Types of train tickets in Switzerland. Switzerland. Railway passion. List of some routes

Switzerland. Railway Passion

Author: Alina Trofimova. Photo: Alina Trofimova, Switzerland Tourism

There is no doubt. The Swiss never played enough with trains when they were children. Moreover, almost without exception. When asked about the name of the most popular Internet site in the country, my Swiss friend, without hesitation, answers sbb.ch - and, really, what could be more important than train schedules, great deals and convenient connections?!

Every time he finds himself in Switzerland, my husband loses his head (he has a special attachment to railways, or more precisely, their models). He “hangs out” when he sees another rare (but working) steam locomotive near the station, he may forget where we are going, looking at the restored “Pullman” cars of the Golden Pass train. And he rushes to photograph another incredible diesel locomotive, carriage or train - and sincerely does not understand my bewilderment. Only with superhuman efforts, with the help of persuasion (“Come on, let’s go, there are two more halls with antique cars and airplanes.”) he is able to be taken away from the railway exhibition at the Transport Museum in Lucerne - there is a huge collection of rare life-size steam locomotives (based on ancient trains you can climb on the carriages and touch everything with your hands). Located there, a working model of the railway system on the Saint Gotthard pass with moving trains (of course, accurately reproduced), cars and houses, makes even girls of different ages indifferent to transport masterpieces linger at the model.

The Swiss Travel System is a source of national pride and reverence in this country. They really have something to be proud of. Swiss trains are practically silent, comfortable and clean, they serve food, and, of course, they run strictly on schedule with convenient connections. The only thing you can't do on Swiss trains is smoke. You can rent a train and choose any travel route, for a few hours or for the whole day.

My daughter, who has traveled hundreds of kilometers on local trains, most appreciates the presence of sockets and Wi-Fi in Swiss carriages (although this is not available on all trains). And on every trip, he looks forward to the appearance of a colorful character with a cart - a sort of Swiss Santa Claus, who carries a cart with soda, sandwiches, sweets, bars, chips and other things that are prohibited in ordinary children’s life, and therefore even more desirable food.

Of course, the Swiss could not stop at simply selling tickets from one city to another, in 1st and 2nd class carriages. And they came up with a variety of travel cards. For example, the Swiss Pass ticket, in addition to regular trains, is valid on panoramic routes and on all types of public transport in all large (and not so large) cities of the country. Swiss Pass/Swiss Flexi Pass holders also receive a 50% discount on many mountain trains and cable cars. In late spring and autumn, a second Swiss Pass/Swiss Flexi Pass for 4 days is offered to travelers free of charge (when purchasing one ticket, a second one is issued at no additional cost; in 2012, this offer is valid until November 30). Passes of the Swiss Travel System are a kind of “all-terrain vehicle”: you just need to show it, and you won’t have to pay for admission to the museum (more than 470 museums in Switzerland are participating in the promotion). The same ticket gives discounts of up to 15% when booking some chain hotels).

Traveling by train in Switzerland is more than just getting from point A to point B. Numerous panoramic routes - Golden Pass, Glacier Express, Wilhelm Tell Express and other "express" routes are consistently among the most popular excursions in Switzerland. “The slowest express train in the world” - this is exactly what the Swiss say about the Glacier Express panoramic train (aka the Glacier Express), with poorly concealed pride.

In the classic version, this train goes from St. Moritz (or Davos) to Zermatt (and back), along the Rhine and Rhone, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels on its way: the journey takes about 7.5 hours. However, the most impatient can travel part of the route, for example, from Zermatt to Brig or Chur or from St. Moritz to Visp, in which case the journey will take significantly less time. Swiss Travel System passes are valid on all panoramic routes, but reservations must be made in advance. And clean (and large) windows in panoramic trains allow you to get beautiful pictures even through glass.


Along the way you will be told (headphones and a brochure are included with each seat on the train) about the sights and Interesting Facts. And, of course, it will not be possible without the favorite entertainment of all travelers - food and drinks. First, they will feed you Swiss dishes and offer Swiss wine (we know almost nothing about it, but in vain), then they will demonstrate a rather impressive way of serving local liqueurs (kirsch, apricotine, williamina, etc.).

For some reason, tourists from Asia are especially happy about this attraction, and there will be plenty of them in the carriages: traditionally, a trip on the Glacier Express and other panoramic trains is considered one of the most prestigious, it is a real must when traveling around Switzerland.

And of all the beautiful and very beautiful roads In Switzerland, the Rhaetian Railway stands apart. In 1904, a section of the route with the Albula tunnel was built, and a little later a route appeared that connected St. Moritz and Tirano. In 2008, the Albula and Bernina railways were listed World Heritage UNESCO. Part of the Rhaetian Railway is part of the Glacier Express route.


At the beginning of the 20th century, the idea of ​​running a train through passes, into narrow gorges, where there was no ordinary road, seemed like something out of science fiction. But not for the Swiss. The railway, later recognized as an engineering genius, includes many incredibly beautiful viaducts, tunnels and bridges. It is truly unique, and not only because it takes place on an incredibly beautiful places, forcing tourists with cameras and video cameras to rush from one panoramic train window to another.


At one time, this road became the highest in Europe (until the railway to Jungfraujoch was built) and today it is still one of the steepest in the world. The train winds through the mountains and valleys, sometimes going up, closer to the snow-capped peaks, sometimes going down a little lower, to cozy villages. Passing tiny stations and looking at the bright red trains and carriages, you can’t escape the feeling of “déjà vu”. And, having delved into your memory, you begin to understand where popular railway models were copied from. Here is the station building and the station, here different types carriages and electric locomotives, viaducts, bridges, interchanges - it feels like, as if by magic, a railway model, with all its details, painted toy houses and trees, was taken and enlarged tenfold.

Why drag yourself to the resort by train if there are cars, a skeptic will ask. In some cases, traveling by car in Switzerland is indeed justified - for example, if you are planning daily trips to a new ski area, it is more convenient to have a car at hand. But renting a car doesn’t always make sense: the fact is that in most ski resorts a car is simply not needed. Moreover, in some villages you cannot use cars - you will have to leave them in the parking lot at the entrance to the resort or next to it. In particular, such resorts include Zermatt and Saas-Fee, as well as Wengen (which can only be reached by train), Betmeralp and Riederalp. If you absolutely don’t want to carry a bag with skis and a suitcase in addition, you can entrust the Swiss railways to do this for you - the Fly Rail service allows you to make sure that your luggage arrives at its destination without you, right from the airport, you don’t even have to wait for your luggage. This is especially convenient if you are going to spend a day or two in Swiss cities on the way to the resort (or back). Details and delivery rules can be found at website sbb.ch .


Useful:
Swiss Pass (valid on all types of transport throughout the country without restrictions): € 222 for 4 days (2nd class). Children under 16 years of age travel with one parent for free (if the parent has a travel ticket). There are also discounted tickets for young people for a fixed number of days (Swiss Flexi Pass). For a trip only from the airport to the resort and back, it makes sense to purchase a Swiss Transfer Ticket (sold only outside Switzerland, from tour operators and travel agencies, or it can be pre-ordered for delivery on the website sbb.ch): from €108 (2nd class, ticket to both sides).

Panoramic routes:

Glacier Express
Route: Zermatt - Brig - Andermatt - Chur - Davos/St. Moritz
Travel time: 7.5 hours. Performed throughout the year. Winter schedule valid from December 9 to May 8. The journey crosses 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and the Oberalp Pass at an altitude of 2033 m.

Advance reservation of seats in the Glacier Express carriage is mandatory and implies an additional payment of 13 CHF in winter, 33 CHF in summer. Schedule and prices:

Golden Pass ("Golden Pass")
Route: Lucerne - Brünig Pass - Interlaken - Zweisimen - Montreux (/Geneva)
Travel time: 5.5 hours. Performed all year round.

Two languages, three worlds, six lakes, one route - all this is the “Golden Pass”. The route connects Central Switzerland and Lake Geneva. The train departs from historic Lucerne through the Brünig Pass along Lake Brienz to Interlaken, then through to the Lavaux vineyards.

The Golden Pass Classic train runs between Montreux and Zweisimmen with carriages styled after the famous Orient Express.
Reservations are recommended.

Bernina Express
Route: Chur - St. Moritz - Bernina Pass - Poschiavo - Tirano (- Lugano)
Travel time: 4 hours. Performed all year round.

This route connects Chur (canton of Grisons) with Tirano. The total length of the route is 145 km. The train climbs the Bernina Pass, at an altitude of 2253 meters, crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels. From Tirano (Italy) you can continue the route on a modern bus through Veltlin to Lugano (summer only).
Reservations on trains and buses are required.

Swiss Chocolate Train
Route: Montreux - Gruyere - Broc and back
Travel time: 8 ocloc'k. Performed from May to October.

The Swiss Chocolate Train is a joint project between GoldenPass Services and Cailler-Nestle. Traveling in a Belle Epoque carriage or a modern panoramic carriage, you can see the picturesque terraces of the vineyards above Montreux and the medieval town of Gruyères, the birthplace of the famous cheese. After the excursion, the train goes to Broc, where the famous Swiss milk chocolate factory is located. The price includes the following services:
. booking a place
coffee and croissants on the train
bus from the station in Gruyères to the village and back
visit to Gruyere Castle
visit to the cheese factory in Gruyères
video presentation, production visit and tasting at the Nestle confectionery factory

Schedule: May, June, September and October: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, July-August: daily. Departure from Montreux at 9.12, return to Montreux at 17:40. Price: CHF 99.- for adults, CHF 69.- for children and discount card holders.

Wilhelm Tell Express Express "Wilhelm Tell"
Route: Lucerne - Lake Lucerne - Fluelen - St. Gotthard - Bellinzona - Locarno/Lugano
Travel time: 5 o'clock. Performed all year round.

Speed ​​is not what you should expect from the William Tell Express. The route starts in Lucerne, on board the historic double-decker paddle steamer, the same as more than a hundred years ago. After this, you can transfer to the panoramic train to continue the journey to Locarno, Ticino - the Italian part of the country. The road to this canton goes through the famous St. Gotthard Pass.
Reservations are required.

Where to buy tickets for Swiss trains?
Swiss Travel System travel tickets can be purchased from accredited tour operators in Russia. Their full list: , ticket prices do not differ from Swiss ones. Some types of tickets, in particular the Swiss Transfer Ticket, can only be purchased outside of Switzerland.

Tickets for single trips and some types of passes can be ordered in advance online: sbb.ch .

You can select the appropriate type of travel ticket using the service

Helpful information about Swiss railways first-hand: types of tickets, fares, calculations of how to get there in Switzerland,

description, instructions for booking Swiss tickets, how to buy tickets in Switzerland, tips, differences between trains

Switzerland is a damn beautiful country and at the same time damn expensive: if you can find a hotel in the suburbs of a Swiss city for less than 100 euros, then this can be considered a great success. It’s expensive to live here, it’s expensive to eat here, and, of course, it’s expensive to travel. The local transport system naturally works like clockwork and by the hour, but its use will ruin anyone: an hour-long voyage of about seven tens of kilometers will cost the passenger about seven hundred rubles!

Such prices will instantly ruin anyone, so it is quite fair to think about saving a little on travel. To do this, you can use the so-called “Supersaver ticket” system. These tickets have a relatively low price, but are valid only for specific trains.

At the same time, their use allows you to reduce travel costs by almost half. Let's say, if the above-mentioned trip from Lausanne to Bern usually costs 31 Swiss francs, then a similar trip on a special offer will cost only 18.60 francs.

To avoid such difficulties, you should use reusable travel cards, of which the Swiss have come up with a great variety. Alas, some of them are of little use for use, because, let’s say, a very reasonable “9 o’clock travelpass” ticket, which costs only 48 francs and allows you to travel throughout the country from 9 am to midnight on weekdays, is available only to the lucky owners of the “Half -Fare travelcard”, that is, for the most part local residents. It seems like it would be a good idea to buy such a card for yourself, but it costs 165, 300 and 400 francs for 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively - few people travel to the Alps with such enviable regularity to recoup such purchases.

The situation is similarly bad with the “1-day travelpass”, valid without a morning time limit. It costs 56.70 francs, but, again, you need the damned “Half-Fare travelcard”.

The only thing available in this regard is the “Happy Birthday travelpass” for 33 francs, but its use can only be done on the passenger’s birthday, which greatly limits flexibility.

Thus, those planning more or less active trips around Switzerland find themselves without an alternative to a set of “Swiss Pass” cards.

Such a ticket is valid for 4, 8, 15 or 22 days, and in the usual case these days are consecutive - you cannot split them separately.

For such events there is a “Swiss Flexi Pass”, which gives the right to ride the entire transport system for 3, 4, 5 or 6 days within a month. Naturally, the more days you plan to travel, the higher the cost of the pass, and while a purchase for 4 days will cost 266 francs, an 8-day pass will cost 384 francs. Likewise, a split ticket for 3 days will cost 254 francs, its equivalent for 4 days will cost 308 francs, and so on.

There is also such a thing as a “Swiss Transfer Ticket”, which cannot be bought in Switzerland - only online or in other countries. Its essence is free travel from any border point of the Confederation to any point and back. In this case, the entry and exit points may not coincide, the main thing is that the trip in each direction is completed within a day and follows the shortest route. A similar pass costs 130 francs.

Now that we understand the capabilities of the Swiss transport system We have established that you can go directly to the process of purchasing tickets.

This process is quite simple and begins right from placing an order.

Switching to English language Using the "en" button at the very top, we must then enter the required points of departure and arrival, so that we can receive a schedule approximately in this form.

Since in Switzerland tickets are sold for a certain distance, it almost always makes sense to choose high speed trains to come quickly. Although, to be honest, usually the time difference between them and electric trains is not too great - the routes are a bit short...

Now that the train has been selected, there is a need to enter your data into the computer’s memory, specifically your first name, last name and date of birth.

After this stage is over, all that remains is to remember if you have a discount voucher at hand.

Typically, travelers do not have such a voucher at their disposal, so you can safely proceed to making a payment, for which you first enter your registration information - this is necessary for the banking system.

Well, finally, here it is, a page with payment information, after filling out the fields we can press the coveted “Purchase” button and buy a ticket.

The use of ticket machines in Switzerland is also quite accessible to anyone with a more or less tolerable command of at least some language.

This is what these machines look like.

The menu is arranged in several languages ​​at once, we will choose the most popular - English.

We don’t need German at all in this case, so click on “English” in the lower right corner of the screen.

Thanks to this click, the world becomes clearer, and all possible options are at your fingertips.

By entering the departure and destination stations, we often get travel options - through a specific station or the shortest route there.

Of course, you need to choose a one-way trip or a round trip.

In the latter case, a certain discount is provided.

The apparent complexity of the next screen is actually not worth a penny: these tricks are needed by those who have the above-mentioned “Half-Fare travelcar”, those who transport animals, and so on. We select 1/1 and the key in the right column that corresponds to the number of passengers.

Having made a simple choice, we move on to searching for the desired date.

By default, the date is always today - this must be kept in mind.

Changing the date is easier to do than sending two bytes - for this there is a special button "Later date" at the top right.

Finally, we have the price and along with it the payment options. It is worth noting that at Swiss border stations, machines also accept European coins and banknotes, giving change, however, in Swiss francs.

And to make it even more important, let’s consider the option when we need not a simple ticket, but some kind of travel card. To do this, you need to select the "Other tickets/offers" option, and then various offers will appear.

The travel cards discussed above are displayed here - as you can see, purchasing them will not be difficult.

In general, have a good trip to Switzerland...

Today we’ll talk about trains in Switzerland. I am a big fan of railways; for me, train stations, platforms and locomotives from childhood add up to the romance of travel, which no air transport can reproduce. Sometimes, because of this romance, I embark on strange adventures - for example, I was shocked all night in an old Asian carriage instead of a half-hour flight. But riding Swiss trains is a pleasure; it’s fast, beautiful and convenient.

Do you like this locomotive? At the end of the post there are photos of different trains in the country.

And most importantly, it is almost always on schedule, unlike neighboring Germany, whose railways disappointed me.

Regular readers of my blog have undoubtedly noticed a constant morbid admiration for me. I still believe that when it comes to rail transport, the Japanese are ahead of the rest, however, the Swiss are not so far behind them. The whole country is carefully covered with a web of railway tracks:

On this map the yellow lines indicate bus routes. And the railways are marked in red. Most of the trains in the country belong to the state-owned railway company with a beautiful name...

1. "SBB CFF FFS", nine consonant letters that can be found throughout the country. This is an abbreviation of the name meaning "Swiss Federal Railways" on three of the main state languages: German, French and Italian. Every three letters represent an abbreviation of the same words in a different language. (Fourth official language countries, Romansh, in official name is not used, otherwise “VFS” would have to be added to the inscriptions.)

2. All inscriptions on the system are also duplicated on three main languages, and also in English. So you don’t have to be afraid of not understanding something and missing something. Popular cities are also announced in English.

3. If Swiss trains have one drawback, it is that they are expensive. The ticket between is not so distant cities may cost about $50. Need to drive across the country? It will already be $100 or more.

4. Fortunately for us tourists, the country has a railway (and other) subscription called Swiss Travel Pass. It is sold for 3, 4, 8 and 15 days, and covers travel on most transport throughout Switzerland. It can be purchased in first or second class. An adult second class ticket costs from 216 francs (for three days) to 458 (15 days). As you can see, it becomes more profitable if you take it for longer. The subscription can be purchased at railway ticket offices(including Zurich and Geneva airports), it gives the right to free travel on trains and city public transport systems.

5. With its help you can even ride on historic ferry boats on Lake Geneva!

In short, if you are planning a trip in which you will need to move around the country a lot, I advise you to purchase this pass. It’s not exactly cheap, but in the end it turns out cheaper than individual tickets. Plus, you will also save a lot of time, since you won’t have to stand in lines at the ticket office every time, and you can safely jump on the next train in the right direction.

All train routes are on Google Maps, so finding a train to the desired station is not difficult. Also, the SBB CFF FFS company has released separate applications for phones, which also allow you to plan a route (there are versions for Android and iOS).

An exception to this pass are various types of lifts to mountain peaks. They require a ticket purchase, but Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a 50% discount. The Alpine Tram in Zermatt and the gondolas in the wonderful Lauterbrunnen Valley fall into this category of transport.

6. The main thing is that if you bought a second class Travel Pass, do not get confused and not get into the first class by mistake. It is easy to distinguish between classes: on each carriage at the entrance there is a white number “1” or “2” written.

7. Like its German neighbors, most intercity trains in Switzerland are double-decker. The red and white color scheme is the corporate style for the squads belonging to SBB CFF FFS.

8. Luxurious first class seats are available on both the first and second floors. It looks like this:

9. I haven’t traveled in first class, and I don’t advise you to, without the appropriate ticket. And in general, it’s better not to ride here without a ticket - on almost every trip during the week I came across a ticket inspector who carefully checked all the tickets. They are actively fighting hares here.

10. However, second class is also very comfortable - there are comfortable soft seats, and there is an opportunity to work during long journeys.

11. The table folds out to make it convenient to sit down and stand up, but if desired, you can increase its area to place a computer.

13. In general, what is very pleasing about these trains is the variety of seat configurations. The Swiss understand that different passengers have different needs. Some people want to work quietly, some want to look out the window alone, and some want to communicate with a friendly group. There is a place for all these people on Swiss trains. Here, for example, is a part of the carriage suitable for large parties (this is also 2nd class):

I have more than once observed how such a place was occupied by cheerful groups of teenagers who, by the way, calmly travel from one city to another without adult supervision. These guys looked about 13 years old.

14. For younger passengers, the trains have special play areas. Parents can take their children there so that they don't get bored during long trips. This is good for everyone: the child has fun, parents don’t have to figure out what to do with them, and passengers in the rest of the carriages have peace of mind.

I admit, I saw this on trains several years ago, for some reason I didn’t come across these platform cars on this trip. I hope they haven't been canceled - it's a really cool thing.

15. And on trains (though not all) there are special vestibules for bicycles.

16. There are special mounts inside them where you can attach bikes, skis, etc.

17. Some people attach baby strollers here.

18. Well, what self-respecting European train can do without a dining car?

19. On double decker trains long distance, restaurants are usually upstairs.

20. Everything here is as it should be: tablecloths, normal chairs that can be pulled up, a waiter and a menu. They even pour it. You sit, eat, and Swiss beauties run by outside the window. However, more about them a little later.

21. There is a café on the lower floor for a less formal setting. You can grab a quick bite here (if you don't have to travel that far).

22. Let's look a little at train stations and stations, because they also greatly influence the overall feeling of the railway system... Here is the main station of Zurich - a huge building with high arches, under which the works of sculptors are hung. There are several more underground levels here.

23. The station is so huge that a market is sometimes held in its building! Farmers from all over Europe set up tents right at the station and bring their goods for sale.

24. For example, fruits and vegetables are sold by some granny from a newspaper, and a representative of the BioLand farming group. It all looked so appetizing that I couldn’t resist and bought fresh berries from him.

25. And this is the train station in Bern (yes, the same one where the drunken air of freedom played a cruel joke on Professor Pleischner). The gracefully curved canopies over the escalators to the platforms are made of wood. Looks very cool.

26. There are monitors on the platforms showing when and where the next train will be, where it will stop on the platform, and where the first and second class carriages will be located, and where the restaurant will be.

27. Yes, each station has a clock. Preferably on some tower. After all, after all...

28. Even the smallest stops have a clock tower!

The correct time is a very important thing here, since the entire railway system of the country is debugged, like a precise clockwork. The train schedule is designed so that most transfers last no more than ten minutes (often five!) This takes into account which platform both trains arrive at, in order to give passengers a chance to have time to walk at a normal (but not relaxed!) pace from one train to another. In rare cases, when there are minor delays, the train you want to transfer to will also wait a couple of minutes.

29. But for railway platforms, the company ordered a special watch model. This mechanism and design was developed by Swiss engineer Hans Hilfiker in 1944. Yes, you heard right! The war was going on all over the world, and the neutral Swiss were improving railway clocks. (On the other hand, why not, if in the USSR in 1942 they could think about a new letter of the alphabet!) In short, Swiss railway watches have become national symbol, and an example of good, laconic design. They are even exhibited in our New York at MoMA.

It turns out that this watch is so famous that Apple decided to steal it when it modernized the style of its iPhone firmware. In version 6 of iOS, released in 2012, the clock icon looked suspiciously like a Swiss design, right down to the circle at the end of the red second hand. The Swiss filed a lawsuit against the global manufacturer of gadgets, although the case did not go to court. Apple negotiated an agreement allowing them to use this design. The exact amount of the deal is unknown, but analysts believe that the Swiss received about 20 million francs for using the famous dial.

By the way, the feature of this watch is not only in appearance. The mechanism also has an interesting and non-obvious feature: at the end of each minute, the second hand is delayed slightly to synchronize with all the other clocks in the station. Thus, all the clocks at the station always show exactly the same time.

30. Yes, Swiss trains are comfortable and on time, but that's what we expect from all normal trains (unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way). But where they exceed expectations is in the beauty of the landscapes outside the window. Sitting in the carriage by the window, you can watch the green hills rush past you, high mountains, blue Lakes, and small towns with pointed churches.

31. Often the railway is laid right a couple of meters from the shore of the lake.

32. Then it seems that this entire magnificent landscape was created especially for you - for the passenger. For example, ride along Lake Geneva- a pleasure, especially on a clear day. On the far side you can see the French coast, where the Alps rise.

33. Even if your train does not go along the very edge of the water, it is still beautiful. You will be pleased with the view of green fields and vineyards.

34. And if you turn into the mountains, you will be able to shoot snow-capped peaks directly from the window of your train.

Switzerland is rich in natural beauty, and the railways are one of the best ways to see it all. Where else is it so beautiful outside the carriage window? In Japan, that's where. But it's hard to pick a favorite here.

35. Let me show you a few different types trains that I encountered during a week of active use of Swiss railways. I'll start with the cutest thing - this handsome locomotive was already in the title photo, but it's no harm to show it again!

By the way, if anyone knows the model of this or other trains, write in the comments, I will add the information to the post. Otherwise, I’m a complete noob in this regard.

36. Double decker train I have already shown you the long-distance route, but this is a more regional one, which goes to the mountainous Zermatt.

37. There are also very small trains, more like trams. They walk on narrow gauge tracks. This is exactly what we drove to the tiny town where my friend Alice lives in a centuries-old house.

38. By the way, not all trains in the country belong to the federal railway agency. There are also private lines. And if SBB CFF FFS cars are usually red and white, then private companies choose other colors for their liveries. For example, in the Bern area they go green trains BLS.

39. But I saw such dark blue trains near Lausanne.

40. But such a blue-yellow train lifted us from the lakes up to the valley of the elves.

41. In general, on such private narrow-gauge lines leading to the mountains, you can see very nice trailers. Moreover, it is clear that many of them are quite old designs.

42. Apparently, private companies do not throw out all the obsolete cars, but leave a few on the rails as a museum. Well, if it works for the New York subway, why not here?

43. Look how lovely it is!

44. The biggest trick on Swiss trains is to sit by a window either at the beginning or end of the train. On turns you can take pictures not only beautiful landscape outside the window, but also the tail/head of your composition, which will harmonize perfectly with the surrounding greenery.

Honestly, I can’t imagine how anyone could not love trains. And if you love them, then Switzerland - best country, in order to ride them.

In 2013, the Swiss Federal Railways - this is their official name - transported 366 million passengers. This is a very impressive figure. After all, the population of Switzerland itself as of September 30, 2014 was just over 8.2 million people. Switzerland's railways have the densest network in Western Europe. And Swiss trains are among the most reliable and comfortable in the world. Total length Switzerland's railway network as of 2013 is 3,033 kilometers. The highest railway station in Europe is also located here: the Jungfraujoch station at an altitude of 3,454 m in the Bernese Oberland.

How the Swiss railways were created

The first section of the railway, which passed only on Swiss soil, was built in 1847 and connected the cities and Baden. The real railway boom began with the passage of the Railway Act in 1852. This law established that railways could be built and operated by private individuals or cantons.

Alfred Escher, a Swiss politician, manufacturer and pioneer in the field of railway construction, played a huge role in this. He could rightfully call the “Law on Railways” his brainchild. The construction of the Gotthard Railway is one of his main achievements.

The 274.2 km long Saint Gotthard Mountain Railway crosses the Massif Central Swiss Alps and connects Italian railways with Swiss and German ones. In addition, Escher was one of the founders of the credit bank "Schweizerische Kreditanstalt". Today it is the world famous bank "Credit Suisse".

It is not surprising that the monument to Alfred Escher, unveiled on June 22, 1889, stands in a place of honor - on the station square. At the same time, the passenger traffic of the Zurich station is approximately 400,000 people per working day.

The framers of the Railway Act clearly had good intentions. However, the result was a ruthless competition. As a result, the Swiss East-West Company first declared bankruptcy in 1861. And in 1878 - the Swiss National Railway. These events influenced the point of view of both parliamentarians and ordinary citizens.

Demands for the nationalization of the railway became increasingly louder. As a result of a popular vote on February 20, 1898, the nationalization of the five “surviving” private railways was announced. January 1, 1902 was the birthday of SBB: this is the abbreviation for “Schweizerische Bundesbahnen” - Swiss Federal Railways - on German.

Swiss Railways today

On Swiss trains, along with the railway logo in German, you can also see the abbreviation CFF-FFS - from the French “Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses” and the Italian “Ferrovie federali svizzere”, which once again emphasizes the multilingual nature of Switzerland.

Since January 1, 1999, SBB has been transformed into an open joint-stock company, 99% of the shares of which belong to the state. The Swiss railway network is fully electrified, and as of 2013 SBB employs over 30,000 people. Until 2005, Swiss trains had smoking and non-smoking carriages. On December 11, 2005, along with a change in train schedules, smoking was banned everywhere.

A trip on a Swiss train is, above all, comfort. These are comfortable, soft seats, large panoramic windows, clean toilets, uninterrupted air conditioning, sockets for mobile devices. Most fast trains have a dining car and a mobile minibar: an SBB employee rolls a cart down the aisle and offers passengers drinks - tea, coffee, mineral water, cola, beer, as well as sandwiches, crackers and chips.

Between the main cities of Switzerland fast trains They run on average twice an hour. In addition, there are also trains here commuter service“S-Bahn”, that is, simply electric trains. At the same time, the price for all types of trains is standard. And the price is quite high. So, an 11-minute one-way 1st class trip from Zurich station will cost you 10.80 francs. And for a trip from Zurich to Bern in 1st class there and back you will have to pay 176 francs, the same trip in 2nd class costs exactly 100 francs.

Train tickets in Switzerland must be purchased at ticket office or in a ticket machine; conductors on trains do not sell tickets now, although this was previously practiced - for an additional payment of 5 francs. A trip without a ticket will cost you at least 80 francs, and your personal data will be stored in the SBB central computer for 2 years. The second ticketless trip will cost 120, and the third - 150 francs. So it is better to buy your tickets on time and enjoy a comfortable trip.

 

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