Okay, so I've spent the last 3 hours scouring the web to find the best buy for my train-traveling buck. I'm a little stalled with the last leg of our trip--from Zurich to Munich on Friday afternoon March 20th. From what I've read on other informal forums, it looks like I can just walk into to Zurich train station whenever I'm ready to leave and book a ticket to Munich that will leave within the hour. Is this true? My husband and I are both "youth" (under 25), if that makes a difference. What I've found on the DB Bahn website places the prices around 78 to 98 Euros for 2nd class. If you've done this before, does that sound about right? How worried should I be about making a reservation? (Btw,if I make a reservation, the ticket is supposed to be mailed to me; something I'm not very enthusiastic about as the hubby and I are flying out on Sunday the 15th.) Any suggestion or other guidance would be more than welcome. Thanks so much for your time!
Abbie
Posted by
OP
Joplin, MO, USA
3 posts
Also, what price should I expect if I want to travel from Zurich to Lucerne (and back)? I guess I'm just having trouble with the Swiss part of this trip. :)
Thank you!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
For the direct Zurich to Munich EC trains you don't need to purchase tickets in advance you can wait until you are in Switzerland. According to the Swiss Rail site (www.sbb.ch/en) youth fares are 65 euros. For Zurich to Luzern the fare is 23 Swiss francs one-way.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The round-trip fare from Zurich to Lucerne is 46CHF (Swiss Francs) according to www.sbb.ch. You won't have difficulties getting onto a train. But, if you want to be certain on being on that particular train, you might buy the tickets when you first arrive in Switzerland. You can always exchange them if you have to.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
You can make reservations on the train from Zurich to Munich, but on the train from Zurich to Luzern reservations are not possible- seats are first come first serve.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Had you moved earlier, you could have purchased tickets for the 1:16 train out of Zürich from the Bahn website for €39 per person. The remaining tickets are for €49 per person (€98 for both of you). However, as you point out, the tickets are only available by mail, and March 14 might not be soon enough to get them.
Full fare tickets on direct trains are as low €64 per person (€128 for 2). These direct trains don't leave every hour, but they run often. There are also multi-change, full fare connections as low as €57 per person. I would suggest you go to the ticket counter as soon as you get into Switzerland and see what discount fares are still available.