Solved

Make use of eurail pass in SWITZERLAND


Hello, I don’t know how to make use or how to reserve boat trips with my eurail pass, any help??

icon

Best answer by MartinM 1 July 2022, 08:16

View original

28 replies

Userlevel 7
Badge +6

If you want to make a lot of boat trips and only travel in Switzerland, maybe the Swiss Travel Pass will be the better option for you.

For boats you can’t make reservations. The only free boats included in interrail are the BLS cruises on Thuner and Brienzer lake. Seats are first come, first serve. Especially on weekends boats might be busy and best places taken quickly. Boarding of the boats starts usually 15mins before departure. 1st class is on upper deck. 2nd class on the “ground floor”.

Dear Friend,

Your valuable feedback is really much helpful and have given proper direction & understandings.

Thank you very much for all your valuable feedbacks.

With regards,

 

Maulin Shah

 

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

The NORMal trains in Swiss are without RES-just board. The boats are only with discount-show pass at quayside when buying this ticket. 

These special overpriced touristy trains run over exactly the same rails as the normal ones-so you could use these. But IF you feel that a tourist should use them: go whilst in the Swiss to any counter (they may now be a bit hidden in main station behind all the expensive shops) and have them arrange it for you. You are only wasting amounts of time in trying to find www and all that. You may perhaps hit a fully booked train/car: in that case there is probably a Japanese tourgroup having it all done many monthes ago-you would have been too late anyway. Again: use the normal train or go 1 day early/later on that line.

Userlevel 7
Badge +10

Hello

I need one clarification regarding Euro rail pass (for 33 countries). Is this Pass is valid for Glacier train in Switzerland ? Please confirm.

With regards,

 

Maulin Shah

 

Yes the Eurail Global Pass is valid on Glacier Express, but you need to buy a reservation for a seat. 

If you want to avoid reservations you can use local trains on the same route.

Userlevel 7
Badge +14

Thank you very much.

or to Mulhouse :) 

In General it´s wise if traveling from France to Switzerland to book the TGV´s just till the last french stop and use then regionaltrains to cross the border :) as this is much cheaper and you usually lost just 30minutes :) 

I even made it to get by TGV (Final Destination Zürich) till Mulhouse catch a Regionaltrain to Basel and then catch the same TGV from Basel to Zürich :D 

Thank you very much for your reply. 

I was of the different opinion. As per my thinking, if I am travelling through Eurail pass (10 days) it will cost me @ 370 Euro per person. This will allow me to save 78 + 78 = 156 Euro of Paris to Swiss and return from Swiss to Paris. Our return date from Swiss to Paris is 4th May and flight from Paris is at 20:25 PM.

If Eurorail pass is allowing me to travel internal Paris free (Airport to Hotel & local travelling), this is not sure to me. Will you please guide me  on this ?

Regarding Swiss internal travelling, we are planning to go out everyday from Andermatt to different places i.e. Zurich / Interlaken / Lucerne / Pilatus / Titlis / Bern and also one day to Italy (Milano). 

If I have to catch local trains where Euro rail passs is not allowed, will you please guide me what will be expenses of that per day ? 

If I am taking Swiss rail pass for 8 days it will cost me 389 Euro + I have to spend 78 + 78 = 156 Euro for Paris to Swiss & back. 

Need your help to set our Itinerary properly. Please guide.

With regards,

 

Maulin Shah

 

 

 

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

The Eurail Pass does not cover travel in Paris or to the airport.

There is a limited 10€ (or 20€) mandatory seat reservation on TGVs within France.

The direct TGVs into Switzerland (TGV Lyria) have expensive seat reservations : more than 30€ per person. That's why it is advised to take a TGV to Strasbourg.

 

For Milan : 11€ mandatory seat reservation on EC trains with the Eurail Pass but you can avoid that by taking a RegioExpress train (doesn't take more time).

The Swiss Travel Pass would cover travel until Chiasso and then you need to add 10.60€ for Chiasso - Milan return.

Keep in mind that Andermatt - Milan takes at least 3h45 one-way. There are engineering works between 29.04 and 01.05. You'd need to take a rail replacement bus between Chiasso and Milan. The journey will take longer, at least 4h.

Without engineering works :

- First train of the day to Milan : arrival at 10:17

- Last train from Milan : departure 19:10 (or 18:43 reservation-free)

Editing for the rest of your questions…

To Paris CDG Airport the ideal schedule is :

- Andermatt - Göschenen 08:50 - 09:06

- Göschenen - Basel SBB 09:09 - 11:56

- Basel SBB - Strasbourg 12:21 - 13:39

- Strasbourg - CDG Airport 14:01 - 16:04 (10-20€ with Eurail Pass)

That way you don't need to cross Paris.

Use SBB app for all the connections.

So now for the discounts

- Pilatus

- Titlis

- Rigi all included with the Swiss Travel Pass / 50% discount with Eurail Pass for boat + cogwheel railway

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

To Paris CDG Airport the ideal schedule is :

- Andermatt - Göschenen 08:50 - 09:06

- Göschenen - Basel SBB 09:09 - 11:56

- Basel SBB - Strasbourg 12:21 - 13:39

- Strasbourg - CDG Airport 14:01 - 16:04 (10-20€ with Eurail Pass)

That way you don't need to cross Paris.

 

So now for the discounts

- Pilatus

- Titlis

- Rigi all included with the Swiss Travel Pass / 50% discount with Eurail Pass for boat + cogwheel railway 51 CHF

With the Eurail Pass you only get 50% discount for boats which is a shame. Flüelen - Lucerne by boat is simply incredible.

 

Use SBB app for all the connections.

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

For Paris CDG Airport the ideal schedule is :

- Andermatt - Göschenen 08:50 - 09:06

- Göschenen - Basel SBB 09:09 - 11:56

- Basel SBB - Strasbourg 12:21 - 13:39

- Strasbourg - CDG Airport 14:01 - 16:04 (10-20€ with Eurail Pass)

That way you don't need to cross Paris.

So now for the discounts

- Pilatus

- Titlis

- Rigi all included with the Swiss Travel Pass / 50% discount with Eurail Pass for boat + cogwheel railway

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

On 4th May the ideal schedule for Paris CDG Airport is :

- Andermatt - Göschenen 08:50 - 09:06

- Göschenen - Basel SBB 09:09 - 11:56

- Basel SBB - Strasbourg 12:21 - 13:39

- Strasbourg - CDG Airport 14:01 - 16:04 (10-20€ with Eurail Pass)

That way you don't need to cross Paris.
 

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

The Eurail Pass does not cover travel in Paris or to the airport.

There is a limited 10€ (or 20€) mandatory seat reservation on TGVs within France.

The direct TGVs into Switzerland (TGV Lyria) have expensive seat reservations : more than 30€ per person. That's why it is advised to take a TGV to Strasbourg.

For Milan : 11€ mandatory seat reservation on EC trains with the Eurail Pass but you can avoid that by taking a RegioExpress train (doesn't take more time).

The Swiss Travel Pass would cover travel until Chiasso and then you need to add for Chiasso - Milan return.

Keep in mind that Andermatt - Milan takes at least 3h30-3h45 one-way. There are engineering works between 29.04 and 01.05. You'd need to take a rail replacement bus between Chiasso and Milan. The journey will take longer, at least 4h.

Without engineering works :

- First train of the day to Milan : arrival at 10:17

- Last train from Milan : departure at 18:43 (reservation-free) or 19:10

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

To Paris CDG Airport the ideal schedule is :

- Andermatt - Göschenen 08:50 - 09:06

- Göschenen - Basel SBB 09:09 - 11:56

- Basel SBB - Strasbourg 12:21 - 13:39

- Strasbourg - CDG Airport 14:01 - 16:04 (10-20€ with Eurail Pass)

That way you don't need to cross Paris.

 

So now for the discounts

- Pilatus

- Titlis

- Rigi all included with the Swiss Travel Pass / 50% discount with Eurail Pass for boat + cogwheel railway 

With the Eurail Pass you only get 50% discount for boats which is a shame. Flüelen - Lucerne by boat is simply incredible

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

So now for the discounts

- Pilatus STP : 39 CHF / Eurail Pass : 42 CHF (train + Pilatus) / 56.20 CHF (boat + Pilatus)

- Titlis 48 CHF Swiss Travel Pass/ 72 CHF Eurail Pass

- Rigi all included with the Swiss Travel Pass / 50% discount with Eurail Pass for boat + cogwheel railway = 51 CHF

All the other railways in your itinerary are included.

Use SBB App for all the connections

For example it shows that Andermatt 08:50 - Paris CDG Airport 16:04 is the best connection.

As the TGV to CDG Airport on 4th May costs 109€ per person, go ahead and buy a Eurail Pass. But be aware that it doesn't cover the RER to the city center and travel within Paris. Look up local passes, I can't help with that

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

To Paris CDG Airport the ideal schedule is :

- Andermatt - Göschenen 08:50 - 09:06

- Göschenen - Basel SBB 09:09 - 11:56

- Basel SBB - Strasbourg 12:21 - 13:39

- Strasbourg - CDG Airport 14:01 - 16:04 (10-20€ with Eurail Pass)

That way you don't need to cross Paris.

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

Between Andermatt and Paris CDG Airport the ideal schedule is :

- Andermatt - Göschenen 08:50 - 09:06

- Göschenen - Basel SBB 09:09 - 11:56

- Basel SBB - Strasbourg 12:21 - 13:39

- Strasbourg - CDG Airport 14:01 - 16:04 (10-20€ with Eurail Pass)

That way you don't need to cross Paris.

Userlevel 7
Badge +9

Can you please be a bit more specific with what you need help with?

Thank you for replying.
The chocolate train and boat trips, how to book them with my pass.

Userlevel 7
Badge +9

What boats trips?

Hello

I need one clarification regarding Euro rail pass (for 33 countries). Is this Pass is valid for Glacier train in Switzerland ? Please confirm.

With regards,

 

Maulin Shah

 

What is the charges for reservation ? Please guide.

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

49 CHF, not worth it at all

Use the hourly regional trains (reservation-free) on the exact same route and stop along the way if you want

OK. Noted with thanks.

Hello,

If i am travelling with Euro pass from Paris to Swiss, should I book seat reservation ? If compulsory, what is extra charge for it ? Please guide.

With regards,

 

Maulin Shah

 

Userlevel 7
Badge +5

Here is what I've written 4 days ago :

"The Eurail Pass does not cover travel in Paris or to the airport.

There is a limited 10€ (or 20€) mandatory seat reservation on TGVs within France.

The direct TGVs into Switzerland (TGV Lyria) have expensive seat reservations : more than 30€ per person. That's why it is advised to take a TGV to Strasbourg."

So book seat reservations for a TGV between Paris-Est and Strasbourg here : 

https://travel.b-europe.com/Eurail-GE/en/booking-tgv#TravelWish

(4€ booking fee per order so you can book the return TGV at the same time)

Then reservation-free Strasbourg - Basel SBB and everywhere in Switzerland.

For the return leg book TGV Strasbourg - CDG Airport at the same place. It is the easiest way as you do not need to cross Paris

Thank you very much.

Reply