Discount on TGV from Switzerland-Paris with Swiss Travel Pass?
A traveler plans to take the TGV Lyria from Lausanne to Paris on the last day of validity of their Swiss Travel Pass and Family Card. They need clarification on how to book the TGV, as they couldn't find options for these passes on the SBB website. The traveler discovered that they should select the 'GA Travelcard' for themselves and the 'Junior Travelcard' for their child to obtain discounts, but they seek confirmation on this booking method.
- Select 'GA Travelcard' for adults and 'Junior Travelcard' for children when booking TGV tickets for travel from Switzerland to France to receive discounts.
- The Swiss Travel Pass is valid only within Switzerland, so a separate ticket is required for the French section of the journey.
- For comprehensive travel in Europe, consider the Eurail Global Pass or Interrail Pass if you're traveling beyond Switzerland.
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Hello. I know this topic has been covered in other threads to some degree but my specific question was not answered in those threads.
After some time inside Switzerland this summer using a Swiss Travel Pass and accompanying Family Card, my under-16-year-old child and I plan to take the TGV Lyria from Lausanne to Paris on the last day of validity of the Travel Pass.
When booking the TGV on the SBB.ch website there is no choice for “Swiss Travel Pass” or “Swiss Family Card” on the “Discount cards” dropdown list. So I contacted SBB through chat and was told, in no uncertain terms, that I should choose “GA Travelcard” for myself and “Junior Travelcard” for my child. I’ve tried this as a dry-run and it offers a substantial discount, way cheaper than simply booking the TGV from Vallorbe to Paris and boarding a “regular” Swiss train from Lausanne to Vallorbe that would be included on the Swiss Travel Pass.
In another thread in this forum someone suggested trying selecting “GA Travelcard and “Junior Travelcard” but wasn’t sure if the conductor would accept it. Can anyone here confirm that you (or someone you know) have booked this way and it worked? Some posts have speculated that the Swiss Travel Pass must not be valid for such a discount because it’s not included as an option on the drop-down list.
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Hi Travelin’,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
When traveling to France from Switzerland with a Swiss Travel Pass. The Swiss Travel Pass is valid in Switzerland only, no discount will be applied for the French section.
So for your Vallorbe-Paris trip, you would need to purchase a separate ticket from the Swiss border to Paris. (Most likely Geneva-Paris). All your travel within Switzerland will be covered with the Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/ ) and Swiss Family Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/discount/) for yourself and your child.
Further information on travel between France and Switzerland and options to buy your ticket for the French section in the link below.
I am not sure how much of France or if you are also traveling around other parts of Europe, you may want to take a look at the Eurail Global Pass (if you live outside of Europe) or the Interrail Pass (if you live in Europe) which would cover your trip to Paris and travel within Switzerland. (Both passes allow children up to 11 to travel for free).
See links below, do check the coverage carefully to ensure it matches your plans, as travel in Switzerland with these passes, is not as extensive as the Swiss Travel Pass.
- 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
Thank you, Yolanda, for your detailed answer!
Feeling something was not right I contacted SBB again by chat. This second time they informed me that what I had been told the first time was in error (?!?). So I plan to proceed as you suggested, i.e. buy the TGV ticket to Paris starting from either Geneva or Vallorbe and use the Travel Pass within Switzerland.
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