OK, I've researched the prices for individual tickets, compared the various rail passes, read the relevant topics on RS forum (thanks, everybody!) and have concluded that an Austria-Switzerland rail pass for $281 is the best deal for my travels from Salzburg to Wengen. But I don't know how to buy it and also get a reservation on the Railjet 11:56am train (#162) from Salzburg to Zurich and the return, which is recommended on the RS Rail Pass page as the high-speed trains fill up during high season according to the site. I also don't know how/where to pay for the portion of the ticket that isn't covered at Buchs. Can someone please help me with these 2 issues?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
You don't have to reserve the Rail Jet train if you don't want to. It does not require reservations and cannot block you from boarding. But since it's a long ride, you probably do want a seat assigned. You can buy the seat reservation at any train station for about 5 euros or you can book ahead at http://ricksteves.raileurope.com/us/rail/point_to_point/triprequest.htm at the same time that you buy the rail pass (put everything into the shopping cart before paying).
The portion of the trip that's not covered by the Austria-Switzerland pass is not at Buchs, it's from Interlaken to Wengen. Just buy that train ticket at Interlaken train station and show your pass to get a 25% discount on it, as you'll do for all other tickets before departing Interlaken.
Posted by
OP
115 posts
Thanks, Laura. I've gone to the link you provided to book the Railjet seat and purchase the Austria-Switzerland Rail Pass, but after I enter my itinerary it gets stuck processing. I have tried this several times without ever being able to complete it. Is there another place I can go to accomplish these 2 things? Or is it just busy and I should keep trying?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
German reservations are not available tonight between 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. ET and maybe that applies to this train, too, if Rail Europe is getting the seat reservations through their German source. I would try again tomorrow. The rail pass will be saved in your shopping cart for 24 hours.