Swiss Travel Pass? Flexi? 1st Class, 2nd Class? Help!

Posted by seekevsing on 12/21/24 08:40 AM

Dear All,

Traveling to Switzerland for the first time and excited to have reservations 1st class on the Glacier Express in March, Zermatt to St. Moritz. Our trip will be for 7 days, and we are flying in and out of Zurich, and using trains the rest of the time. Would you recommend getting the Swiss Pass or the Flexi Pass? 1st Class or 2nd Class? How far in advance should we buy these passes, and also should we always make reservations for every train?
Other insights would be great - things to do in Zurich and Zermatt, a bit in St. Moritz too.

Thank you for your help!

Posted by travel4fun

Bend, Oregon

12/21/24 09:25 AM

2570 posts

Most trains in Switzerland don’t take seat reservations, so you probably won’t need to reserve many (if any) other than the Glacier Express.

I’ve only traveled in 2nd class, and that was perfectly fine. We stayed in the BO area in the summer and always found a seat on the train. If you’ll be using the STP for lots of gondola rides, they don’t offer first class options. So there’s no benefit in paying more for the pass on those trips.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

12/21/24 10:07 AM

33985 posts

If you have 1st class reservations on the Glacier Express (or anywhere else) and only have a 2nd class pass or ticket you need to but a 1st class upgrade. Ticket not legal otherwise.

Posted by Carrie

Chicago

12/21/24 12:28 PM

3177 posts

In a perfect world where trains are never crowded, 2nd class would be perfectly fine. But that is not the reality. The trains are often very crowded. I learned my lesson the hard way. My first trip to Switzerland in 2021, I had the 2nd class Swiss Travel Pass. I was traveling with my sister and her husband and we often could not find seats together. One time, a train was so crowded that we got off and waited for the next train.

For my trips in 2022 and 2024, I had the 1st class Swiss Travel Pass and it was a very different experience. I often had the 1st class train cars to myself. I will only travel in 1st class in Switzerland from now on. There’s just more room for me and my luggage.

For the “regular” trains, you do not need seat reservations. That’s one of the many things I love about Switzerland. The ease of travel.

If you click on my name, you can click on the links to my Switzerland trip reports if you’d like to read.

Have a great trip!!

Posted by Carrie

Chicago

12/21/24 12:41 PM

3177 posts

I should also add that I buy me Pass about a week before I'm scheduled to leave. I like to allow time in case there's any problems. I purchase when I'm at home because i like to have a couple of printed copied of my Pass, in addition to the QR code you will get. I find it easier to just keep the paper copy on the table in the trains so I'm not fiddling with my phone trying to find the QR code when the conductor comes by checking for tickets.

You may also be asked for your ID/passport. So, make sure that is readily available. I used to be able to show a copy of my passport, but on my last trip one conductor did not like that, and i needed to show my actual passport, which i had in my money belt. After that experience, i kept my passport out until i showed it with my Pass.