Take a train to Montreux. Much nicer
If the OP gets as far as Aigle (or even Vevey) there is more than a day's worth of swissness. AL is the most fun but Aigle-Sépey-Diablerets, Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry (all now more similar apart from rack/adhesion but used to be different stock and voltages) and Bex-Villars-Bretaye.... Aigle, from where you can take the Leysin branch.
Hi, do you know if the Leysin branch is included on the Interrail pass?, I have the opportunity to incorporate it, I'm going from Zweiiemen to Montreux and then I was going to Geneva and back for the ride.If time permits I'd consider a run along Lac Léman to Aigle, from where you can take the Leysin branch. Possibly the most unusual branch line I've ever been on - it runs the wrong way down a one-way street before becoming a rack railway with stations that are so steep the platform is like a set of stairs:
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The views along the way are stunning!
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Thanks for the tip, I have the option to fit it in later in the holiday so I will now.I think Lausanne to Montreux is by far the most scenic bit of the route so I would very much recommend not stopping it short.
Yes, it is. Almost all trains in Switzerland are - there's a map here which shows the details, including lines on which a discount is offered for showing an Interrail pass.Hi, do you know if the Leysin branch is included on the Interrail pass?, I have the opportunity to incorporate it, I'm going from Zweiiemen to Montreux and then I was going to Geneva and back for the ride.
Thanks for the info, two of the heavyweight posters replying giving advice I feel quite humbleYes, it is. Almost all trains in Switzerland are - there's a map here which shows the details, including lines on which a discount is offered for showing an Interrail pass.
We have children in Bern and Zurich so we often fly into Geneva… and use many of the lines around Geneva / Zurich so we keep an eye on all offers…I have a day in Geneva coming up. Is there anything interesting rail wise? Any short trips into France ?
I ended up in La Cure, with the border.You could take a train to Nyon and then change onto the metre-gauge NStCM line which is reasonably scenic and terminates at the village of La Cure which is split in two by the Franco-Swiss border.
The default quoted fare is based on the assumption that you have a 'Halbtax' (half fare Railcard), since the majority of journeys are made using a Halbtax. Admittedly somewhat confusing for a visitor!I ended up in La Cure, with the border.
I did find the ticket machines a little confusing. They showed a half price fare then when I clicked through it doubled for one way fare. Is the half fare some sort of railcard?
I didn't get my ticket checked at all on any trains.
Yes, it is. Almost all trains in Switzerland are - there's a map here which shows the details, including lines on which a discount is offered for showing an Interrail pass.
There was someone on my service from the Airport to Nyon who went beyond the Geneva city zone or something. They asked the member of staff who passed through and they said its not allowed and you will have to buy a new ticket when the guard comes round. The guard came around.It's worth noting, talking of tickets, that on DOO services the requirement to hold a ticket is basically absolute, i.e. even a broken machine isn't a defence against a penalty fare. Though inspections are incredibly rare, I don't think I ever came across one in 2 years of knocking around RER Vaud. On guarded trains there are a few valid excuses, one of which is "clueless tourist" (really!). It is interesting that they have the two different approaches both indicated by the "eye" symbol.
Note this cannot be obtained once you have gone through customs. I will check again on Friday.
Correct, the machines are in baggage reclaim just before customs, the reason why is so only people who actually flew in have the facility (though there's very little to stop them from dispensing more than one if they know they're meeting someone landside).
I never seen any but I flew into Terminal 2.
Just came through GVA airport and noticed there are no more free transport tickets for travel in the canton of Geneva.