Hi All,
I'm planning a trip to Switzerland for 4 adults and one 14 year old youth. On June 10, 2019, we are traveling by train from Luzern to Geneva. I reserved our seats on the Golden Pass from Luzern to Montreux. I have read the info on the man in seat 61...but lack the confidence to proceed without some advice/reassurance.
As I understand it, I can wait until we get to Switzerland and just get tickets at the train station--being careful to follow that route. They will be availble, there is always room?? And these tickets would not be timed, we could get off for a while at Montreux, and board any train available to Geneva? Or, I could search on SBB for that route and possibly save money by buying Supersaver, non-refundable tickets. Or I can buy a Saver Day Pass that allows one to board any train for one day. Again, there is always room on the train? I checked the Swiss rail map, and it appears all the Golden Pass routes are included on the Day Pass. Is this correct? Finally, the 14 year old could travel for free with a $30, travel card--but it must be purchased at a station. I already reserved a seat for him on the Golden Pass portion.
I try to be economical...but if there isn't a big price difference, flexibility would be nice. If we mess up on a tight Golden Pass connection, it would be comforting to know we could still get to Geneva.
Corrections, suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The Golden Pass line does not actually require reservations and therefore can never sell out, same as most other Swiss trains. People with tickets for the relevant route can board, even if it's crowded. If you have already made seat reservations on specific trains, then you do only need to buy the tickets at any station or online for the matching route (e.g., via Zweisimmen, not Bern). With either regular tickets or a day pass, you have the whole day to complete the unreserved leg from Montreux to Geneva.
Both SBB kid cards are sold there in stations.