[Jenn_chuah]

31 January 2020 at 15:29:14 #825058

Hi,

My family and I will be visiting switzerland on 28 March to 13 April.

We plan to go on the Glacier Express on 30 March. If we were to book the package now and the price of the package is based on either the Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Price Card, does it mean that my Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Price Card is activated on the day I purchase the package which is now or it will be activated on the day we start to board the train ie on 30 March?

Thank you.

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[rockoyster]

31 January 2020 at 19:49:54 #929099

Hello Jenn and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

I’m not sure what “package” you are referring to. Tickets (or pass) covering the Glacier Express and seat reservations are completely separate things.

When you buy a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half-fare Card you nominate what date you want it to start from. As long as your trip on the Glacier Express falls within the period of validity then you just need to buy a seat reservation (in the case of the STP) or a seat reservation and a half-fare ticket (in the case of the SHFC). Note with the SHFC a Saver Day Pass may be the most cost effective if you buy it soon enough.

So, that covers the fare. For seat reservations see http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/seat-reservations-on-the-glacier-express. Make seat reservations as soon as possible and just pay for the seat reservation only (ie say you have a STP or your own ticket). You can then decide later which pass to actually use.

Hope that helps.

[Anna]

31 January 2020 at 20:00:43 #929100

Hi Jenn,

Have a look at this link: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse

It explains in detail how to use the Swiss Travel Pass. The Swiss Half Fare Card is explained here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/howtouse

You can also use this link to make seat reservations on the Glacier Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/tickets

Regards,

Anna

[Jenn_chuah]

1 February 2020 at 0:41:52 #929101

Thanks, Rockoyster & Anna for yr prompt reply. Appreciate it.

We are considering the 3D/2N st moritz – Zermatt glacier express package from this link booking.railtour.ch/?offer_code=GEXINETINC02

https://www.railtoureurope.com/Glacier-Express/

I hv been reading up on the various rail pass but still unsure which pass will be the most economical for us. Based on my itinerary below, appreciate it if you could advise which is the most economical rail pass to get. That would help to save me some time.

Munchenstein (Basel) will be our base. We are staying at a relative’s house.

30 March: munchenstein to st moritz via train. Overnight in st moritz. Accommodation provided by the Glacier Express package.

31 march: glacier express st moritz to Zermatt. Overnight in Zermatt. Accommodation provided by the Glacier Express package.

1 april: explore zermatt village. Overnight at zermatt.

2 april: Zermatt to Geneva via train. Overnight in Geneva.

3 april: Geneva to munchenstein. No need train for this sector coz we hv a friend to drive us back to munchenstein.

4 & 5 april: we have friend to drive us. so public transport not required.

6 april: munchenstein to interlaken via train. overnight at interlaken.

7 april: jungfraugh. Back to munchenstein via train.

8 april: munchenstein to Lucerne via train. overnight in Lucerne.

9 april: mount pilatus. Back to munchenstein via train.

10 april: munchenstein – Bern – munchenstein via train

your advice on our itinerary and which rail pass to opt for is greatly appreciated.

thank you.

[Anna]

1 February 2020 at 10:20:31 #929102

Hi Jenn,

Thanks for sharing the link. From what I understand the package includes a Swiss Transfer Ticket (3 transfers), which I think is not the same as a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card. So you would still need some kind of a railpass to cover the rest of your trip from 6 April onwards. I did a rough calculation based on your itinerary and found that a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass might work best for you. Take note this is a rough estimate, it doesn’t include discounted Supersaver and Saver Day Pass tickets you can get with the Swiss Half Fare Card.

4-day Swiss Travel Pass = CHF281
Munchenstein – Bern = Saver Day Pass CHF59 (10 April)
Estimated total CHF340 excluding Pilatus cable car

Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass

50% off with the Swiss Half Fare Card (CHF120)
Münchenstein – Interlaken = CHF31.50
Interlaken – Jungfraujoch = CHF54.20
Jungfraujoch – Münchenstein = CHF84.20
Münchenstein – Lucerne = CHF15.60
Lucerne – Pilatus (Kriens) =CHF3.10 (possible free with visitors card)
Kriens (Pilatus) – Munchenstein = CHF19.30
Munchenstein – Bern = CHF21.00/ 42.00 return
Estimated total CHF369 excluding Pilatus Cable Car

Swiss Half Fare Card: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard

But to be sure, please download the handy spreadsheet and do the numbers as explained here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass

Use the SBB timetable to plan your journeys: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

Personally, I would go for the Swiss Travel Pass because it allows you to be more flexible with your plans.

If you have kids between 6 and 16, you can request for a Swiss Family Card so they can travel along for free. http://www.myswissalps.com/swissfamilycard

Regards,

Anna

[Jenn_chuah]

1 February 2020 at 15:31:26 #929103

Hi Anna,

Thank you so much for the info and calculations. It is greatly appreciated.

(1) By the way, you mentioned the Glacier Express package may come with a Swiss Transfer Ticket for 3 transfers. Appreciate it if you could enlighten me on what is the Swiss Transfer Ticket. Does it mean I could use it to take the train for free from munchenstein to st moritz and Zermatt to Geneva?

(2) For the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare card, at the point of buying do we need to specify the date that we want to start using the pass?

(3) For Geneva, interlaken n Lucerne, which is the best location to stay whereby the main tourist attractions are within walking distance?

No children for this trip but my 80 year old will be with me.

(4) What is the estimated cost per pax per meal?

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Jennyfer

[Anna]

1 February 2020 at 17:05:17 #929104

Hi Jennyfer,

1. I’m sure the Glacier Package you purchase includes your train ticket from St Moritz to Zermatt. I assume it includes your travel from Munchenstein too but you would have to check with your travel agent about this just to be sure.

2. Yes, for the Swiss Travel Pass. Please find more details here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse
For Swiss Half Fare Cards, you can use them as soon as you receive them. They are valid for a month. Details here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/howtouse

3. I would opt for accommodation near the train station, if at all possible. These links may be useful if you’re looking for hotels to stay:

• Lucerne: http://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/hotels
• Interlaken: http://www.myswissalps.com/interlaken/hotels
• Geneva: http://www.myswissalps.com/geneva/hotels

4. This is hard to estimate as we may have different meal preference 🙂

Regards,

Anna

[rockoyster]

1 February 2020 at 19:28:59 #929105

Hi Jenn,

You wrote “We are considering the 3D/2N st moritz – Zermatt glacier express package . . . “.

Does this mean you have not decided yet? I am sure you could do the same trip for less cost if you organised it yourself. In which case you would need to make reservations for the Glacier Express (http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/seat-reservations-on-the-glacier-express).

See also http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/checking-train-timetables.

[Jenn_chuah]

2 February 2020 at 8:26:31 #929106

Thanks, Anna and Rockoyster.