Zurich-Grindelwald-Zermatt with Swiss Travel Pass
A traveler from Texas is planning a 6-day trip to Zermatt with a Swiss Travel Pass. They need advice on purchasing tickets, managing mountain excursions, and making seat reservations on the Glacier Express.
- Purchase your Swiss Travel Pass online before your trip to avoid queues at the station.
- For mountain excursions, check the weather before buying tickets, as it's best to buy them either shortly before or on the day of your planned visit.
- You can hop on and off trains with the Swiss Travel Pass, so feel free to explore Lauterbrunnen during your return journey.
- The Peak2Peak ticket is more expensive than buying individual mountain tickets with the Swiss Travel Pass, so consider the latter for savings.
- Make your seat reservation for the Glacier Express as early as possible, as it's required and can be booked up to 90 days in advance.
AI-generated summary-
First of all – thanks for great information on Grindelwald (another posting). Same 4 senior Texans then headed by train to Zermatt. Will have 6 day 1st class Swiss Travel Pass. See if you agree:
1. Buy STP before leaving US?
2. Buy 2nd class point to point ticket at Zurich airport to Lucerne (about CHF 21) upon arrival? The 6 day STP is CHF 52 cheaper than the 8 day (and would not need the additional day).
3. Buy all the mountain tickets the day of or day (OR day of at the terminal) before the trip (avoid bad weather)?
4. Any problem in exiting the train in Lauterbrunnen for an hour or two when returning to Grindelwald thru Jungfraujoch through Zweilutschinen? Want to visit and perhaps eat lunch.
5. If we are trying (again weather permitting) to do both Gornergrat ridge and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on the same day, Do we save money (or hassle) by buying Peak2Peak tickets? Otherwise, do we get the same 25% discount with the STP?
6. Returning to Zurich via the Glacier Express. I know the train fare is included but not the seat reservation. Should we reserve seats before leaving states? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
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Hi Duck,
1. I personally would purchase the Swiss Travel Pass in advance as soon your itinerary is confirmed. You can use the railpass as soon as you arrive and avoid queuing up at the ticket counter to get it. Options to purchase online here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price
2. You can also purchase point-to-point tickets in advance. http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerland/price
3. Mountain excursions are usually weather-dependent and best to check the weather forecast before getting your tickets. These tickets are available from the ticket counters and most can also be bought online: shop.switzerlandtravelcentre.com/en/overview/excursion.
4. Yes, you can hop on and hop off with the Swiss Travel Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse.
5. The Peak2Peak is priced around CHF197. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you pay half-price for excursions to Gornergrat (about CHF63) and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (about CHF55), which combined is still cheaper than the Peak2Peak ticket.
6. Seat reservation on the Glacier Express is compulsory. It’s recommended to book your seats early. You can book your seats up to 90 days in advance. http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/tickets
Hope we’ve addressed all your current concerns. Let us know if you have more questions.
Regards,
Anna
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