I am looking at an 11:20am train out of Milan to Spiez -- Eurocity 52 (EC 52).
I'd like to use my Swiss Travel Pass for the Swiss part of the journey.
Do I purchase a Milan to Domodossola ticket and use the Swiss Pass from Domodossola to Spiez?
Or do I need to purchase a Milan to Brig ticket and use the Swiss Pass from Brig to Spiez?
Thanks for the time.
-- Jerry
You can buy this on the Swiss rail site---SBB.ch or rail.ch for English. The website will have a dropdown menu to choose a Swiss Pass reduction. Choose the "GA 2.cl" (assuming you have a 2d Class Swiss Pass) not Half Fare Card). This will be a print-at-home ticket so OK to purchase even though your journey begins outside Switzerland.
Many Thanks Lola.
And if I am taking my two children with me -- on a Swiss Family Card -- for them, will I select a Swiss reduction for "Junior Card"?
-- Jerry
OK, now I am re-thinking my Swiss Travel Pass. If I purchase a BO Regional Pass (http://www.regionalpass-berneroberland.ch/en/), would I use the same "Swiss Reduction" code for the Milan to Spiez ticket?
Couple of things to consider.
You don't get the family card with the regional pass, so the two kids will each need a 30 CHF Child Regional Pass.
You will not be able to take the EC train all the way to Spiez as it is not valid on the EC route. Instead, you will have to get off at Brig and take the "Loetschberger" train to Spiez, which is slower, although more scenic. In that case you could just buy tickets to Brig, at the Trenitalia site if it costs less, for you and the kids.
If you are getting a 4-day B.O. pass it is only 9 CHF less than the 4-day Swiss Pass and you have to get 30 CHF Child passes for each of the kids. If you are getting an 8-day B.O. ppass, it is only 26 CHF less than the 8-day Swiss Pass and you again have to get Child passes. So it only might make sense if you are getting a 6-day B.O. pass for which there is no equivalent Swiss Pass. And then where are you traveling afterward?
Many thanks Sam. We actually have only two real destinations in Switzerland - three nights in Wengen and 3 nights in Lucerne. And of course day trips from each town. It was the Wengen area that caused me to think about a BO regional pass. I had asked about Spiez only to give context to my original question.
Any additional thoughts about the benefits / detriments of the BO regional pass?
My question then is where you are going after Luzern? An 8-day Swiss Pass can be used for the train to Zurich airport if that is where you are leaving from, or for the Swiss portion of the train leaving Switzerland. Again, the kids will still be on the Swiss Family Card.
As is always the case in Switzerland with its myriad of passes, you have to add up the cost of each option to find the best deal for you. Kinda like doing income taxes.
Also consider that while in Luzern, the Swiss pass can be used on boats and public transportation. The B.O. Pass only gets you to Luzern station and no further.
