Can I ride any train if I have a Swiss Travel Pass?
A traveler named Kami is planning their first trip to Switzerland and is curious about using the Swiss Travel Pass for their journey from Luzern to Wengen. They want to know if reservations are needed for the PE trains, and whether taking IR or RE trains to Interlaken Ost is a suitable option without making mistakes.
- You do not need to make seat reservations for the Luzern-Interlaken Express despite it being a PE train.
- The Swiss Travel Pass allows unlimited travel on Swiss public transport, including trains, trams, buses, and boats, but does not cover all mountain transport, which may be discounted.
- Reservations are only compulsory for certain luxury trains like the Glacier Express, not for the Luzern-Interlaken Express.
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Hello moderator’s and friends of this great site!! We’re buying the STP before we arrive. I had assumed I could jump on any train with this pass but I saw a video where I’m limited on my choice possibly. From Luzern to Wengen I see IR, RE and PE train initials. If we want to ride the PE trains, which are the panorama trains I assume, will I need to purchase a reservation for two seats for us? The other trains, IR and RE, still get us to Wengen via Interlocken Ost per SBB app. We don’t have to do the PE trains. This is our first trip to Switzerland and I don’t want to get on the wrong train by accident. Noticed the shorter train ride with the PE train. Will we be okay riding the IR or RE to Interlocken Ost? Thank you for your help!!!
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Hello Kami
Do not worry. I have ridden the ‘Luzern-Interlaken Express’ many times with my precious Swiss Travel Pass and I can assure you that reservations are not required on this excellent (hourly) train service. The train is classified as PE – Panoramic Express – but that classification does not mean that you have to pay a reservation fee.
There are only a handful of trains in Switzerland where seat reservation is compulsory. They are the luxury trains like the Glacier Express
KInd regards
Roger
Roger, Thank you so much!! I’m a retired railroad conductor and looking forward to riding trains again. I’m like a kid in a candy store!! Have a great day!
Hi Kami,
The Swiss Travel Pass provides unlimited travelling on Swiss public transport. Note that this includes trains, trams, buses and boats . However it does not fully-cover mountain transportation such as cable car, cogwheel trains and funiculars but you do get a discount of up to 50%. Also, it does not include seat reservations which are compulsory on panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express but not the Lucerne-Interlaken Express.
You can find further information about the Swiss Travel Pass here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
You can also find useful information about how train travel works here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/how-it-works/
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
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