Train from Paris to Zermatt with Swiss Travel Pass
A traveler is planning to buy a Lyria train ticket from Paris to Basel while already having a Swiss Travel Pass. They want to know if they just need a ticket for the Paris to Basel leg and if they need to reserve seats for the trains heading to Zermatt once in Switzerland. They appreciate any clarification on using the Swiss Travel Pass.
- You only need to buy a ticket from Paris to Basel; no reservations are needed for traveling further into Switzerland if you're using the Swiss Travel Pass.
- On Swiss trains, just hop on and show your ticket when asked; no need to present your pass before boarding.
- Expect to change trains at least once when traveling to Zermatt from Basel.
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I’m looking to buy a Lyria train ticket from Paris to Basel, and I already have a Swiss Travel Pass. So do I just need a ticket from Paris to Basel and then when I arrive I just find the medt available train heading towards Zermatt and jump on? Just don’t know if I need to reserve train tickets for the part of the trip, once I enter Switzerland? Hope that makes sense. Thank you
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Hi MrRogers82,
Yes, you will just need a ticket from Paris to Basel, and you can find retailers here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/france
Or you can travel via Geneva (about the same trip time).
Both trains to Zermatt from either town will require at least one train change on the way.
You can use the Swiss railways timetable to plan the trips out http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable
We took the Lyria from Paris Gare du Lyon to Basel at 10:20–it arrived in Basel at 1:30. Then we took a regular Swiss train from Basel to Visp (2:30 – 4:30). Then Visp to Zermatt (4:45- 6:10). It’s an all day trip.
The first class on the Lyria was easily one of the best train trips we’ve ever taken in Europe–the personnel were simply wonderful. We had reservations on the Basel to Visp train but we didn’t need them. We had lots of luggage (business in Paris and snowboards for Zermatt). They even helped one of us get to a person to validate a VAT form in Basel. We didn’t know until after the purchases were made in Paris, that the railway stations do not have personnel to stamp your VAT form–airports regularly are staffed for this purpose. I can’t say enough good things about the Lyria train, it was superb.
Hi Cam223,
Impressive, I’ve never heard such glowing remarks! Where did they find someone in Basel to stamp your VAT? There was a private office you mean? Rather than railway staff to do it?
Thank you for the detailed response, I am glad to hear that. I am definitely looking forward to our trip. So, with the swiss travel pass, do you just show your pass as you get on the train in Switzerland? Not exactly sure how you use it, once you’re there. Thanks again!!
There isn’t anyone for you to show as you board a train normally.
For any train trip, you hop on board and grab any seat available (unless you have a seat reservation / or the seat is reserved) and then show your ticket to the train staff when they come by and ask for it at some point during the trip.
The railroad employees sent us to a nearby building and someone there validated the form. it was quite simple. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance at the train stations, we have found that the employees have a lot of information and are quite willing to help since they know that many tourists are unfamiliar with the system. We had plenty of time to make transfers between the trains. Just show your pass when asked–no need to get anything at the station. Lucas is right, just hop on the train and grab a seat, if the seat is reserved it will have a card with a name and a destination on it. Quite easy once you get get going. There are ramps to wheel luggage down and get to another track. Even with lots of stuff we found it easy to get where we were going.
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