Looking for some help since it will be our first time in Switzerland...
There are 5 of us (my husband and I are in the mid 50s, and 3 adult children (ages from 21 to 24) and we have decided to buy STP 2nd class for 4 days (12/16 - 12/19). We will fly in Zurich early Friday 12/15 (7:00 am) and take a train from Zurich to Lucerne. On Tuesday, 12/19 based on current schedules, there's a departure from Luzern at 8:18, arriving to Venezia S. Lucia at 15:12 ( 2 changes Luzern ->Lugano->Milano Centrale->Venezia S. Lucia. I know STP covers from Luzern to Lugano and we just need to get on (no need to make seat reservations, is it right?
My question is, do I need to buy the tickets from Milano to Venezia S. Lucia in advance or can we just buy them when we get there at the station?
I haven't bought the swiss travel passes yet, but will do soon.
Thanks much!
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
If you buy a nonrefundable tickets today for 5 people for the Freccia train arriving Venice at 15:12, it will cost you 99,50 EUR. Its called a Super Economy Ticket. if you wait until you get to the station, you will pay 245 EUR for a Base Tickets. The choice is yours.
BTW, did you know that if you leave Luzern just a little earlier, at 7:39, after a connection in Arth-Goldau, you can board a train direct to Venezia S. Lucia arriving at 14:42?
Posted by
Wengen
2497 posts
The STP wil cover you all the way to Chiasso. So you only need a ticket Chiasso - Venezia.
What you can do is book Luzern - Venezia with SBB and indicate that you have a "GA" as reduction. That way you will only pay for the part outside of Switzerland, but have reservations already from Arth - Goldau.
If you do not mind leaving a bit earlier there is a direct train Arth-Goldau to Venice at 8:18. You'd need to leave Luzern at 7:39, but then you would have no further changes.
Posted by
Wengen
2497 posts
Note: What are your plans in Switzerland? An STP, even though convenient, may be a bit overkill. If you only plan to explore around Luzern a Tell Pass is maybe a better option. Especially if you can take advantage of the winter 2 for 1 promotion.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Thank you all for the suggestions. And I will take your advice leaving earlier at 7:39 to Arth-Goldau, and then direct train to Venezia S. Lucia. Do I buy the tickets from Chiasso to Venezia through www.sbb.ch or Trenitalia website?
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Note: What are your plans in Switzerland? An STP, even though convenient, may be a bit overkill.
We were planning to use STP:
1) Golden Pass train to Berner Oberland for a day trip.
2) To Mount Rigi for my son to ski (not sure if it's too early)
3) Train to Venice.
I think I am going to do just 3 days of STP (12/17-12/19) instead 4 days as I planned earlier.
Posted by
Wengen
2497 posts
Booking Chiasso - Venezia on Trenitalia is going to be cheapest. Just pay attention to the train you book. So first search the timetable on www.sbb.ch for the whole trip, look at the train details to see when it calls at Chiasso, and then book this.
You will not have seat reservations for the Swiss Part, but that is not an issue. Have a look of your reserved seats are free, and if they are take them, and if not, just sit somewhere nearby where there are free seats.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Could someone please tell me if STP will cover from Luzern to Milano Centrale?
Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
No, STP covers you as far as Chiasso, Switzerland. From Chiasso to Milan is in Italy, so you have to pay for that portion. If you have an STP, you can buy the ticket from SBB, and put in "GA" in the discount line and you will be charged for the Italian portion of the journey.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Thank you Sam.
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
If you are going all the way to Venice, you can buy the ticket from SBB as well, putting "GA" in the discount line.
Posted by
Wengen
2497 posts
However one thing to be aware of: Swiss Reductions are only applied to the "Base" fare, so if there are discounted fares available on the Italian part you will miss those. Which is why I suggest to just book from Chiasso. That way you are on domestic Italian tariff.
But do compare. Sometimes the difference is negligible.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Thank you both for the advice. I was able to get 5 tickets from Chiasso to Venezia S. Lucia with reserved seats via Trenitalia website and they were a bit cheaper.
Thanks again for the help!