Lyon to Montreux with the Swiss Travel Pass

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    23 February 2020 at 19:17:39 #825325

    I am working on our rail passes for a trip for 6 adults.

    Does a Swiss Travel Pass work from Lyon France to Montreux and from Lindau, Germany to Zurich.

    I think not but not positive.

    Thanks for your help.

  • Effortlessly learn from the questions and answers in the forum. Receive a daily e-mail with new discussions.

    Anna
    Moderator
    6274 posts
    23 February 2020 at 19:31:34 #930715

    Hi Reps23,

    The Swiss Travel Pass is only valid in Switzerland. If you are travelling from Lyon to Montreux, only the Swiss portion is covered by the railpass. You will have to buy a ticket for your trip from Lyon to the Swiss border e.g Geneva or Basel. Similarly, if you are travelling from Lindau to Zurich with the Swiss Travel Pass, you need to buy a ticket from Lindau to the border down e.g St Margrethen or Buchs.

    Please find information about how to use the Swiss Travel Pass here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse

    Information about tickets from France and Germany here:

    http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/france/price

    http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/germany/price

    Regards,

    Anna

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    23 February 2020 at 20:05:37 #930716

    If you travel from Lindau across to Rorschach on the Bodensee ferry the fare is discounted 50% with the Swiss Travel Pass.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    24 February 2020 at 1:41:07 #930717

    As the name suggests the Swiss travel pass is only valid within Swiss borders (with a couple of minor exceptions due to border or track ownership quirks)

    From Lyon you are in SNCF (French Railways) territory as far as Genève Cornavin. There you change into a Swiss internal train to Montreux

    At Lindau, a Swiss locomotive takes over from German for technical reasons, but the line then traverses the edge of Austria before reaching the Swiss border station at St Margrethen which is where the STP becomes valid.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    24 February 2020 at 23:54:14 #930718

    Thanks everyone for all your help. I have read and read and tried the spreadsheet but it is unfortunately become way too confusing. First I thought I should get a Eurail Global Pass. Now I think the Swiss travel pass for 7 days. Then I change my mind to the half price pass.

    So this is what I will do. Point to Point tickets for Nice to Avignon, Point to Point tickets from Lyon to Geneva, point to point tickets for Lindau to Zurich. Then either the Swiss travel pass or Swiss Half Fare Pass of Switzerland travel.

    Again thanks for trying to help.

    Phyllis

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    25 February 2020 at 5:26:28 #930719

    Hello Phyllis,

    Yes, choosing the best ticket/pass option is often a challenge, due to the offers being very varied and numerous.

    One quick input, if you travel from abroad on a day when your Swiss Travel Pass will be active you ONLY need a ticket up to the border stop of Switzerland, from there your pass will cover the journey. Same is true if you hold the Swiss Half Fare Card, then the part of the journey IN Switzerland is already reduced. Find details below:
    http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity
    http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/validity

    You can use the timetable to find out which stop you’ll need a ticket for on either route:
    http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

    Get back to us for any further support if needed and enjoy your planning.

    Best,
    Steph

  • The thread ‘Lyon to Montreux with the Swiss Travel Pass’ is closed to new replies.

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 10730 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.