Swiss visit 2011

Removed user

0 posts
new member

Jun 13, 2010 - 10:02 PM

Hi
We are a family af 2 adults and 3 children under 12 from Australia.
We are looking at the Swiss Rail Family pass for travel in Jan 2011.
Is the family pass the best option for us?
My questions are:
What reservation fee would we have for the Golden Pass trip to Montreau to Interlaken?
What reservation fee for the Golden Pass leg Interlaken to Lucerne?
We are looking at the William Tell ferry/train journey from Lucerne to Lugarno. Would we be better off doing the journey by rail only given the time of year or is the ferry section worth the extra time??
What is the reservation fee for this trip?
After Lugarno we are travelling to Lovanto near La Spezzia in Italy.
It is hard to find info on getting a train from Lugarno into Italy and then to Lovanto.
Do you have any links where I can find the info?
Thank you.

Annika

7184 posts
expert &
moderator

Jun 14, 2010 - 4:00 AM

Hi bandit! Which pass is best for your journey, depends on the amount and length of train, bus and boat journeys you plan to make. If you'll be travelling quite intensively on most days of your stay, a Swiss Saver Pass for both adults would be a good option. This allows free travelling in trains, buses and boats on a number of consecutive days. A Swiss Saver Flexi Pass allows the same, but on a number of non-consecutive days within one month. On the days in between the first and last day of free travelling, a 50% discount applies. This is a good solution if you plan long trips on some days, and short/regional trips on other days. Your travel plans should be calculated to find out which pass is cost effective though. Instructions on this can be found in our rail FAQ.

Both the Swiss Saver Pass and the Swiss Saver Flexi Pass (and the other passes of the Swiss Travel System) can be supplemented with a free STS Family Card, which allows children to travel along for free. You can simply order your STS Family Card along with the your Swiss rail passes. Is this what you mean by the Swiss Rail Family pass you mention?

Seats should be indeed be reserved for both the Golden Pass and the Wilhelm Tell Express. Please review the information on seat reservation. The links mentioned on this page will lead you to reservation options, where you can learn about reservation fees as well. As for your question on the boat leg between Lucerne and Flüelen: yes, this is definitely worth the extra time. Lake Lucerne is stunning and a boat ride across the lake is a beautiful experience, which will also make your trip more diverse. Please review the Wilhelm Tell Express timetables (including a winter timetable) for more information.

Information on the train trip Lugano-Levanto can be found through the timetable of the Italian Railways. The trip requires a change of trains in Milano. Information on the section Lugano-Milano can be found through the Swiss timetable as well.

I hope this gets your started!

MySwissAlps.com recommends to read this:
All Swiss rail passes How to choose a pass?

Last modified on Jan 27, 2020 - 11:19 AM by Arno

Removed user

0 posts
new member

Jun 14, 2010 - 4:57 AM

Thanks Annika
The question I should have asked in my first post is when does the Swiss rail fare stop?
ie do we have to pay a seperate fare from Lugarno for our travel into Italy, does the Italian component start at the border...Chiasso??
Do you change trains at the border for example? We have looked at the Italian rail system but it seems non specific about the detail
Cheers

Annika

7184 posts
expert &
moderator

Jun 14, 2010 - 11:28 AM

Hello bandit,

Most Swiss rail passes are valid until the Swiss border. In some cases, the validity stretches out to the nearest station across the border. In your case, a rail pass would indeed be valid up to Chiasso. On the detail pages of (for example) the Swiss Pass and the Swiss Flexi Pass you'll find the link 'Overview of the network on which the... is valid'. This shows the exact routes for which the rail pass is valid and indicates the border stations at which validity ends as well. You can purchase your passes online through these pages as well.

From Chiasso to Levanto you'd have to buy a separate ticket. Please note that seat reservations should be made for the entire trip from Lugano to Levanto, as it's an international train journey. It's easiest to arrange for these seat reservations, and for your ticket from Chiasso to Levanto, at a Swiss railway station during your stay. Ordering them online in advance is quite difficult, which goes for both for the Swiss and the Italian Federal Railways.

You don't have to change trains at Chiasso only because your Swiss rail pass ends there and your separate ticket becomes valid. Simply show the railway conductor your Swiss rail pass on the Swiss leg, and the separate ticket on the Italian leg. The journey does require a change of trains, but this is in Milano. As for the Italian timetable: please be sure to select 'English' in the upper right corner of the site I mentioned. Then fill out Lugano as your departure station and Levanto as your arrival station and choose the date on which you want to travel. The system will show several options. You can select each option by clicking at the right. Your next step should be to click 'Details' below: the system will show more details for the connections you selected, such as duration of the trip, services on board of the trains, and so on.

Does this answer your questions?

Last modified on Dec 28, 2014 - 4:35 PM by Arno

dick1

88 posts
active member

Jun 14, 2010 - 7:16 PM

Just a note on seat reservations
On the Golden Pass between Montreux reservations are available but not mandatory. There is usually plenty of room. The exception is the VIP section of some trains. These are seats in the very front of the train ahead of the engineer that provide great views.
On the Golden Pass between Interlaken and Luzern seat reservations are not available in 1st and 2nd class regular coaches. On some trains there is a panoramic car where you can reserve seats.
The William Tell between Luzern and Fluelen uses a regular steamboat. All passes and tickets are valid without extra charge. The William Tell ticket gives you a lunch onboard and a souvenir. You must have a 1st class pass. On the train portion you can ride in regular coaches without a reservation. The William Tell ticket gets you a reservation in the Panoramic Car. You may also sit in the Panoramic Car without a seat reservation if there are seats available.
Dick

vacation2010

5 posts
new member

Jun 15, 2010 - 3:39 AM

Hi there:

I tried placing order for swiss saver flexi pass onlien but didnt find any option to add STS family card for my 2 sons. Also, will they be able to occupy seats.

Annika said: Hi bandit! Which pass is best for your journey, depends on the amount and length of train, bus and boat journeys you plan to make. If you'll be travelling quite intensively on most days of your stay, a Swiss Saver Pass for both adults would be a good option. This allows free travelling in trains, buses and boats on a number of consecutive days. A Swiss Saver Flexi Pass allows the same, but on a number of non-consecutive days within one month. On the days in between the first and last day of free travelling, a 50% discount applies. This is a good solution if you plan long trips on some days, and short/regional trips on other days. Your travel plans should be calculated to find out which pass is cost effective though. Instructions on this can be found in our rail FAQ.

Both the Swiss Saver Pass and the Swiss Saver Flexi Pass (and the other passes of the Swiss Travel System) can be supplemented with a free STS Family Card, which allows children to travel along for free. You can simply order your STS Family Card along with the your Swiss rail passes. Is this what you mean by the Swiss Rail Family pass you mention?

Seats should be indeed be reserved for both the Golden Pass and the Wilhelm Tell Express. Please review the information on seat reservation. The links mentioned on this page will lead you to reservation options, where you can learn about reservation fees as well. As for your question on the boat leg between Lucerne and Flüelen: yes, this is definitely worth the extra time. Lake Lucerne is stunning and a boat ride across the lake is a beautiful experience, which will also make your trip more diverse. Please review the Wilhelm Tell Express timetables (including a winter timetable) for more information.

Information on the train trip Lugano-Levanto can be found through the timetable of the Italian Railways. The trip requires a change of trains in Milano. Information on the section Lugano-Milano can be found through the Swiss timetable as well.

I hope this gets your started!

Arno

15885 posts
expert &
moderator

Jun 15, 2010 - 11:46 AM

Hello! The Swiss Family Card can't currently be shipped to Australia, but you can get one for free if you show your Swiss Saver Flexi Pass at a Swiss rail station (e.g. at Zurich airport). Seat reservation is not necessary for most trains. For trains that do require seat reservations, you can book 5 seats for all of you.

Swiss visit 2011

SWISS TRAVEL MUST KNOWS

NEED SOME TIPS ON WHERE TO SLEEP?