Bunch of questions related to Swiss Pass

Hello dee22, and welcome! Below you'll find some answers to your questions:

1) The Swiss Pass is valid for Switzerland only. Parts of some routes that cross the border are still covered. For example: if you travel from Milan to Switzerland, your Swiss Pass will be valid from either Domodossola in Italy or Chiasso in Switzerland. So you should buy a regular ticket from Milan to Domodossola or Chiasso (depending on the connection you prefer), and start using your Swiss Pass from therer onwards. A map showing the area of validity can be found on the Swiss Pass page. As for activating/validating your pass, see #4;

2) The cheapest way to travel from Milan to Interlaken would be to purchase a regular ticket from Milan to Domodossola or Chiasso and use your Swiss Pass from there. The section Domodossola/Chiasso - Interlaken will then be for free. As Chiasso is closer to Milan, that would be the cheaper option. The shortest route is through Domodossola though;

3) If you order your Swiss Pass online, you'll receive the pass at home by regular post. Shipping rates don't depend on the number of passes you buy, but they do depend on your country of residence. You can select your country in the order options list on the Swiss Pass page. An indication of shipping rates is mentioned here with each country. If you follow the order procedure, you'll find out what the exact shipping rates are.

4) Activating your Swiss Pass can be done in a minute. All you have to do is fill out the date on which the validity has to start, according to the enclosed instructions. From then on, your Swiss Pass will be valid for the following 15 days. You have fo fill out the date before you start using your Swiss Pass. So in your case, you should write down the date before you start using your pass during your trip from Domodossola/Chiasso to Interlaken.

5) I'm not sure if I understand your last question correctly. Could you clarify this? There's a number of different kinds of trains in Switzerland. Some are highspeed connections with little stops on the way, others are regional trains (often called 'Interregio' or 'Regio Express') with many stops. You can find more information on the trips you want to make by entering your departure and arrival station in the online timetable. The timetable will show all connections possible and give more information per connection. It's also possible to see all intermediate stops. Is this what you mean?

Please feel free to come up with other questions as well!

Hello Dee,

If you are meaning suitcases and/or backpacks, you will find no trouble taking them with you on Swiss Trains. There's mostly room enough between two seat rows, above the seats and there will be space at the entrance of the trains too. You don't have to pay extra.

When travelling with a Swiss Pass on regular trains you just have to show it to the Railway Personnel when they ask you for it (and they will… ;-)). As long as your Pass is validated, and I read in this topic you know how to do that, there will be no problem, you will just get a friendly "Thank you" or "Danke!". For regular trains it will not be necessary to buy extra tickets, your Swiss Pass IS your ticket. When travelling by trains like the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express (just examples) you will have to buy reservations. For mountain transportation you will have to buy discounted tickets. Just always take your Swiss Pass as well.

Buying a ticket from Milano to Domodossola: you could try to use the SBB Ticket Shop and fill out the blanks, just see what happens, and you will be able to choose different times of departure and arrival. As you go on you will find if reservations are necessary. If so, your ticket will be valid for that particular train and that particular time only. If reservations are not necessary, you can use the ticket during the whole day.

I hope this answers your questions, and I wish you a very pleasant stay in Switzerland!

Olga