panoramic service over the UNESCO-listed Bernina and Albula lines.
Official websiteRigi Bahnen runs cogwheel trains from Vitznau and Goldau, plus a Weggis cable car, up Mount Rigi in Central Switzerland. Prices in CHF.
Official website- Check times & prices
SBB is Switzerland's national railway, connecting cities, towns and mountain villages. InterCity trains generally do not require reservations.
Official website Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn (SZU)
SZU runs the S4 Sihltal train to Sihlwald, the S10 Uetliberg train, and the Felsenegg cable car from Zürich HB. Fares in CHF through Zürich's ZVV network.
Official websiteSOB runs the Voralpen-Express, Treno Gottardo and Aare Linth plus eastern Swiss S-Bahn lines from its St. Gallen base. CHF fares, Swiss national ticketing.
Official websiteTMR runs the Mont-Blanc Express from Martigny to Chamonix and Saint-Gervais, and links to the Saint-Bernard Express. CHF only; SNCF runs the French leg.
Official websiteTPF runs the RER Fribourg | Freiburg regional trains with SBB, plus canton buses. Tickets are sold by zone under the shared Frimobil tariff.
Official websitetransN runs Neuchâtel canton's regional trains, including the Littorail and Val-de-Travers lines, on the ONDE VERTE zone fare.
Official websiteTransports Publics du Chablais (TPC)
TPC runs four mountain train lines from Aigle: to Leysin, Les Diablerets, Villars via Bex, and Champéry. Buy tickets before boarding; CHF only.
Official websiteTRAVYS runs trains between Yverdon-les-Bains and Ste-Croix plus local buses across Nord Vaudois. No online ticket sales; use FAIRTIQ, CFF or SwissPass.
Official websiteThe Vigezzina-Centovalli line runs Domodossola to Locarno through the Centovalli. Book online or at station offices; a seat reservation applies.
Official websiteZentralbahn runs the Luzern-Interlaken Express and the line to Engelberg, with hourly panorama trains and optional seat reservations from CHF 12.
Official website
