Panoramic trains covered by Swiss Travel Pass?
A traveler asked about discounts on panoramic trains in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass. They specifically wanted to know if the Golden Pass is free to use with this pass and what other discounts might apply. Helpful replies clarified that several scenic trains are included, and some tips on enjoying beautiful landscapes in Switzerland were shared.
- Travel on the Golden Pass, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express is free with the Swiss Travel Pass, but seat reservations may have extra fees.
- About 95% of Swiss railway routes are scenic, so there are plenty of beautiful views beyond just the famous trains.
- For scenic views around the Lake Thun area, consider taking the local train from Thun to Burgdorf, which offers lovely countryside views.
- The Regioexpress Lotschberger from Bern to Brig is also free with the Swiss Travel Pass, and you can board it in Thun.
AI-generated summary-
Hello,
I would like to ask if the panorama rails like Golden Pass are free with the Swiss Pass?
If no, how much discount do we get on the Swiss Pass?
Thanks!
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As a tourist you should use the phrase ‘Swiss Travel Pass‘ (STP) – not to be confused with ‘Swiss Pass‘ which is an ‘all round’ pass aimed at Swiss residents’.
Please remember that about 95% of railway routes in Switzerland are scenic, so you don’t always have to travel on the ‘famous’ panoramic trains to see great views.
Of the ‘famous’ panoramic trains, the situation is as follows:
Golden Pass : travel is free, seat reservation (not obligatory) may cost a small fee)
Glacier Express and Bernina Express: travel is free, seat reservation (obligatory) costs an extra fee. The railways lines traversed by these two special trains can also be ridden on normal regional trains free with STP
Voralpen Express (pre-Alps express): free, reservation not obligatory
Gotthard Panorama Express – 1st class only, supplementary fee payable: Much better to travel (free with STP) on the hourly regular brand new trains called Treno Gottardo
Thank you so much! That was indeed helpful!
Hi Prarthna94!
In addition: if you want to check further details of the Swiss Travel Pass validity, you can find a list of covered routes/activities and a downloadable validity map here: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity.
Details about train reservations, if applicable, can be found on the “Ticket” sections of each of our panoramic train pages, for example here: https://www.myswissalps.com/goldenpass/tickets. All of those pages can be found at http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/scenictrips/train.
Most Swiss trains don’t require reservations: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/reservations. The Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express are the main exceptions:
- https://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/tickets
- https://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/tickets
- https://www.myswissalps.com/gotthardpanoramaexpress/tickets
If you consider regular trains/boats on such routes, you can read the sections “Regular trains (and boats) versus….” at the below pages:
This is useful information. We will be visiting Switzerland next May/June and staying in the Lake Thun region. Are there some scenic train trips you would recommend, as part of the regular rail system, (not the specialized panoramic trains) which we might be able to take as part of some day trip type experiences? Thanks for your help.
Around 90% of Switzerland’s railway routes are scenic. Even fairly urban lines often pass green spaces or even small flocks of sheep in periurban smallholdings!
Any trip in the Thun area can give lovely views of the Swiss countryside. I recommend you do something a bit different ( virtually all discussions on this site are around requests to see high, steep, craggy mountains and snow. Switzerland is a lot more than that. The lower altitude areas have beautiful rural farmland, villages, farm buildings etc, and there are lovely ‘rolling hillside country’ viewing options from the Thun area, for example the local railway from Thun to Burgdorf via Konolfingen.
Hi Coni,
You might be interested to take a trip on the Regioexpress Lotschberger. Tha train takes you from Bern to Brig over a mountain pass. and it’s free with the Swiss Travel Pass or Regional Pass Bernese Oberland! You can board the train in Thun.
Regards,
Anna
Thanks for the information 1960man and Anna 🙂
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