Free upgrade to 1st class Swiss Pass

Annika

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Mar 14, 2011 - 4:04 PM

Hello deepanker. Yes, the (upgraded) Swiss Pass is valid on all routes you mention, including the Glacier Express. You only have to pay for an additional Glacier Express reservation fee, as seats have to be reserved for this train. The trip itself is for free though with a Swiss Pass. At our Swiss Pass page you'll find a link to a map, showing the exact validity of the Swiss Pass.

Last modified on Dec 28, 2014 - 4:35 PM by Arno

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Mar 17, 2011 - 6:00 AM

Hi,
I will be purchasing the 8 day swiss saver pass with 1st class upgrade option. I have a few questions:
1. When I buy online, I am asked for a promotion code to enter. What is that?
2. How can I buy online pass for excursion to Titlis, in conjunction with my swiss pass and get relevant discount?
3. Hows does the upgrade system work? I will be travelling Zurich - Lucerne - Lugano - Zurich in May. I may also travel other regional routes during my stay. To avail of the 1st class upgrade, do I need to confirm at the station before boarding or have the conductor help me once I have boarded. I have never traveled to Switzerland and am not sure of the railway processes there.

Arno

15867 posts
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Mar 17, 2011 - 7:07 AM

Hi kanchan,

As for your questions:
1. Sometimes you can get extra discounts when entering promotion codes. I am not aware of any valid promotion codes at this time, and you don't need one for the free upgrade.
2. If you want to go up the Titlis, you can use your Swiss Saver Pass to travel to Engelberg for free. In Engelberg, you walk to the cable car station where you purchase your Titlis ticket. You will get a 50% discount on that ticket if you show your Swiss Saver Pass. Depending on where you're from, you may or may not be able to purchase a Titlis ticket online, along with the Swiss Saver Pass. I don't think it's possible for the countries listed in my post.
3. You will receive a regular 1st class pass but pay less for it than you normally would. All you have to do is have it validated at a Swiss rail station before your first trip. After that, you can just board all trains for 8 days.

Enjoy your trips in the Swiss Alps!

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Mar 17, 2011 - 7:27 AM

Thank you for your response. I am slightly confused on the 3rd point. Are you saying that even if I purchase Free upgrade to first class swiss pass, I will have to pay an additional amount to avail of the upgrade before my first travel at the Swiss station. Its not actually "free" in that sense. Am I correct?

If so, how much does it cost for an 8 day saver pass (Free upgrade to first class swiss pass)? Is it a one time amount for all travels I make over the 8 days or do I have an option to pay per travel for an upgrade on a particular trip and travel 2nd class on other?

Arno

15867 posts
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Mar 17, 2011 - 8:31 AM

You're welcome! Regarding the price: no, you don't have to pay anything extra. This is how it works:

- You click the link of your country of residence in my first post, e.g. India.
- You add the product of choice to your cart, e.g. the 1st class 8 day Swiss Saver Pass for 2 adults. This would cost ₨ 30034, which is the price you would normally pay for the 2nd class 8 day Swiss Saver Pass for 2 adults.
- You will receive your 1st class pass through the mail (not e-mail).
- Before boarding your first train in Switzerland, ask the personnel at any Swiss station to validate your pass. This is just a stamp and it costs nothing.
- Then you can board any train you like and sit in 1st class. No other actions are required on the other days.

There are no extra fees. It works exactly the same as a regular Swiss Pass.

I hope it's clear now. Enjoy your stay!

Last modified on Sep 18, 2022 - 1:54 PM by Annika

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Mar 17, 2011 - 8:51 AM

Thanks! That makes things clear :-)

sanhan

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Mar 22, 2011 - 1:12 PM

Hi,

We are from India. My friend and I with our families (4 adults and 3 children aged 12, 8 and 8) are planning to visit Switzerland in the period 27th Jun to 6th July 2011. Since the free upgrade of the Swiss travel pass to 1st class is being offered only upto travel dates Jun 30th, Does this mean that we will not be able to avail free upgrade during the period 1st to 6th July 2011

Arno

15867 posts
expert &
moderator

Mar 22, 2011 - 2:21 PM

Hi sanhan,

You can indeed not use this upgrade from July 1 to 6. The last travel day is June 30.

krustasia

1 post
new member

Apr 2, 2011 - 12:28 PM

Hi...
I am traveling to Switzerland with my family in mid June for 7 days. There will be 4 of us. I am planning to purchase the free upgrade to 1st class Swiss (Saver) Pass. Quoted from Raileurope:

"The Swiss Pass offers unlimited train travel on the national rail network of Switzerland and discounted rate or special offers.
Seating is subject to availability and that there is no guarantee that the “Swiss Pass free upgrade” holders can always travel in 1st class. Scenic seats are limited, passengers may need to make reservations in advance."

Here is my concern, if say that I have purchased the upgrade pass, can I still make seats reservation?

Arno

15867 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 2, 2011 - 12:50 PM

Hi krustasia,

That won't be a problem. The quote you posted holds true for any pass. The upgraded Swiss Pass is not treated any differently than a regular 1st class Swiss Pass. You'll be able to book any train that has seats left (which will be most of them).

Have beautiful train trips!

nandini

1 post
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Apr 5, 2011 - 6:51 AM

thanks for the update.i have plenty of questions so putting them in order of priority :

1. i together with my husband and two children ( age 5 and age 8 ) are travelling to switzerland in the second week of may, 2011...so i guess it makes sense to purchase the rail europe offer. all i wanted to know is that is it cheaper to buy directly from a station in switzerland rather than online ?

2. now that you know of the number of people we shall be, should i buy a swiss super saver pass and then ask for a family card for both my kids at the first station we go to ?

3. we plan to reach zurich from london and then take a train to interlaken which shall be our base in switzerland...how long does it take by train to interlaken from zurich and is the train station in zurich close to the airport ?

look forward to a quick response. thanks a ton.

Nandini

Arno

15867 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 5, 2011 - 2:38 PM

Hello Nandini,

Welcome to the forum! As for your questions:

1. The offer is only available online, through the links in my original post. You can't purchase it in Switzerland. Regarding regular, non promotional passes: you can compare online and local prices at the right side of the Swiss Pass page.
2. You would need a Swiss Saver Pass for 2 adults. The Swiss Family Card allows your children to travel along for free. It can indeed be obtained at any manned Swiss rail station upon showing your rail passes and passports.
3. It takes a bit more than 2 hours, but you can best check the timetable. The airport has a rail station called Zurich Flughafen.

Enjoy your stay!

Last modified on Nov 1, 2018 - 4:17 PM by Arno

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Apr 12, 2011 - 10:36 AM

Hi ,

We are planning for a trip to switzerland on 22nd APril for 8 days . We stay in UK .

Is the offer available for resident of UK . I tried by selecting 1st class and 2nd class 8 day pass , however the cost is not the same .

Kindly let me know how I can avail this offer .

Regards,
Megha

Arno

15867 posts
expert &
moderator

Apr 12, 2011 - 12:39 PM

Hi Megha,

I'm sorry but the upgrade is currently only offered to travelers from these countries:

- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Hong Kong
- India
- Israel
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Africa

Last modified on Sep 18, 2022 - 1:54 PM by Annika

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