RIDE SWISS TRAINS LIKE A PRO: Top 20 tips to master Switzerland's rail system in 2024

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The Traveling Swiss – Alexis & Louis

3 ай бұрын

Hey guys! Traveling to Switzerland this summer and plan on taking their infamous trains? We know it can get confusing, from which train passes to take, how to get your tickets, reserving those panoramic trains and more - there is SO much information out there. In this jam-packed video, we'll cover the 20 most important tips so you can ride the Swiss rail system confidently this summer. 2024 edition! Let's go!
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Bienvenue & Willkommen! We are Lex & Louis - and together we are The Traveling Swiss. We're an international couple (USA + Switzerland) who have recently moved from NYC to Switzerland. Come travel with us - we'll give you tips and guides, and hopefully have a few laughs along the way. Our goal is to show you that borders are meant to be crossed!
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xx Lex & Louis

Пікірлер: 58

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

If you need more personalized help, from a detailed itinerary to a 1:1 call - head to our website to learn more: www.thetravelingswiss.com

@buske328 3 ай бұрын

Hi, since WiFi doesn’t work in Switserland, do you need to buy a prepaid phone or what do you recommend ?

@JanPBtest 3 ай бұрын

One _generic_ tip I have for travellers from the US or any other place that involves loooong flights: buy the 1st class train ticket (you can buy the HalfFare with it and use it immediately) for your _initial ride away from the airport._ The reason is that you're going to be really tired AND jet-lagged AND airport trains CAN get quite busy. Like Alexis says, there is very little difference between the 1st and 2nd class "hardware", but 1st class won't be crowded. Last but not least, don't be afraid to buy a drink or a snack if there is a food cart or a bistro on the train, unlike in the US those things are not trying to fleece you, their prices are about the same as in a corner cafe (e.g. a cappuccino on the GoldenPass Express delivered to our seat was about 5 CHF).

@user-sj8zb9er2k 3 ай бұрын

My tip is that if the actual panoramic trains (Glacier Express, Bernina Express etc) aren't working for you as an option (cost, time of departure etc) then all the panoramic routes have local or regional train services on them. The scenery is exactly the same, youre maybe more likely to meet local people along the way. Depending on your ticket type, you can hop off and explore that interesting looking village, maybe have lunch then hop back on another train later. At least worth knowing there are options for those journeys other than the branded trains.

@JanPBtest 3 ай бұрын

6:08 You can get on the GoldenPass Express without reservation if there are seats available (you can check the seat occupancy diagram online beforehand for the given date and time). Last mid-January, for example, entire cars were empty on the diagram the day before so we bought the tickets (no reservations which are expensive) from Interlaken to Montreux for just... 22 CHF (with the HalfFare card) and away we went! Of course this is a bit risky but if you are somewhat flexible in your plans, esp. off-season, you can save a lot of money.

@GaryKarr 3 ай бұрын

My wife and I love your channel, helpful to us as we are about to move from the US to Geneva for job reasons (I have a new job with a division of the UN.) We also would love an Alexis-Louis origin story video. :-)

@Fan652w Ай бұрын

I have been visiting Switzerland since 1971. The reasons. (1) the fantastic scenery (2) It has the best public transport in the world (3) The Swiss Travel Pass (introduced 1972) which allows me unlimited use of all Swiss public transport except the high mountain lines. The STP allows me to change my mind as to where I am going in mid-journey. You cannot normally do that with tickets bought using a half fare card. And of course the only time I have to buy a ticket is when I want to travel on a high mountain line not included in the pass. Not having to fuss with ticket machines, booking offices or Apps is a huge advantage of the STP.

@johndornoff 3 ай бұрын

Love the Swiss Rail network. I was nervous the first time I came to Switzerland from America and our horrible rail system and seeing all these tight 4 to 7-minute connections, and after a whole week of riding Swiss trains, I never missed a connection.

@jijiwaiwai6747 2 ай бұрын

i am looking at these 3min or 5min connections right now, feeling stressed out, until i saw your comment;)

@Fan652w Ай бұрын

@@jijiwaiwai6747 I have visited Switzerland almost every year since 1971, travelling around with a First Class Swiss Travel Pass, and it is very rare that I have missed a connection. Do not worry about the apparently 'tight' connecting times.

@jijiwaiwai6747 Ай бұрын

@@Fan652w thanks a lot for your reassurance.

@Aurirang 12 күн бұрын

@@jijiwaiwai6747 I think the only time i missed a connection (I'm Swiss myself) was in Zurich and only because i got lost at the trainstation. It's a bit a labyrinth there if you encounter it the first time. But otherwhise trains arive almost always (meaning like 99.9% of the time) on their designated platform and section of said platform. so if you keep to the instructions on the app, you'llbe golden. :) Basel used to have some latency issues caused by the deutsche bahn until last year where there were a few train- and platform changes due to the DB being notoriously late until the SBB decided they had enough of this and pretty much told the DB to stick it and carry on with their own trains from Basel SBB onwards. It's been smooth ever since.

@jijiwaiwai6747 11 күн бұрын

@@Aurirang really appreciate your reply and input. We just came back 2 weeks ago. Wow you guys are right. We are very impressed by the train system:smooth, accurate, easy, clean. We never missed one train, even with the connections with only 5min's gap. Great experience overall. so looking forward to going back again.

@katyhartTV 3 ай бұрын

Always appreciate these train videos from you guys! Thank you!

@annaburch3200 3 ай бұрын

We've just started to plan a possible trip to Switzerland and I discovered your videos - the BEST and most informative videos I've seen on Swiss travel. As a detail-oriented traveler (former travel agent), I really appreciate all the advice!! So helpful. Thank you. Danke. Merci. Grazie. ☺️

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

thank you so much for the kind comment! so glad you're finding the content helpful

@seanvic0912 3 ай бұрын

Love your videos so much.

@ElrosTar-Minyatur 3 ай бұрын

Jeeeeej! A new video! I love your videos!

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

@JMeVee94 Ай бұрын

Thanks for this very helpful video😊

@cls7155 Ай бұрын

Very good information thank you !!!

@ItsPrincessK 3 ай бұрын

Your videos are so informative and helpful! The structure of the video is really well thought out. I really liked tip #9 about the luggage. Thank you ☺️

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! ☺️

@mystemo1980 3 ай бұрын

One of the best videos you've done! Super concise and clear to reinforce what we've learnt already and filled in any gaps.

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the feedback. Glad it was helpful!

@GrizzYMariana Ай бұрын

Thank you so much

@eelannalosarim9479 3 ай бұрын

Hi Guys, new to your channel and I love it, very informative. We are planning to visit Switzerland coming summer, we are staying for 5 days. Is it worth buying the half fare card? We are going to Lucerne and Interlaken.

@BobTelcu 3 ай бұрын

Should have also mentioned about Fairtiq (SBB EasyRide)

@segoh4578 3 ай бұрын

Hi Alexis & Louis, very good sharing but it would be better to cover train ticket booking and seat reservation. Different between SBB trains and Benina Express and Glacier Express. Thanks

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

We have a whole playlist about Swiss transportation with tons of different videos, can’t cover everything in one vid

@catherineim2431 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for your video! Can I purchase all my train tickets selecting the half fare card option, 3 months in advance using the SBB app? I do not have a half fare card but I will purchase it in 3 months when I get to the train station. OR do I need to have already purchased the HFC before purchasing trading tickets at the HFC price?

@buske328 3 ай бұрын

Since WiFi is not available in Switserland, do you need a prepaid phone or what do you recommend please ?😮

@catherineim2431 2 ай бұрын

How is the wifi in the train stations?

@acnn2 Ай бұрын

Best way to get from Montreux to Lauterbrunnen?

@user-tp8ed6gx3c 23 күн бұрын

Hi, thanks for the great tips. I have a question about buying tickets with half fare cards using SBB apps. Since I can’t link my hfc to the app, how do I buy a half fare ticket using the app? There is no option to choose for hfc. Please help 😢

@chellybobby 2 ай бұрын

So just to confirm? Your Swiss travel pass is your train ticket? Is this available on your phone? Great video guys thank you so much❤

@Fan652w Ай бұрын

You can have it on your phone, but I prefer to have it as an A4 size print-at-home ticket.

@Aurirang 12 күн бұрын

Yes. You can get it as a card (called Swiss-pass), on your phone (part of the SBB-App. it has a QR-code you can show) or as a print-out. It's commonly called 'GA' or 'General-Abonement' in Switzerland. There's also cheaper local versions, like the area around Basel has the 'U-Abo' which allows you to travel Basel and Basel-land freely. There's a plethora of possiblities. SBB also has some combined tickets for trips once in a while, as example a trip to the Europa-Parc in germany (including entrance and travel-fees). As much as we Swiss like to rant about the SBB, it does have good services, is punctual and clean.

@kargerstreet9687 3 ай бұрын

Hi Alexis and Louis, We will be traveling to Switzerland in July for 21 days. I was thinking of our first 2 days, arriving Geneva at 1pm and then to the train going to Zurich to stay 2 nights. Do you think I will buy point to point ticket upon our arrival? Or use our 15 day swiss travel pass .I need your excellent advice. Thank you.

@Fan652w Ай бұрын

It sounds as though you are going to do a LOT of travelling. In that case get a Swiss Travel Pass.

@sujatadang2704 Ай бұрын

Hi...do u hv a video explaining diff areas of Zurich main station....as in which area is for long distance train, one for short distance and what r they called?

@markusf58 Ай бұрын

That‘s pretty easy, there is an announcement board in the main station’s central hall where alle the trains are shown with departure times an track numbers. The tracks are easy to find (in my opinion at least…). Apart from that, don‘t hesitate to ask someone!

@sujatadang2704 Ай бұрын

@@markusf58 thanks🙏

@romanryczkowycz851 3 ай бұрын

Does anyone know whether Alexis or Louis provide personal guiding services in the Interlaken area?

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

Hi! Unfortunately we don’t offer guided tours at the moment!

@LeaDesigner Ай бұрын

Question: If you are just purchasing point to point tickets how in advance do you recommend purchasing? Does it affect cost or availability? Example - Zurich HB to Lucerne

@andrea2274 Ай бұрын

The Swiss railway network (incl. buses, ships etc.) have standard prices for the whole year. And Swiss people don't make reservations, either. For a connection from Zurich to Lucerne there is one exception: If the train continues through the Gotthard tunnel to the south (i.e. to Lugano, Locarno, Italy) SBB recommends a seat reservation. Due to higher safety instruction everybody has to have a seat through the tunnel. As you leave the train before the tunnel, you can be on the train, but could have difficulties to find an empty seat (only on weekends, during school holidays). For rather touristy trains (i.e. Glacier Express, Bernina Express) a reservatuon is recommended. But you see how occupied 1st and 2nd class are in the SBB app. The range is from 1-3 men (pictogramm), with 1 beeing the lowest and 3 the highest occupancy. And decide, if it's worth a try without reservation or not.

@Aurirang 12 күн бұрын

You can buy the tickets early and get some money off the tickets. But in general the prices are, as the other commentor said, stable. The SBB once thought about making dynamic pricing (meaning different prices depending on the time of the day)but was met with such a huge backlash from the Swiss people that they immediately dropped the idea. At least towards the public front.

@stephanefavre3224 3 ай бұрын

Half fare pass vs half fare travel card?

@JanPBtest 3 ай бұрын

AFAIK there is only the HalfFare (aka. HalbTax) card which gives you 50% off of all transportation (almost all).

@josephrusso2645 3 ай бұрын

Quick question can I buy a 15 day Swiss pass from the US before I travel or is it better to buy it once I get to switzerland?

@TheTravelingSwiss 3 ай бұрын

Better to buy it before you travel to make sure you have it all ready to go and loaded in your phone etc before you arrive. We have links to purchase in the video description

@josephrusso2645 3 ай бұрын

@@TheTravelingSwiss thank you both

@Fan652w Ай бұрын

@@josephrusso2645 I always buy my Swiss Travel Pass in advance, but I have it as an A4 size print out.

@sapphirebhs 8 күн бұрын

The half fare card costs 168 CHF not 120 CHF

@TheTravelingSwiss 8 күн бұрын

The tourist half fare card (not for residents) is 120 CHF for one month www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/guests-abroad/swiss-halffare-card.html#:~:text=Would%20you%20like%20to%20go,railways%20at%20half%20price%20(%3F)

@erha007mail 28 күн бұрын

This video is gold. Thanks. Love your videos. We are going to Switzerland in a few weeks and your videos have helped me a lot for planning and comfort. Greetings from Sweden!