Switzerland FIP Travel

[CharlesBell]

Going to Switzerland in a few weeks time and have FIP coupons. Not been to Switzerland before but when I have been to other countries such as France then the longer journeys tended to need reservations but regional ones didn't. With Switzerland being a relatively small country, not sure what the situation is regarding if reservations are mandatory, as it would be ideal if not, as much for the flexibility on times than avoiding any supplement fees.

Going from Basel to Thun, some possible very local journeys near interlaken, and then interlaken to Lucerne, and finally Lucerne to Basel. Any of these likely to need reservations? Thanks!

Also, going on boat from Thun to Interlaken, but assuming boats aren't covered by FIP.

 

[rvdborgt]

Reservations in Switzerland are possible on some trains (mainly ICs), but are a waste of money.
BLS FIP coupons are also valid on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
See this very useful page:

Europe and FIP

The Rail Delivery Group was set up in 2011 to provide leadership to Britain's rail industry, bringing together the owners of Britain's passenger train operators

www.raildeliverygroup.com

 

[Peterthegreat]

Going to Switzerland in a few weeks time and have FIP coupons. Not been to Switzerland before but when I have been to other countries such as France then the longer journeys tended to need reservations but regional ones didn't. With Switzerland being a relatively small country, not sure what the situation is regarding if reservations are mandatory, as it would be ideal if not, as much for the flexibility on times than avoiding any supplement fees.

Going from Basel to Thun, some possible very local journeys near interlaken, and then interlaken to Lucerne, and finally Lucerne to Basel. Any of these likely to need reservations? Thanks!

Also, going on boat from Thun to Interlaken, but assuming boats aren't covered by FIP.

99.9% of Swiss internal don't require reservations.
If you have a BLS coupon you can use the boats on Lake Thun (and Lake Brienz).

 

[CharlesBell]

Thanks for the info both - really helpful and much appreciated.

 

[Krokodil]

Other than international services the only compulsory reservation train I can think of is the Glacier Express.

Many boats are covered. As well as the Thunersee with BLS mentioned above, the SP coupon covers a lot, such as the Lucerne paddle steamers. Lake Constance ferries have their own coupon.

 

[Mag_seven]

Other than international services the only compulsory reservation train I can think of is the Glacier Express.

There are no compulsory reservations on international services for journeys entirely within Switzerland. For example you can use an ex Paris TGV from Basel to Zurich without reservation.

 

[CharlesBell]

Thanks for the extra info - again really helpful, thank you.

 

[rvdborgt]

Other than international services the only compulsory reservation train I can think of is the Glacier Express.

Also in:

• Gotthard Panorama Express
• Panoramic carriages of the Bernina Express (but not in the EMU pulling them)
• Prestige class in the GoldenPass Express (but not in the normal 2nd and 1st class)

 

[CharlesBell]

Also in:

• Gotthard Panorama Express
• Panoramic carriages of the Bernina Express (but not in the EMU pulling them)
• Prestige class in the GoldenPass Express (but not in the normal 2nd and 1st class)

thanks for additional info

 

[AdamWW]

Also in:

• Prestige class in the GoldenPass Express (but not in the normal 2nd and 1st class)

1st and 2nd do "sell out" though. I don't know if there's an unreserved coach (they seem to have more coaches than they sell reservations for so maybe) or if one is allowed to stand if there are no seats left. (Though if going all the way it's quite a long way to stand).

 

[rvdborgt]

1st and 2nd do "sell out" though. I don't know if there's an unreserved coach (they seem to have more coaches than they sell reservations for so maybe) or if one is allowed to stand if there are no seats left. (Though if going all the way it's quite a long way to stand).

AFAIK they don't have unreserved coaches and when I took it, they didn't want standing people and it was indeed fully booked. Back then, there was only one GPX train pair, now there are more and I believe they don't often sell out anymore. You can see on the reservation website how many seats are still free.

 

[AdamWW]

AFAIK they don't have unreserved coaches and when I took it, they didn't want standing people and it was indeed fully booked. Back then, there was only one GPX train pair, now there are more and I believe they don't often sell out anymore. You can see on the reservation website how many seats are still free.

I've been looking on the web site and quite a few trains are selling out at the moment, and many down to just 1 or 2 seats. So verging on compulsory reservation.

But I don't know what the situation is with the 2nd class coach they don't seem to sell reservations for. Maybe where they put organised groups?