Following the entry into force of the new business and student travel directives at the beginning of 2023, the EPFL is encouraging people to reduce the number of trips and, if necessary, to use means of transport with a low environmental impact, in particular the train when travelling in Switzerland or abroad.
Transport lausannois sales point at EPFL
Subsidies and discounts
To encourage this policy, EPFL offers several discounts to EPFL staff when purchasing national public transport passes.
The Half-Fare travelcard allows you to travel on the SBB and most other railways, as well as by boat and postbus. It gives access to discounts for urban transport, as well as additional services and other attractive discounts.
EPFL employees working at least half-time under a contract for at least 12 months are entitled to a free half-fare travelcard from the Swiss Railway Company (SBB). → Learn more
The 1st or 2nd class General Abonnement (GA) gives you free travel on most Swiss railways, as well as on many public transport services in Switzerland.
All EPFL employees are entitled to a 25% discount on the purchase of a second-class Swiss-wide (GA) travelcard or a 15% discount for first-class. → Learn more
Regional season tickets allow you to make an unlimited number of journeys within the chosen zones during the period of validity.
EPFL employes can apply for a 25% subsidy (in the form of a voucher) on the purchase of a monthly or annual regional travelcard. You can apply for the voucher on myCamipro, under the “Public transport” tab. Vouchers can be used at any corresponding point of sale.
- EPFL Lausanne campus
Mobilis (including FlexiAbo travelcards), including zone 12 - EPFL Neuchâtel
Onde Verte, including zone 10. - EPFL Valais/Wallis
Bus Sédunois or CarPostal passes, including Sion (there are no fare zones in Valais) - EPFL Geneva
Unireso/LemanPass, including zone 10. - EPFL Fribourg
Frimobil, including zone 10.
The value of the discount voucher for regional transport, available to EPFL staff, will form part of the taxable salary and is subject to social security charges, as confirmed by the cantonal tax administration and the federal compensation fund. The amount of your voucher will be recorded each month and will appear on your pay slip as “Subscription to public transport”.
Travel in Switzerland
We subsidize first-class travel for employees who are grade 7 or above. For other employees, unit heads may authorize an upgrade to a second-class subsidy.
To purchase train tickets in Switzerland, we recommend using the SBB online shop or directly using the SBB Mobile app. The SBB mobile application allows you to buy tickets online at a 10% discount and to benefit from special rates for Supersaver Tickets and Supersaver Day Cards. Passes registered on the SwissPass are taken into account.
With the SBB Mobile app, you can purchase tickets for travel within Switzerland up to two minutes before your departure.
For more details about the EPFL Ticket Shop, including special offers and refund policies, visit the Ticket Shop web page.
- Refunds for train tickets ordered in the Webshop can be made online or directly via the SBB Mobile application. SBB charges a flat fee of CHF 10 for each request.
- If you booked your tickets elsewhere, please send a refund request to EPFL’s accounting department, along with a completed refund application form.
Bachelor’s and Master’s students who need to travel to one of our satellite campuses for a project related to their studies are entitled to be reimbursed for their travel costs (see Principles and Procedures, PDF 237 kB)
International travel
The purchase of international transport tickets, for private or professional use, is possible via different purchase channels:
- The tl sales point now located at the Maison de la mobilité sells all public transport services in Switzerland and abroad. Tickets or season tickets can be bought and collected directly from the ticket office. Phone +41 21 621 01 11.
- For complex, regular journeys or to avoid worrying about travel details, it is recommended to buy an Interrail season ticket, valid for a predefined number of days per month for all European countries. These passes can be purchased online or at the tl sales point at Maison de la mobilité.
- The Trainline reservation platform allows you to purchase international tickets in Europe and beyond. Private season tickets can also be added to a personal account for deductions on the national part of the journey.
- TicketShop EPFL allows staff to buy tickets for major European routes at the federal government’s rates. The Businesstravel Service Center is also available by telephone on 0848 111 456 for reservations and questions relating to international travel (Mo-Fr, 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.).
International tickets
To request a refund before your scheduled date of departure, please call the SBB headquarters in Brig at 0848 111 456 or visit the refund page of the SBB website. To request a refund after your scheduled date of departure, please see the specific refund conditions for your ticket.
Student travel
Students in the Swiss European Mobility Programme who go on exchange during their third year are entitled to a 60% discount on the purchase of an international transport ticket.
Bachelor’s and Master’s students who need to travel to an EPFL satellite campus for a student project are entitled to a full reimbursement of their travel costs.
→ See the rules and regulations (PDF, 253 KB, in French only)
Contact
For advice or direct sales of public transport tickets in Switzerland or abroad :
- tl customer service by phone or by using the contact form
- Maison de la mobilité on the EPFL campus (BI A0 432)
For any questions relating to EPFL subsidies :
- Regional travelcard : [email protected]
- Swiss-wide (GA) travelcard : [email protected]
- Halfe-fare travelcard : [email protected]