Switzerland 2 week ( 15 day) TRAIN itinerary ?? Advice ??

I am so glad you posted these questions, as I had many of the same! I will be watching travelers' advice on your thread!

Have a wonderful time on your adventure!

Gabrielle

Joan, no, express trains also make interim stops. You have to be aware of when to get off and not get off. Yes there are several scenic train itineraries, some of which have special trains with panoramic cars that require reservations and extra cost, while regular non-special trains will also ply the same routes. No you cant just get off an express train look around and get back on. Trains usually stop only for a few moments, and then go on. But many regional trains, you can get back on a later train, as long as its the same day.

You would benefit greatly from the Rick Steves Switzerland guidebook as well as checking out the website "the man in seat sixty-one". There are some tricks about rail travel it would be helpful to know, and ticket pricing is a bit complicated. Just using the websites can be confusing. For Switzerland, the Swiss Railway website sbb.ch/en is the one to use to see all the available trains and tickets, as well as discount passes.

An itinerary really depends on what you want to see and do, and a guidebook (and poking around this website) will help you narrow it down.

Hi Joan

Has anyone out there done the 15 day train trip in Switzerland .??

I have been on trains in Switzerland all over the country over many years but I have never done it 15 days on the trot. Who is offering a 15 day trip?

Do some of the trains have stop off points where you can visit a town and then get back on to his suggested destination point??

All trains stop at some intermediate stations and if your pass or ticket allows it you can get off, just like other passengers. And if you want to board a later train going somewhere you can do that with the appropriate pass or ticket.

get back on to his suggested destination point??

whose suggested destination point? Which destination point?

Are there not to miss Scenic train itineraries??

Lots. Some sold as such and many just normal trains with fabulous views. If you have never been to Switzerland you might find them all beautiful.

With the express trains I assume you just go from point A to point B with no stops. Is that correct???

Depends on what you mean by stops. Most trains make frequent stops at intermediate stations for people to leave and others to join, and some ride straight through - depends where they are going. Faster trains stop at fewer stations but almost always some.

On the other hand maybe you are referring to the highly marketed tourist trains called xxx-Express, such as Bernina Express and Glacier Express, etc. Ironically these are the slowest trains in the country despite the marketing bumph calling them express. Many tourists ride these highly marketed and very expensive trains from end to end although even those will call at several intermediate stations. Locals ride the same route with the same scenery and same views and the same stops for a fraction of the price.

Perhaps you could fill in a bit of the detail of what you are planning for those of us unsure of what you are referring to....

Locals ride the same route with the same scenery and same views and the same stops for a fraction of the price.

Actually the transportation price part of the journey for both "xxx-Express" trains and the local trains is exactly the same, but the fancy trains have a mandatory seat reservation fee that can be in the 50 CHF range in the summer. Benefits are special panoramic cars (but the windows don't open like the regular trains, photographers take note), headsets with multi-lingual descriptions of the sights along the way, restaurant service at your seat.