I am leaving shortly for Italy and Switzerland. In Switzerland we plan on train travel on all of major routes - William Tell, etc. I have purchased a Suiss train pass. Should I make individual train reservations now or make them from Italy. Also if I make them now, do they send tickets or do I pick up something additional since I have the pass? I have never used a pass before.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
It's not possible to make reservations on domestic inter-city trains in Switzerland....seats are first come first serve. If you have a Swiss Pass you simply hop on and off the trains as you wish (after you get it validated of course).
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
Sorry to disagree with Michael here but according to Rick Steves there is a reservation fee required for major scenic routes in Switzerland, such as the above-mentioned William Tell Express and others such as the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Details on trains requiring reservations can be found here on ricksteves.com.
That being said, Michael is absolutely correct about just hopping on regular inter city trains in Switzerland.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
Not all the scenic trains require reservations. For example on the Golden Pass train reservations are optional. But these reservations are for the specific "toruist" train. On these routes there are also regular intercity trains that operate on the same tracks, and you can simple take those without reservations or dealing with loud tour groups:)