Swiss train travel questions
Mar 12, 2016, 8:15 am
#121
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Helvetia
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Posts: 2,912
Don't you mean 'Freiburg'? BTW, there are two Freiburgs. One, Freiburg im Breisgau, is in Germany. The other, Freiburg in Switzerland can refer to either the Canton of Freiburg, or the capital city of that Canton, Freiburg. To make things more confusing, the Freiburg in Switzerland also has a french name of Fribourg.
Anyways, have a look at the RhB website for the Bernina-Express:
https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express.
It looks like you should be able to book your 11 June trip tomorrow, as that seems to be the first day you can book that day. Though, I'm just guessing as the calendar only goes to 10 June on the RhB website. You can book your space in the carriage on the RhB site as well.
Anyways, have a look at the RhB website for the Bernina-Express:
https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express.
It looks like you should be able to book your 11 June trip tomorrow, as that seems to be the first day you can book that day. Though, I'm just guessing as the calendar only goes to 10 June on the RhB website. You can book your space in the carriage on the RhB site as well.
Mar 12, 2016, 9:26 am
#122
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,459
I take back everything I have ever said bad about the Germans, I got it to work. I was able to book 2 1st class tickets for 108e (regular price 424e, yikes) it says the train will stop in Chur, Zurich, Basel then on to Germany. My credit card company would not approve it the first time, they called me at home and asked if it was ok. I said yes, went back then got the error message "Chur to Zurich reservation not available" so I hit the button continue without seats. I assume this is because the Swiss have not loaded their seats yet but just guessing. Anyway I received an email confirmation from Bahn.
I assume I still will have to buy tickets from where we get off in Zurich to the airport?
I assume I still will have to buy tickets from where we get off in Zurich to the airport?
Mar 12, 2016, 10:35 am
#123
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Helvetia
Programs: AS; BA Silver; UA; HH Gold; Sprüngli Connaisseur
Posts: 2,912
Don't bother with the Chur to Zürich seat reservations. The only time you really need reservations in Switzerland is if you're going between Bern and Zürich during rush hour. On that train sit on the top deck left side of the train for the nice lake views. You'll need a ticket to get from the Zürich HB to the airport. You can buy this in Tirano, Chur, or Zürich depending how much time you have at each one of those places. You can also buy the ticket online, or with your phone with the SBB app.
Apr 5, 2017, 1:59 pm
#124
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BAEC Silver, L'Accor Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 328
Resurrecting this Thread in the hope that someone can help me.
I'm going to Interlaken this September (flying into Basel, where I'm meeting my sister who's a resident there and then travelling on by train) and I'm a bit unsure about what to do regarding booking train tickets to get the best value.
1. If I buy a Swiss rail pass in advance, does that cover me on the Jungfrau or do I need a separate Jungfrau ticket?
2. My sister can get discounts on train tickets if she books a couple of weeks before travel (although she can't get the discount on the Jungfrau). Is it better value to do that than book a pass in advance?
Grateful for any advice.
1F
I'm going to Interlaken this September (flying into Basel, where I'm meeting my sister who's a resident there and then travelling on by train) and I'm a bit unsure about what to do regarding booking train tickets to get the best value.
1. If I buy a Swiss rail pass in advance, does that cover me on the Jungfrau or do I need a separate Jungfrau ticket?
2. My sister can get discounts on train tickets if she books a couple of weeks before travel (although she can't get the discount on the Jungfrau). Is it better value to do that than book a pass in advance?
Grateful for any advice.
1F
Apr 6, 2017, 1:59 am
#125
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Gold, LH FTL, KL/AF Ivory
Posts: 1,878
To item 1), the travel pass will get you a discount on the Jungfraujoch line
2) The only discounts on Swiss rail tickets are on "Supersaver" tickets which are sometimes offered on some routes and times. They tie you down to the particular train you have booked and can't be changed or cancelled. Standard rail tickets can be bought just before travel and aren't tied to specific trains.
2) The only discounts on Swiss rail tickets are on "Supersaver" tickets which are sometimes offered on some routes and times. They tie you down to the particular train you have booked and can't be changed or cancelled. Standard rail tickets can be bought just before travel and aren't tied to specific trains.
Apr 12, 2017, 5:41 pm
#127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Resurrecting this Thread in the hope that someone can help me.
I'm going to Interlaken this September (flying into Basel, where I'm meeting my sister who's a resident there and then travelling on by train) and I'm a bit unsure about what to do regarding booking train tickets to get the best value.
1. If I buy a Swiss rail pass in advance, does that cover me on the Jungfrau or do I need a separate Jungfrau ticket?
2. My sister can get discounts on train tickets if she books a couple of weeks before travel (although she can't get the discount on the Jungfrau). Is it better value to do that than book a pass in advance?
Grateful for any advice.
1F
I'm going to Interlaken this September (flying into Basel, where I'm meeting my sister who's a resident there and then travelling on by train) and I'm a bit unsure about what to do regarding booking train tickets to get the best value.
1. If I buy a Swiss rail pass in advance, does that cover me on the Jungfrau or do I need a separate Jungfrau ticket?
2. My sister can get discounts on train tickets if she books a couple of weeks before travel (although she can't get the discount on the Jungfrau). Is it better value to do that than book a pass in advance?
Grateful for any advice.
1F
At https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tick...-top-of-europe
lots of special discounts are listed.
PS: The final stretch to the top is all in a tunnel!
Apr 13, 2017, 1:14 pm
#128
Join Date: May 2013
Location: GVA, BSL, ZRH
Programs: A3*, HH, club carlson: all gold and bonvoy plat
Posts: 466
Jungfrau trip is expensive, so plan your departure around weather conditions. In Interlaken it may be sunny, but at the top there could be a snow storm (even in Sept.).
At https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tick...-top-of-europe
lots of special discounts are listed.
PS: The final stretch to the top is all in a tunnel!
At https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tick...-top-of-europe
lots of special discounts are listed.
PS: The final stretch to the top is all in a tunnel!
Apr 16, 2017, 12:20 am
#130
Join Date: May 2013
Location: GVA, BSL, ZRH
Programs: A3*, HH, club carlson: all gold and bonvoy plat
Posts: 466
Here are some info about it, but at your sister's town there may be some available for a bit cheaper.
Apr 16, 2017, 7:09 pm
#131
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Location: jfk area
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Otherwise you may also get a day pass especially if you plan to return to Basel on the same day. What's nice with it, is that you may take any train (no schedule restriction) and similar to the pass you may get a discount as well on jungfrau tickets.
Here are some info about it, but at your sister's town there may be some available for a bit cheaper.
Here are some info about it, but at your sister's town there may be some available for a bit cheaper.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-an...ravelcard.html
Apr 17, 2017, 1:24 am
#132
Join Date: May 2013
Location: GVA, BSL, ZRH
Programs: A3*, HH, club carlson: all gold and bonvoy plat
Posts: 466
Except for "special deals", day cards can only be used with a 1/2 fare card (extra cost).
https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-an...ravelcard.html
https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-an...ravelcard.html
Almost every town in CH has some "town" daycards to sell them to its population for about 35-50 CHF. And usually it's 0 to 10.- franks more expensive for non-town-resident. Some towns may even send them to a swiss address (cf the link on my previous post)
That daycard dosen't, for sure, need a half fare card. But I can't really find anything better than this on the net about that point, sorry.
May 4, 2017, 11:53 pm
#134
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