SWITZERLAND - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 532

Major Mobile Phone Companies: Swisscom, Sunrise, Orange
Rail Travel in Switzerland
The Swiss are well-known for their excellence in clock production, and they know
how to run a railroad with the same finesse—on time. Rail travelers from North
America may take advantage of the “Fly Rail Baggage Service” program by
checking their luggage through from their departure airport to one of the 60 railway
stations in Switzerland offering the service (approximately $25). When returning to
North America, visitors can also check their luggage through to their destination
airport (CHF 20 per bag). American carriers do not allow outbound service from
Switzerland.
According to the Swiss, only the “Man in the Moon” knows how dense the net-
work of railroads in Switzerland really is. Although Switzerland is only 216 miles
from north to south and 137 miles from east to west, more than 13,000 miles of
train, bus, and boat routes make up the Swiss Travel System network. Even moun-
tains don't stop the Swiss. They either tunnel through them or scale their heights
with funiculars or cog railways. Switzerland has one of the longest railroad tunnels,
the highest railroad, plus more bridges, tunnels, and other engineering works per
square mile than any other country in the world. ICN (InterCity Neigezug) tilting
trains have shrunk travel times on many routes, and frequency has increased to
half-hourly service on most InterCity lines. Tilting trains and double-decker train
equipment have also increased business, dining, family, and quiet-zone facilities.
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) accepts the following rail passes
that can be purchased in advance of your departure for Europe: the 18-country
variety of Eurail passes, the Swiss Pass, the Swiss Card, Eurail Aus-
tria-Switzerland Pass, and the Eurail France-Switzerland Pass. Visit
www.sbb.ch or www.rail.ch .
Swiss Federal Railways provides the following Eurail bonuses:
• 20 percent discount on URh Rhine River boats: Constance-Schaffhausen
• Steamer services on lakes of Biel, Brienz, Geneva, Lucerne, Murten, Neuchâtel,
Thun, and Zürich—free (seasonal)
• Alpnachstad-Mount Pilatus (see Lucerne section)—cable railway 35 percent
discount
• Bürgenstock funicular—20 percent discount
• Free sailings on the Aare River, Biel-Solothurn (seasonal)