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How to buy crypto in cash at Swiss train ticket machines

Use our service to buy Bitcoin and 30+ other cryptocurrencies 24/7 in cash, with low fees at any SBB train ticket vending machine.

Clock icon5 minutes|Yann Gerardi|Published 2023-10-27|Updated 2024-11-08

Switzerland is famous for being one of the most crypto-friendly countries in the world. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) can be credited in the building of this reputation, thanks to their introduction in 2016 of the possibility to buy Bitcoin at any of their ticket vending machines. That news made the headlines back then, and put Switzerland in the spotlight of the Bitcoin universe.

The main advantage of that offer is the vast network of SBB machines, which allows anyone to buy Bitcoin in cash at more than 1,000 machines located in more than 700 train stations.

The only problem is that SBB's own Bitcoin offer is quite expensive since a buyer will pay at least 6% of fees, which can go up to 14% depending on the amount.

Fortunately, our service allows to enjoy the large network of SBB ticket machines to buy crypto in cash 24/7 while paying much lower fees:

SellerFees
Mt Pelerin Logo0% - 1.3%
SBB Logo6% - 14%

This is possible as our exchange service lets you generate a Swiss QR-bill when buying crypto, which can then be scanned and paid in cash at any SBB/CFF ticket vending machine.

Please note that the machine will take a small processing fee to pay a QR-bill: 1.25% of the invoice amount with a minimum of CHF2.50 and a maximum of CHF5.00.

With our solution, you can buy crypto up CHF1,000 per month without having to verify your identity. You can of course remove this limit by verifying your identity. The machines also have a limit of CHF600 per QR-bill payment, so you will have to split your purchase in two if you plan to buy more than that. Also good to know, SBB machines accept cash payments in euro.

With 24/7 availability at 1,000+ locations, and service fees from 3 to 10 times cheaper that crypto ATMs, this is the ultimate solution for anyone wishing to convert cash to crypto!

How it works:

1: Download Bridge Wallet

Bridge Wallet is the self-custodial mobile app that we've made to easily invest in crypto and manage them from your phone.

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Bridge Wallet screenshot

2: Create a new wallet

Create a new wallet, or restore an existing one if you prefer to. If you need help on the creation of a wallet, we have made a step-by-step guide here.

Bridge Wallet - Create a new wallet

3: Register

Go in Settings > My profile > Register, and choose the "Signature" authentication mode. You will also need to provide an email address where you will receive notifications about your purchases.

Registering allows to buy crypto in cash without having to verify your identity up to CHF1,000 per month and CHF12,000 per year.

To buy above these limits, you can verify your identity. For more info, please see our support page.

Bridge Wallet - Register

4: Choose a crypto

The cryptocurrencies available to buy are all displayed by default in Bridge Wallet. You can also see the full list of what we support on this page.

Please note that we have different cryptocurrencies available on different blockchains. To switch chain, use the network menu on the upper left of the screen.

Bridge Wallet - Ethereum wallet

5: Choose to add funds

Once you have chosen a cryptocurrency to buy, click on the "Add" button.

Bridge Wallet - ETH

6: Choose your purchase currency and receiving address

Select CHF as the purchase currency, and you will see our all-inclusive exchange rate.

By default, your receiving address is your Bridge Wallet address. You can also receive your crypto directly on another wallet address belonging to you. To do so, you will need to link it first to your profile, more info about it here.

Bridge Wallet - Crypto purchase

7: Swiss QR bill

Scroll down and click on the "Swiss QR bill" button. It will generate the PDF file that you will need to scan at a SBB machine.

Bridge Wallet buy BTC by bank transfer details screenshot

8: Find an SBB machine

Go to any Swiss train ticket vending machine. You will find a map of all the SBB machine locations here.

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines

9: Tap the welcome screen

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines welcome screen

10: Choose "Prepaid / Money transfers"

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines home screen

11: Choose "Pay"

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines products screen

12: Choose "QR-bill"

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines pay screen

13: Accept the terms and conditions

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines terms and conditions screen

14: Scan your QR-bill

Place your QR-bill in front of the machine's QR reader below the touchscreen, until it reads your code.

If the reader struggles to read the QR code on your phone's screen, you will need to print it and try again with a paper bill.

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines QR-bill scan

15: Summary

Once the machine will have read your QR-bill, you will see this screen summarizing the transaction.

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines QR-bill payment screen

16: Payment

Pay the total amount shown on the screen, and the machine will print a receipt for your transaction.

You will receive an email from us as soon as we will have received the payment (usually the morning of the next business day), and another one shortly after as soon as your crypto will have been sent to your wallet.

SBB/CFF/FFS train ticket vending machines QR-bill payment
Yann Gerardi photo

About the author

Yann Gerardi

Yann is the head of marketing of Mt Pelerin. He fell down the rabbit hole of crypto at the end of 2017, when he joined the assembling team that would give birth to Mt Pelerin.

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