TGV from Bern to Paris w/ Swiss Travel Pass Flex?

  • Removed user
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    13 March 2019 at 4:23:04 #820369

    Hi all,

    I will be in Bern in June and want to travel on the TGV to Paris. I will have the Swiss Pass Flex.

    I know the Swiss pass covers the trip from Bern to Basel but I’m not sure how to buy the Basel to Paris part of the ticket. Do I also need to reserve a seat on the TGV and would I do this when I buy the extension ticket ie Basel to Paris?

    Also should I be booking this ticket and reservation before I leave Australia or is it easier to do it in Bern. I’ll be there for a week before the trip to Paris would that be enough time or maybe the train would be booked out already?

    Thankyou for your help

    Jacqui

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    rockoyster
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    8889 posts
    13 March 2019 at 5:34:13 #906380

    It’s the reverse direction but does this help? http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/france

    Use the SBB Timetable (bit.ly/2HH1U7B) to plan your travel. Take any train Bern to Basel to connect with the TGV there. You will need a reservation on the TGV but not in Switzerland. NB for TGV Book as early as possible for best price.

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    13 March 2019 at 6:00:05 #906381

    Thankyou Rockoyster.

    Your response is very easy to understand. I now have this clear in my head.

    Thankyou so much, Jacqui

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    13 March 2019 at 6:09:41 #906382

    Hi Jacqui

    You’re welcome.

    Bern to Basel full fare is CHF41 so whether that makes for a good use of a day of your STP(Flex) is something you need to consider.

    Bon voyage. 🤓

    Removed user
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    13 March 2019 at 7:04:26 #906383

    Hmm yes something to think about

    ,

    Thankyou Rockoyster :o)

    Removed user
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    13 March 2019 at 11:30:31 #906384

    Hi Jacqui

    As Rockoyster said, it would make sense to evaluate whether the Bern to Basel trip is worth counting within the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. You can check here for the coverage: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpassflex/vali dity

    You can check all about point to point tickets in Switzerland on this link: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/switzerland

    Also a couple of links to the destinations you mentioned for further information:

    All the best on your trip!

    Maria.

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    13 March 2019 at 19:29:18 #906385

    Thankyou also for your help Maria.

    Jacqui

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    14 March 2019 at 2:49:51 #906386

    Switzerland – France high speed trains are operated by Lyria:

    http://www.tgv-lyria.com/en

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    14 March 2019 at 4:52:31 #906387

    Thankyou 1960man,

    I think I can book the Basel to Paris part of my trip at a local SBB station in Bern even though the train is operated by TGVLyria???? Cheers Jacqui

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    14 March 2019 at 6:02:45 #906388

    As per previous post – NB for TGV Book as early as possible for best price.

    If you leave it to when you are in Bern you will pay more than if you book well in advance I would say.

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    14 March 2019 at 6:27:49 #906389

    Hi Rockoyster,

    I have a bit of an issue in that I need to book a one-way ticket for my grandaughter but a return ticket for me. Of course we want to sit together on the TGV from Basel. So thought maybe easier at the station????

    Cheers Jacqui

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    14 March 2019 at 6:35:40 #906390

    I wonder if the return fare is any different than twice the one way trip. I doubt it.

    Removed user
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    72625 posts
    14 March 2019 at 8:24:03 #906391

    Good point, I’ll look into doing it that way, thankyou Rockoyster,

    Cheers Jacqui

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    16 March 2019 at 0:54:48 #906392

    Well with help from you all, I have booked my TGV tickets to Paris online and printed the tickets. I decided against using my Swiss pass flex 15 day pass on any of the journey . Did the math and it was as cheap to just buy the TGV ticket Bern to Paris direct…where after one weeks holiday I will be leaving my granddaughter to return to Bern. I have also bought a ticket from Paris to Basel on the TGV but couldn’t get a direct train except for one that arrived at 10.50pm in Bern. Much too late for an old lady :o)

    Or the other option was a change in Basel of 5 minutes so again not suitable.

    This way I get to leave Paris at 12.23 close to the time my granddaughter leaves for London, but with a change in Basel to a local train to Bern. Very easy and it will have me in Bern well before dinner.

    Thankyou so much for all of your input it made me think of things I wouldn’t have.

    Cheers Jacqui

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    16 March 2019 at 1:28:26 #906393

    Hi Jacqui

    Great. Glad you are sorted and now a qualified timetable ninja. 🤓

    Removed user
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    72625 posts
    16 March 2019 at 1:38:53 #906394

    I don’t know about a ninja Rockoyster but I can tell you a glass of wine helps😊

    Cheers Jacqui

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