17 days Switzerland, Austria, Italy: best pass, places to visit?
A traveler is planning an 8-day trip to Zurich, Interlaken, and Zermatt, followed by 6 days in Salzburg and Vienna, and finally 3 days in Milan. They’re looking for advice on which travel pass to buy and recommendations on places to visit. They will also be taking the Glacier Express during their trip.
- Consider getting the Interrail/Eurail Global Pass as it covers train travel in Switzerland, Italy, and Austria, which fits your itinerary perfectly.
- Make sure to reserve seats for the Glacier Express, as well as other scenic trains like the Bernina Express, even if you have a travel pass.
- If you choose not to reserve, local train options on scenic routes might be available without additional fees.
AI-generated summary-
Hi, we are going to Zurich, Interlaken and Zermatt (8 days), Salzburg and Vienna (6 days) and 3 days in Milan. Taking Glacier Express. May I know which travel pass I should buy? Any recommendations where to visit? Thanks in advance 🙂
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SPN – if you planning to go by train only (especially on distances longer than few kilometers) the best solution will be Interrail/Eurrail Global Pass. It cover Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein (all trains Zurich-Vienna go via Liechtenstein) and – of course – Switzerland.
Kamil
Thanks Kamil. Does Interrail/Eurrail Global pass include glacier express or other scenic train tours?
Hi SPN,
We have guides to both. Do take a look, you’ll see all the main Swiss inclusions listed. Purchase options are available too. See attached links:
- Eurail Global Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/eurail-global-pass/
- Interrail Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/interrail-switzerland-pass/
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hello SPN
Yes the passes are valid in the Panoramic trains but you will need to make seat reservations and on the Bernina a bus reservation from Tirano to Lugano.
Two separate reservations
Happy travels!
Lynda
Lynda – onboard “Bernina Express” reservation is mandatory only in panoramic car. So if you have Interrail/Eurrail pass and you sit in ordinary Bernina’s car you don’t need to pay for anything such supplement or reservation 😉
Kamil
Hi Kamil,
The Bernina Express refers to the panoramic train and requires seat reservation: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/. There are local Bernina railway trains that travel on the same route which don’t need seat reservation.
Regards,
Anna
Anna – EVERY “Bernina Express” train during whole year consist of panoramic cars (with obligatory reservation) AND ordinary cars with opening windows (without any reservation and payment for pass holders, usually using by locals). And I’m not talking about R/RE/IR trains on Tirano – Chur/St. Moritz route!
Kamil
Hi Kamil,
Thank you. Yes, that’s correct. The Bernina Express consists of both carriages that require a reservation and carriages that do not require a reservation.
These carriages provide a flexible option for passengers who may not have made a reservation in advance or prefer to have the freedom to choose their seating upon boarding. My understanding is that the windows are less “panoramic” in these carriages.
However, it’s important to note that the availability of seats in these carriages is limited and as it’s such a popular ride, generally reservations are advised for a ride on the Bernina Express. There’d be nothing worse than turning up and not being able to board 🙁
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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