First time FIP

[ManOnATrain]

Never used the FIP before: internet searching hasn't been enlightening. RailStaffTravel needs their IT bods to update search engine algorithms?

How to use FIP for Switzerland? Need to book tickets in advance? Just rock up to get discount? German side initially, but may at some point do the French side. Assume all the same regardless of official language.

 

[Mag_seven]

These two documents should contain all you need to know:

https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/files/Publications/services/rst/RST_TOC_New_Starter_FIP_v2.pdf

European Rail Staff Travel facilities for new TOC employees

This is an introduction to the staff travel facilities on European railway and
shipping companies which are available to new TOC employees after 12
months’ service.

and

https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/files/Publications/services/rst/RST_Travel_Tips_For_Europe_v56.pdf

Travel in Europe using FIP facilities

 

[reb0118]

With regards to Switzerland there are up to three/four coupons required depending on where you intend to travel.

The national carrier SBB, a consortium of private railways grouped together - SP, and the Bern, Lötschberg, & Simpson Railway. The fourth are the Lake Contrance (Bodensee) Steamers - BSB.

Both SP & BLS allow travel on certain buses & lake steamers and SP also allows travel on certain urban transport networks.

Notwithstanding the above your hotel may give you a local transport ticket.

Your FIP card gives you a 50% discount on the base fare for when you don't have a box left on your coupon or merely wish to save a box for a future longer trip.

 

[306024]

The man in seat 61 gives this explanation too:

https://www.seat61.com/rail-staff-priv-travel.htm

That website you'll find rather useful for all sorts of information, but just take time to study the Rail Delivery Group files linked above and you'll be fine. The official language makes no difference in Switzerland to how rail travel works.

 

[Watershed]

One very helpful thing in Switzerland is that you can buy Halbtax (half fare "Railcard") tickets on any ticket machine etc., as a proxy for the 50% off FIP discount you're entitled to. This is officially endorsed.

Switzerland is generally a very FIP-friendly country to visit, as FIP facilities are valid on nearly every form of public transport that runs on rails (other than trams) and even on some buses and ships! There's also none of the compulsory reservation nonsense you get in France/Italy etc.

 

[ManOnATrain]

So it's basically useless if we only intend to visit big cities like Geneva and Zurich, because those are trams.

Been looking at https://www.openrailwaymap.org/

What about when the purple (tram) lines turn into other lines?

 

[Watershed]

So it's basically useless if we only intend to visit big cities like Geneva and Zurich, because those are trams.

If you only intend to use trams in those cities, then yes. But that's essentially the same across all FIP countries.

Geneva and Zurich both have good S-Bahn systems which will get you to many parts of town. And if you're staying in a hotel in Geneva, you get a Geneva Transport Card entitling you to free public transport around the city on the buses, trains, trams and boats (not sure what the exact boundary is).

Been looking at https://www.openrailwaymap.org/

What about when the purple (tram) lines turn into other lines?

Do you have an example in mind? Generally the tram lines run separately from the trains. Some "tram-like" trains are included in FIP though, e.g. Dietikon to Wohlen AG (the eastern part of which used to be a tram route).

 

[30907]

So it's basically useless if we only intend to visit big cities like Geneva and Zurich, because those are trams.

But you will have to get between them

Been looking at https://www.openrailwaymap.org/

What about when the purple (tram) lines turn into other lines?

Can't think of any - apart from the Wohlen line just mentioned which is shown as a railway.

 

[Re 4/4]

What about when the purple (tram) lines turn into other lines?

The S18 Forchbahn switches from on-street running to separate track (with its own signalling and rules) at Rehalp, but it's the same vehicle and same private company. They're not in interrail despite having a S-bahn number, I'm not sure about FIP.

 

[Watershed]

The S18 Forchbahn switches from on-street running to separate track (with its own signalling and rules) at Rehalp, but it's the same vehicle and same private company. They're not in interrail despite having a S-bahn number, I'm not sure about FIP.

Similar to the Wohlen line, which is also a mixture of street running and dedicated right-of-way. The Forchbahn does accept FIP (the SP = Swiss Private coupon is the one you want).