I want to book tickets from Zurich to Interlaken for December 17th and the site says the time is outside the booking time frame of December 14th. I think this maybe because the winter timetable will begin in December, but does anyone know how far in advance you can usually book on Swiss trains and when I might be able to book for December?
Thanks, Linda
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Linda, you can normally book Swiss tickets 90 days out from the time of travel. December 17th is just outside the 90 days. Give it another week and I bet you can see the tickets. Secondly, when I tried a dummy purchase, I could see the message that you are out of the timeframe 9/12/12 - 14/12/13. They could indeed be updating a schedule that goes beyond December 14. You just may have to keep looking.
Posted by
OP
Sydney, NSW, Australia
61 posts
Thanks Larry. I will try again in a few days and see if there are any changes. When we travelled to Italy and France it was much cheaper to buy train tickets in advance. Does it work the same way in Switzerland? I think I could buy the tickets when we arrive at Zurich airport if necessary, but I would prefer to buy them in advance if possible. Also, is it possible to get off the train, say at Lucerne, have a little look around and then get back on another train to Interlaken using the same ticket?
Your help is very appreciated, Linda
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
New timetables will go into effect throughout Europe on 15 December. While you can get discount fares by booking long distance trains up to 90 days in advance on the Swiss Rail site, for the InterCity or regional trains you'll be riding to go from Zuerich to Interlaken Ost you can only book up to one month in advance. And there is no advantage in doing so. There are no discount fares for these trains. You can buy your ticket for Zuerich Flughafen to Interlaken Ost via Luzern with a stopover in Luzern of any length of time you wish. Your ticket should be good for any Luzern-Interlaken Ost departure time. Be aware that the fastest routes from Zuerich to Interlaken bypass Luzern. If you want to stop over in Luzern, be sure to specify that route.
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
981 posts
Hi Linda, There is no discount on Swiss trains for booking early and there is absolutely no need to make a reservation, unless the train you requires one. Apart from rush hours there should be plenty of space on the trains. For your trip there are two types of ticket one that states the train you must take, the other is an open ticket meaning that you can take any train that day heading to your destination. If you want to break your journey then this is the ticket fir you. Best regards, Jim