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Switzerland 7 Days in December... We're Not Skiers

Switzerland 7 Days in December... We're Not Skiers

Old Jan 28th, 2018, 01:56 PM
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I've always had a first-class pass and always was glad I did. But this is a subjective thing (YMMV) - but always having my bags next to me on empty seat was cool. Plus only in first do you get solo seats - an aisle and window seat to boot - two can face each other with a table in between. I like privacy and not being bothered or bothering someone to get out of a seat. Many here say they were fine with 2nd class and it is not a cattle car usually.
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Old Jan 28th, 2018, 01:56 PM
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We've always bought second class train passes and will continue to do so. They cost enough as it is.
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Old Jan 28th, 2018, 03:33 PM
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PalenQ... we too do not like being bothered and very much enjoy privacy and were planning on the first-class passes. I really appreciate all of your posts and the information you have provided. Thanks !!
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Old Jan 28th, 2018, 03:37 PM
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Hi Sue... I appreciate the heads up about the locks and will make sure i have the hotel #s on trip spreadsheet. As for Swiss Rail, we were planning on getting the 1st class passes. Thanks !!
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Old Jan 28th, 2018, 06:30 PM
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cheyness, OK I just thought of one more thing. In Zurich, we thought that the Swiss Rail pass paid for the trolleys that are all over Zurich. I don't think they do, but we hopped on and off and rode all over town without paying. Someone told me that there is a very large fine for doing that, so you need to check on that when in Zurich, or ask at hotel. Sue
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Old Jan 28th, 2018, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Sue81
you need to check on that when in Zurich, or ask at hotel. Sue
Or consult a decent guidebook!
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Old Jan 29th, 2018, 01:33 AM
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The OP wrote:
" I will also be heading to Zurich to drop off the bags right after we arrive in Basel. "
What should that be good for?
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Old Jan 29th, 2018, 04:34 AM
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neckervd, I don't get your question? dropping off bags for Cheyness, means that you don't have to schlep a larger bag all over Switzerland, but have a smaller zipped bag, or much smaller wheeled suitcase (one week of clothing) to take down into Switzerland. Hotel does not charge for this if you arrange it before, if at certain hotels, and for a limited time in a locked room. Note they are on a river cruise, probably 2 weeks. Just a suggestion of how to make it a tad easier. I did this. Then of course there is Swiss Rail lockers that I am pretty sure you pay for. There are several train changes on this route, but not hard, if you have a smaller suitcase or whatever. Sue
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Old Jan 29th, 2018, 08:55 AM
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Trams and buses in cities I think indeed are covered by Swiss Pass but only on 100% covered travel days on flexipasses - not days in between - assume Sue had consecutive-day pass and thus should have been covered and yes just boarding locals automatically think you're not cheating on purpose but ignorant of system. Well unless conditions of use have changed recently that is my understanding anyway.
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Old Jan 29th, 2018, 09:03 AM
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Hi Palen, I did not have a consecutive pass for the trolleys in Zurich, just a 4 day flex pass for the 7 days, I think that was the problem, but the trolley driver did not ask us anything in Zurich. I thought the Swiss Rail pass took care of it, too complicated when you are traveling sort of quickly for me to keep on top of everything, hence the stupid 4 or 5 hr boat ride when we wanted 1 hour. (and I had to pay for it!). Sue
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Old Jan 29th, 2018, 09:49 AM
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Well the tram driver could have cancelled a day on your flexipass technically - you go a free ride.
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Old Jan 29th, 2018, 06:57 PM
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Instead of going somewhere to drop off bags, one can take advantage of Swiss Rail's wonderful luggage forwarding options.
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Old Jan 30th, 2018, 06:00 AM
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Palen and Sue ... thanks for the info on the Swiss Pass. I was going to get the 8 day flex pass. With the unpredictability of Swiss weather when I am visiting, the 8 day will allow me to change things - possibly make some day trips if I have to - without without worry of additional travel costs.
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Old Jan 30th, 2018, 06:07 AM
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kja.. I appreciate the suggestion (I think someone else had mentioned it in this thread) but my preference is to definitely drop of my bags at the hotel in the beginning. If I were to use the Swiss Rail luggage forwarding option I would still be lugging them in each town and such. As this is the last leg of a 3 week journey, we will have multiple large bags that I am sure will be packed full. So, dropping all but one of our bags at the hotel in Zurich will make things much easier.
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Old Jan 30th, 2018, 07:20 AM
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Yes good plan to drop bags at Zurich hotel.
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Old Jan 30th, 2018, 06:52 PM
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kja Is there a charge for the Swiss Rail luggage forwarding? I would think that there might be. Sue
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Old Jan 30th, 2018, 07:04 PM
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Yes, there is a charge for forwarding luggage – but to be clear, one can forward luggage from Basel to either Geneva or Zurich (depending on the ultimate departure point) with no need to forward it from place to place. The price depends on what, where, and for how long, and honestly, you could have found all this information on your own with the links already provided. But hey, I’m just a working person who tries to fit in some time to share ideas in my spare time…. Please check this web page. Check the options listed on that page to see what suits your needs. And then please forgive me for getting snippy.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-servic...e/luggage.html
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Old Jan 31st, 2018, 07:54 AM
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" neckervd, I don't get your question? dropping off bags for Cheyness, means that you don't have to schlep a larger bag all over Switzerland, but have a smaller zipped bag, or much smaller wheeled suitcase (one week of clothing) to take down into Switzerland"

SUE: I didn't mean the drop off, but the detour from Basel via Zurich to Berne, Interlaken or whatever. OP will loose half a day with that. IMO it would be easier to deposit the luggage in the first hotel where he will sleep (may be Berne) and to fetch it on the way back from the Alps.
He could also send it from Basel SBB directly to the last hotel (as suggested by kja) or use the Flight Luggage Service
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-servic...t-luggage.html
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Old Jan 31st, 2018, 10:30 AM
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How long do theyn keep bags if sent forward by train? and do they charge per day after a certain amount of time?
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Old Jan 31st, 2018, 01:10 PM
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We've been to Switzerland 6 times and finally went in Winter (First week in Jan.) last year. We went to -Zermatt for the first time and loved it. Good sized lively town. We don't ski but went up the mountains and hiked. Beautiful.
Itinerary-
First night in Bern. You could spend two if you haven't been there before. Great small Medieval city.
Four nights in Zermatt
One night in Zurich
Fly home next day.
BTW - There's not always separate room for big luggage on the trains. We had to sit with our luggage taking up a seat. Other people weren't too happy. I'd say to cut down your packing to one big piece of luggage per person.
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