Glacier Express

[SBSLon]

Hi All, I'm looking to take a trip on the Glacier Express. Despite having been on the railway nearly 10 years and owning a FIP card app that time, this is only the second time of using international travel priv. I am currently posting this from the 1st time, a Eurostar to Amsterdam. So I'm very new to the seemingly dark art of European reduced rate travel.

I am planning on flying to Geneva and then getting a train to the starting point of the route? Travelling the whole route and then heading back to Zurich. So essentially I'm looking for some advice on what to do to purchase the Glacier Express ticket, as well as advice on getting to the starting point. I was thinking of starting in Zermatt and going in April this year.

Any previous experience of having done the route would be greatly appreciated too!

Thanks
SBSLon.

 

[Snapper37]

Great trip. I would advise not to get hung up on using the express. Take the normal trains and break your trip regularly. On the RHB, if you have 1st class tickets, on some stock you can sit behind the driver, you get a better view to my mind than the panoramic coaches. If you have time, then the Arosa line, and Bernina line on the RHB are both very scenic.

 

[30907]

Are you entitled to coupons - if so you need the Swiss Private ones - or just priv rate?

I would start with: https://www.seat61.com/rail-staff-priv-travel.htm
and then read the Swiss pages of the RDG guide linked from there.

The Glacier Express requires a fairly hefty supplement/reservation, but the fares themselves are AIUI on the standard Swiss tariff (they weren't at one time).
I would agree with Snapper37 that the ordinary trains on the route are fine and (usually) much less crowded, though if you want the dining car or the convenience of a through train then the GEX is probably worth it.

 

[Watershed]

Worth noting that FIP facilities are valid on almost all private railway companies in Switzerland, a number of the ship operators, and even some trams and buses. There's a full list of the companies covered on the RSTL "Travel Tips for Europe" guide - see the extensive entry for Switzerland in pages 141-155.

Unlike most other countries it's extremely simple to buy FIP discounted tickets in Switzerland, as it's officially permitted to use the "Halbtax" (half-fare Railcard) option on any TVM, or on the excellent SBB app/website. In many cases the default price assumes you hold a Halbtax, as the majority of Swiss journeys are made using one.

Bear in mind that for some journeys you'll be issued with a zonal rather than point-to-point ticket - in this case, using the Halbtax option as an FIP discount limits you to using FIP participating operators, even though zonal tickets are otherwise valid on all operators and modes of transport (within the covered zones) in Switzerland.

If you are staying in a hotel within the city boundary of places such as Geneva and Basel, your hotel booking will entitle you to a local public transport ticket valid within the city for the duration of your stay. The details vary by city, but this generally allow you to make the journey to or from the airport for free.