I was getting a france 3 day pass and a swiss 8 day pass (cheaper with kids in switzerland). I was wondering do i need to validate both passes in paris before i depart. Also, i can use both passes for this leg correct? No issues?
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
The conductor comes through the train and checks the passes. If you were to disembark the train before the swiss border, you'd be fine with just a France rail pass. Since you will be crossing into Switzerland, you will need to have a Swiss Pass as well and show it to the conductor. If you only show the France pass, you can be sure they will come and see you when you do not get off at the last stop in France. Actually, the reservation you will make will be from Paris to wherever it would be that you are disembarking so it will say it right on the reservation. They will check your seat reservation, and then want to see proof of payment for the entire way there. A France pass will only cover you as far as the Swiss border.
Larry mentioned the possibility of a supplementary charge. There only one is the reservation fee on the TGV that I have previously mentioned - if you need to switch trains in Basel then there is no additional reservation required on the next train to Bern.
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
Hi Phil,
Yes, you would need to get them both validated before you wish to use them but it is easy to do at any train station. I presume it is your plan to take the TGV from Paris to Basel, and then the IC from Basel to Bern.
In this case, you would need to use both your france pass and your swiss pass on the Paris-Basel route as it covers both countries. Unfortunately, this means that your Paris-Bern trip would use up one full day of each pass, which may not be the most economical way of doing it - I would recommend you compare the price of point-to-point tickets for this trip (or at least the one-country side of this trip) versus using two full days on the passes.
Just to point out as well, the TGV in France requires reservations even though you have a railpass. It costs three euros per seat to reserve and the reservation can be made at any train station in France. As you are travelling as a group, I would at least recommend that you make the TGV reservations a couple of days in advance to make sure you all get seats together. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Most runs from Paris to Bern do route via Basel. However, there is one TGV run that departs Paris-Gare de Lyon station at 7:58am and goes directly to Bern without a train change. You might be able to save a day on your pass with this run.
Posted by
OP
Castaic
15 posts
Thanks for the help. Am i reading the comments correctly. If i don't have to change trains in same geneva, lausanne or basal then i can just use the franch pass?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
For all runs into Switzerland from France, I believe that you will have to show both passes to the French agent. If he/she doesn't see your Switzerland pass, you could be charged for that portion of the journey from the French border to Bern as your French pass is only good to the border. There may be a supplement charge on the TGV with a Eurail pass.