Which rail pass is best for me?
Sep 26th, 2005, 10:42 AM
#1
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Which rail pass is best for me?
This is our first trip to Switzerland (going May 2006). We are flying into Geneva (from Amsterdam--on Easy Jet thanks to the suggestions from this group). We want to spend 2 nights in Montreux and then go to Lauterbrunnen for 3 nights. I know there is a train from Geneva to Montreux and the Golden Pass Train route goes from Montreux to Interlaken. I am confused about the various rail passes offered. Can you suggest one that works for both trains? Also, its my understanding that we just pick up a train ticket at the airport in Geneva. Is that correct?
One other question...climate/weather...at the beginning of May I am thinking that Montreux will be fairly warm but Lauterbrunnen will still be cold (like wear my ski jacket cold). Is that a fair assumption?
Thanks so very much for your help. I love reading the posts here. It helps so much.
Cindy
One other question...climate/weather...at the beginning of May I am thinking that Montreux will be fairly warm but Lauterbrunnen will still be cold (like wear my ski jacket cold). Is that a fair assumption?
Thanks so very much for your help. I love reading the posts here. It helps so much.
Cindy
Sep 26th, 2005, 11:22 AM
#2
It the total of your train travel these 3 trips?
1-Geneva airport to Montreux
2-Montreux to Lauterbrunnen
3-Lauterbrunnen back to Geneva airport
You need to know how many trips for how many people you'd be using to know if a full pass, a half pass, family pass, etc. or point-to-point tickets would be the better deal.
The weather in May in Montreux could go either way. It might be warm but it could easily be rainy or cool (same is true for most of the summer, in various July/Augusts I've been in broiling heatwaves and I've seen huge thunder, lightening & rain storms blow thru).
1-Geneva airport to Montreux
2-Montreux to Lauterbrunnen
3-Lauterbrunnen back to Geneva airport
You need to know how many trips for how many people you'd be using to know if a full pass, a half pass, family pass, etc. or point-to-point tickets would be the better deal.
The weather in May in Montreux could go either way. It might be warm but it could easily be rainy or cool (same is true for most of the summer, in various July/Augusts I've been in broiling heatwaves and I've seen huge thunder, lightening & rain storms blow thru).
Sep 26th, 2005, 01:05 PM
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To determinw e whether or not a pass vs. point-to-point tickets are the most economical go to
www.railpass.com or www.railsaver.com and input the itinerary.
I suspect for these three segments that point-to-point tickets would be the better deal.
You can EASILY buy the tickets once you get to Geneva; the rail station where all rail journeys from that city originate is connected to the baggage claim area. the folks in the ticket office speak excellent English.
Buying tickets there means you avoid any shipping and handling fees and mark-ups often charged by ticket agencies. that office can also make your seat reservations for the Golden Pass segment.
www.railpass.com or www.railsaver.com and input the itinerary.
I suspect for these three segments that point-to-point tickets would be the better deal.
You can EASILY buy the tickets once you get to Geneva; the rail station where all rail journeys from that city originate is connected to the baggage claim area. the folks in the ticket office speak excellent English.
Buying tickets there means you avoid any shipping and handling fees and mark-ups often charged by ticket agencies. that office can also make your seat reservations for the Golden Pass segment.
Sep 26th, 2005, 01:08 PM
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As a follow on: many of the trains which run entirely WITHIN Switzerland are non-reservable. I seriously doubt that you'll need seat reservations for the Geneva-Montreux segment as there are very frequent services between these two cities throughout the day.
Sit on the right side (facing forward) of the train for the best Lac Leman views.
Sit on the right side (facing forward) of the train for the best Lac Leman views.
Sep 26th, 2005, 01:11 PM
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As to the weather...I think you are correct. Montreux is known as being on the "Swiss Riviera"..there are palm tress in that city!!!
Last April we were there and a light jacket was sufficient. If that ski jacket is down filled and easily compressed all the better.
Last April we were there and a light jacket was sufficient. If that ski jacket is down filled and easily compressed all the better.
Sep 26th, 2005, 03:40 PM
#6
When you purchase your train ticket from the airport station out to Montreux be sure it is a direct train (every hour there a good number of trains, some that go straight thru & others you'd have to change in Lausanne, no big deal but also no need to bother).
Sep 26th, 2005, 04:28 PM
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Suze makes an excellent point. Currently the direct no change trains appaear to leave the Geneva Airport station at 27 and 47 minutes after each hour.
This is subject to change by the time May 2006 rolls around but I suspect there will probably still be two direct trains within every hour.
This is subject to change by the time May 2006 rolls around but I suspect there will probably still be two direct trains within every hour.
Sep 28th, 2005, 12:05 PM
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In Geneva, at the train station at the airport, go to the counter (rather than using vending machines) and tell the official the entire route with intended stopovers. It might be easier to get one ticket - you can break the journey. Maybe you will not get a single ticket because the train from Montreux to the Berner Oberland (Gstaad, Zweisimmen where you'll change for Interlaken) is a private company - but maybe they have an agreement that lets you buy it all.
Ask if there is a family discount or vacation ticket discount or some such savings (how many in the group?). I don't think one of the passes will save you money for the short distances you're travelling.
Once you have a ticket on Swiss trains, you can take any train for the route you bought, and you can break the journey. It's sometimes better to tell the conductor that you'll get off before the final destination on the ticket, I think they have a way of punching the ticket, but that might be an illusion on my part.
The only time you're tied to a certain train at a certain time is if you've paid extra to reserve a seat, and that's not something people do except on long-distance trains and on those where it's mandatory to do so (superfast trains like TGV, ES, Thalys etc.).
Second class will be just fine and saves you a bunch. While you wait on the platform, listen to announcements or look at the yellow posters where the train composition is given - overhead you'll see signs A - B - C - D that allow you to stand in the right area before the train even pulls in (1st class in A, restaurant car in B, 2nd class in C and D etc).
The Swiss have never adopted the British system of forming a line or queue - there's a more-or-less pushy throng forming when the doors open, and if you're not quick at getting off, you get swamped by those climbing aboard. (Otherwise they're mostly nice people...).
All aboard!
WK
Ask if there is a family discount or vacation ticket discount or some such savings (how many in the group?). I don't think one of the passes will save you money for the short distances you're travelling.
Once you have a ticket on Swiss trains, you can take any train for the route you bought, and you can break the journey. It's sometimes better to tell the conductor that you'll get off before the final destination on the ticket, I think they have a way of punching the ticket, but that might be an illusion on my part.
The only time you're tied to a certain train at a certain time is if you've paid extra to reserve a seat, and that's not something people do except on long-distance trains and on those where it's mandatory to do so (superfast trains like TGV, ES, Thalys etc.).
Second class will be just fine and saves you a bunch. While you wait on the platform, listen to announcements or look at the yellow posters where the train composition is given - overhead you'll see signs A - B - C - D that allow you to stand in the right area before the train even pulls in (1st class in A, restaurant car in B, 2nd class in C and D etc).
The Swiss have never adopted the British system of forming a line or queue - there's a more-or-less pushy throng forming when the doors open, and if you're not quick at getting off, you get swamped by those climbing aboard. (Otherwise they're mostly nice people...).
All aboard!
WK
