What happens if I travel without a ticket in Switzerland?
No — travelling without a valid ticket costs a surcharge and can be an offence. Anyone found on public transport without a valid ticket pays the fare plus a surcharge (Art. 20 PBG): CHF 90 first time, CHF 130 second, CHF 160 from the third within two years. These repeats are recorded in a national register (run by PostAuto) and deleted after 2 years once the debt is paid. Deliberate or repeat dodging on self-control routes is also an offence (Art. 57 PBG) with a fine up to CHF 10,000 (in practice usually a few hundred francs). In short: no — it costs a surcharge and can be reported.
📋 The rules
- Surcharge: CHF 90 / 130 / 160 (1st/2nd/3rd time)
- Always plus the fare
- National register of repeat offenders (PostAuto)
- Entry deleted after 2 years once paid
- Deliberate/repeat: fine up to CHF 10,000 (Art. 57 PBG)
🔓 Exceptions
- Travelling without your pass on you: lower surcharge (~CHF 70/110)
- No ordinary criminal-record entry for the offence
- The offence is prosecuted on complaint
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The first time you pay the fare plus CHF 90, then more in steps. Deliberate or repeat dodging is an offence under Art. 57 PBG with a fine up to CHF 10,000; in practice usually a few hundred francs, more for notorious cases. This doesn't create an ordinary criminal-record entry. Beware a myth: "nothing happens the first time" is false — even the first time there's a surcharge and a register entry. Tip: buy the ticket before travelling, and carry your valid pass to avoid the higher surcharge.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
What does fare-dodging cost?
Anyone found without a valid ticket pays the fare plus a surcharge. This is CHF 90 the first time, CHF 130 the second and CHF 160 from the third within two years. The repeats are recorded nationally and the entry is deleted after two years once the debt is paid.
Is there a register?
Yes. Since 2019 PostAuto runs a national register of higher transport charges on behalf of the industry. It coordinates the graduated surcharges for repeat offenders across all transport operators. An entry is deleted again after two years once the outstanding debt has been paid.
Is fare-dodging an offence?
Deliberate or repeat fare-dodging on self-control routes is an offence under Article 57 of the Passenger Transport Act. A fine of up to CHF 10,000 is possible, in practice usually a few hundred francs. It doesn't, however, create an ordinary criminal-record entry.
What is travelling without your pass?
It means you have a valid season ticket but don't have it with you and can't show it. The surcharge is then lower than for genuine fare-dodging, around CHF 70 or 110. So always carry your pass or the digital proof with you when you travel to avoid it.
Does something really happen the first time?
Yes. Even the first time you pay the fare plus a CHF 90 surcharge, and the incident is recorded in the national register. It's not true that nothing happens the first time. So always buy your ticket before boarding to avoid the surcharge and the register entry.
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