Happy Nw year-no worries for down yundah-about all normal trains in the Swiss are without even chance to RES. Main exception are the special high prices touristy trains so heavily promoted also via this site-all these lines can be done with exactly same views on the normal trains-these mostly run ev. hour. Every now and then in the IC-trains you may see labels for RES-thats mostly schoolclasses or big groups. This is for IN the Swiss-for trains going OUT of it-INTERNati-it may be different.

JUMPing on trains however is not really rec, nor needed like in crush-India:-you can just board after the others have alight.

Note that if you only/mainly stay IN the Swiss you had better look after Swiss HOliday Pass-cost a little more, offers far more: also all local transit like bustram, many museums and covers even more railwaylines for ´free´ as vs. paid/discount with EUrail. I think these still offer also discount for couples vs 2 individual passes. (not sure-check this)

Also note that the specific very steep lines that do not serve peoples homes but mountains_these are all out of the passes, but may offer discounts-or sometimes in low season other local offers. Jan is however hi-season for ski-areas.

As the previous post says a Swiss Travel Pass or local Pass may be cheaper overall. Look up the Swiss Pass site to see what you get. If you’re staying in one area we can advise on the best option if you give us more details 

We had a look at the Swiss Travel Pass. It looks good! We will be going to see the scenery mainly and do a bit of downhill skiing. Some advice on the best resort and best snow would be great. We will need to book accomodation soon if we want to get something affordable. Thanks!

I’d recommend the area to the South of Interlaken as there is a superb network of trains and cable cars to very high altitude. Resorts include Wengen Murren and Grindelwald