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Hektor
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Hi, we are a family of 4 adults and one child 6 years old. We just bought passes for 10 days within 2 months. I was trying to find some journeys using the planner, but unfortunately i wasn't very successful. So i have following questions

1. On the 5 July late on the day or on the 6 july very early i wanted to find a connection from Vejle/Kolding in dk to Munich in de with a night express and with sleeping department, so that we would be in munich in the morning on the 6 july. i couldn't find any.

2. Generally when traveling in July during a weekdays is it always worth to make reservations also for trains which don't require one?

3. Monday, the 10 July from Ljubljana in sv to Verona in it in the morning i could find any train connections, only with some flexbus. How to find one?

4. On the 12 July from Verona to Chur in ch in the morning i only found a connection through Zurych but we wanted to take to tirano to take Bernina express or regular train on the route from there to chur. How to do it?

5. On the 14 July we wanted to take the glacier express from Chur to Zermatt, but we only found a train going through Zurych. 

6. On both the glacier express and Bernina express can we take with our passes regular train instead of this with the special names, but traveling the same route? If yes, how to find them? And do we need reservations for the regular trains?

7. On the 18 July in the morning we wanted to take a train from Geneva to Zurych, then make a stopover in Zurych for few hours and then some night train back to dk. Any suggestions how to plan this part of our trip?

Kind regards viking

[1]

To get on the train to München, you'd need to leave Vejle at 16.24 or Kolding at 16.58 and change at Hamburg Hbf; arrives München Hbf 7.09. There's no other covenient train connection if you'd like to get a sleeper. 

[2]

It depends on class, train and country. You didn't mention both. But to get five places together isn't that easy. So it's up to you if it's worth the money. 

[3]

First connection is at 5.47, another good one late at 14.21, change at Trieste Centrale. Other connections in between via Trieste do require more changes. It's also possible to go via Villach (maybe the more interesting route). Timetables for Italy aren't comfirmed completely yet, so that's why you won't find good connections; you'll just have to wait. Search for a date in nearer future to get an idea.

[4]

Same problem here. But it will be possible to go Verona - Milano - Tirano - Chur.

[5]

Glacier Express leaves Chur 11.05 / 12.14 / 14.26, arrives Zermatt 17.10 / 18.10 / 20.10. Search for direct connections.

[6]

Of course this is possible and saves a lot of money. First part: Chur to Disentis. Second part: Disentis to Andermatt. Third part: Andermatt to Brig or Visp. Fourth part: Brig or Visp to Zermatt. No reservation required. 

[6a]

Not asked, but if you want to do a great trip through the swiss mountains I'd recommend to skip Chur for Andermatt. With today's timetable, it would be possible to leave Verona at 8.32, go via Berninapass and Oberalppass and arrive Andermatt at 19.22. If you stay there, this would give the possibility to leave Andermatt at 8.37 (if it's July 14th) and take the train via Furkapass (once the highlight of the Glacier Express, now skipped by regular trains) for Zermatt (arrives 14.14).

[7]

Geneva to Zürich runs very frequently (two trains per hour). The night train going north from Zürich is just confirmed to run to Hannover (may change).

ralderton
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  1. There should be a night train from Hamburg to Munich, but I don’t see it in the timetable at the moment. Maybe somebody else knows
  2. It depends on the trains. If you’re travelling at busy times, like Friday evening. Or on busy routes, like Berlin-Prague, then reservations are a good idea. Especially as you are a relatively large group
  3. Try Ljubljana - Trieste, Trieste - Verona, to help searches
  4. I highly recommend the Bernina Express! You probably need to get from Verona to Milan, then Milan to Tirano. There is currently a bus replacement for part of the trip from Milan to Tirano, but it’s worth the hassle. The Bernina Express departs from Tirano.
  5. Yes, definitely direct trains on this route, without going via Zurich. For example train 903 departing 1105
  6. Yes, you can take normal trains along the route with no reservation. It’s only the panorama cars that need reservation, and I found the normal trains very good quality - often with big windows anyway.
  7. Geneva to Zurich has very regular intercity trains taking about 2h40. No reservations needed. I would have a look for night trains from both Zurich and Basel, and see which suits your itinerary.

The best site for checking train times is www.bahn.de - If a journey is long, or doesn't show any good results, be sure to break it down and check smaller sections of the journey.

Seat61 is really helpful for the Bernina Pass trip (and helpful for everything!) https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/bernina-express.htm

V
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Hi again, i just tried to book on night jet.com the night jet from ham to mun on the 5th of July for our group but it says that only seating carriage is available, no sleeper or couchette and then I checked all the days in July and it's the same. Does it mean that there are no more places for the whole of July or am I doing something wrong and the price is like more then 200 euros. Is this price for reservations only? Or reservations with tickets? How to buy only reservations and is there a first class as well? We bought first class passes? Or maybe there are other night connections from Hamburg to Mun?

V
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I was just checking on oebb the same connection and the prices was more 300 eur, but it says that it's ticket and reservations, but how to just buy reservations and how to find the sleeping compartments?

I got really confused.

T
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Like you I'm not able to buy couchettes at all for the month of July. It could be full but a bit weird for the whole month already...

Maybe someone here knows better @rvdborgt ?

I can't help you more sorry.

 

PS : The Passau night train still has couchettes for 4 people for 176€ (or 136€ with 2 other people in the compartment). It won't be cheaper than that but we should wait on someone else's advice first I guess.

Then you'd need to buy regular tickets between Passau and Munich, there's no need to use a travel day of your pass.

Passau - Munich tickets are 84€ for 2 adults, 2 children under 14 y.o. : valid all day on any train you'd like to take

or

Passau - Munich - Augsburg for 47,80€ but tied to a specific connection so have a long connection in Passau. Of course you won't use the Munich-Augsburg leg but it won't be a problem

 

V
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we will have a look at the longer trip from zermatt to geneva, but is there an option without changing trains?

yes, the last day we are  doing Geneva - Zurich - Munich for the night train at 22.50. we want maybe spend few hours in Zurich.

for the cable cars do we need to make some reservations?

couchette - is there any differents between 1st and 2nd class?

and what is the different between bed and berths, 2 different options while booking couchette on oebb and nigthjet?

T
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Yes the easiest option is Zermatt - Visp - Geneva : 2 trains per hour, no reservations needed. Only one connection. You can decide to stop for 1-2 hours in Montreux if you want. :)

Geneva - Munich :

- Genève - Zürich HB 09:42 - 12:28 (or one hour earlier)

- You'll need to take the EC in Zurich at 17:33. Arrival in Munich at 21:04. Reservations really recommended.

Beds would be for expensive sleeper compartments. Berths are in couchettes compartments (no such difference as 1st or 2nd class couchettes).

 

You can book cable cards in advance but there's no real advantage. Tickets don't cost less in advance and they do not sell out.

I'd recommend on buying them on the day as if the weather is horrible, you won't have spent 400 CHF for nothing. Did you read my advice on the Junior card for the 15 y.o. child ? You can buy it at every Swiss station ticket counter for 30 CHF.

V
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Thanks, on what website did you find it? There is no other much shorter option?

V
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Keep in mind that Italian timetables are still far from complete for the summer timetable starting on 11 June. To get an idea of the possibilities, search for timetables on the same day of the week but before 11 June.

As to the Glacier Express, you won't always find it if you just ask for Chur to Zermatt because it is not the fastest connection. Force the journey to go via Andermatt.

Also don't use the rail planner app or the Interrail website to plan because they're not reliable and often out of date. Use national planners/websites and for international planning, the DB website is a good choice. For Switzerland use www.sbb.ch (also quite good for international timetables) for Italy www.trenitalia.com.

But if i will use other planners, how then can I add the trip to my pass?

R
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The night train Hamburg-Munch already seems to be quite full in July indeed. I didn't check all dates but I had to go into August to find at least some availability for sleepers or couchettes.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
R
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But if i will use other planners, how then can I add the trip to my pass?

By the time you travel, the rail planner app is usually better up to date and you look for your trains there and add them to your pass. Any trains you don’t find you can add manually.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
V
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Hi, we are a family of 4 adults and one child 6 years old. We just bought passes for 10 days within 2 months. I was trying to find some journeys using the planner, but unfortunately i wasn't very successful. So i have following questions

1. On the 5 July late on the day or on the 6 july very early i wanted to find a connection from Vejle/Kolding in dk to Munich in de with a night express and with sleeping department, so that we would be in munich in the morning on the 6 july. i couldn't find any.

2. Generally when traveling in July during a weekdays is it always worth to make reservations also for trains which don't require one?

3. Monday, the 10 July from Ljubljana in sv to Verona in it in the morning i could find any train connections, only with some flexbus. How to find one?

4. On the 12 July from Verona to Chur in ch in the morning i only found a connection through Zurych but we wanted to take to tirano to take Bernina express or regular train on the route from there to chur. How to do it?

5. On the 14 July we wanted to take the glacier express from Chur to Zermatt, but we only found a train going through Zurych. 

6. On both the glacier express and Bernina express can we take with our passes regular train instead of this with the special names, but traveling the same route? If yes, how to find them? And do we need reservations for the regular trains?

7. On the 18 July in the morning we wanted to take a train from Geneva to Zurych, then make a stopover in Zurych for few hours and then some night train back to dk. Any suggestions how to plan this part of our trip?

Kind regards viking

 

[1]

To get on the train to München, you'd need to leave Vejle at 16.24 or Kolding at 16.58 and change at Hamburg Hbf; arrives München Hbf 7.09. There's no other covenient train connection if you'd like to get a sleeper. 

[2]

It depends on class, train and country. You didn't mention both. But to get five places together isn't that easy. So it's up to you if it's worth the money. 

[3]

First connection is at 5.47, another good one late at 14.21, change at Trieste Centrale. Other connections in between via Trieste do require more changes. It's also possible to go via Villach (maybe the more interesting route). Timetables for Italy aren't comfirmed completely yet, so that's why you won't find good connections; you'll just have to wait. Search for a date in nearer future to get an idea.

[4]

Same problem here. But it will be possible to go Verona - Milano - Tirano - Chur.

[5]

Glacier Express leaves Chur 11.05 / 12.14 / 14.26, arrives Zermatt 17.10 / 18.10 / 20.10. Search for direct connections.

[6]

Of course this is possible and saves a lot of money. First part: Chur to Disentis. Second part: Disentis to Andermatt. Third part: Andermatt to Brig or Visp. Fourth part: Brig or Visp to Zermatt. No reservation required. 

[6a]

Not asked, but if you want to do a great trip through the swiss mountains I'd recommend to skip Chur for Andermatt. With today's timetable, it would be possible to leave Verona at 8.32, go via Berninapass and Oberalppass and arrive Andermatt at 19.22. If you stay there, this would give the possibility to leave Andermatt at 8.37 (if it's July 14th) and take the train via Furkapass (once the highlight of the Glacier Express, now skipped by regular trains) for Zermatt (arrives 14.14).

[7]

Geneva to Zürich runs very frequently (two trains per hour). The night train going north from Zürich is just confirmed to run to Hannover (may change).

1. Ham - Munich - Is this the same connection as the one mentioned by thibcabe? Where did you find it and all the others?

2. What are the trains condition in Italy nowadays, i was travelling there last in 80ties?

 

Hektor
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1. Ham - Munich - Is this the same connection as the one mentioned by thibcabe? Where did you find it and all the others?

No, it's this Nightjet:

Screenshot from ÖBB app. But didn't check availabilty. 

V
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1. There would be a Nightjet leaving Hamburg Hbf to Passau at 20:24.

- IC Vejle - Hamburg Hbf 16:24 - 20:02

- NJ Hamburg Hbf - Passau 20:24 - 06:24

- RE Passau Hbf - München Hbf 06:46 - 08:56

There's indeed no direct night trains from Hamburg. There are ICE trains running through the night but they have regular seats only.

If you want to take this night train, book it asap.

Another option would be to take Zurich's night train and leave it in Karlsruhe at 06:02. As it leaves Hamburg Hbf at 22:07 you'll get less sleep. This option would get you in Munich between 10:00 and 11:00.

Edit : Zurich-bound night train is already full. Vienna-bound night train which you'd leave in Passau has couchettes for 176€ (private) or for 136€ (with 2 other people). I'd buy all the night trains ASAP. There's not enough couchettes at all to meet the demand all over Europe as you can see.

 

2. On busy mainlines it is recommended. In Switzerland I do not usually recommend it because it is rare to find a full train and people won't care about your reservations because it is so unusual to make one (unless you're a class or a big group).

3. There is a connection leaving Ljubljana at around 7:00. You can check the current timetables and they shouldn't change a lot this summer.

4. There will be engineering works between Sondrio and Tirano between June and September. No trains will be running but there will be replacement buses. Just allow an extra bit of time. The Bernina Line is a must but it is not necessary to pay extra for the big windows. You can either take the hourly regional trains with some open-air coaches in the summer (check on SBB app), or the first coaches of the Bernina Express with windows that can be opened (reservation-free) !

Thanks,

1. what website did you use to find the connections in point 1?

2. I found one connection from Ljubljana to Verona Wich takes 6 hours, but the first part to Trieste is covered by flexbus, is it covered by the pass?

3. The replacement bus from Verona to tirano will be covered by the pass and how to book it?

 

R
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1. what website did you use to find the connections in point 1?

The standard website is www.bahn.com. But sbb.ch or fahrplan.oebb.at are also good for international planning. But keep in mind that currently the Italian timetable from 11 June onwards is not complete.

2. I found one connection from Ljubljana to Verona Wich takes 6 hours, but the first part to Trieste is covered by flexbus, is it covered by the pass?

Flixbus is not covered. 

3. The replacement bus from Verona to tirano will be covered by the pass and how to book it?

This bus is covered by the pass because it's a replacement bus. You can't book it, just add it to your pass and find a seat.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
T
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1. Yes I used SBB app but weirdly it didn't give me the Innsbruck-bound night train stopping in Munich. Although ÖBB (the Nightjet's operator) only allows me to book seats for 56€ (4 people) which is weird... There should be couchettes and I do not see that they are full (but could be the case).

At first it is the same train that leaves Hamburg yes but it splits in Nuremberg : one part for Munich-Innsbruck, one part for Passau-Vienna.

It should be possible to book couchettes that go direct to Munich as @Hektor suggested... either on tickets.oebb.at or nightjet.com. Let ms know if it works for you.

2. Ljubljana to Verona will be a long travel day for sure but you'll see great Alpine scenery. Flixbus won't be as pleasant but it could be quicker (leaving enough margin for the following train ride of course)

 

Edit : train conditions in Italy : Frecciarossa trains are great and fast (10€ seat reservation btw, easily obtainable) and regional trains can be hit or miss but there is new rolling stock, at least for Trenord

 

T
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The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is in the middle of the map at 3883 m.

The real Matterhorn is under it (while it is higher in altitude in reality), it is kind of a schematic map (no real distances whatsoever).

It is the Riffelsee on the Gornergrat Railway, as I explained before it is a convenient and easy hike (but you won't be alone).

"With your Gornergrat ticket you are allowed to leave the train at every stop and hike a little bit before taking the train again. Many people hike between Gornergrat or Rotenboden - Riffelsee - Riffelberg. You have the best possible view of the Matterhorn too (reflected in a lake). You can have a look at pictures. Of course you won't be alone but that's the same for every hiking trail. The trail is not hard but keep in mind that you are above 2500 m elevation."

V
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Hi again,

i was looking for different connections between ljubljna and verona and then verona milan on the 27 th march ( just to check the timetable etc ) on oebb.at. I put the infor about our passes and following happen

Ticket gilt nur von Ljubljana bis Nova Gorica

Ticket nicht verfügbar   

what does it mean. altso that there were no seats avelaible?

 

I was trying to find connection from Chur to Vaduz for the 13th of july on oebb.at, but I could not find like return tickets. I should buy first to vaduz and then separate back to chur and pay twice 39,90 euro. Is it not possible on this line buy return tickets? On this day we will not use our passes.

And something about Switzerland

  • do you use the same plugs like in Germany?
  • as 1 chf = 1 euro, can I pay cash with euro in Switzerland, e.g on buses?

 

V
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It is the Riffelsee on the Gornergrat Railway, as I explained before it is a convenient and easy hike (but you won't be alone).

 

sorry , missed that, now i can see on the map this walking route and the matterhorn , it is just in the middle of the map and not on the top of the map like others peaks

I found a peak to peak tickets, where the way up is with gornergrat and the way down with cable cars or the other way round, I think we take this one and it costs like 141 chf

V
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we will buy the junior card for my grandchild, thanks for advice.

i just booked the seats from zurich to munchen.

Actually the prices for couchettes like the one we paid for 174 and 349 do they include tickets as well, altso you know we already have tickets / passes?

- Zermatt - Visp - Brig - Spiez (Old Lötschberg Line instead of the 35-km tunnel) - Zweisimmen - Montreux - Geneva - how long does this trip take?

btw - somewhere on the net i found info, that tourist staying in Geneva in paid accomodation are entitled to free public transport within Geneva. Is it right and if so how to get these tickets?

T
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As you're travelling with your grandchild, you'll need to ask for the Children Co-Travelcard (same price) instead of the Junior card, which is for parents and children.

349€ includes a ticket but I'm not sure for the 174€ ones. You will use your Interrail pass anyway, no ?

 

- Zermatt - Visp 08:37 - 09:46 1h09

- Visp - Brig 09:55 - 10:02 7 min

- Brig - Spiez 10:36 - 11:44 1h08

- Spiez - Zweisimmen 12:12 - 12:59 47 min

- Zweisimmen - Montreux 13:02 - 15:11 2h09

- Montreux - Genève 15:17 - 16:31 1h14

This is the longest and most scenic one (same schedule every hour).

 

- Zermatt - Visp 10:13 - 11:22 1h09

- Visp - Spiez 11:27 - 11:53 26 min (through the 35-km long Lötschberg Tunnel

- and then same route as above

Middle option

 

- Zermatt - Visp

- Visp - Geneva

 

For all your journeys in Switzerland, incl. trains, buses, trams, boats,... you can use the SBB app : very reliable and useful. It covers also all European trains so could be useful elsewhere too (it doesn't always give delays outside Switzerland or last-minute schedule changes due to engineering works*)

 

Yes it is true, all infos here :

https://www.geneve.com/en/already-here/geneva-transport-card-for-guests

 

*It'll be interesting to see if the SBB app shows the engineering works between Milano and Tirano this summer !

T
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As you're travelling with your grandchild, you'll need to ask for the Children Co-Travelcard (same price) instead of the Junior card, which is for parents and children.

349€ includes a ticket but I'm not sure for the 174€ ones. You will use your Interrail pass anyway, no ?

 

- Zermatt - Visp 08:37 - 09:46 1h09

- Visp - Brig 09:55 - 10:02 7 min

- Brig - Spiez 10:36 - 11:44 1h08

- Spiez - Zweisimmen 12:12 - 12:59 47 min

- Zweisimmen - Montreux 13:02 - 15:11 2h09

- Montreux - Genève 15:17 - 16:31 1h14

This is the longest and most scenic route (same schedule every hour)

Yes it is true, all infos here :

https://www.geneve.com/en/already-here/geneva-transport-card-for-guests

T
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Other routes from Zermatt :

Middle option

- Zermatt - Visp 10:13 - 11:22

- Visp - Spiez 11:27 - 11:53 (through the 35 km Lötschberg Tunnel)

- and then the same route as above

 

Shortest option

- Zermatt - Visp 10:13 - 11:22

- Visp - Genève 11:35 - 13:50

 

The SBB app is very useful and reliable (also for delays) for all train travels around Switzerland + even all around Europe ! :) I'd recommend to download it. For example it'll give you the platform of every train in advance

(Couldn't post my last post, I guess it was too long)

V
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Hi again,

 

do you know if the Swiss junior card covers hop on hop off busses in Geneva and Zurich and adventure pass in Liechtenstein?

T
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The Junior card covers for sure buses in Geneva, Zurich and Liechtenstein.

I did not know the Adventure Pass but it looks a complete waste of money to me (and according to travel forums, blogs).

Buy a bus day pass for 12 CHF, much better.

For what would you have used the Adventure Pass ?

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