Have not previously traveled in Switzerland and rarely travel on trains. So, I went out to Golden Pass website to make reservations and get tickets from Montreux to Interlaken (en route to Murren). I was able to make reservations for a 9:35 train but didn’t see a way to buy the tickets concurrently. I naively thought, “possibly we buy them on the train”. Then I went back to my RS Travel Book and learned that would not be happening without a stiff fine. Then I’m back on the Golden Pass website to buy tickets for the 9:35 train. The website will sell me tickets but does not specify a train time. This is for July 26 and I want to make sure that I have tickets for the correct train. The GP website doesn’t provide a way (that I could discern) to contact them with questions. Can anyone provide me with some education on this process? Do I just buy tickets for that day and show up for the 9:35 train and seek out the car where we have the reservations?
Posted by
8 posts
I just recently had similar questions and confusion about the golden pass trains! So first - you reserved a seat on a specific train and time it sounds like. That is great. When you board the train you will have seat reserved for you. The train ticket itself is different and you can just buy that at SBB.cH. You can even do that the day you travel! Just make sure it is for a route from Montreux to Interlaken for that day. You will also want to know what class of car tour reservation is in. So if in a first class car make sure to buy a first class ticket.
Good luck!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5604 posts
Are you buying a Swiss Travel Pass? If you are using other trains in Switzerland most folks buy a Half Fare card or Swiss Travel Pass. Note on the SBB site the fares given assume that passengers have at least the half- fare card.
The Swiss Train system is very efficient and user- friendly. Have a great trip in this beautiful country. Please do more research before buying anything, in order to save yourself money. Safe travels!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5604 posts
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you! I’ll review these references. And yes, I have a Half Fare Pass.
Posted by
Wengen
2493 posts
"The website will sell me tickets but does not specify a train time. "
Train tickets in Switzerland are valid a whole day, and permit you to take any service on a particular route at your own discretion. Also you usually by tickets for the whole route.
So you would need a ticket Montreux - Murren valid on July 26. You can buy that at any time up to and including July 26. Most tickets in Switzerland are sold on the same day they are used. Trains are mass transit, used by people to go about their every day business and such everyday business rarely lends itself to advance ticket purchase.
That you do not need to hurry with buying a ticket also means that you can leave yourself some time to decide if for example a Swiss Travel Pass or a Half Fare Card may be appropriate for you. Also if you are staying in Montreux you will get the Riviera Card. This card gives you free public transit in the area, and is valid till "Les Avants". So you would only need a ticket from there to Murren.
Tickets do not guarantee you a seat. With only a ticket it may happen (rarely) that you board a train and all seats are taken, and so you will have to stand till a seat frees up. A reservation guarantees you a seat. Reservations are however optional on the Golden Pass line. You have one however, so you have your seat. Don't worry about your ticket. You can just get that at the station. Don't forget to tell the ticket clerk you are going to Murren, so you get a ticket till there.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thanks to all for this invaluable information.
Posted by
84 posts
Follow up question regarding the Golden Pass - If one has the BO Pass, it is free on the train from Saanen to Interlaken, but 1/2 price from Montreaux to Saanen. Do you just buy a ticket from Montreaux to Saanen, but get on a Golden Pass train that goes all the way to Interlaken? I don't want to have to change trains, but also don't want to get a fine if I don't have the correct ticket.
Posted by
84 posts
My question is - with the BO pass, the Golden Pass is included (free) from Saanen/Gstad to Interlaken, so I don't want to buy a ticket for that portion since it is free. Do I just buy a ticket from Montreaux to Saanen and then stay on the same Golden Pass train and if they later ask for my ticket to Interlaken, I just show my BO pass where that portion of the trip is included on the BO pass?? Thanks
Posted by
Wengen
2493 posts
Yes. Of course. You just stay on the train. This is how trains work. You are supposed to have on you something that shows that you have paid to be entitled to travel on that route. Until Saanen that will be your ticket, from Saanen onwards your pass. There is no need to get off, change trains etc...
Just show both our ticket and the pass to the conductor, so they do not have to bother you again later...