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Swiss Travel Pass FLEX and Golden Pass questions

Posted by on

My husband and I are spending 18 days in Switzerland this September/October (Bern, Geneva (visiting family), Montreux, Lauterbrunnen and Zurich) .

We think the 15 day Flex Pass will work best for us, but have a few questions...

1.Should we purchase it here in US before we go or wait until we arrive at Zurich airport?
2.We've seen conflicting statements...Flex is "only available as a physical ticket" as well as "available as e-pass, for which you enter travel days online as you go". Which is correct?
3. If "only a physical ticket", how does that work? Where and how do you enter your travel days?
4. If "available as e-pass", how do we enter travel days in advance while we are there, if we can't get an internet connect?

Assuming we have the Flex Pass, we will not need tickets for the Golden Pass trains, but we do need to purchase seat reservations, correct?

Do we need seat reservations for all 3 legs of the route? (Montreux/Interlaken, Interlaken/Luzerne and Luzerne/Zurich)

We've purchased seat reservations for the Montreux/Interlaken leg, but can't figure how to purchase seats for the other 2 legs. We tried to purchase seats for Interlaken/Luzerne, but Luzerne Bahnhof was not listed as a destination; it only showed various other Luzerne stations.

Wish we were taking this trip next year when the direct Golden Pass Express train will be available :)
Thanks in advance for any information.

Posted by
75 posts

The Flex Pass is available as paper ticket as well as e-ticket. In the latter case you must activate the pass every day you want to use it through a dedicated website, for this you must have internet connection, but not while using the pass. If you do not activate the pass and use it though, you will pay a penalty on the train.

In general you do not have to reserve seats on regular trains (except PE - panoramic trains need reservation). As tickets are not tied to a specific train (except Supersaver tickets), you can simply board the trains and take a seat left. Traveling by train here is like using the metro elsewhere, get on, get off.

Working as a ticket inspector I want to say that the Swiss Flex Pass is not really the best deal. And I see it rarely on the trains, to be honest. Check the Swiss Half Fare Card which gives you 50% reduction on almost all public transport rides.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/inspiration/international-guests/swiss-halffare-card.html

What ever you choose, you can buy the tickets at the SBB travel center at the airport when you arrive. Or through www.sbb.ch, by doing so you can also sign in the SBB mobile app and you will have the tickets and cards on your smartphone. Again, no internet connection needed while on the train.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks for the helpful info, Roland.
It sounds like the paper Flex pass would be easier to use ...no need to activate it every day it on the website like the e-pass . We're non-tech savvy seniors, so we thought the Flex pass would be the simplest way to go....no need to purchase tickets every day as with the half-fare card.

We still haven't found the correct website to reserve Golden Pass seats from Interlaken to Zurich. Fortunately, we were able to reserve seats from Monteux to Zweissimmen on the MOB website. Any tips?

Many thanks,
Betty

Posted by
75 posts

That's perfectly fine Betty. Using the paper ticket you simply fill out one of the empty date fields with the actual date. You can do that till the moment you board a public transport vehicle on the day in question. If you forget it, you will pay a supplement :)

Be careful with the paper ticket. It will not be replaced in case of loss.

You do not have to reserve seats for Zweisimmen / Interlaken // Interlaken / Lucerne // Lucerne / Zurich stretches. There are enough seats available on these three trains.

Posted by
3 posts

That all sounds great, Roland. You've been very helpful. Thanks again!
And we will guard our paper passes very carefully...just like our passports!
Betty

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