I've been able to find just about anything I want to know on EF so far by searching - except for some info on less expensive scenic trains/tours. I'm just here in Geneva until mid-february so I'm not sure if buying the half fare card makes sense, but I have a friend from home coming to visit soon and am hoping to take her to do something like the scenic trains. I was in Montreux yesterday and saw the Chocolate train advertised, which looked quite fun but was 100sfr each (a bit much for a student budget although it does include quite a lot). Does anyone know of some fun scenic trains (tourism or regular lines that offer great views) that we could get for around 50sfr from Geneva or nearby? Or other ideas of well-priced, scenic day trips in the area? Or perhaps you can convince me that the half fare card is a good idea?

thanks!

http://www.eurail.com/planning/train.../scenic-trains

Glacier-Express


Golden Pass


Wilhelm Tell Express




Bernina Express


Centovalli Railway

all better described in various threads when searched on the forum.

No idea where you can get those in Geneva, but here I can buy a day ticket from our Commune (Gemeinde) for 40 CHF for a whole day travel by train, boat and bus. 12.01 midnight to 11.59 midnight. Fantastic value. But some of the private trains are not included- and you would have to pay a supplement. You can get a map at your station showing all the trains, buses and boats included.

Great routes links above- but aren't they likely to cost more than 50 chuffs?

wow that is a fabulous deal, sadly I doubt Geneva has something similar - but perhaps some places nearby do, I'll check around. thanks!

The route links are helpful, I've browsed several of the train lines before, but the prices (factoring in travel cost/time from Geneva) are too far outside my budget, unfortunately.

From Longbyt excellent 'sticky' on the Swiss public transport system thread here on EF:

Municipal Day Card - Tageskarte Gemeinde / Carte journalière commune / Carta giornaliera per i comuni
The Day Cards are offered by many parishes in Switzerland. They are bought en bloc from the SBB, 365 in each set i.e. one for each day of the year. The prices they are sold for vary; the rulings under which they are given out vary. Some towns will post one which has been ordered to the client, most have to be collected. Some parishes allow people from other municipalities to buy them; others only sell them to their own residents. You will have to check locally to get the relevant information.
This Swiss Day Passes Site gives a list of towns showing the availability and rulings.
Searching for the Homepage of ones town of residence (try www.name of town.ch) will often show the office where they can be purchased.

How about going to Martigny and then taking the Mont-Blanc or the St.Bernard Express (http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/trav...d-express.html). It's the closest part of the Swiss Alps from Geneva.

Re prices: I'd definitely recommend getting a half-fare card if you'll be in Switzerland for a few months. Just 2-3 day trips and it's worth it. You can get a normal day pass (from 9am, but who gets up before anyway if it's not to work?) for 58.- with the half-fare card (http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and...-day-card.html). Then you can go pretty much anywhere in Switzerland.

And one more suggestion for a day trip: there is a lovely little train in the Franches-Montagnes region between La Chaux-de-Fonds and Saignelégier / Tavannes. I love the whole Jura region, and fall is a great time to go there: it's usually above the fog and the forests look amazing. La Chaux-de-Fonds is also worth a visit in itself: it's just been declared UNESCO World Heritage.

thanks both, for the suggestions! I will look into those tomorrow. and will do some more research on the half fare card, my 56fr trip to montreux from geneva and back yesterday was an unpleasant surprise, so i figured there must be alternatives! the day pass with the half-fare card sounds like a good deal as well

One thing to bear in mind is that all of the "special" trains run over exactly the same route as normal regional trains. So before you invest 35 CHF in a seat reservation on the Glacier Express or 100 CHF on the chocolate train, remember that there is a normal service every hour with no supplement on these routes.

That lovely little train goes right passed my balcony! and can certainly recommend any part from Glovelier to La Chaux-de-Fonds - well it's like a holiday in a day trip

Hi, Stephen, I am from HK and is planning to visit Switzerland next March or April, I have do a bit of research about the Swiss Pass, i think it is expensive. I am planning to purchase a Half fare card (I bought one last time when I visit the Jungfrau area). Can I use the Half fare card on the Glacier Express? I am very interested in your suggestion about taking the regular regional train, so shall i just buy it on the SBB website or can I buy the ticket when I am at Zermatt, thanks a ton for any suggestion and advice.

Yes.

source: http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holiday...r-express.html

I was just looking at Glacier Express as well - it looks as though you can use the 1 day pass on it that you can buy with the half fare card, which (even w/ the reservation fee) makes it a pretty good deal, I think. Especially for a 7 hour train ride. If St. Moritz wasn't so far from Geneva, I'd probably go for it.


Do either of you know if this is the train that you're referencing? http://www.juratourisme.ch/en/transp...-jura.391.html

thanks all so much!

... but you will still pay full whack for the seat reservation.

Stephen not all scenic trains - don't think there is another ligne going up the Furka steam train

Ah that's true... but all the ones mentioned in jrspet's post are "normal" lines I think.

I like the way that some of the slowest trains in Switzerland are called the "something or other Express". The Mont-Blanc Express from Martigny to Chamonix has to be the winner, I don't think it ever gets above 40 kph. Very scenic though !

If you're on a budget, why not stay local? You're already in one of the prettiest parts of Switzerland, and near the vineyards at harvest time.

http://www.lake-geneva-region.ch/en/

Here is a list of upcoming festivals near Lake Geneva:
http://www.lake-geneva-region.ch/files/?id=19859
There is an antiques fair in Morge on the 6th and an onion festival at Oron-la-ville on the 7th. That sounds like some charm on the cheap.

There is also an adorable "wine train" that leaves from Lutry and Cully daily. It's not a real train but a motorized train vehicle that winds through the little wine towns and the vineyards themselves. And it's cheap at 13 CHF a person! http://www.lavauxexpress.ch/?lan=en

If you want to go up a bit, you could try the Marmot's Paradise train, also run by Goldenpass. It takes you up to a marmot reserve (it is seriously cute) and an alpine garden--it's a fun day, but not as spendy as the chocolate train.

In the Romandie Mirgros magazine received today- they have a 2 for 1 offer on cruises on Lake Geneva (well Lac Leman) - just cut the coupon out and present it with your Cumulus card at any of the ports.

Good tip, Odile! Yes, you could go (and return from) the vineyards with the boat, go to all sorts of charming wine tasting stuff, do the Lavaux "train."

Doing this steam train route was defo on our list of 'to do' for this Summer. Perhaps still time, but I know it closes quite early due to snow.

Has anybody done this train route? Any advice, tips or comments, please?