19 Nov 2020

Travel products that take you deep into the Swiss Alps

by | posted in: How to find | 0

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

The public transport system is an easy and fun way to get around the country and is often part of the adventure. Trains, buses, trams, boats, cable cars – big and small and funiculars will take you past, up, down and through spectacular landscapes. I am still amazed at how the seemingly unreachable corners of the country are reachable to anyone. You will sometimes need to be brave when gliding up the edge of mountains or zig-zagging around a steep switchback road, but rest assured, Switzerland does have an excellent safety record and these train, bus and cable car operators are experts at what they do. One of my favourite forms of transport is the traditional yellow post buses that wind their way daily through every part of the country to transport locals and tourists.

To help you to experience some of these amazing transport links I have listed both the various offers to tourists and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland‘s network connection recommendations

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Top of Hoher Kasten cable car, Appenzell

The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a 1,600 km circular road trip, recommended by the tourist board for taking in the best parts of Switzerland by car. Included on these routes are large red frames that reveal views of iconic places like Montreux, Interlaken and Lucerne as well as some hidden gems such as in the hills of the Gruyère and Emmental regions, parts of the UNESCO Sardona Arena, overlooking St. Gallen and up cable cars in Appenzell.

Switzerland tourism has come up with a brilliant way to see the country by public transport. The Grand Train Tour merges 1,380 km of panoramic train journeys, giving visitors the chance to combine routes that pass through top destinations spread throughout Switzerland. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland App can be found online at switzerlandtravelcentre.com, or for travel suggestions, prices, timetables and a downloadable pdf guide go to sbb.ch/leisure-holidays. It is also possible to pick up a booklet from the Swiss Travel desks found at most train stations.

For an idea of travelling times between points see below:

  • Zürich-Lucerne-Interlaken: 2 3/4 hours
  • GoldenPass (Montreux – Gstaad – Interlaken): 3 3/4 hours
  • Montreux – Visp – Zermatt: 2 1/2 hours
  • Glacier Express (Zermatt – Chur – St. Moritz): 7 3/4 hours
  • Bernina Express (St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano): 6 3/4 hours
  • Gotthard Panorama Express (Lucerne – Flüelen – Lugano): 5 1/2 hours
  • Voralpen Express (Lucerne – Rapperswil – St. Gallen): 2 1/4 hours
  • St. Gallen – Schaffhausen – Zürich: 2 1/2 hours

Getting to know the Tickets, Passes & Discounts

Brienzer Rothorn Mountain Train, Photo by A.Leggett

All information below is valid as of March 2024. For up-to-date ticket prices and types please go to sbb.ch.

Supersaver Tickets

For one-way or day trips it’s worth looking at the super saver ticket option online. They are not always available but you don’t know until you look so it is worth trying this option:

  • Go to sbb.ch (you can change the language to English)
  • Enter from/to, then date, and approx. time. Once you have done this it will give you a choice of connections.
  • When the price (shown to the right of each connection) has a % sign and is highlighted in black – this is the super saver ticket price. If the price is in white, then no supersaver ticket is available for that route (If you are flexible with dates, click on the change option beside the chosen date and time then try another date).
  • Click on the red ticket box and follow your nose.
  • If there is no super saver ticket for that route, you may still find one for the return journey.
  • Go to singe/return journey options – click return.
  • You are given train options and a choice of ticket. This will tell you if there are any savings on the return journey (with the black box and % icon).
  • NOTE: IF you go for the supersaver ticket, then you can only travel at the times that you have chosen.
  • Go back and put in your details and add other passenger details – following instructions from then on. Happy Saving!

Day Pass and Saver Day Pass – 1 ticket for travelling throughout the country on a given day

If booking ahead it is possible to make big savings on a nationwide pass.

The Day Pass is a ticket that allows you to purchase a discounted ticket for anywhere in Switzerland, within the GA area.

The Saver Day Pass allows you to pre-book a nationwide ticket up to 60 days ahead – the earlier you book the more likely you will find a good deal. To do this you go to sbb.ch website, go to tickets and offers/tickets/day passes/saver day pass or search Saver Day Pass and the option to purchase will give more details of daily prices. Is also possible without a half-fare card.

Standard tickets and Day Passes

Apart from the special passes detailed below, you can purchase either single or return tickets for single trips, in 1st or 2nd class. These can be done online at www.sbb.ch, or at a ticket counter at most train stations.

When overnighting

Worth knowing … When using accommodation in most areas – you are entitled to a guest card (after paying a small tourism tax amount per person). This option gives you free or discounted travel on local public transport and discounts on activities in the area you are staying in. Ask at your accommodation.

Public Transport offers for visitors to Switzerland

Below I have listed the current Swiss Travel Passes (3/24) for anyone living outside Switzerland. – as always, this is subject to change. You can find out more from myswitzerland.com/rail.

Go to the Tickets and offers/Tickets/Guests from Abroad/Swiss Travel Pass to purchase a ticket online. The advantages such as discounts etc. will be listed here. (Or purchase them by visiting the major train stations or even from your country).

For multi-day pass options and prices see below:

Covers: Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat including premium panoramic trains (seat reservation fees not included) – mentioned in my post ‘Find Unique and Special Ways to Travel Cross-Country‘.

Important to know: Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos, up to 50% discount on other mountain excursions and free admission to more than 500 museums.

Days (consecutive)

3 days

4 days

6 days

8 days

15 days

Covers: Young ones (up to 26th birthday) can receive a 30% discount off the standard price of a Swiss Travel Pass – (see above). Valid: 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days.

Covers: Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat including premium panoramic trains (seat reservation fees not included) – mentioned in my post ‘Find Unique and Special Ways to Travel Cross-Country‘.

Important to know: Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos, up to 50% discount on other mountain excursions and free admission to more than 500 museums.

Days in 1 Month

3 days

4 days

6 days

8 days

15 days

Covers: Youths (up to 26th birthday) can receive a 15% discount off the standard price of a Swiss Travel Pass Flex (see above). Valid: 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 freely selectable days within 1 month.

Swiss Half Fare Card

Covers: This is a discount card. So, you will pay for the tickets but get up to 50% discount on trains, buses, boats and most mountain railways and public transport in more than 90 towns and cities. Valid: for 1 month.( I have one of these handy cards. You will find most trips are discounted 50%). For price and offers for children (children up to 16 yrs travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult with half fare card). See sbb.ch (Tickets & Offers/ Tickets/Guests from Abroad/Swiss Half Fare Card).

Swiss Family Card

Covers: free family card for holders of Swiss Travel System Tickets. Children from their 6th birthday travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent with a valid Swiss Travel System ticket.

15 Nov 2020

Find unique and special ways to travel cross-country

by | posted in: How to find | 0
Landwasser Viaduct @
Close to Zermatt @Glacier Express
Oberalppass @glacier Express
Engadin Valley @ Glacier Express

Photos from @ Glacier Express

Although there are a small number of impressive train trips on offer in New Zealand, the public transport system shadows in comparison to Switzerland. This is especially obvious in the countryside and farming communities, so to find a country with such an extensive, well-run public transport network is a huge bonus for me.

I do, of course, understand that Switzerland’s transport system is world-class with historically significant engineering accomplishments which are a result of the need to tackle incredibly challenging mountainous terrain.

For me, however, it was all about exploration and learning about my new home. I would take off all over the country, changing from trains to buses; trams to boats; cog railways to funiculars and was always amazed at how the connections were seamless and everything ran like clockwork.

My husband and I have now been living here for over 16 years and have both managed to travel the width and breadth of the country to many stunning destinations. However, there are some trips that are made just for the train journey rather than getting from A to B. They are the 6 premium panoramic train journeys. We have managed to get onto part of the routes here and there but I feel that the whole experience of the journey is what makes these trips so special.

Another unique route worth mentioning is the Palm Post Bus Express. This is not your average bus route. Starting in St Moritz, it winds its way over the border into Italy, down the side of Lake Como then back into Switzerland, via Lake Lugano in the Italian canton of Ticino.

These journeys are on my list of must-dos and we will definitely go one day soon… but until then, it was lots of fun researching them.

You can click on the coloured lines to find the routes or click on the little door at the top right to expand and view more details about each of the stops or thoroughfares en route.

Golden Pass Panoramic – Monteux to Zweisimmen: From Lake Geneva straight into the mountains. This route has mountain and valley views with picturesque villages full of chalets such as Gstaad. This is not an express train journey. It is one of three different routes, using three different rail lines (MOB, Zentralbahn, BLS), run by Goldenpass. You can find more information on the Goldenpass Line website here.

BLS RegioExpress ( A Goldenpass Line) – Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost: Through the Simmental Valley and alongside Lake Thun where you will see typical wooden chalets in traditional villages. For more information either go to the Goldenpass website or BLS RegioExpress (website not yet available English 08/21).

Luzern-Interlaken Express (A Goldenpass Line) – Luzern to Interlaken Ost: (Or vice versa) You will pass four lakes on this trip, see waterfalls and go over the Brünig Pass. This journey takes 2 hours. You can find out more information here.

Glacier Express – Zermatt to St. Moritz: (You are able to go in either direction). This route takes you through Valais, Uri and Graubünden Cantons with the alpine village of Zermatt at one end; offering breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, and the elegant resort of St. Moritz at the other. In between is the UNESCO World site – Albula Railway with the Solis and Landwassser Viaducts and spiral tunnels and The Rhine Gorge which is known as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. This full journey takes approx. 7 1/2 hours. You can depart from Davos and change trains at Filisur. For more information, see the website here.

Gotthard Panorama Express – Lugano (or Bellinzona) to Luzern: (or vice versa). This route takes you right through Switzerland, including a trip on a steamboat across Lake Luzern in the north. The journey is full of significant historical sights and stories including various well-known Swiss myths and legends. It takes approximately 5 hours. More about this trip can be found here.

Bernina Express – Chur to Tirano, Italy: This route has been thoughtfully built so as to blend in with the alpine landscapes around the Albula and Bernina Passes. The train negotiates the 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and inclines of up to 70 per mile with ease. At the highest point on the RhB, 2,253 metres above sea level, you will find the Ospizio Bernina. Here you can enjoy the Alps at their most impressive. The railway line from Thusis – Valposchiavo – Tirano has UNESCO World Heritage status. You can find more information here.

The Palm Express: passes through the Engadin & Bregaglia valleys of Graubünden, down into Italy then finishing in Ticino

Starting in St. Moritz, the scenic Palm Express journey takes you on a 4-hour trip from snowy rugged peaks and forested valleys to the palm trees & deep blue waters of Lake Como and Lake Lugano via Chiavenna in Italy. (An identity card or passport is needed for the border crossing).

St. Moritz –Menaggio–Lugano

Firstly the trip takes you past the large Silvaplaner and Silser Lakes on the way to the Maloja Pass.

The post bus then negotiates 14 hairpin bends down to Val Bregaglia which has a distinct Mediterranean influence. After crossing the Castasegna municipality border, the bus enters Italy, where the bus stops at Chiavenna Stazione for just over and hour giving the passengers time to stroll through the Chiavenna market stands and enjoy refreshments under the first palm trees.

The Palm Express now carries you past the blue waters of the Mezzola and Como lakes onto the Sorico, Gera Lario, Domaso, Gravedona, Dongo and Menaggio villages. Then alongside Lake Lugano were the post bus once again crosses the Italien Swiss border. The Swiss lakeside town of Gandria is a lovely little town to stop for some food then perhaps, to take a boat or walk the 5 km Sentiero di Gandria trail back to Lugano.

For more information go to the Post Auto website here: https://www.postauto.ch/en/excursion-tips/palm-express search by entering From: St. Moritz to: Lugano then “search connections“. The journey takes just under 4 hours, including the 1 hour stop in Italy.

Fensterplatz AB – Your personal train tour in the Appenzell region.

Photo from: Appenzellerland Tourismus AR Archives

What Fensterplatz AB is…

The Fensterplatz AB App is a digital Appenzeller Railway audio guide of stories and various topics relating to the Appenzell region. The app is designed to be used in conjunction with your train journey to tell you a bit about the landscape and villages that are outside your window.

How it works

First, you download the app and choose if you want to register –

Then either download a tour if no internet connection or choose the online option.

Choose the departure and arrival stations and put your headphones in to listen to the commentary. The App works with GPS points and so you will need to allow location access and use headphones for listening to the commentary.

Start the tour when the train departs.

You simply purchase a normal ticket – either a day pass for a return journey, or a single ticket for a point-to-point trip. Then use your app once entering the train.

There are two options for purchasing tickets: The public transport that services Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Appenzell and St. Gallen regions is called OSTWIND but tickets can also be purchased and timetables viewed on the Swiss National Transport website – sbb.ch.

Another ticketing option is to use fairtiq.com which is mentioned on the Fensterplatz AB website. This is also new technology for train travel. Fairtiq is an app that can be used to purchase the ticket as you enter the train or bus and stop the purchase when you leave. (I am yet to try this out but will add more information when I do).

For more information go to the Fensterplatz website. (Go into the menu/tours for suggested trips).

A possible trip would include:

Hopping on at St. Gallen …

Photo by @Schweiz Tourismus, André Meier

Then travelling through the Appenzell countryside and villages, learning about the views out the train window …

Photo: Appenzellerland Tourismus AR Archives @ René Niederer Artwiese

When arriving in Appenzell village, hop off the train and walk past the colourful houses, then try some local produce …

before getting back on the train to learn more about farming traditions, village life, leisure possibilities or local products.

Photo: Appenzellerland Tourismus AR Archives René Niederer Artwiese

Then arrive back in St. Gallen’s central station.

St. Gallen Roter Platz Photo by Giglio Pasqua, St. Gallen Tourismus