Swiss Pass from Zurich HB to Munich HBF

TommyLeong

Hello everyone,

I’m planning to visit Switzerland this coming December, and would like to travel to Germany (Munich) after. I also planned to get a Swiss Pass Travel.

From this area of validity (Swiss Travel Pass), I would only be able to reach St. Margrethen for free, included by Swiss Travel Pass. Hence additional ticket from St. Margrethen to Munich HBF would be required.

However, I do not wish to travel myself to St. Margrethen station, and take another train to Munich HBF. I would rather stick with EC train from St.Gallen to Munich directly (a faster option).

Questions

I suppose I have to purchase ticket from St.Gallen to Munich, instead of St. Margrethen to Munich because it’s a total different train. Am I correct?
During the purchase of ticket, there’s a dropdown option for discount card. However, there isn’t any option for Swiss Travel Card. As such, my fare from St. Margrethen to Munich will be charged. What should I do?

Appreciate your help!

RolandP

Hello TommyLeong

The same question got answered here:

https://community.sbb.ch/d/30331-stp-with-ec-direct-train-from-munchen-hbf-to-zurich-hb/2

There is no need to change trains when you board the EC in Zurich HB.

If you want a seat reservation from Zurich HB to Munich HBF, you could buy a ticket for the whole stretch and select ‘GA Travel Card’ as a discount type, the resident’s equivalent of the Swiss Travel Pass. However, the discount only applies to Full flex (Normalpreis) tickets, not to Saver tickets.

Kind regards,
Roland

TommyLeong

RolandP
Thank you Roland, for your prompt reply. 2 follow up questions I have:

Question 1
Since I’m planning to get my ticket estimate 1 - 2 months ahead, it’s likely falling under “Super Sparpreis Europa” category. In this case, no discount for me anyway. Despite selecting “GA Travel Card”, am I correct?

Question 2
For some reason, there’s error while trying to enquiry my desired travel date on December from Zurich to Munich. Could it be due to the timetable not finalized? (eg, ticket from 15th December onwards is not yet available.) Do you know when will it be available?

Thank you.

Limeuhu12

Hello TommyLeong

Timetabble for EC Zürich to München is online,

Please ask for tickets in SBB Preview App, not before 16th of october.

Kind regards
Christoph

TommyLeong

Limeuhu12 This is correct, we can view the options, but we can’t proceed with purchase.

When you try to view the offer, it will tells you “Connection offers failed”.

Krist

If I were you I would just buy a st. Margrethen - Munich ticket on www.bahn.de. And then just board the booked train already in st. Gallen. It is not complicated.

TommyLeong

Krist Thank you for your suggestion. IMO, this is half correct. The other half is, we would be suffering from standing from Zurich until St. Margrethen without seat reservation.

I believe @RolandP provided great answer by choosing “GA Travel Card” while making a booking from Zurich to Munich, which would waive the fare price from Zürich HB – St. Margrethen SG.

Limeuhu12

No, you can’t see ticket options for 15th of decembre. SBB Tickethshop should not ask Bahn.de for tickets to Germany.

Please try again 16th of octobre 2024.

Kind regards
Christoph

TommyLeong

Limeuhu12 Please try again 16th of octobre 2024.

You mean to say, try again on 16th October 2024 for tickets after 15th December 2024?

Krist

Not having a seat reservation does not imply that you will be standing however. And it is only 17 minutes till st. Margerthen.
But what you can do is book st. Margrethen - Munich on www.bahn.de, and reserve seats for st. Gallen - München separately. That will be the cheapest option.

TommyLeong

Krist I came back to say thank you. You’re absolutely correct and I agreed this is the cheapest option, comparing with a direct train ticket from Zurich HBF - Munich HBF with seat reservation.

I didn’t know bahn.de allows traveller to reserve seat only, learnt this now! I bought my tickets too 🙂