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Deciding on which Swiss travel pass, half card or second class full pass.

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My husband and self will be in Switzerland for 8 days next September. We will be traveling by rail, so I intend to purchase some type of pass for each of us. I cannot decide between the second class travel pass and the half fare card. The trains I know we will be taking will add up to full fare second class cost of around $310 a piece for each of us. I understand that there is greater convenience in having a regular travel pass, and there may be other places we will use it, thus I was considering the second class regular pass, for the convenience, and probable usage adding up to more than $310. However, I read that sometimes the trains are very crowded in second class. So, that makes me wonder if I should buy us the half fare cards and then purchase first class seats on certain very crowded trains. But I wonder how many of the trains we will be taking will be so crowded, and how I'd find out in advance of purchasing tickets. The trains I know we will be taking are Basel-Luzern, a boat ride in Luzern, Luzern to Wengen, Wengen to Lauterbrunnen (a few times back and forth, as we will be staying in Wengen), Wengen to Bern, and Wengen to Domodossola. Should I expect these trains to be crowded? Only at certain times of day? Or is it always unpredictable? Thank you

Posted by
2666 posts

I just came across this article that might interest you. Scroll down to "Second class or first class?"

https://www.newlyswissed.com/swiss-travel-pass-solo-travelers-guide/

Are you aware of the current sale on the passes? Details here:

https://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/swiss-travel-pass-25-off-until-11-december-2021

As far as crowded trains, i came across a few when i was in Switzerland this past Sept. If you download the SBB app, when you put in your "from" and "to" locations, you'll see little people for each route. 1 or 2 people mean they expect the train to not be crowded. 3 people mean they expect that train to be crowded. I found this feature to be unreliable though as all of our crowded trains only showed 1 or 2 people. One tip: avoid "rush hour" if you can in the morning as i think that's when we ran into one of our crowded trains--everyone traveling to work.

For the boat ride, you can line up early at the dock to make sure you get a good seat. Are you taking the boat to Rigi? Try to sit at the front of the boat and then the left side on the train up the mountain. Wengen back and forth to Lauterbrunnen is only 10 minutes and there is no 1st or 2nd class for that route. You're going to love Wengen, by the way. I'm going there in June. i think you'll be fine with second class. There might be a time or two where you won't be able to find 2 seats together.

And Sept. is a great time to go. Enjoy!!!!

Edited to add: Since you'll be staying in Wengen, you should check out the Wengen Facebook page. You don't have to be member to view:

https://www.facebook.com/wengen.swiss/

Those night skies are amazing!!!!!

Posted by
4690 posts

I was in Switzerland this past September. Of all the many trains we rode, only one train for one hour was crowded. All the others were had plenty of open seats. Second class is more than adequate: charger for the phone, hook for the backpack or jacket, comfortable seats, and very clean.
Some folks have reported dealing with rail ticket machines has been a pain, but since I always have a STP, I can't respond.
If you're in Lucerne, take the boat to Vitnau, and then ride the cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Rigi- all covered by the STP, and very beautiful!
Also in Lucerne is the open air cable car to Mt. Stans, also all covered by the STP.
AND- the 25% sale on the passes if you buy now, which is fully refundable; recommend you buy thru the SBB site.
September is such a perfect time to go, so have fun planning!

Posted by
16231 posts

We have been riding Swiss trains for 20 years, and only on the most recent trip (2018) faced crowding on the trains in 2d class. This was the journey between Bern and Spiez, on our way to Interlaken and eventually Mürren. I won’t go into details but it was way too crowded with tourists.

But there is another way to avoid this problem, apart from buying a First Class Pass. That is a waste as some of the trains you will be riding, such as between Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, do not even have a first class car. Instead, you can reserve seats on the potentially crowded trains (such as the one between Basel and Luzern) in advance for 5 Fr. Per seat.

For the Luzern boat ride, I think it is worth having a first class experience. You can do that with a 2d class Swiss Pass by going to the ticket window before sailing, and paying for the upgrade. We did this a few years ago and it was worthwhile.

Posted by
119 posts

Thank you, all three, for your answers. Very helpful! I am aware of the 25% discount until December 11, and that is why I'm asking the questions, and seeking to decide which card now. Also, I checked out the articles recommended and the Wengen Facebook page. What beautiful videos are on that page! Makes me more excited for our trip. I appreciate also the information about the ability to reserve seats on possibly crowded second class cars and the ability to upgrade to first class on a potentially crowded train. I am still hoping for information on how that might be accomplished. I understand the suggestion of upgrading on the ferry on Lake Luzern by paying extra at the ticket booth. How would I upgrade a train ticket, if I have a second class travel pass and want to ride on a first class car on a particular route? Thank you so much for all your input.

Posted by
27093 posts

Check refund rules carefully for any pass you are considering. In the past, RailEurope's sales have meant no possibility of refund, whereas buying at full price allowed an 85% refund if the pass was canceled. I do not now what the rules are for purchases made from the Swiss rail folks.

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