Can I book by telephone?

Yes , you can also book your trip by telephone . The normal local telephone charges apply. Our travel experts are available during opening hours to take your booking and answer your questions. The contact details can be found below .

What do I need to bear in mind when booking online?

When booking online on the Switzerland Travel Centre website, you can tailor your trip to your own wishes. Select your travel date , the desired hotel category and additional activities . If you have an annual travel card or discount card , make sure you have selected the correct option . Before you finalise your booking, please carefully check and confirm all details . Our booking tool also offers you the option of sending your saved itinerary by email, allowing you to make your own adjustments within a 1 week period. Please note that the hotel prices are updated daily and may change depending on availability.

Can I book multiple rooms at the same time?

Yes, in the booking system you can initially select up to 4 rooms for a maximum of 9 travellers on the same booking. If you have questions or need support , our travel experts will be happy to help you by phone or email. The contact details can be found below .

How can I book a trip for my family with children, and are there any special requirements or discounts?

Our packages can usually be booked online by families with children. The children's prices apply if a child stays in same room as two full-paying adults and is travelling with at least one parent . For families resident in Switzerland , the prices for children aged 6 to 15 are calculated on the basis of a Junior Card or a child travelcard , which must be purchased before departure. For Families resident abroad , a Swiss Family Card is usually included. Otherwise, a Child's Co-travelcard can be purchased directly from SBB. If your chosen offer is not available or suitable for families, our travel experts will be happy to create a customised offer instead . Please contact us directly – the contact details can be found below .

My mobility is limited. How do I proceed?

For an accessible trip that meets your needs, please contact our travel experts . They will be happy to assist you in organising a trip where all aspects are adapted to your exact requirements. You can find their contact details below to clarify further details or make special requests .

Why has the price of my package changed?

The prices of our holidays are adjusted on a daily basis and may change due to dynamic pricing by our hotel partners. The final price will be displayed just before the payment stage of your booking.

Can I make special requests when booking?

You have the option of entering additional requests and information in the comments field before finalising your booking. Rail ticket and room upgrades can be selected during the booking process . If you have a request regarding a hotel, we will forward your request to them for you. We will do our best to fulfill any requests but please note that we cannot guarantee them.

Can I book travel cancellation insurance?

In the booking process you have the option of booking the FLEX OPTION as an additional item . The cost is CHF 49.– per person . With the FLEX OPTION, you can rebook or cancel your trip up to 5 days before departure free of charge . Exception: The following additional costs apply when travelling with Glacier Express Excellence Class: Up to 60 days before the date of travel: CHF 270.– per person Less than 60 days before the date of travel: CHF 540.– per person You can find our normal cancellation conditions in our General Terms and Conditions .

What payment options do I have?

The following payment options are available to you: Visa, Mastercard and American Express .

How can I redeem my Switzerland Travel Centre voucher or promo code at the time of payment?

To redeem a Switzerland Travel Centre voucher, please contact us by phone or by email – the contact details can be found below . Please note that vouchers cannot be used for holiday flats, train tickets without hotel accommodation or hotel bookings outside of a package . Promocodes from promotions can be entered online at the end of the booking process .

Can I make changes to my booking?

For changes to your booking, please contact our travel experts . The processing fee is CHF 60.– per person, up to a maximum of CHF 120.– per booking. Additional costs may be incurred for adjustments such as hotel or train upgrades . You can find the exact processing fees in our General Terms and Conditions . The best way to inform us of your changes is by email . The contact details can be found below .

Can I cancel my booking?

To cancel your booking, please contact us in writing at the email address on our contact details below . Cancellation costs are calculated according to the date of receipt of your advice of cancellation . You can find detailed information on the costs in our General Terms and Conditions . If you have private travel insurance , please contact them directly – a medical certificate may be required. If you have taken out our FLEX OPTION and the cancellation is made within the permitted period , we will refund the travel price minus the FLEX OPTION fee directly to your credit card or bank account. For a bank transfer , we kindly ask you to provide us with your bank account details in writing.

How and when will I receive my travel documents?

Most travel documents are issued electronically and sent by email . For Grand Tour of Switzerland holidays, however, the documents are sent domestically by post , or internationally by TNT courier service . Normally you will receive your travel documents around 2 – 3 weeks before the start of your holiday .

I have paid and have not received any travel documents. What can I do?

If you have not received your travel documents, please check your spam folder first, as the email may have ended up there by mistake. If you have any further questions or queries , our travel experts will be happy to help you during opening hours – the contact details can be found below .

How can I report problems during my stay?

If you are unhappy with your room or the hotel service , please contact the reception of the hotel with your concerns first. In many cases, a solution can be found on site, such as an alternative room. If your issue is not resolved to your satisfaction , our travel experts are available by telephone during opening hours and will be happy to assist you further. If the problem persists, have the irregularities confirmed in writing on site and send us a detailed description by email to customercare@stc.ch after your return.

What does my train ticket include?

We offer a range of train tickets, depending on your journey and country of residence . If you have a railcard , please specify which at the start of the booking process , as it can change the type of ticket that we include. If applying a railcard , it must be valid during your travel period . Our Tailormade Train Ticket covers your journeys from and to any location in Switzerland, including the airports and border points . It is valid for all journeys listed in your itinerary, including your arrival and departure journeys . The ticket is valid for either direction, even if only one direction of travel is shown. For international guests , a Swiss Half Fare Card, a Swiss Travel Pass, a Swiss Travel Pass Flex or an Interrail Pass may also be included, should it be more cost-effective. Alternatively, Regional Passes or public train t ickets may also be included, which offer free travel in certain regions or on specific routes and, in some cases, discounts on mountain railways and attractions . The exact details can be found in the relevant travel itinerary . The applicable train ticket is confirmed during the booking process and will be sent with your travel documents . Should you have any questions, our travel experts are always happy to help. Please see our contact details below.

Do I have to take specific train connections?

With your train ticket, you are flexible and can use any suitable connection . You can check the current timetable in the SBB Mobile App or at sbb.ch . However, if you have a seat reservation on a panoramic train , you must travel at a specified departure time . You can find this exact timing in your travel documents .

How do I find which platform my train is departing from?

You can find live information regarding trains in Switzerland via the SBB Mobile App or on sbb.ch . Both include departure times and expected platforms at each station . Alternatively, you can use the display boards in the stations themselves . Panoramic trains can be distinguished in the timetable by the "PE" marking .

Is a transfer from the railway station to the hotel included in my trip?

As a rule, a transfer from the train station to the hotel is not included in our package holidays. However, many hotels do offer their own transfer service . For more detailed information or to book a transfer , please contact the relevant hotel directly.

Do I need a hotel voucher to check in?

To check in at the hotel, all you need is your surname and the booking number , which you will find in your travel documents . An additional hotel voucher is not required .

Is there a tour guide on site and are the trips guided?

Our trips are individual and unaccompanied , therefore no tour guide is provided on site . However, our travel experts will be happy to assist you during opening hours . You can find their contact details below. You can also get assistance at the hotel, at the local tourist office or at a railway station ticket counter . If you prefer a guided tour , we also offer corresponding options. For more information , please see our group tours .

Is a seat reservation mandatory?

On regular SBB routes , you are flexible and can choose any connection without requiring a seat reservation . For panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express and GoldenPass Express, the seat reservation is pre-included in our packages and so we book it for you.

What happens if I miss my connecting train?

If you miss your connecting train, this is usually not a problem . Your ticket remains valid and you can simply take the next train . However, this does not apply to the Panoramic trains , which often only run once a day and where you have pre-reserved seats . You can find the exact timetables in the SBB Mobile App or on sbb.ch . Our train tickets are flexible and not tied to a specific train connection, except for where you have seat reservations on panoramic trains .

In the event of a timetable change, how will I be involved?

To stay informed about possible timetable changes, we recommend that you check the live timetable in the SBB Mobile App or on sbb.ch .

Are dogs allowed on the train?

Dogs are allowed on most trains and almost all panoramic trains with the exception of the Glacier Express . Train tickets for dogs must be purchased seperately by yourself .

Do I have a luggage allowance when travelling by train?

In Switzerland there is no limit to the amount of luggage you can bring onto a train , not even for panoramic trains. However, we recommend only taking as much luggage as you need to ensure comfort and space for all travellers . For some of our scenic rail tours , a secure luggage transport service can be booked, which ferries your luggage in between your hotels for you. So you can relax and enjoy your trip knowing your luggage is being taken care of.

Who can I contact if I leave something behind on the train?

If you have left something behind on the train, you can either contact the SBB helpdesk or, in the case of Panoramic trains, the train operator directly. They will help you to find your lost items.

Where do the panoramic trains depart from and how are 1st and 2nd class divided?

The panoramic trains depart from the same stations as the regional trains, with the corresponding track shown in the SBB timetable as well as on the departure boards on site with the abbreviation "PE" . The carriages are divided by class: The doors of the carriages are labelled "1" for 1st class and "2" for 2nd class . 1st class carriages are often additionally marked with a yellow horizontal stripe to distinguish them from 2nd class.

How long will it take me to change trains in Switzerland?

The SBB timetable will only show you connections with a sufficient transfer time . The Swiss railway network is one of the most efficient in the world, and transfer times are calculated so that you should be able to catch your connecting train or bus without any problems. In most stations, the distances between the platforms are short , so you can change trains in just a few minutes. If you need more time , you can adapt your search to select specific connections with longer transfer times .

Is there WiFi on the trains?

Unfortunately, WiFi is not available on most trains in Switzerland. However, around 80 SBB stations throughout the country do offer free internet access .

Is public transport equipped with air conditioning?

Yes, most trains, buses, trams and boats in Switzerland are air-conditioned in summer .

What documents do I need to enter the country?

The documents required for entry may vary depending on nationality . You can find out about the entry requirements here: Information on entering and staying in Switzerland If you are travelling with the Bernina Express or the Centovalli-Railway via Italy , an identity card or a passport is required, depending on your nationality.

When can I check-in into my hotel room?

Hotel rooms are usually ready from 3.00 pm . If you arrive earlier , you can often leave your luggage in the hotel's luggage room until your room is available. For more detailed information, please contact your hotel directly .

Where can I leave my luggage when I go on an excursion?

At most large Swiss railway stations , there are large luggage lockers available where you can easily store your luggage. The prices for the lockers vary according to size . Larger stations also offer separate in-person luggage storage.

Where can I park if I am travelling by car?

We recommend that you visit the website parking.ch – the largest car park portal in Switzerland . There you can enter your destination and desired parking duration to get an overview of the available parking options and their respective costs . Please note that Zermatt, Wengen and Saas-Fee are car-free resorts . In these resorts, you must park your car in a parking garage outside the resort and travel by train or bus to reach them . For a more convenient journey , however, we recommend planning your travel by train .

How can I pay when I am travelling?

Usually, you can conveniently pay with your credit or debit card or withdraw cash at an ATM. Please note the fees charged by your bank . Alternatively, you have the option of exchanging foreign currency for Swiss francs at major railway stations in Switzerland.

What are the emergency telephone numbers in Switzerland?

The emergency telephone numbers are: 117 – Police 118 – Fire brigade 144 – Ambulance 112 – International emergency call 1414 – REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue) for air rescue in emergencies

What is the weather like in Switzerland?

The weather in Switzerland can be very changeable , especially in the mountains. For up-to-date weather forecasts, warnings and detailed weather maps , we recommend visiting the MeteoSwiss website.

What clothing is needed?

It is best to check the weather conditions in advance for your destination. Note that the temperatures on summits are significantly lower than in the valleys. Usually, the temperature can drop by up to 1°C (1.8°F) for every 100 metres of altitude. On summits, high sun protection and windproof and weatherproof clothing are important. For mountain excursions above 2000 metres above sea level , it is advisable to always take warm clothing with you, as the weather can change quickly and snow is also possible.

Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you have questions about booking a holiday, your travel documents or travelling by train in Switzerland? In our frequently asked questions you will find all the important information about your trip – from the booking process to your stay in each resort. Our practical tips and answers will help you plan your trip to Switzerland in the best possible way. If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help.