These are two different types of rail pass usage, mainly differing in whether the travel days must be consecutive: 

| Consecutive Days Once activated, the pass counts days continuously. For example, if you purchase a “5-day consecutive pass” and activate it on July 1, it will be valid from July 1 to July 5 — you cannot skip or pause usage days in between.  

| Flexible Days You can choose which days to travel within a set validity period. For example, “5 days within 1 month” means you can select any 5 days to travel within a 30-day period (they don’t need to be consecutive). This is ideal for travelers with fewer travel days or a more flexible itinerary.  

! Important Reminder: If you have a flexible pass, benefits and discounts (like reduced-price tickets) can only be used on the days your pass is activated. For instance, if you buy a Jungfrau Pass at a discounted rate using the Swiss Travel Pass for 4 consecutive days, you must activate your Swiss Travel Pass on those same 4 days — otherwise, the discount won’t be valid.  

Tip: When planning to use pass-related discounts or perks, make sure the travel pass is activated on those specific days to ensure eligibility.