I have been researching this Nov-Dec trip so much I think I'm forgetting details I learned initially a few months ago.
Anyhow:
What are the advantages of pre-purchase of the Pass? We know we want the four-day consecutive pass Swiss Travel Pass. Obviously, convenience is one advantage. And I believe that the consecutive -day pass can be printed at home and does not need to be validated once in Switzerland.
Am I missing anything else? Thanks so much and safe travels!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Correct, the consecutive-day Swiss Travel Pass can be printed at home for a specified travel period and does not need to be validated once in Switzerland, so you need not make any stops in the Swiss train station (including if entering by train from another country). There are occasionally off-season promotions, so you might want to check a little later in the fall.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Are you landing in Zurich or Geneva from your international flight from the USA? If you prepurchase your STP to begin on the exact date you land and your flight is delayed for several hours or if your flight is cancelled and you’re rebooked onto a flight that doesn’t arrive until the next day...then you’ve just lost one of your STP travel days.
Posted by
Chicago
2661 posts
I think a big advantage to printing out at home is that you can print out multiple copies of the pass. So, if you happen to lose one, you'll have a back up copy to use. If you lose the Pass that you would get once in Switzerland and lose it, you are out of luck.
But Tim brought up a great point I hadn't thought of. If your flight is delayed you may lose a day on the pass. I have to think about that as I was planning on printing my pass at home for my April visit. One of my travel companions loses everything, so it might be worth the risk to print out at home.
Have a great trip!!
Posted by
Chicago
7808 posts
What ever you do wait until you get there to buy it. You never know when your flight may be delayed costing you a day.
It comes printed on card board versus a sheet of paper in a protective plastic covering with the area validity map.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, California
4675 posts
My travel companion also tends to misplace things [for a few days, hours, etc - not completely lose,] so I do like the idea of multiple copies- what a great insight.
[Who raised this now-adult child???]
Posted by
7 posts
We went ahead and purchased it and have printed it out for a trip starting next week. Question: would love to have a protective plastic covering and the area validity map. Do you think if we showed a printed copy at a customer service desk at the train station, that they would give us this? Trying to find a way to find the pass and make it stand out! Thank you.
Posted by
Chicago
7808 posts
Go to the sbb ticket office when you arrive they will have the area of validity map or it is also online you can download but make sure It says 2019.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16176 posts
If you are interested in lowest cost for the pass, compare the price on this website ( via RailEurope) in dollars versus the cost in Swiss Francs on the Swiss website.
You need to factor in the current exchange rate as well as any foreign transaction fees your bank charges for purchases is Swiss francs.