isabel

I am going to Lausanne for 6 days in July (with day trips planned each day). So I’ve determined, after diligently doing the math and reading all the Swiss train threads, that I want a Swiss Pass.

Question 1 – where to buy the pass. I’ll be coming from Milan. Looks like I have a choice of taking a direct train from Milan ($95) or buying a ticket from Milan to Brig ($50), changing trains and buying the pass at that time. That would save $45 but take about an hour extra time. Correct? Am I missing an option?

Question 2 - One day I’d like to visit Zermatt. The route would be Lausanne to Visp (1 ½ hr) then Visp to Zermatt (about an hour). I realize that’s quite a lot of time on a train for one day (over 5 hours) but I’m hoping it’s mostly scenic. Is any portion of that an official ‘scenic train’? Does any of it need special reservations? My reasoning for doing Zermatt as a day trip is that I’m hoping I can get a good weather day when it’s not cloud covered. Are weather reports that I’d be able to get on-line from Lausanne going to be reliable as to what the weather in Zermatt is like? Any suggestions as to how best to use about five hours in Zermatt? My main goal is just to see gorgeous mountain scenery.

Question 3 – Another day I was thinking of going to Rochers de Naye. I think the train from Montreux up there is part of the Golden Pass Route. Correct? So I think I read you need to reserve tickets in advance. How do you do that? Is it covered by the Swiss Pass? Is Rochers de Naye going to be my best bet for mountain scenery in that area?

I am also planning day trips to Gruyeres and Sion. Any other suggestions? My last trip to Switzerland I spent 5 days in the BO region plus Lucerne and Zurich so I’m looking to do other things this trip.

Thanks

Dukey1

You should already know about the Swiss federal Railways site: www.sbb.ch/en
Yes, you can buy the pass at Brig as far as I know. You can also explore the SBB site regarding passes

The SwissPass will also get you use of the public transportation system in Lausanne. Lausanne hotels can also give you a free pass for use on the so-called "string" the informal name for the Lausanne Metro.

On the route from Lausanne to Visp to Zermatt be aware that you will have already been ON that route on your initial trip Simplon Tunnel-Brig-Visp-Lausanne. The rail route follws the north shore of Lac Leman from Villeneuve and east from there.

Eastbound site on the left side of the train; westbound site on the right side for lake views.

Rochers de Naye: take the train to Montreux from Lausanne. Go to the REAR of the station for the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois) railway ticket office to purchase the ticket for the trip up to Rochers de Naye. The SwissPass will get you a discount. I've never reserved in advance for that trip nor found it necessary but I would get there early in the day to avoid possible disappointment/waits.

The trip up and back offers absolutely spectacular scenerey and you can remain at the top for as long as you like to see the marmots, hike around a bit, have some food in the luchroom with the stuffed animals on the walls.

Dukey1

Sorry, should have said the rail route is along side the Lake from Villeneuve and WEST from there.

neckervd

If you buy a Swiss pass in the web,
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/...s-pass-en.html
it is valid from Domodossola (the network of the Swiss Federal Railways starts there).
A train ticket from Milan up to Domodossola costs 21 EUR for Eurocity trains (1 hrs 20 min ride) and 10 EUR for regional trains (1 hr 40 min ride and train change at Domodossola.
Siwss Rail Passes CANNOT be bought at Domodossola, only at Brig and only during the opening hours of the ticket counter (until 6pm, except Sunday between 12.00 and 13.30).
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...osid.1609.html

Zermatt is close to Brig. Sion is between Brig and Montreux.

The Swiss weather forecast is very reliable: Television program (TV Suisse Romande around 8pm or web).

Seat reservation in Swiss domestic trains is neither compulsory nor necessary, in many cases not even possible. Exceptions: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Golden Pass panoramic Express VIP seats in first class (recommended for all other passengers too, except local traffic).

Rochers de Naye is another railway line; NOT Golden Pass.
The Rochers de Naye round trip ticket costs 25 CHF with Swiss Pass.

5 hours in not enough for Zermatt. You must go to either Gornergrat (40 CHF with Swiss Pass) or Matterhorn Paradise (50 CHF with Swiss Pass) in order to enjoy the many glaciers and over 4000 metres high mountains. Plan a full day trip from Lausanne to Zermatt or skip it.

isabel

Thanks.

How big is the Brig train station (so how long would it take to buy a pass and catch another train?).

Also, I can't seem to find the link to the site where you can buy the Swiss Pass on line. And do you know how long it takes to have it shipped to the US?

mokka4

This might start you out:

http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and...ailpasses.html

mokka4

Ooops!
Actually the www.swisstravelsystem site quoted above DOES allow one to purchase online:
Swisspass 4 consec days 2nd cl adult = $291 OR
Swiss youthpass 4 consec days (<26 yo) 2nd cl = $218
If I recall the pass took less than 10 days to arrive.
Good luck

PalenQ

marking for later comment

Dukey1

The Brig station is fairly large but it isn't so huge that you couldn't get off, do business at the ticket window, and then catch another train.

Are you adverse to buying a pass online and then having it mailed?

Dukey1

Look, you can easily walk from one end of the village (Zermatt ) in an HOUR...depending on what you want to see and do there isn't that much to see IN the village itself IMO unless you are interested in the graves of people who died trying to conquer the Matterhorn or in over-priced and I mean VERY over-priced wristwatches!

If you take the Gornergratt Railway up to view the peak you can see the live cam in the waiting room to ensure there IS a view at the top which is often totally obscured by clouds.

neckervd

Swiss Pass
The link I gave you above should work. Or try https://shop.swissrailways.com/swiss...ffiliateid=101

Brig is rather a small railway station. You can walk from one end of it to the other one in less than 5 minutes.
If there are no queues (July is holiday season) you may get your Swiss Pass within a few minutes.
Domestic trains from Brig to Lausanne every 30 minutes. If you miss one, you will have to wait less than half an hour until you can board the following one.

kybourbon

>>>after diligently doing the math and reading all the Swiss train threads, that I want a Swiss Pass.<<<<

I wonder. You can buy a discount ticket (Smart Fare) for the EC train on Trenitalia from Milan to Lausanne often for 19€. There are rules for the Smart Fare and they can sell out. The newest version of Trenitalia does not make these fares easy to find, but they are there. If you enter Milano Centrale and Lausanne (let both autofill) and on the next screen, select an EC train. On this screen, underneath the price/class choice, click on view other prices and services and click continue. On this screen, under offer, click the arrow next to the adult/standard box. If Smart is available, you should be able to click it. It it's sold out, check Smart 2. Smart is cheaper than Smart 2.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

****Switzerland starting from 19 euros
With Eurocity trains Italy - Switzerland:
Lugano, Briga starting from 19 euros for 2nd class seats
Geneva, Basel and Zurich starting from 22 euros for 2nd class seats
The offer is subject to availability and has limited seats. Tickets can be bought up to 14 days before departure. Once the seat availability is finished and up to 7 days before departure, Smart Price ticket are available at a slightly higher price. Smart price tickets are neither changeable nor refundable. ****

Summer schedules aren't loaded yet and these have to be purchased at least two weeks before travel. They can sell out. You get a PRN code, but you have to pick up the actual ticket at a self service kiosk at a station in Italy (you will see a list in the process, but all major stations have them).

PalenQ

When buyin a Swiss Pass be sure to compare pass proices for the exact same pass in the U S, if an American, and in Switzerland - factoring in any foreign exchange fees some credit cards may impose. I have boughgt Swiss Passes for years and much more often than not the same exact pass bought here is cheaper gthan bought there and you have no need getting off the train at Brig to buy or activate one - if coming on a train from outsied Switzerland and that train goes beyond Visp/Brig then you can activate the pass on the train - so check both sources - sometimes the savings for the exact same pass is significant. If there is not much difference then just wait to Swoitzerland - unless you want to have the pass already to speed up not having to get off a train to buy one.

For lots of great stuff on Swiss trains and passes - also check out the Half-Fare Card - www.budgeteuropetravel.com (if any questions like you have ask Byron there - I have bought passes from him for years and he will take time to expertly IME answer any question; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com - to check regular fares and pass prices for those sold at most Switt stations.

PalenQ

Question 3 – Another day I was thinking of going to Rochers de Naye. I think the train from Montreux up there is part of the Golden Pass Route. Correct?>

Not in my experience - even the Golden Pass trains I believe do not require reservations for general seating - it may be a tiny part of the route but basically I believe totally different - I'd be surprise is any reservations are required or even possible. Actually if I recall right the Roches de Naye trains start off in a tunnel from Montreux station whereas the Golden Pass climbs up a tall ridge, going slowly thru vineuyards.

isabel

Thanks for all your replies.

It looks like the 8 day, 2nd class Swiss Pass is 393chf and it will be 23 chf to deliver it to the US. Does anyone know what it will cost to purchase it once I get to Switzerland?

The cost of delivery doesn't bother me but they ask for the date when I will start using it, and state that it will be mailed at least "2-3 weeks prior to the start date". That does not work for me as I will be traveling in Europe for over three weeks at that point.

Kybourbon - good point about the Smart Fare tickets. I got several of them last year but they were all within Italy. I didn't realize they would work for international trips. I'll keep checking trenitalia site and hope I can get one of those. The summer schedules/fare go on line around the first of June - is that correct?

Pal - thanks for that info on Roches de Naye. There is an old trip report here where someone describes in detail how to get the tickets but says you have to reserve in advance, by phone. Maybe that was a few years ago. Hopefully you are right.

PalenQ

It looks like the 8 day, 2nd class Swiss Pass is 393chf and it will be 23 chf to deliver it to the US. Does anyone know what it will cost to purchase it once I get to Switzerland?>

Have you compared prices for the same pass bought in the U S thru RailEurope, part owned by the Swiss Federal Railways - I have bought Swiss passes for years and always compare prices and usually the exact same pass is cheaper if bought here then there (there or in foreign currency you must also figure in foreign transaction fees if your c card has any) - sometimes the cost is significantly lower and most U S agents do not charge any mailing fee and you only have to activate your pass within 6 months of issuance - if buying a pass in Swiss francs there is no need to pre-order it but just buy it when you get to Switzerland and save the 23 euros. Check these U S sites for prices - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.raileurope.com - check to see if they have mailing fees - some may and many do not.

kybourbon

>>>Kybourbon - good point about the Smart Fare tickets. I got several of them last year but they were all within Italy.<<<

No, you are confusing discounts in Italy (super economy, etc.) with Smart Fares which are only for international trains departing from Italy. They are called other names departing from other countries to Italy (Supersaver on sbb.ch, but would have to be picked up in Switzerland). I think they are called Go on the French site.

Without knowing the rest of your itinerary, it's hard to say a pass is best. It may be cheapest to buy the Smart Fare (day 1), a 4 day pass (in an 8 day time period - days 2-5) and a one day ticket for the last day. It really depends on where you are going on day 6. If leaving the country by train, there are likely discounts for departing tickets. It's also possible one of your travel days itinerary is cheaper to buy a ticket than they cost of a pass day.

isabel

Thanks.

I checked the other sites and although the price is exactly the same as the on the swiss rail site, Rick Steeves does offer free shipping and promises 5 day deivery. Rail Europe is also the same, and budgeteuropetravel just kicks you over to Rail Europe. Is the price on the Swiss Rail site the same as I would pay at a train station in Switzerland?

I will continue to check the trenitalia site and hope to snag a Smart Fare ticket for my initial trip from Milano to Lausanne. I'm also redoing the math to see if a four day pass might make more sense than an 8 day pass. I will have 5 full days in Switzerland, not counting arrival day, plus on my departure day I was thinking of stopping in Basel or Bern for a few hours on my way to my next destination, which is Strasbourg.

I can't seem to find a one day ticket anywhere except for one that's available only if you have a half fare card. So obviously if I had a Swiss Pass I wouldn't also have a half fare card. Am I just not finding the one day ticket?

kybourbon

Are you asking about a one day ticket like a day pass? Or booking a ticket from point A to point B? Not quite sure what you mean. If you just want to buy a train ticket, you should be able to on the Swiss rail site.

http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

If you are asking about the Swiss transfer ticket, it wouldn't work for you AFAIK, but here's the link.
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/...ticket-en.html

>>>Smart Fare (day 1), a 4 day pass (in an 8 day time period - days 2-5) and a one day ticket for the last day. It really depends on where you are going on day 6.<<<

If you get the 4 day pass valid for an 8 day period, you would just look at the train costs for each day. Use the pass on the 4 most expensive days and book a pt-to-pt for the cheapest day. It may be cheapest to use the pass on your last day (Lausanne/Bern/Basel) and buy a Basel/Strasbourg on the French rail site.

Day 1 - Smart Fare Milan/Lausanne
Day 2 - Swiss Pass
Day 3 - pt-to-pt ticket
Day 4 - Swiss pass
Day 5 - Swiss pass
Day 6 - Swiss pass to border, French ticket to Strasbourg

isabel

I was thinking you meant a day pass like the one that's available only for people who have a half price card (in which case it's 71chf for unlimited travel on one day). But I guess there isn't one available unless you have the half price card.

So I just did the math again and it's a wash between the 8 day card and the 4 day card plus point to point tickets on those other days. But it's an interesting exercise trying to figure it all out. I can see why there are so many threads about Swiss train travel! I will probably buy the card through the Rick Steeves site.

So thanks again for all your help (and on the plus side, I just scored my third PREMS ticket for the France portion of the trip).