we will be arriving in zurich on july 2 and going to zermatt for two nights...then back to Zurich and on to Germany...is it wise to get the three day Swiss Transfer rail pass ahead of time? It seems it may save money...then do you have to make reservations for particular trains or can you just go to the train station? thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16224 posts
Marilyn---Zurich to Zermatt is 111 CHF each way in 2d class, so it's worth covering with a pass. The simple Transfer Ticket", which covers one journey in each direction, is $94 for 2d class and is probably your best option unless you are going all the way up the Gornergrat railway, or using other lifts, on your full day in Zermatt. Those high trains and lifts are only covered 25% to 50% by any pass, so it may or may not be worth adding extra coverage to the basic Transfer Ticket. Thus, a Swiss Card at $139 is a Transfer Tickeet plus 50% off other travel, but usually only 25% off the high mountain trains and lifts. The 3-day Saver Pass, at $156, would still only cover travel on the Gornergrat at 50%. You would need to find out the cost of your planned day excursion in Zermatt (if any) to know if it's cost effective to get anything more than the Transfer Ticket. www.zermatt.ch for cost information
Posted by
OP
Cords, Arizona, USA
26 posts
so....what if i don't take the high trains up the Matterhorn? just traveling in Switzerland for 3 days is worth a pass...is the Transfer Pass still a good savings jsut to buy train tickets to Zermatt and back to Zurich?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16224 posts
The Transfer Ticket covers one full day of travel in each direction, to and from the Swiss border (or airppost of entry). So If you are flying into Zürich, it will cover the tain to Zermatt (by the most direct route) and from there back to Zürich). It won't give a discount on other train travel.
If you have the pass (you can buy it on this website), you just need to have it validated by an agent before you board the first train. You don't need to buy separate tickets. And we don't make reservations on Swiss trains,but some people do. Reservations cost extra.