1.1
763 reviews
1L+
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 ā€“ 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 Ā«FSĀ» (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from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active.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
1 Oct 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
744 reviews
Craig Duncan
5 November 2024
Needs loads of permissions to set up and draws battery in the background. What about just giving free access to everyone? Better slow or unreliable WiFi if FreeSurf is unusable.
3 people found this review helpful
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Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
5 November 2024
We have opted for SBB FreeSurf because this solution offers better quality than a WiFi solution. You can find all the information you need at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf.
Elodie
12 September 2024
Well I get the concept. But the execution is disastrous and after quite a few years of the system being in place and numerous negative reviews there's still no improvement. The app still cannot be used if one doesn't own a swiss phone number, great for tourists and internationals isn't it? And if you manage to get into the system you'll still randomly get disconnected at any point of the journey. Some ICE or IR aren't even detected by the system at all. From CFF, disappointing
1 person found this review helpful
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Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
3 October 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. Travelers from abroad can surf the web free of charge on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. All information at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf.
A Google user
7 July 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.
57 people found this review helpful
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Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
9 July 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.

What's new

ā€¢ Improving security in the registration process