Hi all- Spending 7 nights in Austria and 9 in Switzerland in September. Have done the research and can't find this answer. We will use rail to rail tickets in Austria and the Swiss Pass. Know we can get the Swiss Pass online but want to buy there as trip plans are always a little tenuous (healthy but 89 y.o. parents). I understand that we should buy a ticket to the last Austrian city after Salzburg (will ask at Austrian station as to where when buying that ticket) and then Swiss Pass takes over. Can a Swiss Pass be purchased in Austria ahead of time or how else does this work and what to do if we need it at the border? Thanks!
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4162 posts
Chris , I you go to sbb.ch the swiss federal railways site and poke around a bit you will find terms and conditions for purchasing the swiss pass . Keep in mind that for your period of travel there is a two for one fall special . There is a list of stations at various points in switzerland where the pass may be purchased . In our case since we have pre-purchased the pass and are traveling to Interlaken from Stresa , Italy the pass will take over at domodossola , Italy where swiss immigration boards the train before entering the Simplon tunnel . This is of course an example. You will have ascertain where your crossing from Austria o Germany is and which connecting Swiss station is closest .Regards !!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17432 posts
According to the Sales Outlet section of the Swiss Travel System website, you can buy the Swiss Pass, including the two-for-one deal in Austria at staffed service counters and travel agencies in the train station. I suggest you do that so you can take the direct train from Salzburg to Zurich ( no changes) without getting off the train to buy passes on the way. Then the Austrian ticket agent can sell you tickets with the Swiss Pass discount figured in.