Greetings, My wife and I will be traveling Europe for 3 weeks starting the middle of September. We plan to purchase the Global pass, as we are going to be travel intensive during the trip. My uncertainty is the Swiss private trains. We want to go to Zermett. I heard about the private train that runs along glaciers and through mountains. I understand that this is a 7-hour trip, but it seems that it is on a private train. I would like to avoid mistakes and additional costs. The questions are: 1. Will the Global pass be honored on the private trains? My understanding is that the Global will get me a 25% discount on the private trains. 2. Do the private trains (to Zermett) leave from or connect to the standard train stations? 3. Does this 7-hour private train ride end (or begin or go to) in Zermett? 4. I'm considering the 4-day flex pass in addition to the Global, is this wise?
5. Lastly, is Zermett a good destination for viewing and light hiking (stuff to do)? Thank you for any information that will guide me and being patient with my uncertainty. Regards, Bill
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
There are numerous private train systems in Switzerland that are all part of the Swiss train system. You can see and book tickets online for these systems and never be aware that they are private systems. I suspect that the private system to which you are referring above is the Glacier Express, a scenic train that runs from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Most of the run is not private but some sections are. In fact, the GE route goes over the tracks of three different companies. Your pass should cover that part of the run from Disentis to Chur. But, from Zermatt to Disentis, you can expect a 25% discount. If you travel to the Lauterbrunnen Valley from Interlaken Ost, you pass will only get you a 25% discount on the train rides. This includes going up to the Jungfrau and Schilthorn. You don't really need to add the Swiss 4-day flexi pass onto your Global Pass. Yes, you will pay less in a few areas but I don't think it will be that many to warrant the extra pass.