I somehow thought the section on the alps was too focused on staying in grimmelwald, and would have preferred a more generalized itinerary of the area. This 4day itinerary covers some of switzerland s most popular destinations, taking travelers from beautiful lakeside cities in central switzerland, past the alps, to the tropical south of switzerland bordering the mediterranean. How far in advance can you book train travel in switzerland. For example, there is nothing about basel even though it is the 3d largest city in switzerland.
Were a company of the swiss railways and operate the official ticket shop. Find the latest promotions and save money on your rail pass. Trains in switzerland buy cheap swiss train tickets. Youll discover the scenery, history, and engineering that have made switzerlands rail system the finest and most popular in the world. The whole of switzerland is covered by a frequent, punctual and efficient integrated train network thats really easy to use. Train travel in switzerland swiss travel passes explained. Find the perfect vacation package for switzerland on tripadvisor by comparing switzerland hotel and flight prices. Please consult the online timetable again shortly starting any journey and observe the protective measures for safe travel on public transport. This scenic switzerland by train tour is the perfect way to see switzerlands breathtaking mountains, charming mountain resorts, fascinating old towns, and beautiful lakesall while you relax in firstclass aboard switzerlands famous trains. Book the grand train tour of switzerland switzerland tourism.
Swiss federal railways sbb in german, cff in french or ffs in italian runs most mainline trains, but there are many smaller private operators running local. Book your swiss travel system rail pass online and explore switzerland hassle free by train, bus and boat. Tickets for a scenic train ride from austria to switzerland. The best switzerland vacation packages 2020 tripadvisor. Conveniently book the grand train tour of switzerland as a package with one of our official distribution partners. I had just one issue on a train, and i dont think that was covered in this book anyway. Switzerland rail passes and train tips from rick steves. Major train stations in switzerland are pretty massive and just a tad chaotic. These highaltitude rides are mustviews, but one of our favorites is the 30plus mile centovalli express, linking domodossola, italy to the swiss ticino region. Youll discover the scenery, history, and engineering that have made switzerland s rail system the finest and most popular in the world. Treat yourself the comfort of the train and travel to many destinations in switzerland. The grand train tour of switzerland merges the most beautiful panoramic lines into one unique route. There are maps and tis at the train stations and in central parts of town.
Grand train tour of switzerland rail europe train travel. Unlike most other rail passes, the swiss travel pass covers not just trains but nearly all forms of transportation for details, see. All swiss travel passes are prevalidated with a start date and are not refundable or changeable after that date, so you can skip the usual step of having it first activated at a train station counter. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
Swiss express this guide to switzerland by all forms of public transport is the most detailed and reliable on the shelf. How to buy train tickets for journeys in and to from. Discover switzerland on the 7day grand train tour of switzerland in europes most exciting panorama trains. Experience switzerland along the grand tour of switzerland with exclusive 2 for 1. Without a doubt the most convenient, cost effective and easy way to travel around switzerland is by train.
Switzerland by train from 185 switzerland train routes. Interregio trains connect zurich and geneva with cities across the whole of switzerland. The times this book should be in the pocket or daypack of all englishspeaking visitors to switzerland. Travelers that wish to travel using trains in switzerland might find it useful to get acquainted with the main train companies before they book their tickets for the trip. If you have a supersaver ticket for a cancelled train, arriving in advance will give you the chance to find and talk to an sbb staff member, who will be able to. How to travel by train from london to switzerland from. Thanks to sbb, the main swiss national railway company, you can, for example, enjoy the finest chocolate in one of zurichs chocolate shops at 10.
Gradual reinstatement of public transport timetable services has been underway since 27 april 2020. Lugano leading city of italianspeaking switzerland, with a tidy if dull urban core, scenic boat trips on lake lugano, and mountain lifts to lakeside peaks. The chocolate train runs between montreux and the caillernestle chocolate factory at broc and is a real must not only for the true sweet tooth but also for railway enthusiasts. As a country known for its ecoconsciousness and efficient travel systems, its only. Trains in switzerland find the fastest and best value. Prepare for an adventure in this stunning destination with our travel guide. Book your swiss travel system rail pass online and explore switzerland hasslefree by train, bus and boat. Get a 50% discount on rail, bus and boat tickets for one month.
In switzerland, all kids under 6 ride free without a ticket whereas train travel in most of europe is free only for kids under 4. Seat reservations are not necessary for most trains. Swiss tour packages highlight these unique areas while presenting the majesty of the landscape the mighty snowcapped mountains, the sparkling lakes, and. These are the pointtopoint tickets, which entitle you to travel a route of your choosing in whichever class you wish.
Tickets for single journeys, return trips and round trips are the classics in our product range. In most cases you can just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on. Fares for tgvtrains from france to switzerland geneva, lausanne, bern, basel and zurich start from 25. One ticket for a oneway trip, one for a return journey, and one for a round trip. Thats a ticket for the entire route for people who own a rail pass for switzerland or austria.
An alternative to booking a ticket to the swiss border station, is to book a ticket for the passholder fare. Visit authentic mountain villages, bustling towns, impressive glaciers and refreshing lakes. A complete guide to train travel in switzerland switzerland. Scenic journeys official ticketshop for swiss railway. These highaltitude rides are mustviews, but one of our favorites is the 30plus mile centovalli express, linking.
However, the switzerland book is really limited to what rick steves thinks you should see. The most comprehensive guide to switzerlands transport system and the best reading. For international routes saver fares are available. Alpenwilds scenic alps by rail tour includes the best scenic trains in switzerland and the top mountain railway excursions in the alps, all in an exciting 9day, guided, small group tour with first class rail, deluxe hotels. Reservation for these trains is compulsory, booking opens 4. Marvel at the spectacular landscape during your trip and experience the cultural differences in this country with its 4 language regions. Scenic rail journeys four famous train rides, each offering panoramic views and crisscrossing the country. Online tickets are available for domestic routes and certain international connections. Buy tickets with paypal, applepay, visa, amex and all international credit cards. If your plans change, choose a new date or tour with the same tour operator.
A train near the devils bridge between andermatt and goschenen. The story of a man and his mother travelling the route of thomas cooks first group tour to switzerland, as seen and experienced by one member of that party. Grand train tour of switzerland the original switzerland. The rail travel in switzerland is efficient, easy to use, and connects the entire country. Intercity trains link major swiss cities like basel and geneva. Use our journey planner at the top of this page and select tickets. The glacier express is ironically named, and is often called the slowest express train in the world. On this train, you will see some of the greatest scenery in europe, from. From east to west and north to south, trains run anywhere and everywhere. In the south, the french mediterranean coast is also linked to the swiss city of geneva.
Cheap train tickets switzerland buy tickets online happyrail. Pointtopoint tickets for journeys within switzerland sbb. One of the main train companies in switzerland is the national swiss federal railways also known as sbbcffffs. Switzerland train tours bordered by germany, france, and italy, switzerland is a country of juxtapositions where each region reflects the language, culture, and cuisine of its neighbors. You can book travel between italy and switzerland on italiarail via two different routes from milan to zurich, or from venice to geneva. My husband and i are needing to travel from basel, switzerland to paris, france in midnovember and are confused as to whether we need to book reservations up to three months prior or just buy the tickets at the train station in basel three days before going. Take a railjet train from zurich to vienna 7hr or travel by night to graz on euronight trains. Book your train ticket to switzerland rail europe, inc.
Whether youre off for a romantic vacation, family trip, or an allinclusive holiday, switzerland vacation packages on tripadvisor make planning your trip simple and affordable. Enjoy the swiss alps in the comfort of your firstclass rail car, and in the company of swiss rail experts. On our tours, we travel on a few of the most spectacularly scenic journeys in switzerland. Apr 07, 2020 1 introduction to train travel in switzerland. Bern, the capital, offers touristic sites such as einsteins house or the clock tower. For example, discover the highlights of the country such as zurich, basel or bern. Whether you travel by public transport in switzerland or in europe, whether you travel alone or as a group, and whether you take your children, your dog or your. For couchette or sleeper car tickets as well as car and. Discover the best switzerland vacation packages 2020. Online purchase travelcards tickets for switzerland tickets for europe. The grand train tour of switzerland can be started from any point and there is no prescribed direction or duration. Cheap train tickets switzerland buy tickets online. Find, book, change or cancel your tickets in an instant. The public transport network is excellent in switzerland, so travel as much as you can by train or another public transport to visit the whole country.
Supersaver fares are only good for the specific departure you book, no refunds allowed. Travel on the famous glacier express one of switzerlands best scenic train rides across the alps connecting two of the most popular resorts zermatt and st. Take the world famous glacier express from st moritz to zermatt over the albula railway, rhine canyon, oberalppas to the pittoresque village of zermatt. Compare and book train and bus tickets for over 200 companies, including uk rail carriers, eurostar, sncf, deutsche bahn, trenitalia and renfe. I am travelling through the country in july and i thought i could book tickets now but the website appears to only allow a month ahead. Swiss rail tours escorted tours in switzerland great. Day 5 mountains, meadows, and breathtaking scenery glacier express train. The ticket is cheaper than a regular ticket because the leg covered by the rail pass is free.
Grand train tour of switzerland switzerland tourism. Train switzerland trains map, pass, timetables and. Board a train to lausanne to visit the cathedral, the museums and the amazing bridges. Trains in switzerland buy cheap swiss train tickets trainline. Or travel the bernina express over the more than 2200 metres high bernina pass from chur. Day 2 swiss alps in the historic heart of switzerland gotthard express line. However, the info in switzerland is often obvious once you arrive, as the swiss want their visitors to be happy and everything to run smoothly.
Choose a grand train tour of switzerland or grand train tour of switzerland hotel package to make the most of your swiss journey. But it can struggle with destinations requiring more changes, for example grindelwald, zermatt or st moritz. Apart from cultural experiences, its surrounding areas are perfect to explore forested hills, climb up to broad plateaus to take in fantastic vistas or take a hike through laufen valley south of the city. We think the tour of switzerland using the train system is the best way to see the. However, if you miss your train, the swiss railways let. To travel in switzerland by train, buy your ticket locally at a station. The tgv lyria is an international highspeed train that connects france and switzerland. Find out everything you need to know about travelling around switzerland by train. Not only are trains prevalent throughout the country, they are also extremely timely and rarely run off schedule. Youll overnight in zurich, the lucerne area, lausanne, zermatt, and st. Switzerland is an international travel hub with several large train stations and a welldeveloped rail network. The swiss railways are the best in europe, travelling by a panoramic train through switzerland is a holiday itself.
My husband and i are needing to travel from basel, switzerland to paris, france in midnovember and are confused as to whether we need to book reservations up to three months prior or just buy the tickets at the train station in basel three days before going to paris. Switzerland train tours switzerland vacation packages. Click on a question, or grab a coffee and spend 5 10 mins reading all the info and discover how to save money and confusion as youre about to discover, booking with sbb. In the north, you can travel from paris to many swiss cities, like geneva, bern and zurich. Slow train to switzerland by diccon bewes 06 january, 2015 the cover of this book has, thanks to the spectator magazine, the blurb charming and it is indeed. Train travel in switzerland swiss travel passes explained seat 61. Day 3 italian lake como and swiss alps postcard views bernina express train. Same network and reductions as swiss travel pass you choose the travel days within a month. Switzerlands cultural centre is known for its annual art fair, countless museums and its unique location at the border triangle. While available for many swiss districts, these make sense only for the rare traveler whos doing a lot of very time and regionconcentrated travel. Swiss rail tours escorted tours in switzerland great rail.
Travel from zurich to berlin and hamburg on the obb nightjet night train, or travel by day on ice trains from switzerland to german cities like frankfurt. This 4day itinerary covers some of switzerlands most popular destinations, taking travelers from beautiful lakeside cities in central switzerland, past the alps, to the tropical south of switzerland bordering the mediterranean. Traveling by train from italy to switzerland is an easy, comfortable and spectacularly scenic journey. The train system in switzerland is excellent and organised, therefore, easy to get around. Tgv train from basel to paris rick steves travel forum. Train switzerland trains map, pass, timetables and fares.