MySwissAlps.com includes Anna
Forum replies
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Hi Mr Perfect,
If you are staying overnight in Interlaken (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/), you will get the Interlaken Guestcard. In Vevey, hotels provide guests with a complimentary Montreux Riviera Card. Both offer free use of local transport and some discounts on selected activities and excursions.
Zurich and Zermatt do not offer any complimentary visitor or guest cards. However in Zurich (https://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/hotels/zurich/) you can purchase the Zurich Card (available for 24h and up to 72h). Zermatt (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/) is a compact village and very walkable. It is a car-free zone by the way so a transport card is really not needed. However you can purchase the Zermatt Peak Pass for mountain excursions.
If you are exploring Switzerland over a few days, I would definitely recommend getting a rail pass like the Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) so you can travel freely on Swiss public transport and with up to 50% discounts on mountain transportation.
Regards,
AnnaHi Mr Perfect,
Swiss trains servicing major cities/towns generally run every half hour so if you miss a connection, you can simply take the next one. Point-to-point tickets (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/point-to-point/) are usually valid for the whole day.
You might want to consider getting a Swiss Travel Pass if you are using public transport to move around and you are exploring Switzerland for more than 2 days. That way you won’t need to purchase tickets for each journey.
You can find useful information on how to travel with Swiss trains here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/how-it-works/
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Seat reservation for Jungfraujoch excursion
Hi MagicI,
Seat reservations for the Jungfraujoch excursion can be booked on the official Jungfrau Railway website.
You can find the link here: http://www.myswissalps.com/activity/jungfraujoch/ (scroll down to Other websites of interest).
Regards,
AnnaHi again,
Hotel check-in is usually around 3PM. If you are planning on sightseeing in the morning, you can store your luggage in the lockers. Most train stations have these. Major ones also offer left luggage facility. You can find practical tips on how to travel with your luggage here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/luggage/
If you are considering between Thun and Spiez, you won’t go wrong with either one. Thun (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/thun/) is a larger town and offers more services and amenities.
Hope this helps.
Hi Magic1,
You can save the PDF file on your phone and just show the screen to the ticket inspector on request. I would also suggest printing it out and keep it as a backup in case your phone runs out of battery.
You can find further details about the Swiss Travel Pass here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
If you wish to travel in 1st class with your 2nd class railpass, you can purchase an upgrade ticket online or directly from the ticket counter. You can either get a day upgrade or a route specific upgrade: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/train/classes/
I’m not sure why you are unable top purchase the upgrade ticket online. Maybe the payment method is not recognised or some information is missing during the set-up.
Anna
Hi Sharmi,
If you are planning another trip to Switzerland, I would skip the Bernina Express this time around and include it in the next itinerary. That way you’ll have a more relaxed trip.
Regards,
AnnaHi Sharmi,
If you really want to ride on the Bernina Express, I would follow Roger’s suggestion to head straight to Chur from the airport and stay there for 1 night. The next day take the Bernina Express to Tirano, then continue on the Bernina Express bus to Lugano. This will be a full day activity. You can find further details on the Bernina Express route here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/. Spend a night or two in Lugano before taking the train to Lucerne the next day. Then from Lucerne you can continue to Interlaken, Zermatt, Montreux and Geneva.
Anna
Hi Vie,
Interlaken (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/) would be a good base for exploring the Jungfrau region. From Interlaken, you can take a train to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen in 30 – 40 mins. In addition, you could also visit the alpine villages of Wengen and Mürren. Lucerne is less than 2 hours by train so a possible day trip! Excursion to the Rhine Falls near Zurich is also possible but it would be a full day activity because of the longer transit.
Regarding rail pass, if you’re only staying in Interlaken, getting the Jungfrau Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/jungfrau-travel-pass/) might be more cost effective. But as Roger had mentioned in his post, the Swiss Travel Pass offers the most flexibility and is valid throughout Switzerland.
Anna
in reply to: Jungfrau region, Zermatt, Glacier Express in June
Hi Omar,
Well done getting seats on the Glacier Express. It’s usually impossible to get seats in 1st class at the last minute.
Your updated itinerary looks good. Lucerne is a good base for a day trip to Mt Titlis (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/titlis/) from Lucerne. Then from Lucerne, you can take the Lucerne-Interlaken Express directly to Interlaken Ost.
Whether it’s worth investing in a Jungfrau Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/jungfrau-travel-pass/) depends on your plans while staying in the Jungfrau region. If you are doing a lot of mountain excursions, combining the Jungfrau Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass might offer substantial saving. You will have to do the math as explained here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/compare/
Regarding the Swiss Coupon Pass, this is not a transport pass but basically discount vouchers for specific museums, restaurants, guided tours and excursions. If you are planning to do any of these, then it might be worth buying.
Best regards,
AnnaHi Paula Parker,
Yes, you can travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express with a 1st class Saver Day Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/). However, you do need to make seat reservation. Further details available here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gotthard-panorama-express/
Regards,
AnnaHi Artim,
The GoldenPass Panoramic train from Zweisimmen to Montreux departs at :04 every hour. If you wish to leave at a reasonable time, I would choose the 07:42 AM connection from Wengen to Zweisimmen (changing in Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken Ost and Spiez) arriving in Zweisimmen at 09:59 AM. That gives you about 5 mins to switch to the GoldenPass train, which is sufficient as the platforms are adjacent to each other. If you look at the timetable, your train arrives in Zweisimmen on Platform 6. The GoldenPass Panoramic train departs from Platform 5, so you are basically just crossing the same platform.
We recommend sitting on the right side (in the direction of travel) for the best views.
You can find further information about the GoldenPass train route here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/
Don’t forget to check out the video too: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/#video
Best regards,
AnnaHi Brad,
You can already check the Saver Day Pass availability online. I would check for both days (Day 1 and Day 5) and purchase whichever is available and cheaper. Then proceed with buying the Swiss Travel Pass.
Tickets for the adventure activities on Grindelwald First can be purchased online from the official website. Combo tickets are also available (gondola + adventure tickets). You can also buy directly from the ticket counter but on busy days you might have to wait in line. Further information is available here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/grindelwald-first/
Regards,
AnnaHi Brad,
Thanks for sharing your itinerary. Great planning with the Swiss Travel Pass! On Day 5, I think you’re looking at the Saver Day Pass. Make sure you book that well in advance.
Swiss Travel Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
Saver Day Pass: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/saver-day-pass/You will also need additional ticket for the train journey from the Swiss border to Salzburg: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/austria-switzerland/
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Jungfrau region, Zermatt, Glacier Express in June
Hi Omar,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Thanks for sharing your itinerary. Are you travelling this June? That is not a long time to go. If you plan to travel on the Glacier Express (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/), I recommend reserving your seats as soon as possible. Booking usually opens 3 months in advance and the seats do sell out, especially those in 1st class as they are limited.
Based on your travel, consider getting a 15-day Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/). Invest in a 1st class rail pass if you want more leg room, otherwise 2nd class is fine. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel freely on Swiss public transport (e.g. trains, trams, buses and boats) and also get up to 50% discounts on mountain transport (e.g. cable cars, gondolas, cogwheel trains). The STP is also valid on the scenic trains such as the Glacier Express.
Travel light (1 medium suitcase + a backpack should be sufficient for one person) since you will be moving around quite a bit. However if you have big luggage you can also use the SBB luggage transport service. Further info and tips here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/luggage/
Hope this helps!
Anna
Hi GEOKAN,
At Mt Pilatus, you can find more children-friendly activities. There is a rope park, an adventure playground and a toboggan run (mountain coaster) located at the mid-level stations. At the top, you’ll find the usual – lookout points, a restaurant and a visitor centre. Limited hiking. You can find further information about Mt Pilatus here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/
Rigi is great for hiking and exploring: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/
It really depends what you’d like to see and do.
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Jungfraujoch tickets plus seat reservations
Hi conman,
Seat reservation is mandatory if you are visiting the Jungfraujoch between May and August.
When you reserve the seats online, you can choose a time slot and you will be given a specific connection that guarantees you seats and priority boarding. Please note the reserved seats are only for the stretch between Eigergletscher and Jungfraujoch. For the ascent, I recommend you stick to your chosen connection so you have priority boarding at Grindelwald Terminal on the Eiger Express to Eigergletscher in order not to miss your seat reservation from Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch. For the descent, you also have seat reservation from the top to Eigergletscher. At Eigergletscher, you have the option to take the cogwheel train to Wengen via Kleine Scheidegg or return via the Eiger Express to Grindelwald Terminal.
The seat reservation is mandatory but if you miss your time slot, you can still go up/down but you will have to wait until a space becomes available for you. On busy days, this could be a long wait.
Further info on how to plan your trip to Jungfraujoch is available here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/jungfraujoch/
Regards,
AnnaHi Subrata,
Glad that went smoothly for you. Thank you for the update!
Anna
Hi Chris,
I agree with Roger’s suggestion to check out Ticino if the weather is better there! Here’s a useful guide on what to see in Ticino in one day: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/one-day-ticino/
Another suggestion as a rainy day activity from Lucerne: if you like to know more about Swiss chocolates, you could visit the Aeschbach Chocolatier in Root. It’s about 10 -15 minutes by train from Lucerne on the S1 line. The building is right in front of the Root train station.
Regards,
Anna
in reply to: Is hiking on Mt Pilatus possible in mid-April?
Hi micool,
Welcome to MySwissAlps!
You can find our Pilatus travel guide here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/pilatus/
If you look at the mountain webcams from the official website, there are still snow at the top. Most of the trails are still closed. Only the Oberhaupt lookout point and the Dragon Path are accessible.
Best regards,
AnnaHi Artim,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Thank you for sharing your itinerary. This looks great as it is. I would skip the excursion on the Bernina railway line because it is not practical as a day trip from Wengen. You will be in transit the whole day when you could be exploring the Bernese Oberland.
Plenty of things to see and do near Interlaken and Wengen in May:
https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/
https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/Please note: Sunnegga and Blauherd (Zermatt) are closed for maintenance in May. You can check the details here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/sunnegga-rothorn/#dates. However you can still go up to Mt Gornergrat (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gornergrat/) and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/matterhorn/).
Regards,
Anna
