June: Swiss Travel Pass coverage Italy

Short summary – read this first

A traveler named davey1108 is planning a trip in June and wants to know if the Swiss Travel Pass will cover their train ride from Milan to Arth-Goldau, even though part of the journey starts in Italy. They’re looking for clarity on ticket purchases and train changes.

Key takeaways:
  • You need to buy a ticket from Milan to Chiasso before using your Swiss Travel Pass for the rest of the journey to Arth-Goldau.
  • Stay on the same train from Chiasso to Arth-Goldau without any changes, as long as you have your Italian ticket for the first leg.
  • Your Swiss Travel Pass is not valid in Italy, so only the Swiss part of the journey is covered.
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InfoAI-generated summary
  • Anonymous
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    22 March 2023 at 1:01:05 #829378

    Hi everyone,

    We’re traveling in June and will be purchasing a 3-day Travel Pass.

    I’ve read the FAQ’s and see we don’t have to purchase tickets in advance.

    My question is: One of our legs is Milan to Arth Goldhau; will the travel pass work here as well, even though the route originates in Italy?

  • User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 1 of 6 • 22 March 2023 at 7:53:08 #952407

    Hello davey1108,

    Please see the coverage map for the Swiss Travel Pass and a useful link for travel to/from Italy by train:

    You will need a rail ticket from Italy to the Swiss border, in your case, that would be from Milan to Chiasso. Thereon your Swiss Travel Pass will cover the trip to Arth-Goldau.

    I hope this helps and correct, you can buy your Swiss Travel Pass nearer the date.

    Kind regards,

    Yolanda

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    User
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    83503 posts
    Reply 2 of 6 • 22 March 2023 at 14:26:39 #952408

    Hi Yolanda,

    So, even if I’m looking at a direct train (EuroCity 324), would I book a ticket on my own from Milan to Chiasso and then, when we leave the Chiasso stop, show a conductor our Swiss Travel Pass? I just want to be sure we don’t have to change trains.

    Photo attached of the train I’m looking at:

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 3 of 6 • 22 March 2023 at 15:40:13 #952409

    Hello davey1108,

    Thanks for sharing the schedule.

    For this train journey, there is no need to change trains at Chiasso. You can stay on this train, all the way to Arth-Goldau once you board in Milan. Should you be asked to show your ticket, when traveling from Milan to Chiasso, show your ‘italian’ ticket, from Chiasso to Arth-Goldau – present your Swiss Travel Pass.

    Kind regards,

    Yolanda

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 4 of 6 • 22 March 2023 at 18:47:39 #952410

    Hi Yolanda,

    Thanks again for your guidance.

    My last Q (I think): Does this mean that I won’t be able to “leverage” or use my Swiss Travel Pass on this route?

    In other words, which is the plan to execute:

    A: Buy ticket from Milan-Chiasso and then, when leaving Chiasso, show Swiss Travel Pass

    B: Buy ticket from Milan-Arth Goldhau and not mess with trying to use the Swiss Travel Pass?

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 5 of 6 • 22 March 2023 at 19:18:31 #952411

    To clarify:

    1) One-country rail travel passes are only valid in the ‘home country’ (with a few exceptions where history or geography means a short section of railway just across the border in ‘another country’ counts as owned by the ‘home country’).

    2) International train cross borders many borders with few restrictions, so you can just stay on the train.

    3) As long as you have a valid ticket for the section of railway the train is travelling on ‘at a particular point in time’ you are absolutely fine.

    4) therefore, in your case, if you board train X and have an Italian ticket Milano – Chiasso for ‘DAY A’ and a Swiss Travel Pass valid on ‘DAY A, DAY B and DAY C’ then you can stay in the same seat as you cross the border

    User
    Inactive
    83503 posts
    Reply 6 of 6 • 22 March 2023 at 20:07:01 #952412

    Hello davey1108,

    Apologies, if I did not explain clearly earlier:

    A: Buy ticket from Milan-Chiasso and then, when leaving Chiasso, show Swiss Travel Pass

    You only need to purchase the Milan to Chiasso ticket, you will not need to leave when you arrive at Chiasso (unless your train journey requires you to change trains at Chiasso). Per the schedule you sent through earlier, no change required so stay seated. You are ‘now’ in Switzerland so your Swiss Travel Pass will take you to Arth-Goldau. No ticket required as you have the pass 🙂

    B: Buy ticket from Milan-Arth Goldau and not mess with trying to use the Swiss Travel Pass

    Pretty much as above, only purchase a ticket, Milan to Chiasso. As soon as you enter Switzerland your Swiss Travel Pass will take you to Arth-Goldau.

    The Swiss Travel Pass will hold no weighting in Italy.

    I hope this clarifies. Let me know otherwise.

    Kind regards,

    Yolanda

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