In today’s episode we welcome back Andy Nef of the Swiss Travel System. Andy is a regular guest on the podcast and always generously shares his knowledge of the fantastic public transport network in Switzerland with us.
With 2022 fast coming to a close, Andy joins us to tell us about timetable changes and new services for 2023, plus he gives us an update on what, if anything, is changing with the popular Swiss Travel Pass in 2023.
[This post may contain compensated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.]
As always, I’d like to say thank you to the folks from Switzerland Tourism, the sponsors of the podcast. Be sure to check out their website myswitzerland.com for inspiration to help you plan your Swiss vacation.
If you need to go on a tour, you need Switzerland.
And what better way to see Switzerland than on your very own train tour of the country!
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Show Notes
In this episode we discuss:
- Train timetable changes
- Night train services
- News and information about the GoldenPass Express
- Updates on the Chocolate Train and the Cheese Train
- News and updates on the Glacier Express
- Updates on the Swiss Travel System
- Swiss Travel Pass prices for 2023
- News about the new world record for the longest passenger train
Our Guest
Andy Nef is Swiss Travel System’s Market Manager for the UK, South Korea, Australia, Japan and UAE.
He is a rail enthusiast who has spent more than 20 years working for rail companies in Switzerland.
Topics discussed in this episode
>> 11 December – this is the official date that any timetable changes for the Swiss public transport network are made. There are around 450 different transport companies that make up the public transport network and all update their timetables on this date.
>> New IC3-Line services between Zurich HB and Chur – on weekends, services between Zurich main station and Chur will increase to every 30 minutes.
>> New direct service between Zurich Airport and Interlaken – from 11 December, 2022, Swiss Federal Railways is restarting direct trains between Zurich Airport, Zurich and Interlaken. These InterCity 81 trains will run every two hours, via Bern. Passengers will not need to change trains enroute.
>> New night train between Zurich and Prague – due to increased demand, a daily night train service will operate between Zurich main station and Prague.
>> GoldenPass Express – the brand new GoldenPass Express panoramic train commences service on 11 December and will offer a direct connection between Interlaken and Montreux. Previously on the GoldenPass route, passengers were required to change trains in Zweisimmen due to the track gauges on either side of the town being different. Thanks to Swiss engineering, the new trains can change their axle size to fit both gauges.
>> GoldenPass Panorama and Belle Epoque services – the traditional GoldenPass trains will still operate between Montreux and Zweisimmen.
>> Chocolate Train and Cheese Train – both these themed trains operate out of Montreux and will continue to operate in 2023.
>> New Glacier Express rolling stock – the popular Glacier Express premium panoramic train has been refurbished with a brand new interior
>> Rolling bars during ski season – Matterhorn Gotthard Railway has converted two former Glacier Express coaches into rolling bars which run between Andermatt and Disentis, two famous Swiss ski resorts. There’s even a DJ onboard!
>> Swiss Travel Pass 2023 – no changes will be made to the Swiss Travel Pass. The Pass will again be available as both a consecutive day or flexible day pass in durations of 3, 4, 6, 8 and 15 days. There will be no price increases for 2023. > Find out more here.
>> World record for longest passenger train – in late October, Rhaetian Railways set a world record for the longest passenger train. The train, which consisted of 25 sets of four coaches, and was almost 2km long, took just over an hour to travel 25km from the Albula Tunnel to the Landwasser Viaduct, two famous points on the UNESCO World Heritage route.
Useful Resources
If you are interested in learning more about the Swiss public transport network or the Swiss Travel Pass, you can listen to Andy discuss these in more detail in the following episodes:
If you would like to listen to other podcast episodes featuring Andy Nef, you can find them on the links below:
- Episode 11: The Swiss Travel System
- Episode 17: Feeder line trains and the benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass
- Episode 19: The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland and Switzerland’s premium panoramic trains
- Episode 21: Experiencing Switzerland’s most popular mountain excursions
- Episode 38: Sustainable travel in Switzerland by train, bus and boat
- Episode 44: Breathtaking boat trips to enjoy in Switzerland
You can also read our guides to understanding and using the Swiss Rail System, the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass discounts: Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
Ready to buy a Swiss Travel Pass? Get yours here.
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This episode is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism
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