Swiss Trains

[Dreadnaught]

So, we have some Swiss folk here. I'm considering planning a vacation there in the next few months. A lot depends on whether I can afford it and who I can get to go with me. But while trying to estimate the costs, I realized I'm having trouble understanding all the various train lines.

One route I want to pursue seems to give me two different train routes for the same destination. What do the red and blue symboles mean? They look like train lines but I can't find anything online about what they are called, what the difference is, etc.





Any help is greatly appreciated.

[earthJoker]

Which site where you using? I almost always use the official one http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm

About the symbols. The blue one of the left is odiously a train symbol the ones on the right are:
EC: Eurocity train - International train that stops at major stations
R: Regional train - Stops at every shithole
IR: Interregio - Something between regional and intercity train. It can stop at small stations, but it also skips some of them.
D: Durchgangszug (Through train). Is actually not used in Switzerland (I had to look it up), we use the term "S" Schnellzug (Fasttrain). It is hardly used any more as now the terms EC (Eurocity), IC (Intercity) and (IR) Interregio are used.

In Switzerland all trains cost the same. The ticket is valid on any train that runs the same line. For agglomerations you usually have Zones, and there the ticket is valid for any train/bus/tram in that zone.

Are you sure you want to come in winter, I wouldn't advice to do that unless you want to do winter sports. Oh and once you are here I can show you around

[earthJoker]

Oh and check out these tickets: https://www.sbb.ch/mct/wi/shop/b2c/tree.do?key=40

[Timbuk2]

If you're going to Suisse, take lots of money. Then take some more. And a bit more on the side.

Beautiful place though.

[earthJoker]

It wouldn't be so bad if our currency weren't so overvalued

[Dreadnaught]

Ah, thank you! I was actually using Google Maps, which has the Swiss train routes built in. I found the sbb.ch site somewhat hard to navigate while trying to figure out the route.

I am thinking of doing some winter stuff. I haven't been skiing in years. But it is expensive, so not sure I can justify going all the way there when I can just drive for a few hours here and go skiing. But this is good, now I can actually map out an itinerary, plot costs, etc...I'll definitely let you know if I do this.

[earthJoker]

Skiing is expensive, but it is actually one of the few things that is cheaper in Europe, at least if you compare top-destinations. If you ski here you need to try a high alpine resort, as the experience is very different to non-alpine skiing (not the skiing itself but the views you will get).

[']['ear]

I don't think I've ever seen somebody travel so much!

Based on backpacking trips through Switzerland in 86 and 89, I'd recommend s stop in Interlaken and a day trip up to Grindelwald or someplace else in the Berner Oberland. I so hugely enjoyed the hike up around the Eiger nordwand that I took my girlfriend (now wife) 3 years later, and she equally enjoyed it. Of course, we did that in the summer, and probably other seasons not so fun for that. Also, depends on whether you're a nature guy or a sights guy. I'm more of a nature guy, and the environs of the Eiger are spectacular, that coming from a guy who spent years in the mountains in the Pacific Northwest.

[earthJoker]

The mountain regions usually have better weather than the midlands in winter. This is due the so called "high fog" that often lies around 1000m.
The area around Interlaken is really spectacular. For skiing I would say Zermatt is the preferred destination, also to see the Matterhorn. I will be there again in the end of January

[GGT]

I don't think I've ever seen somebody travel so much!

Agreed. Maybe he's bent on spending his (yet unborn) children's inheritance. Makes the argument against taxing his future heirs (upon his future death) even MORE important!?

[Flixy]

If you want a good, easy to use international train planner, the one the deutsche bahn has is pretty decent

If I were you, I'd try to avoid R and L trains if you ever encounter them. (I just had to take an L train from antwerp because the IC was cancelled, took me more than an hour on a track that usually takes 30 minutes...).

[Nessus]

Agreed. Maybe he's bent on spending his (yet unborn) children's inheritance. Makes the argument against taxing his future heirs (upon his future death) even MORE important!?

Are you saying a Jew can run out of money?

[Dreadnaught]

I don't think I've ever seen somebody travel so much!

Agreed. Maybe he's bent on spending his (yet unborn) children's inheritance. Makes the argument against taxing his future heirs (upon his future death) even MORE important!?

What are you two talking about? Before going to Asia last year I didn't take a vacation for two years. And I haven't taken a real vacation since then except a long weekend or two. I travel anywhere from 2-4 times/month for work, but that's for work and not at all relaxing, glamorous or interesting except that every time I do it I become more of a libertarian.

The mountain regions usually have better weather than the midlands in winter. This is due the so called "high fog" that often lies around 1000m.
The area around Interlaken is really spectacular. For skiing I would say Zermatt is the preferred destination, also to see the Matterhorn. I will be there again in the end of January

I was actually thinking of the Chateu D'Oex area. Any reason that area should be avoided?

Maybe I can get an Israeli fling to meet me there...

If you want a good, easy to use international train planner, the one the deutsche bahn has is pretty decent

If I were you, I'd try to avoid R and L trains if you ever encounter them. (I just had to take an L train from antwerp because the IC was cancelled, took me more than an hour on a track that usually takes 30 minutes...).

That is a good site! Though giving me the same results as Google Maps, so I guess I'm on the right track. No way to avoid the Regional rail, the town I have in mind is a bit out of the way.

[Nessus]

except that every time I do it I become more of a libertarian.

Admission at last!

[Dreadnaught]

Hating government is an occupational hazard, I become more reasonable when I'm away from work.

[Flixy]

That is a good site! Though giving me the same results as Google Maps, so I guess I'm on the right track. No way to avoid the Regional rail, the town I have in mind is a bit out of the way.

Ah okay. You should also probably keep in mind that snow can really fuck up train schedules.

[Dreadnaught]

Indeedy. But the train component is nominally just about two hours of this trip. And hopefully they are used to it a bit.

[Being]

...except that every time I do it I become more of a libertarian.

Why? Do you get the feeling that industry can manage transportation better than government?

[GGT]

Hating government is an occupational hazard, I become more reasonable when I'm away from work.

Poor baby? Tiny violins? Do you have any idea how many Americans have never been able to afford traveling outside the US, let alone fucking Disney World? Does it matter if you've been to more continents on business than the majority of your fellow citizens?

If you're more reasonable away from work, then each vacation should have had you asking more and more often ..... why most Americans feel "lucky" to get two weeks paid vacation per year, let alone flying to Switzerland to ski, in the goddamm wintertime.

[Dreadnaught]

Why so much anger? Who said I travel abroad for work? Why does the fact that I want to take an annual vacation bother you so much?

I've never been to Disney World. You make so many assumptions.

[littlelolligagged]

You're young, you should be taking fabulous vacations. I'd make it twice a year instead of only once, though. Oh, and save Disney for when you settle down and have kids.

[GGT]

Why so much anger? Who said I travel abroad for work? Why does the fact that I want to take an annual vacation bother you so much?

Do you mean me, Being (or tangentially, Tear and Nessus)? I'm not "angry" so much as.....not sure, really.

We all like reading about others' travels, seeing their pictures, hearing their stories. You just seem to be a bit stuffy or snobby about your ability to afford international travel, or your paid vacations. You know exactly how many Swiss folks are here, if you had a specific question about railway symbols a PM would suffice. But you wanted to make it public for some reason. Never mind the members here who have posted about being laid off, haven't found a job, are miserable living with their parents, trying to find a job or getting "welfare".

I've never been to Disney World. You make so many assumptions.

You've been to California and Florida. Disney is just a reference.

[Dreadnaught]

Do you mean me, Being (or tangentially, Tear and Nessus)? I'm not "angry" so much as.....not sure, really.

We all like reading about others' travels, seeing their pictures, hearing their stories. You just seem to be a bit stuffy or snobby about your ability to afford international travel, or your paid vacations. You know exactly how many Swiss folks are here, if you had a specific question about railway symbols a PM would suffice. But you wanted to make it public for some reason. Never mind the members here who have posted about being laid off, haven't found a job, are miserable living with their parents, trying to find a job or getting "welfare".


You've been to California and Florida. Disney is just a reference.

There are two Swiss members here, one German who had tips about the train networks and one American who has been to Switzerland and had a suggestion. That's the kind of group knowledge I was looking for (and got).

It's totally appropriate to ask questions about details while I weigh whether I want/can afford a trip like this. We post here about all sorts of stuff, good and bad. You can't shame me into being a target of your insomnia-filled grumpiness just because I work my ass off and want to take a big vacation every 12-24 months. I'm trying to figure out what to do with the 192 hours of paid leave I've accumulated from non-stop work. And I'm still trying to be economical.

The snobby remark is also pretty off base, it's not like I'm rolling in cash. Just from this thread alone-

A lot depends on whether I can afford it

I haven't been skiing in years. But it is expensive, so not sure I can justify going all the way there

Before going to Asia last year I didn't take a vacation for two years.

[GGT]

There are two Swiss members here, one German who had tips about the train networks and one American who has been to Switzerland and had a suggestion. That's the kind of group knowledge I was looking for (and got).

Right, four people makes a group.

It's totally appropriate to ask questions about details while I weigh whether I want/can afford a trip like this. We post here about all sorts of stuff, good and bad. You can't shame me into being a target of your insomnia-filled grumpiness just because I work my ass off and want to take a big vacation every 12-24 months. I'm trying to figure out what to do with the 192 hours of paid leave I've accumulated from non-stop work. And I'm still trying to be economical.

Spare me. You know damn well if you can "afford" to take a trip to Switzerland in mid-winter. My insomnia (it's only 10:30ish pm here) and grumpiness has nothing to do with your cavalier attitude. We're all familiar with your long work hours, how hard you work, how your boss demanded you take a vacation, in between visiting Asia, The Real Amerikan west coast, biking to Vermont, your bi-coastal relationship, or whatever. You make sure to announce when you're posting from the airport or your smart phone, on your way somewhere. They may not be 'proper' vacations, but you're traveling. By now you should be a savvy traveler and frequent flyer.

Stop acting like some naive novice, or a poor college kid figuring how to do Europe with a backpack under $1,000 USD. Really. It comes off sounding weird or silly, and you're neither. Just be honest about your income and privilege, and stop trying to act like you're struggling for cash.

The snobby remark is also pretty off base, it's not like I'm rolling in cash. Just from this thread alone-

Bullshit. See, this is the only side effect of posting honestly. We all know you went to Penn (Ivy League), had an off-campus apartment instead of the dorm, were recruited by some big name corps from California to New York, accepted a rather high paying job upon graduation, bought an apartment in Manhattan, and have a bi-coastal relationship. All that costs money.

I don't know which is worse; people with money pretending they don't have any, as if appearing modest will get them respect.....or people without money pretending they're rich, as if appearing wealthy will get them respect.

[Dreadnaught]

So because I travel for work, lived in an apartment in college to save money, tried to bike across New York State (net cost = $500) and briefly dated a girl I met on a work trip in California...that means I'm some kind of Wall Street tycoon?

Besides you having some key details wrong, this is immature Geeg. I think I get paid well and I've been extremely fortunate to have a series of great jobs since I graduated. Most of my friends are unemployed, underemployed [or lazy]. I don't hide that at all.

But that doesn't mean I don't plot my expenses in extreme detail and can afford just anything. You completely don't understand my philosophy about these things, because I've never bothered to explain it to anyone. It didn't seem to matter. In short, I save religiously so that I can afford big, exciting things like an old car or a trip to Asia. I set up and fix computers for older folks on the side to have cash for everyday expenses. I set up line annual line-items in my budget for almost everything I can predict. My friends think I'm cheap, but most are still living off their parents in their late 20s so we don't argue about it.

All of this is so that I can do big, crazy exciting things that I'll remember for the rest of my life. I value experiences more than possessions, so I'm light on possessions and big on other stuff. That's why I posted this thread; to see if I could make sense of a train ride while figuring out if I could reasonably afford a unique vacation.

None of this gives you the entitlement to bark at me simply because you're apparently jealous of the fact that I try to make the most of being sent all over the place for my job. And it doesn't give you the right to attack me for having a job and trying to plan a vacation. Tons of other people here have jobs and take vacations.

[Flixy]

What, we're not allowed to post the fun things we do in life on a forum that is for a big part about posting what we do in life? Just because others may not have the same fun things to do? And to ask for input in here? Is it only okay to post if you're not doing well, or what?

On a side note, what's so special about making the trip mid-winter anyway?

[GGT]

Right, I forgot it's all about "maturity" or "immaturity" to you, Dread. I feel entitled to bark at you because of the way you post, not what you post. No, I'm not jealous, just calling out some hypocrisy. If you value experience more than possessions, then many of your posts are......perplexing. You care about inheritance tax and income tax and payroll tax, but not so much for people over age 65 that didn't have your background?

I'll admit to posting out of context, or bringing other thread content to this one. Mea culpa, guilty. Sorry, I shouldn't do that. It's great to read fun things and what people do for fun! This just stuck in my craw, because Dread always mentions money. Always.

A lot depends on whether I can afford it

[Dreadnaught]

Yes, because I'm employed and considering a vacation, I'm a hypocrite for wanting a low-tax environment. That makes sense. Both my parents are on Medicare and Social Security, I'm fully aware of the implications of the views I advocate.

I never said I don't value money. I value money a lot. Money is what enables me to have great experiences and save for a comfortable future. That's why I'm always looking to earn and save more money. Pretty much everyone is. Not understanding this pretty basic reality and derailing this low-intensity thread is immature of you.

[GGT]

Yes, because I'm employed and considering a vacation, I'm a hypocrite for wanting a low-tax environment. That makes sense. Both my parents are on Medicare and Social Security, I'm fully aware of the implications of the views I advocate.

Being old enough to draw SS or Medicare doesn't really mean a thing, and you know that. Everyone wants a low tax environment, and you know that too. I see it as being hypocritical any time a college graduate chooses to ignore the public tax dollars that helped them along or formed the structure they could use to get ahead. Private or state university, community college, trade or vocational school---loans or scholarships, stipends or internships, it doesn't matter---there are public tax monies involved in all of it. And when those "kids" get a job, it's their duty to pay taxes, like all of us did and continue to do.

I never said I don't value money. I value money a lot. Money is what enables me to have great experiences and save for a comfortable future. That's why I'm always looking to earn and save more money. Pretty much everyone is. Not understanding this pretty basic reality and derailing this low-intensity thread is immature of you.

I am probably more of a cheap-skate than you are, in my maturity. I apologized for derailing your thread. Once you got some info from earthJoker, where else would this thread actually GO?

[Being]

Worship money?