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[EvelynM]

6 February 2020 at 20:34:12 #929472

Thanks so much….will review the hotels etc

[EvelynM]

6 February 2020 at 23:34:09 #929473

I checked the info and I now have all the basics planned.

With respect to the Bernina Express trip I just wanted to confirm that I understood it correctly Rockoyster…my understanding is as follows:-

Depart Chur 8:32

Arrive Tirano 12:49

Depart Tirano 14:20

Arrive Lugano 17:30

Please confirm that I got it right.

Also FINAL question…I will be getting a Swiss rail pass, could you alla which of my trips will require reservations to be made and how soon should I make the reservations and at which website or telephone number can I make the reservations.

[rockoyster]

6 February 2020 at 23:43:14 #929474

Hi Evelyn,

Yes you have the timing correct.

With the Swiss Travel Pass you just need reservations for the Bernina Express train , Bernina Express Bus and Gotthard Panorama Express train. I gave you the links for those a few posts back.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is 1st Class only. If you are travelling with a 2nd Class Swiss Travel Pass but want to travel 1st Class on any particular trip you can buy a Class upgrade at any SBB station or using the SBB Mobile App (bit.ly/2ICIUHi ) or here bit.ly/2rZEIXh. You need to buy a route specific upgrade.

If you buy on line you need to nominate a Half-fare Card reduction to get the correct price (using either website or SBB app). An upgrade will cost half the difference between 1st and 2nd class full-fares.

You can’t reserve seats on the GPEX boat trip but if you upgrade to 1st Class you have access to the upper deck and the dining room.

Just watch your travel dates. The GPEX does not operate on Mondays but you can follow the same route (Lugano to Flüelen via Göschenen) on regular trains without reservations and in 2nd class if you wish.

[EvelynM]

7 February 2020 at 0:05:51 #929475

Ok thanks much…I think I’ve gotten it so will post my understanding for verification:-

My plan is to purchase a Swiss pass (2nd class)

That pass will cover all trips in my itinerary except Murren to Schilthorn (but 50% discount applied)

The Bernina Express, Bernina Bus and Gothard Panorama Express are covered with the Swiss pass BUT require a reservation to be made

In the case of the Gothard Panorama Express a first class upgrade is required and a discount should apply on the upgrade

Please confirm if I finally got it right please 🙂

And once again thank you to all, you’ve been very helpful and it’s appreciated.

[rockoyster]

7 February 2020 at 0:12:07 #929476

Hi Evelyn,

You have most definitely got it. Enjoy your trip. 😎

ps Just in case you missed it – watch your travel dates. The GPEX train does not operate on Mondays (boats operate every day) but you can follow the same route (Lugano to Flüelen via Göschenen) on regular trains without reservations and in 2nd class if you wish.

[EvelynM]

7 February 2020 at 0:30:57 #929477

The current plan is to take the GPEX train on Saturday May 9th…is that a good day?

[rockoyster]

7 February 2020 at 1:05:26 #929478

Yes, Saturday is fine.

I think you have ended up with a nice itinerary.

[EvelynM]

7 February 2020 at 1:16:08 #929479

So do I….thanks to all of you…after I’ve completed my flight, train and hotel bookings….I will start to explore entertainment and restaurants on a separate thread 🙂

[EvelynM]

8 February 2020 at 0:47:35 #929480

Tying up loose ends…how will I know which train will do the Golden Pass route from Wilderswil to Montreux and what’s the earliest time I can leave to get a good view of that route? And how long will that journey likely be?

Also how long will it take from Montreux to Geneva?

[EvelynM]

8 February 2020 at 0:49:09 #929481

And please confirm no reservation is required for the Golden Pass route

[rockoyster]

8 February 2020 at 1:36:23 #929482

Reservations are not compulsory but are recommended on the Zweisimmen to Montreux leg (which is where the Panoramic and Belle Époque trains operate) during peak tourist season.

You can make reservations for the Golden Pass Line (http://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass) including seat selection at bit.ly/2kaq6Rf. Click the “e” for English language top right of the page. (where it says “Sprachwahl: d i f e”). Then change the class of travel, date of travel and start/end points to suit.

The route is described at http://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass/gettingthere

As to the timing of the various connections I think by now you should have mastered the SBB timetable. 😉

[EvelynM]

16 February 2020 at 11:12:49 #929483

Thank you so much. I have been selecting hotels and I have a question with respect to Lucerne…when I arrive using the Gothard Panorama express boat, will I exit the boat in the area referred to as the “old town”

[Annika]

16 February 2020 at 13:20:39 #929484

Hi Evelyn,

Yes, you’ll pretty much arrive there. The main boat dock in Lucerne is located right next to the railway station, and this is very close to the old town. You’ll find a map showing the boat dock (locate Lucerne first once you’ve opened it) at http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakelucerne/gettingthere.

[EvelynM]

16 February 2020 at 15:38:21 #929485

Thank you Annika….on another note my Swiss rail pass starts the day after I arrive in Zurich so on my arrival I will have to purchase a ticket from Zurich airport to Chur…from what I saw I will have to go from Zurich airport to the main Zurich train station, then on to Chur…my question is what type of ticket do I have to get so that when I get to the main station I could go out for lunch first and travel on to Chur later on?

[Removed user]

17 February 2020 at 9:19:11 #929486

Hello EvelynM,

If you buy either a regular point-to-point ticket or a Saver Day Pass, you can use ANY connection Zurich Airport – Chur on that day, meaning, you simply purchase a ticket to Chur at the Airport and can travel on any connection that day.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/howtotravel
– http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
– http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerland
– http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass

Best,
Steph

[EvelynM]

20 February 2020 at 3:04:52 #929487

Almost finished, all hotels booked. Now 2 questions to complete the transportation reservations etc.:-

With respect to the circuit between Lauterbrunnen, Grutchalp, Murren, Schilthorn, Gimmelwald, Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen….do I need to make any reservations? Or can I just use the pass and be flexible?

Can the Swiss rail pass also be used for the trip from Lucerne to Engelberg and Titlis? And are reservations required?

Please advise on these final issues

[Removed user]

20 February 2020 at 6:58:17 #929488

Hi Evelyn,

No reservation is needed for that circuit, you can be flexible, just check the operating times in advance in the timetable.

Which Swiss rail pass? Do you mean the Swiss Travel Pass? You can see the validity map of the Swiss Travel Pass at http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity. Train to Engelberg is for free, cable car from Engelberg to Titlis is discounted by 50% with Swiss Travel Pass.

For the validity map of the Saver Day Pass go to http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass/validity map.

Ildiko

[EvelynM]

20 February 2020 at 17:38:22 #929489

Thank you Lldiko…..yes I will be using an 8 day Swiss Travel pass

[EvelynM]

20 February 2020 at 17:40:14 #929490

Also where am I likely to see snow based on my itinerary….I’m assuming Jungfrau and Titlis

[Removed user]

20 February 2020 at 17:56:56 #929491

Yes, that is correct. You’ll also find the Glacier Cave (a tunnel in the ice of the glacier) and the Glacier Park (where you can enjoy the snow using snow tubes) at Titlis. At the Jungfraujoch there is the Ice Palace with many ice sculptures and you can also ski or sledge at the Snow Fun Park.

Also see:

• http://www.myswissalps.com/titlis
• http://www.myswissalps.com/jungfraujoch
• http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/snow

Ildiko