MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Class and reservations with the Swiss rail pass
-
Australian couple 58 and 63 travelling Switzerland independently by train for 5 weeks May and June 2019. Currently researching our possible itinerary.Should we purchase first or second class Swiss Rail Passes? Expect to be using the panoramic trains as well as regular trains. Exactly which trains require seat reservations? Thanks.
-
Hi Rels and welcome to MySwissAlps!
I’m guessing when you refer to the Swiss rail pass you are referring to the Swiss Travel Pass? http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass
You can find more details about differences between 1st and 2nd class on Swiss trains here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/practical/2nd1stcl ass and more general details you may find useful here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain
The only trains that require reservations in Switzerland are the panoramic trains noted here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities/scenictrips/t rain (the Golden Pass is optional as well).
If you decide to get 2nd class rail passes, you can always upgrade for specific trips as you go. The price with rail pass would be 1/2 the difference between a 1st class and 2nd class ticket on that route. A good idea at least if you do the Gotthard Panorama Express (as 2nd class doesn’t offer panoramic windows).
For timetable details on any route look here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable
Thanks Lucas,
Yes, we will purchase 2 15 day passes each, 2nd class, and update to 1st when required as you suggested. How long before taking a particular train would we have to make the seat reservation?
May I humbly suggest (as a member of an extended family of three generations, who between them have been travelling throughout Switzerland since 1948) that if you are spending five weeks in Switzerland, you do not use any trains which require reservations. If you buy Swiss Travel Passes you will have ample time to jaunt around at your leisure hopping on and off trains (and postbuses, and city buses and trams), across the whole country.
The 'panoramic' trains are best suited to those with limited time who feel they ‘must’ do a certain route. They are often filled with groups on organised tours, not stopping at any intermediate points.
With plenty of time available, you won’t need to use a panoramic trains as you can get off and see the view ‘properly’ from off the train!
Being on a ‘special’ train hardly matters anyway as most modern Swiss trains have large windows, even if not officially panoramic. The key element of a ‘panoramic’ coach is ‘toplight’ windows above your head but in practice very few of the major views from panoramic trains are directly above your head, so the view through the normal trains windows on Swiss trains is perfectly fine.
In any case,
With the flexibility you are going to have I recommend sticking to the normal trains and travelling around like locals. The amount of time you will have available compared to other tourists should see you getting used to the network so much that the way things operate should become second nature.
I also recommend using 1st class all the time. Having to think about upgrading for a particular journey is an unnecessary hassle. I can assure you that the feeling of freedom of just getting on whichever train you choose, changing your mind at the last minute, etc is a great feeling and much more relaxing.
As 1960man says, seat reservations are rarely required. All you need is your pass and discounted tickets for mountain routes that are not fully covered. Please see here for how to buy the passes: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/price.
Hi Rels,
As 1960man notes, reservations are not needed on Swiss trains. They are available on some trains/routes but only mandatory on official panoramic trains: http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities/scenictrips/t rain (though the Golden Pass reservations aren’t needed except in peak summer season between Zweisimmen and Montreux).
Thanks heaps for the replies and advice.
- The thread ‘Class and reservations with the Swiss rail pass’ is closed to new replies.
