1st class / 2nd class differences on Swiss trains

Hi there

I was looking at the Swiss Travel Pass and notice that there is a big difference in price for first class and second class rail pass for 4 consecutive days. Can you please let me know what the difference in service is between first and second class rail pass? What are the benefits of booking a first class pass over a Second class pass?

Many thanks

Kumu

Hi Kumu,

We note the differences between 1st and 2nd class on our website here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/practical/ 2nd1stclass

The nicest part for me is it is a bit quieter and less crowded than 2nd class - especially in the summer. Otherwise the experience is very similar.

Thank you Lucas

We are going to be in Switzerland during peak season in Mid July. We will be staying one night in Lauterbrunnen and 3 nights in Zermatt. We are planning to also visit the chocolate and cheese factory on our way from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt. Since we are normally last minute people, do you think it will be easy to get seats on all the trains (including the golden pass line) with second class passes?

Kind Regards

Kumu

Yes, the system is built around being able to just hop on a train and that is the advantage of the Swiss Travel Pass especially: https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpass/ price

I would reserve the last section of the Golden Pass line if you want to get a seat on the panoramic train: Zweisimmen to Montreux.

https://www.myswissalp s.com/goldenpass/packa ges

Thanks so much for the quick response Lucas

Just one last question, what is the route I have to take to get to Zweisimmen from Lauterbrunnen and then from Montreux to Zermatt? Our ambition is to leave Lauterbrunnen early in the morning on the 16th of July and travel to Zermatt via Broc and Guyeres. During this trip we want to travel on the Golden Pass line. Since you mentioned to reserve seats for Zweisimmen to Montreaux, I am trying to understand what other connecting trains I need to take to cover Broc, Guyeres and ofcourse the Golden pass.

Is this all do-able in one day? I also want to know if I can send our luggage direct to Zermatt from Lauterrunnen. I recall reading before that this is possible on Swiss Rail. This will help us to freely enjoy the day without having to worry about dragging our luggage around.

Many thanks

Kumu

Hi Kumu,

Traveling from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt via the Golden Pass is a long day - 6.5 to 7 hours. If you then want to stop at Broc and Gruyeres it adds a few hours for chocolate and cheese visits if that is why you are going there. Use the Swiss railways timetable to plan your trips: https://www.myswissalp s.com/timetable

Luggage shipping has recently changed and normally it takes 2 days to ship luggage as explained here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/practical/ luggage

Express delivery is still possible in some situations: Shipping from a station to any address or vice versa is possible as well. An addition fee applies here. Also you can send your luggage from address to address, with an optional express service for same day delivery. All these services need to be ordered two days in advance at the latest.

As Zermatt is car-free they will only ship to the train station.

Thank you for the heads up Lucas

I think we will have to change to our plan now based on your feedback! Thank you very much for all the advise and links!