1.1
735 reviews
100K+
Downloads
Content rating
Everyone
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About this app

Internet access free of charge from the app. SBB FreeSurf is available on all SBB long-distance trains (IC and IR). SBB FreeSurf is based on the excellent mobile phone coverage along the Swiss rail routes – passengers can benefit from a faster and smoother internet connection with more bandwidth than you get with conventional train Wi-Fi. Customers with a digitec, Quickline, Salt (Das Abo, GoMo, Lidl Connect are included), Sunrise or Swisscom mobile phone contract can surf the internet for free with die SBB FreeSurf app.

Passengers from abroad will be able to surf the internet for free with a SIM card (also eSIM) from a mobile phone provider participating in SBB FreeSurf. Trains with a free internet connection are marked with «FS» (for FreeSurf) in the online timetable.

When boarding the train, the customers can open the SBB FreeSurf app. Automatic recognition takes place using a beacon. After registering successfully, the customers will receive an SMS text confirming that they can surf for free via their mobile phone provider. When alighting from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active. We only need customers to provide the mobile number to be used for registration.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/during-your-journey/on-board-service/freesurf.html
Updated on
Apr 26, 2024

Data safety

Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
No data shared with third parties
Learn more about how developers declare sharing
This app may collect these data types
Personal info
Data is encrypted in transit
You can request that data be deleted

Ratings and reviews

1.1
715 reviews
R O
April 14, 2024
Utter garbage. Previous versions worked intermittently. The new one (with all possible permissions, on an IR train which it claims to work on) simply says "connection could not be established" all the time. Why would you spend public money and waste people's time developing such an elaborately complicated app that does nothing useful for anyone? People should be fired until this app is retired.
4 people found this review helpful
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Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
May 2, 2024
If SBB FreeSurf is still not working properly for you, please contact us at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf so that we can analyse your case.
A Google user
July 7, 2019
This is one of the most swiss solution I've seen in a while : Ridiculously over-complicated while technologically unsound. App needs Bluetooth plus location plus data usage. You'd better not forget your charger.... It's completely asinine. Tailored to one use case. It excludes anyone with a laptop, a mobile device running a less popular os and tablets without a sim card. You'd be better off doing nothing. On the bright side, the app works well.
54 people found this review helpful
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Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
July 9, 2019
Yes, the new free internet on the train works as a combination of beacon wireless technology, Bluetooth and the SBB FreeSurf app. The connection is via GSM and not WiFi, as this offers better quality. We will address the weaknesses identified in the test for a later rollout.
Ben Kline
April 25, 2021
Utterly terrible! Many have pointed out how useless this app is, and how many problems would be solved by simply offering a WiFi hotspot. SBB claims their solution provides a better service and experience. How so? By still being charged for data by Salt despite using the app? Or is it by having to reactivate the connection every ten minutes, because I "left the Free Surf Zone", yet still sitting in the train en route to Zurich? It's broken beyond repair. Just install WiFi, ffs!
29 people found this review helpful
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Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
April 26, 2021
Salt is not ready for prepaid yet. To get a solution, you may contact Salt. Do you have a Chinese device? If yes, you find tips & tricks on our website: www.sbb.ch/freesurf (at the end of the FAQ). This can ensure the stability of the connection. And yes, FreeSurf brings a better stability at lower costs than it would be the case with WiFi.

What's new

• General bug fixes