Swiss Travel System for 2005: New rail/hotel packages, Glacier Express 75th Anniversary Celebration plys faster, more frequent service
White Plains, New York, November 9, 2004 - Switzerland’s completely integrated and reliable transportation system is as memorable to those who have experienced it as the country’s breathtaking scenery. In 2005, Swiss Travel System (STS) products such as the Swiss Pass continue to offer travelers convenience and value with some significant improvements in travel times, frequency of service, new rail/hotel packages and a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the renowned Glacier Express scenic train.
Swiss Travel System products are sold in North America by Rail Europe, which is owned in part by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB.) While 2005 prices on most STS products will increase nominally (2-7%), these dollar prices have been fixed for the entire year, so travelers can protect themselves from worsening exchange rate fluctuations by buying STS products from Rail Europe before leaving for Switzerland.
New for 2005
The best news for visitors touring Switzerland is that the trains will be faster, more comfortable and travel at more frequent intervals than ever before -- every half-hour, on the hour and half-hour, between major cities. [See press release on Rail 2000].
2005 will not only showcase the latest innovations to the rail system, but also honor something rather old: on June 22, the most popular scenic train in Switzerland, the Glacier Express, will celebrate its 75th birthday. Originally, this journey across the country’s stunning alpine heartland between the mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz took 11 hours. Today it takes eight hours but the ride is every bit as thrilling as it was on its maiden voyage, back in 1930.
Two new rail and hotel packages, both featuring a scenic train, are also being introduced in 2005:
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Glacier Express Tour 3-day, 2-night package includes one night each in Zermatt and St. Moritz plus the ride on the legendary train and transfers to/from any Swiss airport or the border. Starts at US$340/CAN$446 per person, double occupancy.
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Goldenpass Tour 6-day, 5-night package includes two nights in Lucerne, two nights in Interlaken and one night in Montreux, passage on the Goldenpass Line between those cities, excursion to Jungfraujoch and transfers to/from any Swiss airport or the border. Starts at US$590/CAN$773 per person, double occupancy.
Benefits of Swiss Travel System
A Swiss Pass - or any Swiss Travel System product - gives you access to the rail system, city transportation systems, postal buses, lake steamers, and scenic routes. Passholder bonuses include discounts on cable-cars, mountaintop excursions, high-speed and overnight trains to France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Germany, discounts on guided city tours, and more. In 2004, a new bonus enabled Swiss Travel System passholders to travel free all the way to Chamonix in France on the scenic Mont Blanc Express. For 2005, passholders will receive sizeable discounts on the entire range of RailAway’s leisure packages and excursion suggestions, including exhibitions, museums, ski passes, etc. Rail Europe offers the wide range of Swiss Travel System products, including Swiss Passes, Swiss Card, Swiss Transfer Ticket, Fly Rail Baggage Coupons, and Swiss Family Card. Rail Europe also offers 2-country railpasses that include Switzerland -- the Switzerland ‘n Austria Pass and France ‘n Switzerland Pass.
Savings for couples, groups, families
Two or more people traveling together can save 15 % by buying the discounted Swiss Saverpass, which in 2005 starts at US$153/CAN$201 per person (2nd class, 4 days) or US$230/CAN$302 per person (1st class, 4 days.) A discounted Swiss Youth Pass is also available for travelers under 26.
Switzerland is one of the few countries where children (under 16) travel free when accompanied by a parent with a paid Swiss Travel System ticket or pass. The Swiss Family Card is available free to anyone purchasing a Swiss Travel System product.
Ideal for one-destination vacations - Swiss Transfer Ticket and Swiss Card
If you only plan on getting to one favorite Swiss destination - perhaps to hike or ski or yodel, the Swiss Transfer ticket covers your roundtrip by rail, bus and boat between any Swiss airport or border point and a single destination for US$88/CAN$116 (2nd class) or US$134/CAN$176 (1st.) The Swiss Card is similar to the Transfer Ticket but also provides a 50% discount on all excursions during your stay in the region.
Switzerland Plus
The Switzerland ‘n Austria Pass and France ‘n Switzerland Pass provide unlimited rail travel for 4 days within a 2-month period, both of which in 2005 start at US$269/CAN$353 (prices are per person based on two people traveling together in 1st class.) Extra days may be added and discounted passes in 2nd class are available for travelers under 26.
Rail and hotel packages
In addition to the two new rail and hotel packages, four other packages combine rail travel plus overnights in 3- or 4-star hotels:
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Wilhelm Tell Express Tour through the Eastern Alpine region - starting at US$450/CAN$590 per person for 5 days/4 nights, one each in Lucerne, Appenzell, Chur and Zurich. Includes a ride on the Voralpen Express, the postal bus and the Glacier Express; optional excursion at 50% discount, for example to one of the country’s highest peak, Mt. Saentis.
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Swiss Mountain Peaks, from US$460/CAN$603 per person for 4 days/3 nights in Interlaken, Engelberg and Zurich, plus excursions to Mt. Schilthorn and Mt. Titlis, plus 50% discount on additional, optional excursions.
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Best of Lake Geneva and Matterhorn Region, from US$455/CAN$597 per person for 5 days/4 nights in Geneva, Lausanne/Montreux and in Zermatt or another mountain resort, plus 50% discount on optional excursions.
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Tops of Switzerland, from US$470/CAN$616 per person for 5 days/4 nights in Interlaken and Lucerne, with excursions to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) and Mt. Pilatus.
Scenic routes through spectacular scenery
The 75-year old Glacier Express is just one of many scenic routes in Switzerland. Among the best known are the William Tell Express (boat ride on Lake Lucerne plus Alpine crossing on the legendary Gotthard route), Bernina Express (travel from glaciers to palm trees within 2 hours), Golden Pass Line (from Lake Lucerne via Interlaken to Lake Geneva), Palm Express (postal bus ride between St. Moritz and Lugano) and Swiss Chocolate Train (with visits to cheese and chocolate makers.) Less well known scenic routes include the Mont Blanc Express, Voralpen Express, and Centovalli with its dramatic gorges, waterfalls and quaint villages. Most of these trains have panoramic cars to optimize Alpine viewing. Travelers with a Swiss Pass or Swiss Flexipass pay only a small reservation fee on these routes, although many routes require no reservation fee.
Fly Rail Baggage Coupons
Fly Rail Baggage Coupons (US$15/CAN$20 per piece of luggage) allow travelers to check bags at any North American airport with any carrier going to Switzerland and pick it up at their choice of approximately 50 Swiss railway stations.
For more information or to book any of these Swiss Travel System products, call a travel agent or Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245. Information and bookings also available at the Rail Europe Web site www.raileurope.com.
Photos: members of the press may download high-res photos of Eurostar and other European trains at www.raileurope.com/presspix
