[Anonymous]

29 April 2019 at 0:07:57 #821308

We will be travelling in June by train and have some long and short runs. If I buy the 2nd class pass can I upgrade to first class on specific days when i want to. If yes it is just the cost difference between first and second for that run.

[rockoyster]

Reply 1 of 16 • 29 April 2019 at 0:25:23 #910820

Hello Masoero5 and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

Yes you can upgrade. It will cost half the difference between the 1st and 2nd Class full full fares. Buy the upgrade at any station or using the SBB mobile app or get a route specific upgrade at bit.ly/2rZEIXh.

[User]

Reply 2 of 16 • 29 April 2019 at 3:37:54 #910821

Thanks

Can I do it in advance or does it have to done the day of travel

[rockoyster]

Reply 3 of 16 • 29 April 2019 at 3:40:32 #910822

You can do it in advance – just nominate your travel date and route.

[User]

Reply 4 of 16 • 29 April 2019 at 6:39:11 #910823

hi, im looking the same. is it worth to spend extra bucks for 1st class?

[rockoyster]

Reply 5 of 16 • 29 April 2019 at 6:43:19 #910824

You be the judge. See http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/practical/2nd1stcl ass.

[User]

Reply 6 of 16 • 29 April 2019 at 20:39:05 #910825

I have traveled many times on the Swiss rail network. My suggestion is this – on short train rides like one hour or less you can do second class but on anything longer spring for the first class. The trains tend to be pretty crowded during the summer and if you dont want to leave your bags or suitcases out of your sight then first class is the way to go. Plus in first class they have real china, real glass and usually a bar/snack station. If you are taking any of the panorama trips opt for first class – you wont be disappointed.

[User]

Reply 7 of 16 • 29 April 2019 at 21:12:47 #910826

I went through our itinerary and it worked out cheaper to buy the first class pass rather than buy the second class pass and upgrade the trips we wanted to upgrade including boats.

That was not even factoring in the hassle of upgrading from second to first class for each different trip.

This may not be the case for everyone as it depends on your itinerary.

[User]

Reply 8 of 16 • 30 April 2019 at 8:22:59 #910827

Hello Masoero5,

As stated by the other members, you will be able to upgrade individual trips to first class, no problem.

I assume you’re talking about the Swiss Travel Pass, is that correct?!

To see the difference in pricing of the first and second class pass, use this link:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/price

Best,
Steph

[Pickergal]

Reply 9 of 16 • 30 April 2019 at 14:23:30 #910828

Hi Masoero5,

If you plan on taking any boat rides, another perk of the first class travel pass is sitting outside on the boats. I know it is expensive but we never regretted buying the first class pass.

Enjoy your trip!

[luvmystang]

Reply 10 of 16 • 30 April 2019 at 17:56:35 #910829

Hi again,

Just want to make sure I understand the upgrade option. If for example full fare first class ticket is CHF166.20 and 2nd Class is 97.40 then with the 2nd class STP I would need to pay 1/2 of 68.80 = 34.40?

Those were the amounts I was seeing for a trip from Wengen to Zermatt for example.

Thanks!

[rockoyster]

Reply 11 of 16 • 30 April 2019 at 20:26:21 #910830

Correct.

[luvmystang]

Reply 12 of 16 • 30 April 2019 at 20:28:58 #910831

Thanks!!!

[User]

Reply 13 of 16 • 1 May 2019 at 20:27:44 #910832

Hi all; allow me to jump in here. We’re traveling in September and I have been obsessively researching every detail…

Please confirm specifically for me: I will have a Swiss Travel Pass 2nd class. I will make a reservation on the Glacier Express. I can use the SBB app to upgrade to first class in advance–correct?? (Their website on this topic doesn’t spell out the STP).

The advantages I’ve uncovered for first class are mostly less crowds so more room. But more importantly for us: you can have two seats facing each other without wondering if two other people will come sit next to you (second class has two four seat groups on each side; first class has one four-seat group and one two-seat group).

Thanks to everyone!

[rockoyster]

Reply 14 of 16 • 1 May 2019 at 21:04:49 #910833

“Please confirm specifically for me: I will have a Swiss Travel Pass 2nd class. I will make a reservation on the Glacier Express. I can use the SBB app to upgrade to first class in advance–correct?? (Their website on this topic doesn’t spell out the STP).”

Correct. What website are you referring to?

If you are travelling with a 2nd Class Swiss Travel Pass but want to travel 1st Class on any particular trip you can buy a Class upgrade at any SBB station or using the SBB Mobile App or here bit.ly/2rZEIXh. You need to buy a route specific upgrade.

If you buy on line you need to nominate a Half-fare Card reduction to get the correct price. An upgrade will cost half the difference between 1st and 2nd class full-fares.

[User]

Reply 15 of 16 • 1 May 2019 at 21:17:53 #910834

You pay to reserve the seat as first class first and then you can buy the upgrade at any station or online.

[User]

Reply 16 of 16 • 2 May 2019 at 10:28:34 #910835

rockoyster: I was looking at the SBB website as others suggested.

This seems very simple:

• I reserve first class seats
• I upgrade via the SBB app, noting the half-fare card reduction. This will give me the correct pricing even though I will have a Swiss Travel Pass. (I can also do this at any station.)

Thanks again!