Train ticket booking with Swiss Pass

KanwerPradeep

Hi, I just purchased Swiss Pass Flex for my family, I would like to travel to Bern from Zurich, Do I need to buy ticket separately or just sit in the train since I have Swiss Pass? How about if I want to do reservation, How can I do so?. Thanks

RolandP

Hello KanwerPradeep

Did you conclude the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is indeed the best ticket to be used? In most cases, the Swiss Half Fare Card is offering more advantages. Be careful with the terms. The Swiss Travel Pass and the SwissPass is not the same.

You have to activate the Swiss Travel Pass Flex before boarding a public transport vehicle. Once done, you are free to board any public transport service. You simply show the QR Code and your passport when the ticket inspector comes along.

There is no need to reserve seats for other than certain PE trains. And, simplified, within Switzerland, seat reservations are only possible for IC trains. If you still want to reserve your seat, you will find this website useful: Seat reservations in trains and dining cars.

Kind regards,
Roland

KanwerPradeep

Hi RolandP

Thanks for your reply.
We would be staying Switzerland for 8 days ( 6 consecutive days and 2 days after our trip to other European countries). We are total 4 people (3 Adults and one child (6 years old). Most of the time we would have day trips to different cities from Zurich so I believe Swiss Travel Pass flex is better option.
Two more questions, regarding the QR code, when I received the email from SBB, it contains receipts and one ticket only with QR code which is for my child (Swiss Family Card). I am wondering when I will receive QR codes for other three adults.
Second, is it possible to use Swiss Travel Pass to travel from Zurich to Munich?, do I need to pay extra for it?
Regards,
Pradeep

RolandP

Hello KanwerPradeep

You have to generate the QR code yourself by activating each day of your Swiss Travel Pass through this website: https://www.activateyourpass.com/

If I understand correctly, you chose Zurich as your base to explore the country? Is there a particular reason that you chose Zurich? Zurich is the biggest city of our country but not very suitably located if you plan to explore the Alps. You will spend a lot of time in trains. Lucerne or Bern would have been more suitable.

The Swiss Travel Pass is partially accountable when travelling to Munich. The stretch Zurich to St. Margrethen (the border station) is free with an activated Swiss Travel Pass Flex. You need a ticket from St. Margrethen to Munich.

Kind regards,
Roland

KanwerPradeep

Hi RolandP, Thanks for your reply and suggestion.
If we take direct train from Zurich to Munich, and buy tickets from St. Margrethen to Munich, do we need to alight at St. Margrethen and change the train or we can just continue our journey towards Munich?
How about seat reservation, since we have Swiss Travel Pass, is it possible to reserve seats from Zurich to Munich, when we have ticket from St. Margrethen?

Regards,
Pradeep

RolandP

Hello KanwerPradeep

You can buy a ticket from Zürich HB to Münich Hbf. While purchasing the ticket, there is a reduction type field “Discount cards”, select “GA travel card”. The ticket will then be issued taking into account your Swiss Travel Pass to the border; you will receive a ticket respectively at zero cost and only charge the German stretch. However, it will include the seat reservation from Zürich HB.

Once more: You really have to check if it makes sense to activate a Swiss Travel Pass Day for that journey. I did a dummy booking for a train today. The cost for Zürich HB to Munich was CHF 55 with the Swiss Travel Pass and CHf 95 without any reduction. Hence, the Swiss stretch was calculated with CHF 40. A Swiss Travel Pass Flex Day (for the Swiss stretch) will cost you around CHF 77 which is a complete overkill in my opinion. You will make a donation of almost CHF 40 to the Swiss public transport system 🙂

Kindly note: other day passes than the Swiss Travel Pass (e.g. Saver Day Pass) do not qualify as discount card and their combination with international tickets is not possible.

Kind regards,
Roland