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-   -   Swiss Pass (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/swiss-pass-1665311/)

ctusa Mar 29th, 2019 08:34 AM

Swiss Pass
 
I'm trying to buy a 15 day Swiss Pass for travel in May 2019. The SBB website will not accept the 2 visa cards I have used and my credit card company said they are not rejecting the purchase. Also, I am having problems booking seats on the Gotthard Panoramic Express. It's been very frustrating. Am I better off buying from Happyrail.com or another company?

Thanks,
D

neckervd Mar 29th, 2019 09:02 AM

You may also buy the Swiss Travel Pass after arrival, at the SBB counter of Zurich airport or Geneva airport. As to the Gotthard Panorama Express, there is no need to book weeks ahead.

PalenQ Mar 29th, 2019 12:19 PM

Well check prices for passes sold in U.S. vs exact same pass sold in Switzerland - sometimes cheaper here in the past due to currency fluctuations - sometimes cheaper there. BETS-European Rail Experts has Byron who is an expert in Swiss passes who IME of buying various passes from him gives an objective take on whether a pass is good for you or not. If pass prices about the same here than there just buy on arrival as neckervd says. No need to buy ahead - for one thing once bought you suffer a 15-20% cancellation fee if plans chaange usually.

PalenQ Mar 30th, 2019 02:25 PM

If I were traveling in May I'd check www.raileurope.com - the chief purveyor of passes in U.S. and sold thru their agents like I listed above. But check for specials they often have for travel completed by end on May - check www.sbb.ch too for that.

Melnq8 Mar 30th, 2019 02:33 PM

Just buy your pass when you arrive, couldn't be easier.

PalenQ Mar 30th, 2019 02:37 PM

Just buy your pass when you arrive, couldn't be easier.>

easy but not always cheaper and you may miss out on specials that may or may not be at the Swiss sales counter. Do at east a quick comparison cause at times the last several years passes have been significantly cheaper in U.S. than in Switzerland. And it could be the other way around - but do check for specials at that time of year here and there.


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