72625 posts
Hi CheriK and welcome to MySwissAlps!
The Swiss Travel Pass Flex isn’t often the most economical pass – but it indeed could be. https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpassf lex
To know which rail pass is the best for your specific itinerary you need to plan out all trips you will make (train, bus, boat, cable car) and compare the prices for regular tickets to the rail pass price (and which routes/mountains are free or discounted). Once you have that information you can read our page here on how to choose the best rail pass. There is a spreadsheet there to help with the math. 🙂
https://www.myswissalp s.com/train/ticketspas ses/practical/choosera ilpass<br />
Tickets to Italy can be bought online here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/traintickets/ita ly/price
You need a ticket from Chiasso on to Milan (so a bit further than Lugano) and you won’t need to leave the train. Just show the rail pass before Chiasso and the Italian ticket when asked after Chiasso.
72625 posts
Thank you for your reply. Regarding the train to Milan: Do I get on the train that goes directly to Milan? If I buy the Italy ticket in advance, it asks me the time. I don’t know what time the train stops in Chiasso. Does the exact time matter? Or is it better to buy the Italy ticket at the Lucerne station when I’m leaving Switzerland, so they can tell me what ticket I need?
72625 posts
Lucas – FYI… I would also like to take the Euro City train to Milan. Can I do this with the Swiss pass for the Switzerland portion or do I need to take the regional train?
72625 posts
I think I found how to buy the additional portion for trip to Milan. On Euro Rail, it gave me the additional price to pay for direct trip to Milan. Regarding the Swiss Flex Pass, I would like to confirm that the free and discounted mountain & cable car trips are valid for any day during the month. It does not have to be on a Flex day, correct?
72625 posts
>> Regarding the Swiss Flex Pass, I would like to confirm that the free and discounted mountain & cable car trips are valid for any day during the month. It does not have to be on a Flex day, correct?
No, that’s not correct. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is not valid for anything at all on a non-travel day.
Alpenrose
72625 posts
Hi Cheri,
Yes, free travel or free museum entrance can only be had on a travel day on the Swiss Travel Pass Flex: https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpassf lex/howtouse
As for the train tickets, I think you are set but you can check the train schedule on https://www.myswissalp s.com/timetable to see when the train you take from Lucerne is due to depart Chiasso and then buy the online ticket for that departure time to Milan.
72625 posts
Thank you, Alpenrose and Lucas. Glad I confirmed how the flex pass works. I will purchase the Swiss Pass for 8 consecutive days : )
7104 posts
Hi CheriK! For many itineraries, a regular Swiss Travel Pass is indeed more convenient and more economical than a Swiss Travel Pass Flex. You can find prices here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpass/ price.