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.
Subsidies and discounts
To encourage this policy, EPFL offers several discounts to EPFL staff when purchasing national public transport passes.
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
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
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.
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, which you can access via the EPFL Ticket 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.
In order to access the EPFL Ticket Shop, you need to request approval from your unit’s accreditor. The name of your unit’s accreditor can be found in the “Administration” section of the EPFL directory. For more information, please visit the Accred website.
- Refunds for train tickets ordered in the Ticket Shop 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.
- SBB’s TicketShop business 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.).
Some non-nominative tickets can be ordered through the Ticketshop, but will be sent by post only. Please allow three working days for delivery.
The entire range of public transportation passes is available on the SBB online shop, although for now some passes can be purchased only on the old SBB website. For international tickets, availability changes frequently; if you would like to purchase an international ticket not available on the SBB online shop, please visit the EPFL Ticket Shop and select “International tickets” from the main menu.
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.
Contact
Maison de la mobilité:
BI A0 432 (Building BI)
Avenue Picard
Monday to Friday: 9am–1pm and 1:30pm–5pm