Chamonix-Grindelwald with Swiss Travel Pass and reservations
Jason is planning a trip from Chamonix to Grindewald via Martigny, which will take just over 4 hours. He wants to know what train segments he needs to purchase and if he can buy tickets in advance, especially since it's been 15 years since he last traveled by train in Europe. He also seeks any additional tips for his journey, particularly regarding the Swiss Travel Pass.
- You need to buy a ticket from Chamonix to Le Châtelard-Frontière, as the Swiss Travel Pass activates there.
- Reservations are not required for the regional train routes, and ticket prices won’t change, so you can buy them upon arrival in Chamonix.
- For the best views, sit on the right from Chamonix to Martigny and on the left from Brig to Spiez.
AI-generated summary-
It looks like we would go through Martigny and the trip would take little over 4 hours. We have a Swiss Pass so for travel from Chamonix to Grindewald through Martigny.
- What segments do we need to purchase?
- It looks like we would go Chamonix -> Vallorcine and then Vallorcine -> Martigny
- Those are the segments not sure which of those we would need to pay for I’m guessing both?
- Can we purchase these in advance now even though we’re about 14 days out of our travel?
- Do we need to reserve these trains in advance?
- I’m guessing no since they are short haul routes but just wanted to make sure been about 15 years since we traveled by train in Europe. At that time only remembered making reservations for longer haul inter city trains.
Any other tips for advice for us on this route or Swiss Pass would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Jason - What segments do we need to purchase?
-
Hi Jason, and welcome to MySwissAlps!
>>> It looks like we would go through Martigny and the trip would take little over 4 hours.
That’s right. The route from Chamonix to Martigny is wonderfully scenic, and the train is called the Mont-Blanc Express.
The fastest route onward from Martigny takes you through the Lötschberg-Basistunnel between Visp and Spiez. There is a more scenic route, but that would take an extra hour-and-a-half (5 hrs 42 total journey time). If you didn’t mind the extra journey time, you could put “via Kandersteg” into the journey planner, which will plan the journey to incorporate the lovely Lötschberg mountain route.
>>> We have a Swiss Pass so for travel from Chamonix to Grindewald through Martigny. What segments do we need to purchase? It looks like we would go Chamonix -> Vallorcine and then Vallorcine -> Martigny
The Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) will kick in at Le Châtelard-Frontière. So, despite the fact that you change trains at Vallorcine, you will need to buy a ticket from Chamonix to Le Châtelard-Frontière.
>>> Can we purchase these in advance now even though we’re about 14 days out of our travel?Do we need to reserve these trains in advance?
Chamonix to Vallorcine is a regional route (as is the sector onward to Martigny). Reservations are not possible, and there is no price advantage to buying tickets in advance, as the price won’t change. If you want to avoid getting tickets on the day you are travelling to Switzerland, you could just get them at the station when you first arrive in Chamonix.
>>> Any other tips for advice for us on this route
Sit on the right for the best views between Chamonix and Martigny. If you decide to take the Lötschberg mountain route (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/), sit on the left for the best views between Brig and Spiez. From Spiez sit on the left again for views of the Thunersee (Lake Thun).
Hope this helps!
Alpenrose
I have travelled to Chamonix on two occasions while on holiday in Switzerland travelling around using a Swiss Travel Pass. I would endorse everything Alpenrose says. I personally would stress that going via Brig and Kandersteg is well worth the extra time it takes. The old ‘Lotschberg’ stretch is spectacular, especially the stretch straight out of Brig. The Lotschberg line via Kandersteg is almost as spectacular as the old ‘Panorama’ Gotthard line via Airolo.
Perfect advice thanks I would have never found this by myself! We will definitely take this more scenic route looking forward to it! Appreciate the advice on the more scenic route & the tickets as well will purchase tickets when we get to Chamonix so we don’t have to do on day of travel. Thanks!
Hi Jason,
Should you wish to purchase your tickets in advance and online, you can find some options in the attached link below:
Have a great trip.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Jason,
Thanks for expressing your appreciation, and it’s nice to see that you will be able to incorporate the scenic Lötschberg mountain route into your trip.
Enjoy the scenery!
Alpenrose
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