10 Train Travel Hacks Only Swiss Locals Know 🇨🇭🚂

[@Fernverkehr-j4t]

Hey there! Swiss railway worker here. Important addition to the super-saver-tickets: The tickets are ONLY valid on the choosen train. Not the one 10 minutes earlier, not on the one 5 minutes later. Only on the one written on the ticket. This is one of the most common mistakes that a lot of people do. Yes it is valid if your train is to late. You can take the next one. Please note, this is not valid for flights if they do not arrive on time.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Dankä 🙏🙏 😄

[@catswolo421]

wait people expected to join a flight with an sbb train ticket?

[@Fernverkehr-j4t]

@@catswolo421 No, there are people that book train tickets in advance. And they take our super saver tickets. If the plane then arrives to late, the ticket is not valid anymore which causes a lot of issues for both sides. I once tried to explain it to a family and sell them new - valid - tickets without any additional charge. Well, instead of cooperation i got insults and even nearly hit by one of the tourists.

[@catswolo421]

@@Fernverkehr-j4t so sad to see honest people like you getting crap from people who IMO dont deserve your kindness. Hopefully this hasnt changed your perspective and work. Liebi grüessi

[@melocoton7]

Me, a local, watching this to see if I can save somewhere that I didn't know 😅

[@viralbhuptani4759]

Can you give me some guidance if March 2025 will be good time to visit swiss? Does it rain too much? I like to see the swiss in color and not just fully covered in snow..since u r a local thought i would ask. Thanks

[@melocoton7]

@@viralbhuptani4759 March is very unpredictable weather wise. You can get lucky and have a perfect Spring week or you can have a whole week of rain🤷🏻‍♀️ May/June is better with nice temperatures. July/August is usually very hot.

[@123azaan]

Hello. Could you please tell me how is Lucerne and zermatt in the last week of October?

[@melocoton7]

@@123azaan cold! Zermatt maybe even snow

[@123azaan]

@@melocoton7 Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate it. I will be staying 2nights in Lucerne and 2nights in zermatt thereafter 1 night in Zurich. What would you recommend to save money, car rental or train pass? Train pass is double the amount of car rental considering we are 2 people. Really confused about this. Also is it better to stay in Lucerne or interlaken?

[@javierpetrozzi]

Good tips! Ticino (Locarno, Lugano, etc) also has a guess card for train and bus transportation free within the canton if you book a hotel. I've experienced it and it really changes your travel.

[@pa3sRLP]

This is by far the best channel for Switzerland travel info. Thank you!

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it a lot! 😊😊

[@toastimosti8652]

4:55 Not buy a normal Half Fare Card. YOu can buy something called "Schnupper HALBTAX" its not always avaliable but you can look up in google and type "Schnupper Halbtax Code/Coupon" if you find a valid code you can present that at the counter at basel or zurich or other Main Station. Then it cost only like 25 CHF for 2 Months. Dont have to pay for a full year!. And other Tipp. If you have a swiss friend and they have a GA . You can buy a "day pass" only to 20 CHF (if you under 25 you can buy a friend tandemcard" and travel very cheap. or with 4 Friends for 80 CHF Friends-Daypass

[@cookmaster3626]

You are awesome guide man. I am watching a lot of videos to plan for my travel in Aug 2nd week. I wish I had landed in your channel earlier and not wasted my time watching other videos. Your channel is a GEM and you deserve 1 mil subscribers.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Thanks so much for the compliments and thanks for watching!!

[@raphaelefrahim4608]

Greg is our swiss tour guide , hey why dont you work as a tour guide , I will be the first to stand in the line ... greg did i say you are the best swiss guide ..

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Hello, thanks a lot for your compliment! Never say never 😁

[@minerva2kutube]

Amazingly useful! Danke vilmal super Greg !!

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Glad it was helpful! Danke fürs zueluege!

[@parisluong6537]

Funny man, and straight to the point tips.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Thanks for watching!!

[@timk1073]

Thanks!

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Thank you 😊🙏

[@Leopold5100]

excellent, thank you so much from New Zealand 😃🙂🙃

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Glad it was helpful!

[@helenhor9516]

Hi Greg. Is the ferry going across Lake Lucern runs during winter? Can you do a video on where are the best places to stay in Lucern?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Hello Helen, its running all year yes! I will look into your video idea! 😊

[@rj7255]

I'm from Lucerne and that's a tricky question because if you want to spend more money you could book in the oriental pass, grand montana with lake view. But there are also cheaper hotels, e.g. Hotel Anker. The ships sail all year round, just the steamships that only sail in the summer timetable

[@NatureLive4k2023]

Nice information. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@MagicLifeForever]

Like and subscribe! I'm fly to the Switzerland next week:)) Very great job with your help for many people and me 🙏:)) Thanks so much ❤ Do you have a video about the trip from Bern/Zurich to the Tichino and what is chiper hotel on the trip to Ticino/Locarno/Minusio, on Lake Maggiore?

[@Bsweet55]

Hello..a new subscriber here from Toronto and thank you for this informative vlog. We, party of 4 seniors, are going to Switzerland in April 2025. Our 8 days itinerary includes: Lucerne (our main base), a day visit to Basel, Berne, Zurich, Liechtenstein and Interlaken. For our panoramic train, which do you recommend? Mt Pilatus or Mt Rigi? And do we have to purchase the Swiss Travel Pass for the above itinerary? Thanks Greg.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Hello! Thanks for subscribing! I think the swiss travel pass is a good fit if your base is lucerne for the entire eight days! Considering the scenic train ride it does not really matter, but pilatus is closer to lucerne, wheras rigi is included in the swiss travel pass 😄 also consider ebenalp when you want to visit liechtenstein, its super nice and closeby! Happy planning!

[@Bsweet55]

​@@SwitzerlandInsiderhi, thank you for your reply and your suggestion to visit Ebenalp too. Your videos will be a big help for us to make our Switzerland trip hassle free. More power to you, Greg!

[@Travel-by-Train]

Wow... your video give us a lot of interesting Train tips for Swiss Train... Thank you 🍒🍒🍒

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Travel-by-Train]

@@SwitzerlandInsider Great Maybe we can share our Train passion by showing you my channels: @Travel.Highlights and @Travel-by-Train Please enjoy

[@marilyncamenzuli4851]

can you please tell if there will be time limit or re schedule in trains for Christmas and new year! , also closed mountains ect?

[@lovenpeace271]

I was confused before watching this video. Thank you now i am even more confused

[@hitoall123]

Yes, but at a higher level 😊

[@the_rob5416]

Probably the most confused video in the history of KZbin… I hope he will never be a teacher in school

[@camlam3297]

What he meant is , it’s better to buy ordinary tickets like subway trains in usa instead of of buying scenic trains like bernina or glacier which is expensive , where in fact The ordinary trains goes to the same track or railway where scenic train goes😅

[@Adelfoshersal]

I understood perfectly, although English isn’t my first language, thank for sharing

[@FarooqF-g2x]

Hi do you mean that a saver day pass is valid throughout Switzerland or only for the specific route (assuming return journey) it was purchased from the options showing under that route? Please confirm. Also it is valid for that specific day?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

It is valid for a specific day in all of switzerland with exception of some mountain railways and cable cars. If you looked up for a route and this eas suggested, it means its cheaper to purchase the saver day pass than a regular ticket. The „catch“ of the pass is that its non refundable and in the future. They put out a bucket of tickets to handle lower demand. Hope this helps 👌😊

[@FarooqF-g2x]

@@SwitzerlandInsider hi that sounds great i was curious when you talked about Glacier Express with day pass. Though, I have to say most trains shown in results are regional with about 4 changes, still did find 2 GE connections. With 70 CHF assuming return journey can the GE be done? The onward journey would be during the day but what about Zermat to St. Mortiz back if want to utilize the day pass fully? There would be no much time pretty much hop off at Zermat and then head for the train back to St. Mortiz. But if it was to start at 9 or 11 then the return train would be during night, so of course no views but they do not really run GE during the night? But regional trains with changes? What are your thoughts on this? An update Regarding Saver Day Pass: so when searching a route from A to B, let's suppose from point A in Switzerland to St. Mortiz, a saver day pass is shown for about 40 CHF. Can this day pass then be used on the route St. Mortiz to Zermat, either Glacier Express or regional trains?

[@boboNbabu]

Thank you for such an informative video. Can u plz tell me does saver day pass include boat ride as well?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Yes it includes boats

[@s.ashishpandey6705]

Please tell about cheap and comfortable stays in Switzerland with family

[@Jordyn64]

is the Swiss half fare card better than the Swiss travel pass? I am there for 3 days in September with my partner, landing in Zurich for 1 night and then Interlaken, we will also take some cable cars. Switzerland is so expensive, if we can save any money would be great!

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

If you take the half fare card you are a bit better off than if not but no big difference i my eyes. Swiss travel pass could be okay too if you make use of the the discounts it gives you with cable cars

[@evacalder7386]

Hello. Next month, I’m travelling to Bern, Luzern, Zurich and Sargan to visit Vaduz. Looking at the fares of these train rides, it does seem cheaper for me to buy any of the travel cards you mentioned. Am I missing anything here? Thx for your advise.

[@HawaAli-zr4dd]

Hi Greg, your video are amazing! Pls help me.. we are planing to travel to Zermatt from Milan, but we don't know which train we should take to reach Zermatt. Hope you see my comment the soonest

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Try to get to domodossola in italy and then to brig or visp to catch the train to zermatt. Also try the sbb website to calculate this route

[@pollyzhang8354]

Great video! So if we don’t want to pay for the higher price of the scenic trains (or don’t care for the special huge windows), we can just buy the same route from the SBB app and the tracks and view would be the same?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Yes but you would need to change the train a couple of times

[@evacalder7386]

I am visiting Berne, Lucerne and Zurich next month. From Zurich, I plan to do a day trip to Vaduz. No plan to go to Grindelwald and Interlaken. Would the Swiss Half Fare Card benefit me or just buy the individual tickets? Thx for your reply.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

I think just regular Tickets will be fine

[@benedictmoreno4729]

Thank you for this video. May I ask you a question pls. I am visiting Switzerland for 6 days. 3 in the Jungrau region, & 3 in Lucerne/Zurich. I have a rental car from Milan driving into Switzerland. Do you recommend I get the Jungrau Travel Pass or the Half Fare card? And do you think I can get around without the rental car if my airbnb is about 1hr away from Interlaken, Lucerne, & Zurich?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Might want to look into Berner Oberland Pass if you leave the car at the house or Half Fare Card if you take the car each day. But you need to visit like 4 cable cars/ mountains for it to break even.

[@romanflecklin2675]

Im from Switzerland swiss. And your Stopps make also so complicated 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Adelfoshersal]

Do I’ve to reserve the Burgenstock Ferry, or can I buy the tickets in the same day ?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Same day!

[@komaltikone3552]

Hi @greg...i will be traveling from milan in mid December for 5 days before Christmas..can you please suggest the train and which places can I visit

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Hello! It‘s a bit much to answer in a comment 😊 but you will either enter switzerland in ticino canton in chiasso, or you will go to valais canton from domodossola. I would do the valais canton as ticino is often too warm for snow 😊 then you could head onwards to the jungfrau region from valais after visiting zermatt for example! Hope this gives some more clarity 😊

[@richamehta3724]

Hey, how and where can I avail my Lucerne guest card discounts? Shall I book the tickets (Mt. Pilatus & Mt. Titlis) online or offline for that?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

I checked online and i come to the conclusion that you need to book at a counter offline.

[@deepthidivakaran7128]

I am planning to travel to Swiz for 6 days. Only first and last day ill need train pass between Zurich to Lauterbrunnen and last day betwen lucern to geneva. Other 4 days planning to spend in and around Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Lucern. So is BOB or Swiss Pass better? Because with Berneroblerland pass i still have to take additional pass for first and last day. I dont have a proper itinerary planned, so not sure how many times i might jop in & out so Half fare pass might be a little hectic I guess.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Take the berner oberland pass and regular tickets for the rest. But since you cover some distance you might also take the half fare card to get discount on the tickets and also the berner oberland pass!

[@123azaan]

Hello. Could you please suggest me if I should buy a train pass or rent a car if I am coming to Switzerland for 5nights. Landing at Zurich then 2nights stay at Lucerne thereafter 2nights at zermatt and then 1 night at Zurich. I’m very confused because the train passes are costing a lott for 2 people.

[@uasb546]

I have a same question, pls answer if possible.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

I would do the train for this route! I think you can do a lot with the swiss travel pass if you visit rigi for example in lucerne as its included. Also the route by car is a bit a hassle and zermatt is car free! Hope this helps 👌

[@123azaan]

@@SwitzerlandInsider Thankyou for replying.

[@pemue5]

The Train for sure. check the Interrail Pass which focuses only on Train rides

[@buists1]

Hi, useful video thanks. Not sure you read the comments... I pre-booked train tickets (Zurich to Interlaken) which are non refundable unfortunately 😢. Is it still worth getting a half fare pass if we intend exploring Grindelwald and laubrummen (sorry spelling lol) but not top of the world. Arrive on Tuesday for 5 days, 2 adults and 2 14 years old. Thinking maybe break even but not much better. The Zurich train would have been a huge saving at half price and free kids. Pays to research first!

[@buists1]

.... Sorry also forgot the lakes. Will do at least one boat trip.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Hello! No i think youre doing wise planning! I think you did some math already so its basically up to you 😊 maybe you want to look into Berner Oberland Pass also (but without half fare card as you would only use it for that). Maybe you can include Brienzer Rothorn into the itinerary also 😊 have fun!

[@TheAnandaNirvana]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Thanks! 😊😊

[@petersabol2979]

But the Half fare card is only for Swiss residents (with permanent swiss address), not for tourist, right?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Tourist can get one for one month

[@HPMTube1991]

I have read carefully the whole content at your website, but have some kye questions. Unfortunately, there is no email address..

[@NilsSenn]

Important Info: if you're under 25, the Half-Fare-Card costs 120 CHF for AN ENTIRE YEAR. The yearly cost for adults is 190 CHF, which is already worth it if you stay more than one month.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

This is only for residents though

[@NilsSenn]

​@@SwitzerlandInsider Not necessarily. Yes, it is intended for residents, but SBB doesn't explicitly exclude foreigners here. As much as I (as Swiss citizen ) can and already have bought a BahnCard for Germany, anyone else can buy a regular Halbtax here with just a valid passport/ID.

[@gilabola4642]

I stayed at 2 hotels and i could leave our luggages before checking in and after checking out on both for free. I wonder if all hotels would allow that.

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

You can often fo that but with the lockers you csn visit places away from your hotel like in a different town more easily!

[@gilabola4642]

@@SwitzerlandInsider you made a good point, because i remember one of the mistake i did happen when checking out. I had to return to interlaken to pickup the luggages, because i forgot that i could go to zurich via bern from kandersteg 🤣

[@FarooqF-g2x]

Hi please suggest placesvto visit from St. Gallen in a budget. Also is there any place you can walk on snow on mountain top even during July?

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

St Gallen content will come in the future. You can visit the Stiftsbibliothek (unique library) or go to Säntis or Rhine Falls closeby

[@FarooqF-g2x]

Many thanks! Though would love to see green nature.

[@pemue5]

Yes the Library at least 1000 year old is a must view Tip.

[@FarooqF-g2x]

@@pemue5 many thanks how much is the admission ticket? in addition, is there any place where one can go to experience the snow during summer months that is accessible from st gallon? also place where one does not need to spend much

[@pemue5]

@ yes. Allalinhorn, Saas Fee, Zermatt Klein Matterhorn, Diavolezza near St. Moritz and in most years Titlis near Lucerne. Tickets for the Library are 18 CHF. But please use Hiking boots. Sneakers are not for snow. Gloves and a Cap are mandatory. That are 3000 m high and more. Is windy some times and cool for sure.

[@kristofferdeus5697]

😻😻😻😃

[@saminasikandarbutt5191]

Can you tell me on gevena

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Will come!

[@mi8494]

The half fare card is CHF 170.- and valid for one year, not one month

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

For residents only

[@Ms10year]

I am not local, glad that I already knew most of the information mentioned here. The saver day pass is good option if you only travel for one or two days, but you need to book well in advance to get good price, and it is non-refundable. It seems will not give you discount for most gondola or cogwheel train (e.g. Grindelwald - First), I need to get confirmation when I use it later. As for the Bernina Express, you could skip the seat reservation if you are happy to sit in the non-panoramic coaches. Bernina Express isn't hauled by a locomotive, but by a powerful 3-car electric unit branded Allegra. The seats in the 3 Allegra coaches are all unreserved, you can sit in these seats without a seat reservation, with any valid ticket or railpass (including saver day pass). Reservation of seats in the Allegra cars is not even possible, all the seats are available to anyone, first come, first served. The windows in those coaches can be opened to take photos.

[@BobFreeman123]

Don‘t say „okay“ always :D OKAY? :D

[@neerajbhauryal8464]

Okay

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

Okay 😊

[@lightfulvictory5194]

buy a ticket. ok? get on the train? ok? reserve a seat. ok?

[@BobFreeman123]

@@lightfulvictory5194 OKAY? :D :D :D OKAY! :D :D :D

[@arzoo468]

Greg an odd question ❓...i am arriving early in the morning and the hotel would allow me to keep the luggage but any idea if there is a possibility of taking a shower before i go for the lindt museum tour that i prebooked for 12 pm noon

[@SwitzerlandInsider]

That’s a normal question! 😁 Yes of course there is! You can either shower at the airport in Zurich, but that is a bit costly. Or you can go to Seebad Kilchberg. That‘s a lido closeby the Lindt Museum. There you can go for a swim in Lake Zurich and take a shower afterwards, so you‘re all fresh for the museum! 😁 that‘s in summer only though!

[@arzoo468]

@@SwitzerlandInsider wow dats a great idea... thanks for the information 🙏😀