I will be buying a 15 day continuous STP Pass when they go on sale (hopefully this month??) for my husband and myself for travel beginning aug. 15th. We are both over 70 but i think age is irrelevant on this pass. Where is the best online place to buy them? I also want to confirm that i dont activate this pass until we get to switzerland (Aug15)? If this is true, how do i make reservations in advance on any express trains we might want to go on (very few). Even on express routes, i plan on usually taking the regular local trains for which i dont need a reservation but we might want to take one or two of the express trains. Thank you in advance for your help.
Posted by
Green Bay
20490 posts
There is really no need to buy so far in advance. you could even buy it when you arrive in Switzerland. You do not need to have the pass activated to buy seat reservations for the "express" trains. I assume by that you mean trains like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express. You buy these at the individual operators sites.
Here is a reliable to purchase Swiss Travel Passes.
https://rail.myswitzerland.com/en/buy-swiss-travel-pass
Posted by
OP
91 posts
I was only hoping for April sale prices like last year. Perhaps there is not enough savings to worry about it. You can usually only make reservations no more than three months out i read on the bernina and glacier express routes. Anybody have any experience waiting to make those reservations upon arrival in mid-august? , ie just a few days before travel.
Posted by
Green Bay
20490 posts
Reservations may all be gone if you wait until you arrive, or at least not available on the particular train you want, or seated together. But you do not need a pass when you buy the reservation, just have it, or a ticket when you board the train.
Posted by
Michigan
186 posts
For what it's worth last year my husband and I purchased a 15 day STP. There was a sale on some other passes (but not the 15 day pass) at the time but after doing the math it was less expensive for us to purchase the 15 day STP the a combo of the passes which were on sale. So if a sale is offered be sure to do the math to see if the sale price is a good deal for your particular situation. I cannot help with reservations. Despite many trips to Switzerland over the years, we've never felt a need to make a reservation for any Swiss train.
Happy planning and I wish you a wonderful trip!
Traveler Girl