Swiss Train Pass help!
 

Hi!

My husband and I will be spending a week in Switzerland and are going to purchase the Swiss train pass...my question is, do we need to make a reservation for the Golden Pass scenic train after we've bought the train passes? We'd like to be on the panoramic coaches if possible...any idea on how we go about doing that? Is it better to do that in advance online? I've looked on the Rick Steves website and a few others but cna't seem to find the answers...
For anyone that has travelled on the Golden Pass from Geneva to Lucerne, is there an opportunity to get on/off at certain spots and take the train leisurley or do we have to stay on the train the entire time?

Thanks so much in advance!

You should find the info about Swiss passes on the Swiss website.
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/home.html

Here's a link for the Golden Pass train info:

www.goldenpass.ch

You will definitely need to make seat reservations for the panorama cars. In addition, be aware that on some trains there are seats that face directly to the rear and also a few seats which face directly to the front.

Hi pumzika,

Actually, NO, you do not need to make reservations for the panoramic cars. There are always some non-reserved seats in some carriages on every train on the route, even the GP carriages and trains. The locals use the trains for daily transporation. However, the trains do fill up in the peak tourist times (say around lunchtime in August), so you may find yourself standing in the aisles if there are no free seats.

However, if you want to sit in the VIP seats at the very front or rear of the train -- the ones with the glass ceiling -- then, yes, you do need to make reservations for that part.

Reservations will cost around 7 chf per person.

Your ticket will be valid for travel all day, so, yes, you can get on and off the train as often as you like. If you want reservations, you will have to make reservations for each leg.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Thanks so much for your help everyone!

Another question - is there a difference in price when purchasing the Swiss pass online vs. when landing at the airport?

prices are the same online and in the airport train station but there may be shipping charges online.

But I would also check prices in US dollars before leaving. The past several years the exact same pass in the US has been significantly cheaper than in Switzerland - currently that may or may not be the case as it is not always the case. But check both and if little difference just wait until Switzerland where you can easily buy it in any train station.

Check out these fantastic IMO sites for oodles of great info on Swiss trains, passes, etc. www.swisstravelsystem.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html; www.ricksteves.com.

Though reservations are not required on the GP train except for VIP seats I believe you are advised to make them IME - tour groups at times have taken up most of the seats times I've been on the train and there are also regular trains every hour or so that go over the same route with the same scintillating scenery sans observation cars which IMO are more hype than any real boon - most of the scenery is out the side windows not the ceiling.