[Fogrover]

5 February 2020 at 2:26:18 #825110

My wife and I will be traveling from Bellinzona to Fribourg on June 1 2020. We have the whole day and we will have Swiss travel passes. What would be the most scenic route to take? Thank you.

[rockoyster]

5 February 2020 at 3:45:11 #929511

Hello Fogrover and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

1. Bellinzona – Göschenen (Gotthard Panorama Express route) – Andermatt – Brig (Glacier Express route) – Lausanne – Fribourg.

2. Bellinzona – Locarno – Domodossola (Centovalli Express) – Brig then continue as per (1).

If you look at http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/checking-train-timetables and just look for Bellinzona to Fribourg you will find the fastest connection is just under 3 and a half hours. The more scenic routes will take longer.

[Fogrover]

5 February 2020 at 4:50:46 #929512

Thank you for your very helpful suggestion rockoyster. I like option 1 best. Andermatt is the birthplace of my grandfather and it would be fun to go there once again. Could you please tell me where can I find timetable details and itinerary for this trip? thank you very much. Francois

[rockoyster]

5 February 2020 at 5:42:10 #929513

Hi Francois,

You should find all you need in the link I posted previously i.e http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/checking-train-timetables.

If you are likely to spend a little time at Andermatt it is probably best to look up the trip in two legs: Bellinzona to Andermatt and then Andermatt to Fribourg which by default will take you through Brig and Bern.

If you want to have a look at Montreux and Lake Geneva on the way than add via Lausanne to the search for Andermatt to Fribourg.

If you are happy to go via Bern then add via Kandersteg to the search. You will then travel on the BLS Regio-Express Lötschberger (http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-au/experiences/bls-regioexpress-loetschberger/) train over the traditional, more than 100 year old mountain route, giving you a wonderful view along the impressive peaks and down into the Rhone Valley. The faster more direct but less scenic route between Spiez and Visp includes passage through the lengthy (in distance) but short (in time) Lötschberg Base Tunnel (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lötschberg_Base_Tunnel).

Play around with the routes and see what sort of timing you are happy with.

[Removed user]

5 February 2020 at 6:04:04 #929514

Hi Fogrover,

if you are in Bellinzona, do not miss the UNESCO World Heritage three castles: http://www.myswissalps.com/castlesbellinzona.

These sites might be useful for you too

• Bellinzona: http://www.myswissalps.com/bellinzona
• How to use the Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse
• Where to buy the Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price
• Timetable: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

Ildiko

[Slowpoke]

6 February 2020 at 1:36:02 #929515

Hi Fogrover-

Just in case Rockoyster’s link does not meet your needs, here is a shortcut to instructions:

http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable

and a direct link to the timetable:

http://www.sbb. ch/en/

The SBB main website provides a lot of useful information, buried in the layers of menus,

Slowpoke

[Fogrover]

6 February 2020 at 2:23:41 #929516

Thank you for all your advice. I’d however have some questions:

I downloaded the SBB Mobile app. It did not appear. that I could buy the Swiss Travel pass using the app. Am I correct? It also appears that I cannot reserve seats with the app. Is that also correct?

I also downloaded the Swiss Travel app. It looks very useful for timetables and station but also appears that one cannot reserve seats after purchasing the pass. Is that correct?

Finally, if neither app can be used to reserve seats, how is that done? I apologize for all the questions.

François

[rockoyster]

6 February 2020 at 2:28:24 #929517

In Switzerland you don’t reserve seats normally.

See http://www.myswissalps.com/train/reservations.

You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass using one of the retailers listed at http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/price.

With a Swiss Travel Pass you don’t need tickets. Just hop on any train (with the exception of a couple of major tourist scenic trains) and go.

[Fogrover]

6 February 2020 at 2:30:47 #929518

That easy! Great!

[Slowpoke]

6 February 2020 at 2:38:56 #929519

Hi Francois – Not clear why you want reservations. On most Swiss mainline trains they are unnecessary or cannot even be made. Some permit it, especially if coming in from another country, and you may need it if your train comes in from Italy. Otherwise, you don’t need reservations except on named panoramic trains.

They can be made with the app, as far as I know, but I never use it for planning, preferring the large screen. Other surely know better than I . Rockoyster uses the app for most things, so I am sure he can help.

You might benefit from reading the links on these pages and the infomation there:http://www.myswissalps.com/travel

follow the links on that page.

Also, if you actually end up on a special panoramic train, this link:

http://www.myswissalps.com/activities/scenictrips

Slowpoke

[Fogrover]

6 February 2020 at 2:49:00 #929520

Thank you slowpoke. You guys rock!!

[Fogrover]

6 February 2020 at 3:57:49 #929521

Hi Rockoyster

Would I need sear reservations for any of the trains in Option 1 above on my trip to Fribourg? I think that one leg is on the Glacier express.

also, would it make sense to do a scenic day trip by train to Chur or maybe elsewhere while we are staying in Bellinzona?

thanks again.

[rockoyster]

6 February 2020 at 5:04:52 #929522

If you go via Andermatt then just take a regular train. It’s not worth paying reservation fees to ride the Glacier Express for the most boring part of it (Andermatt to Brig). Also the timing might not suit. There are few Glacier Express departures but regular trains every hour.

” . . . would it make sense to do a scenic day trip by train to Chur“?

Not really. But see this trip report for some things to do in the Ticino.

If we knew something more about your overall itinerary the answer may be different. 😉

@Slowpoke – The SBB app DOES NOT do seat reservations. Who needs ’em?

[Removed user]

6 February 2020 at 6:54:34 #929523

Hi Fogrover,

have you seen this? How to use your Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse

These pages might be useful for you:

• Glacier Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress
• Ticino: http://www.myswissalps.com/ticino and http://www.myswissalps.com/onedayticino
• Bellinzona: http://www.myswissalps.com/bellinzona and http://www.myswissalps.com/castlesbellinzona

If you are traveling on the Glacier Express, then you need a seat reservation: http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/tickets. But if you travel on local trains then you don’t. For more details see: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/reservations/howtouse.

Ildiko