Hi,
We are taking the train from the Geneva airport to Lausanne on a Tuesday morning, and returning 4 days later. Here are my three questions:
Which app is easier for buying tickets, SBB Mobile or Trainline? SBB seems more complicated.
Should we buy the tickets in advance or is same day ok?
Since we will have luggage (carryon and backpacks) would it be easier to buy first class tickets? I'm thinking the train might be filled with commuters.
Thanks for your help,
Kate
Buy from SBB. It’s super easy. Just load the app on your phone.
No need to buy in advance.
I like 1st class because there’s more room and less crowds.
Ditto. For my first trip from the airport (after a night on a plane), I went with first for the quiet and space. I did again for the last journey to the airport, as I am not a morning person. Otherwise it did not seem necessary--Geneva to Lausanne is so short, I would not bother with first class.
I have another question! To get to Vevey....it says it's "Direct"...but then I read that there's a 7 minute train ride from the airport to the Geneva Central Train Station-Gare Cornavin. Does the direct train start at Geneval Central or the airport?
Use the website www.sbb.ch to find out schedules.
There you will see that there are direct trains from the airport to Vevey every half hour.
The train starts at the airport so you will find plenty of space, making 1st class unnecessary in my opinion. Especially since Geneva to Lausanne is against the main flow of commuters in the morning.
I bought well in advance, a saver ticket to save a bit of money. I timed my train to be an hour after my flight landed. We were delayed by 15 minutes, and I still made the train with about ten minutes to spare!
thank you! I have the schedule for the direct route, but I read about that 7 minute train ride out of the airport and got nervous.
I really appreciate all of the advice.
Hi Kate, when using the SBB app it is possible to purchase a class upgrade as you are traveling. You could always purchase a second class ticket before you leave, and then if the train is very busy and you can not find a seat just purchase a class upgrade as you make your way into first class. I have done this several times.
In the app:
Enter your departure and arrival locations as well as day and time
Choose the train you want to take
Now you will see “tickets from…” in red at the bottom of the screen. Click on this
You will be given ticket choices, one will be “point-to-point class upgrade”. As long as you already have a second class ticket you can purchase this upgrade and ride in first class.
An additional note:
Some specific trains have a supersaver rate, this applies to the upgrade we well. You can purchase this cheaper upgrade (if there is one) as long as it is for the exact train that you are on.
Thank you everyone, for the great advice. Very helpful!
Kate
