last day of sale for 2 for 1 Swiss pass for this summer. Is it OK to get on a train from Zurich-Lugano without a reservation? Can we take any train? I know we need reservation to continue to Italy--but can you take the train that goes to Italy with a Swisspass (without a reservation) and get off in Lugano--or do I have to take a different (local) train? Will we (6 of us--can split 3 and 3) get a seat in crowded summer (saturday)? Will they let us on the train? Also,is Swiss pass is good for all Lake Lucerne boats? What about in Lugano? Our other option is to wait and just get point to point tickets--a little less cost if we don't take any boats---but Swiss pass is 2 for 1 today. thanks, Elaine
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
Elaine---do you have children traveling with you? According to people who have asked Rail Europe, the Swiss pass sale is only for families traveling with children.
As to your questions---we have traveled all over Switzerland in a group of 8 or 9 people, all without reservations. We only had trouble finding seats one time---this was on the day of the Zürich Street Parade, a huge event, and we were taking the train into Zürich from Bern along with thousands of our best friends. We got on the train, but had to stand for the ride.
For everything else, it was fine to travel without reservations. If you have a pass, and it has been validated, just get on the train and find seats in your classs of travel (1st or 2d). (If it is a Flex pass be sure and enter the date before you board the train, or at least before the conductor asks to see it).
The pass is good for travel on the Lake Lucern boats, although there may be special cruises that it doesn't cover. As for Lake Lugano, we haven't used boats there, but if you look at the Swiss Travel System map, it shows boat routes (in white) on that lake:
http://rail.myswitzerland.com/download_sts/uebersichtskarte_en.pdf
If you are only in Switzerland for this short portion---Zürich to Luzern to Lugano, a pass might not make sense, even if it is on sale. There are discount tickets from Zürich to Milan for 30 CHF (including reservatino fee) that you can buy on the Swiss rail website (sbb.ch or rail.ch for English). Even if you want to spend time in Luzern, it migh tmake sense to buy these tickets an return to Zürich, a short hop from Luzern to use the discount fare. This won't get you a stopover in Lugano, however.
Posted by
OP
washington, dc
395 posts
yes, traveling with children--plus grandma, which I think we would have to pay full rate for her pass--no way to get a 3rd person for 1/2 rate that I can see.
So, the pass is valid on Eurocity trains (wholly within Switz) without reservation--say 11:09 from Zurich-Milan, getting off in Lugano? I see that reservations are mandatory from Chiasso to Milan on this train, but it appears not from Zurich to Chiasso?
I saw the $30 fare from Zurich-Milan---is it OK/legal to just get off in Lugano? Still deciding point-to-point vs. Swiss pass (it's $500 (point-point without boat rides) vs. $600 Swisspass/Chiass0-Milan tickets (with boat rides and free trip to Pilatus and abliity to go wherever we want for those 3 days for free).
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
You have a good point---that EC train is listed as "Reservations Compulsory", so I assume that applies for the whole trip, even within Switzerland. So, if you are using passes, you should make a separate reservation (you can do this right before you board if you want).
I would think if you did the discount Zürich to Milan ticket it would be fine to get off in Lugano. You'd have to buy a new ticket for the rest of the way, but you still might be ahead.