Geneva - Interlaken | train

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hi Alicia!

From Genvève to Interlaken you have two main options:

- Genève - Bern by IC/IR trains, change there to Interlaken, again by IC; there are connecting services every 30 minutes.
- Genève - Montreux by IR train, change there to Zweisimmen, change there to Spiez, then to Interlaken by IC again.

Both routes can be used with your InterRail ticket without extra reservations. Travel time via Bern: ~2h50 Travel time via Zweisimmen: ~4h50 The route via Zweisimmen is more scenic IMO and a little bit different than the standard rail trips on main lines - I would recommend this if you have the time! :)

Regarding travelling in the Jungfraujoch area :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/jungfraujoch/f1841[/u]


Flo 8)

aliciaaaaaa
Traveller
7 comments

Brilliant Flo, thank you! Is there anything you dont know?! lol :P

ps. if IR is interrail whats IC? Probably a silly question!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Thanks, no problem. ;)

Sorry for confusing you: IR in this context = InterRegio, simply a train category; IC = InterCity, another train category.


Flo 8)

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

Hi Flo, I also have a question concerning the use of interRail from Geneva to Interlaken,

Actually, I want to take the train from Geneva to Interlaken around 14h00 this Saturday(23th April), but I haven't bought the Switzerland pass for the moment since I don't know if I could succeed in making a reservation for this journey, If no, then the Switzerland pass will be less useful for my whole trip.

I have seen your replies for Alicia, you said there is no need to make the reservation from Geneva to Interlaken, so I only need to buy the Switzerland pass and get on the train at the time I want on that day?

Thanks very much in advance for your help

Alexia :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hi Alexia,

yes, you dont need a reservation for the mentioned trains. Actually, there are very few trains in Switzerland that require a reservation - and you always have alternative connections.

What is your overall travel plan? Because if you only want to go Genève - Interlaken InterRail it is more sensible to go with a regular ticket.


Flo 8)

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

Thanks Flo, :D
My whole plan is as followed:

[b]22/04: Paris -- Geneve[/b] (Train SNCF 49€ for 12-25)

[b]23/04: Geneve -- Luzern[/b] (Haven't decided to buy swiss pass--139€, or interrail--- 75€, It seems that swiss pass could be used on any train, bus, metro or Ferry, and interrail could just be used on train? What are the other differences? )

[b]24/4: Luzern -- Interlaken [/b] (Want to take the Golden pass, better to make a reservation in advance, am I right?) :P

[b]26/4: Interlaken -- Montreux[/b] if I buy a swiss pass, then will take ferry from Montreux to Geneva
[b] Interlaken -- Geneva[/b] if I buy an interrail pass

Geneva--Paris by plane

Could you give me some advice for which pass should I take? So confused about it, and my friend told me with the Interrail I could only take the slow train(IC) for free??? So with Swiss pass, I could take any kinds of train?

BIG THANKS!!!!

Peter
Traveller
9333 comments

Hi.

InterRail: only for travellers with residency IN Europe.
Swiss Pass: for travellers with residency OUTSIDE of Europe

So your residency decides, which rail pass you will have to buy.

IC trains aren't slow trains - they are the normal trains. There aren't faster trains available.

Advantage of Swiss Pass: buses included, some scenic railways. More details: swisstravelsystem.ch

Peter :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Swiss pass is available for European residents as well.

anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments

Thanks Peter! :D

I am Foreign student and living in France for more than 1.5 year, so have the French titre de séjour.

In this case I must buy interrail pass?
How about if I want to take the special train to the top of Jungfrau? I heard that we could have 25% off with the swiss pass. And my friend also wanna take the ferry. Would it be more economy to buy a swiss pass then?

By the way, is now too late to buy interrail pass on-line, since I see it may take at least 3 day to send it to me?

Alexia

alex0lok
Traveller
5 comments

Hi all

Seeing the topic related to Interlaken, interested to join for a question.

I am not going there in the moment, but I will probably go later.
I am staying in St. Gallen, so what are the route choices to Interlaken (and up to Jungfrau)?
Suppose I get IR pass, half-tax & track-7 card of SBB, then what are the prices for the routes?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

@Alexia:

You can use Swiss Pass as well, it is available for all except Swiss residents.

Montreux - Genève: Ferry included in Swiss Pass, change in Lausanne required; with InterRail travel with train along the lakeside, frequent direct trains available
Golden Pass route: No reservation required
Jungfraujoch: No discount with InterRail, 25% discount with Swiss Pass
Delivery: It is probably too late now to order online, even with express delivery... :|


@alex0lok:

Take the Voralpenexpress via Pfäffikon and Arth-Golau to Luzern, then continue with Zentralbahn via Meiringen to Interlaken. Included in InterRail, no reservation required. It is certainly the most scenic route St Gallen - Interlaken; alternatively you could go via Zürich - Bern which is faster but more a standard line.
To go Interlaken - Jungfraujoch you have to use BOB and JB; with InterRail you have no discount on both lines :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/jungfraujoch/f1841[/u] with SwissPass you can use BOB but only get a 50% discount for JB.


Flo 8)