[TomW]

6 February 2020 at 16:53:37 #825133

I joined the site today. We are planning a two week trip in July. We are planning extensive rail/public transportation use,probably using the pass every day for the two weeks we are there. What pass would you recommend, with a first class option, that would suit our needs best and be cheapest?

Thank you

TomW

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[Removed user]

6 February 2020 at 18:07:39 #929612

Hi TomW and welcome to MySwissAlps,

great that you’ve joined the forum.

Without knowing your detailed itinerary it is impossible to tell you which pass you should choose.

You’ll find a helpful chatbot and a useful guide with a calculation spreadsheet, which helps you to choose your rail pass in 5 steps at http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass. The downloadable spreadsheet also includes links to the “Where it’s valid” page for all available passes, be sure to study it carefully.

I hope it will help you,

Ildiko

Do not miss: http://www.myswissalps.com/travel/toswitzerland/train and http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/2nd1stclass

[rockoyster]

6 February 2020 at 20:01:55 #929613

Hi Tom,

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 (bit.ly/2ICIUHi ) 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 (using either website or SBB app). An upgrade will cost half the difference between 1st and 2nd class full-fares.

For checking timetables see http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/checking-train-timetables.

[TomW]

6 February 2020 at 20:48:46 #929614

Thanks for the replies!

Since we don’t have our exact days of travel confirmed yet,should we wait to buy the Swiss rail pass? Can it purchased in advance and then activated when our exact itinerary becomes known?

TomW

[rockoyster]

6 February 2020 at 21:19:13 #929615

Hi Tom,

You need to nominate a start date for any form of Swiss travel pass. There is not much point committing to buying a pass until your itinerary is settled.

[CabinJon]

6 February 2020 at 22:02:27 #929616

As Ildiko & Rockoyster noted above, you can’t determine which rail pass or combination is best and cheapest until you have at least a basic itinerary established. Then it becomes possible, if a bit tedious at times, to check fares and options.

I’m biased, since on our two trips to Switzerland, for 10 days and 15 days, we purchased the Swiss Travel Pass for convenience, and 1st class as a “splurge.” We also traveled extensively, used it every day, often making last minute changes as the mood struck us, hopping on trains, buses, or boats shortly before departure. Was it the cheapest way to take all those trips, ignoring the 1st class option? Possibly not, although my post-trip calculations indicated we did save money over regular fares. Was it the “best” for our travel philosophy and fluid itinerary? Absolutely. If we had been more experienced travelers, or more skilled in mobile purchases using the various SBB online options, perhaps we could have been just as efficient and saved some money. Maybe next time.

Regardless of which pass(es) you get, be sure to download the SBB mobile app and SBB timetable as Rockoyster suggested, they’re invaluable. We also used the Traveler’s WiFi for both our trips, without which the mobile SBB app & timetable aren’t of much use when walking, on a train or boat, waiting for the next bus in the Swiss countryside, or on top of a mountain. Worked everywhere we went.

Have a great trip!

[rockoyster]

6 February 2020 at 22:09:56 #929617

Hi CabinJon,

You make an excellent point. For first-time travellers to Switzerland the sheer convenience of a 15-day Swiss Travel Pass (average cost/day CHF34 for 2nd class) would be difficult to go past AND save untold Excel-induced headaches for Tom.

[CabinJon]

6 February 2020 at 22:29:23 #929618

Thanks, Rockoyster. We’ve only visited twice, so far, and I feel like an experienced traveler and a rookie simultaneously.

[rockoyster]

7 February 2020 at 1:08:56 #929619

Hi CabinJon,

Same here on both counts! There is always something new to learn.

Your contributions to this forum are valuable and valued. Thanks.