[Removed user]

7 June 2017 at 1:10:29 #812161

We have purchased a Swiss Travel pass, we will be travelling from Interlaken to Zermatt on the 30th of June, and returning to Interlaken on the 1st of July, do we need to make a reservation? Also we will be going to Milan Italy from Fiesch via Lugano on the 5th of July, again do we need to make a reservation and will we have to purchase tickets to Milan at Lugano Station?

Thank you,looking forward to your reply. Luciana.

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[Removed user]

7 June 2017 at 7:03:14 #864676

Hi Luciana and welcome to MySwissAlps!

You can make reservations on the trains to Milan yes – it is usually a good idea on international trains.

You can buy the ticket to Milan online here (no need to get off the train to buy it). You would need a ticket from the Swiss border town which for this route would be Domodossola normally. But if you are specifically traveling via Lugano the border town would be Chiasso.

Lucas

[Removed user]

7 June 2017 at 9:02:54 #864677

Thanks Lucas.

Did you reply re the Interlaken to Zermatt and return to Interlaken, sorry I could not see it.

[Removed user]

7 June 2017 at 20:00:54 #864678

Hi, sorry no you do not need to make reservations (nor can you most of the time) on any local Swiss trains – except a few panoramic trains.

Cheers,

[Slowpoke]

8 June 2017 at 1:13:45 #864679

Hi Luciana-

I think that reservations are required after you cross the border from Switzerland into any of the surrounding countries.

Even on the same train that crosses the borders, they are not required inside Switzerland, but it is convenient to book for the same seats for the entire trip covering both Switzerland and (in your case) Italy.

Slowpoke

[Removed user]

8 June 2017 at 3:37:46 #864680

>> We have purchased a Swiss Travel pass, we will be travelling from Interlaken to Zermatt on the 30th of June, and returning to Interlaken on the 1st of July, do we need to make a reservation?

If you travel between Zermatt and Brig on the Glacier Express you will need a reservation, but on normal trains you can travel without a reservation.

There are 3 ways you could consider for travelling between Zermatt and Interlaken (and vice versa).

1. Take the official Glacier Express from Zermatt to Brig, and go to Interlaken from Brig. This would involve a compulsory reservation on the Glacier Express. From Brig to Interlaken, you could incorporate the scenic Lötschberger route from Brig to Spiez via Kandersteg, and change trains for Interlaken at Spiez. You can identify the Glacier Express in the timetable by the letters “GEX”.

2. Take the above route using only regional trains – no reservations required.

3. Take regional trains from Zermatt to Interlaken via the fastest route, changing trains at Visp and Spiez. This route goes through the Lötschberg-Basistunnel, missing the lovely scenery around Kandersteg.

Alpenrose

[Removed user]

8 June 2017 at 22:30:31 #864681

Thank you all for your replys to my queries!