Trip report: my experience with Swiss transport, SBB app and railpass
A traveler named Jeremy shared their recent trip to Switzerland from August 22-26. They used a 1/2 fare card, a Berner Oberland Pass, and a Saver Day pass, providing insights on navigating crowded trains and using the SBB app for travel updates.
- Purchase the Swiss Travel Pass early to save on fares during your trip.
- Use the SBB app for real-time updates on train routes and delays; it’s a lifesaver.
- Avoid traveling between 9 AM and 4 PM during August to escape the crowds.
- Consider upgrading to 1st class for more comfort and luggage space on longer journeys.
AI-generated summary-
Dates of travel: 8/22-8/26
First off, I must thank this site and the posters/responders; My trip would not have been as smooth without them. Thank you!
Before entering Switzerland, I purchased both a 1/2 fare card and Berner Oberland Pass (4 day). I also purchased a Saver Day pass for the last day. I was able to add all of the above to my Apple Wallet with one small issue…After the first day of activation, both the 1/2 fare card and the BO pass were marked as “Expired passes” by the wallet…I was able to “unhide” them but a little unnerving the first time the conductor came around to check. After I unhid the passes, they didn’t “expire” again.
Conductors: On my first day, I traveled from Basel-Mürren. The only time I was asked to show the pass was at the Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp cable car. Every cable car I took required a scan of the BO pass prior to boarding but not all of the scanners worked so sometimes the employee would just wave us through…no big deal. The most conductors I encountered we’re on the Lauterbrunnen-Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg route. Some of them asked to see both the BO and the 1/2 fare card. All were very friendly and patient while I fumbled around with my phone.
SBB App: This is a must. It saved my butt a few times. The first was on the first leg from Basel-Mürren where the App warned me that the route had problems and I’d have to take a different set of trains. The departure boards in the Basel train station said nothing of this (the leg was Basel-Interlaken Ost) but the app notified me. Since I had time, I asked one of the rail employees in the station and showed them my app; they looked at their own and said that there indeed was an issue and pointed me to another direct train leaving 30 min later. Again, very friendly folks. I needed a direct as possible route because I had luggage. Bottom line: get the app; learn the app; map out your routes using the app. If I’m going to fault the app at all it was where it would indicate if it thought a particular route was going to have a lot of people. My August experience was that every form of transportation (bus, cable car, train) was JAMMED from 0900-1600. If I went earlier/later, it was fine.
Short Connection times: Because the transport system was so crowded, making the short connections was difficult as many people just meandered aimlessly in the corridors, sometimes 5 abreast! So if it’s crowded you may need to do some “gentle nudging” to get to your connection…they are very short and are meant for people moving with purpose on non-crowded days. I made all of mine, even with suitcases and didn’t knock anyone over.
Luggage: Because August was such a busy time, I rarely found space on the luggage racks so ended up having to shove it in with us sitting down. Not comfortable. If I was to do this trip again, I might consider 1st class for the longer journeys I took (Basel-Interlaken Ost and Interlaken Ost-Zürich)
Bottom line: Study the train system, study the SBB app, plan your longer journey’s ahead of time and you’ll enjoy the trip like we did.
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Thanks Jeremy
I have visited Switzerland many times. Very interesting report!. I think your most important point is, ‘My August experience was that every form of transportation (bus, cable car, train) was JAMMED from 0900-1600. If I went earlier/later, it was fine’. When in Switzerland, do as the Swiss do! Get up early in the morning!
And ‘Do as the Swiss do’ also applies to tight connections. People living in Switzerland are used to tight connections. They know that their incredibly efficient system which allows you to travel from anywhere to anywhere at at least an hourly frequency depends on tight connections. They will walk ‘with purpose’, and if necessary will do some gentle nudging, and/or shout ‘Entschuldigung Bitte’ (excuse me please).
Kind regards
Roger.
On past trips, we have upgraded to first class (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/classes/ ) just when moving from one city to another with luggage. Much more room for luggage and more comfortable for a longer trip. For example, Bern to Montreaux and Montreaux to Luzerne.
Thanks Jeremy,
Many years ago on our first trip to Switzerland we went in August too. All of our subsequent trips have been in September and much less crowded and a little cooler (actually snowed a couple on inches in BO (https://www.myswissalps.com/region/bernese-oberland/ ) one year and closed the higher trails for a day). I think much of Europe has time off in August for traveling.
Mark
Hi Jeremy,
In case you were interested we have a monthly guide describing the times of year when visiting Switzerland and what to expect:
Here it is:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Thanks!
I lived in Europe for 9 years and August is normal the time I stay home. This time Swiss travel was tied to another trip so I knew what to expect crowd wise and made it work.
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