Please sign in to post.

What’s the best way to purchase train tickets for our trip?

We will be landing in Zürich after spending three days in Copenhagen. Then we’d like to take a train to Lauterbrunnen. We will be using various Mountain transports and funiculars in this area for our stay. After spending six days there we want to take the golden pass to Montreux. We will spend three days in this region and take a day trip or two to surrounding town such as Gruyère. Lastly, we will be heading back to Zurich and flying home.

What would be the cheapest and most efficient way to travel around? Is it the Swiss travel pass or a combination of saver day passes or something else? We also would like to take the prestige class golden pass if it is worth it but if it’s not worth it, we will save our money there. Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts thank you.

Also, I’m a bit confused on the prestige class for the golden pass. Do I need to buy a first class upgrade and prestige class upgrade separately?

Reply

Posted by
3107 posts

The Berner Oberland Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass are the two you should consider. They both will cover you getting from Lauterbrunnen to Montreaux by train but your itinerary includes getting to and from Zurich— which the Berner Oberland Pass does not cover. It also does not cover trains from Montreaux to Gruyeres. That may be the deciding factor.

Posted by
7229 posts

There are attractions covered in part or full by the Swiss Travel Pass. Schilthorn, Chateau Chillon in Montreaux, an art museum in Luzern, were all covered when we visited. Here is a link for museums covered https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/planning/transport-accommodation/tickets-public-transport/museums-included

I've taken two of the scenic trains, The Golden Pass and the Bernina Express. For the Golden Pass, we were just on the regular train that follows the same route. For Bernina Express, I paid for panoramic tickets. Honestly, the train we used for the Golden Pass, was comfortable, maybe even newer, and less crowded. The panoramic train for the Bernina Express had bigger windows, more people, and my recollection is that the train wasn't quite as nice. I'm not sure what the prestige class is. We were in the 2nd class seats and found them very comfortable.

Posted by
402 posts

I agree, no need to buy Golden Pass gold-plated ticket. Last week we went from Montreaux to Speiz. I think there were 5 cars, first and last were ordinary 2nd class. Middle 3 were GP. 2nd class train cars had big clean windows. Seats seemed comfy as always.

Posted by
279 posts

It could be helpful for you to compare options based on what you want to do. Here are some thoughts:

Zurich - Lauterbrunnen
Saver Day pass - cheapest full price option: 52.00

While in Lauterbrunnen look at the Berner Oberland Pass and compare with the Jungfrau Travel Pass. It will depend somewhat on what you intend to do while there.



Golden Pass to Montreux
Regular full fare for this route is 63.80.
Or get a Saver Day Pass if a cheaper one is still available.

Buy tickets as needed to travel around Montreux

Montreux to Zürich, saver day pass, sometimes the Supersaver ticket is even cheaper. This is only for a specific connection, so only purchase it if you are sure that your departure time will not change.

Or
For your entire trip you can get a Swiss Half Fare Card for 120.00. Cheapest Saver Day Pass is now 29.00, there is a reduction on BO pass or Jungfrau Travel Pass. Half fare on all train rides.

Museums in Switzerland tend to be very inexpensive, so getting free admission might not be as much of a bonus, unless you want to go to a lot of them.

Chillon entrance fee is 15.00, for example.

Posted by
3198 posts

Good to know is that in Montreux you will get the Riviera Card, which gives you free travel on local public transit. That will get you to eg. the Chilon Castle.

Posted by
354 posts

We did Prestige Class in October from Interlaken to Montreux and frankly, although I love fancy train journeys, this was the one that I didn't think was worth the extra.

We spent lots of money on Excellence Class on the Glacier Express and I loved that but didn't really see any benefit from Prestige.

We had a charcuterie platter but had to pay for that and order in advance. Someone mentioned that it is included now, maybe that would make a difference.

Apparently the seats can be swivelled but there were two of us travelling and only one other couple and none of us could figure out how to do it.

The service was virtually non existent. The first class carriage was full the the staff never got past there to get to us.

If I ever went again I'd just buy first and forget Prestige.

We also tried the Belle Epoque carriage on our way to Gruyere for a day trip. Hands down the most uncomfortable train seat I have ever sat in, thank goodness it was only a short journey.