Switzerland in 8 days - where to go?

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cantaloopey
cantaloopey

My partner and I are arriving in Geneva for holidays from Monday the 8th of August to Tuesday the 16th of August. We are thinking of taking the train to Bern (2days) and then Lucerne (4days). Are there any other places you can suggest? We fly out of Switzerland from Geneva, so we"ll have to make our way back there.
I tried booking train travel through http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html but it seems I can only book a month out.
What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class and has anyone used the supersaver ticket option.

We are from Australia and this will be our first visit to Switzerland. We are very excited!

Peter

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neckervd
neckervd

I suppose you like to stay only in towns and not in the famous and very scenic landscape. If you have seen enough museums and churches at Bern and Lucerne, it will still be possible to do some day trips by steamboat over the lakes or by train, bus and cableways in the mountain areas.
Swiss trains run every 30 to 60 minutes and nobody has the crazy idea to book seats ahead, although this would technically be possible in some trains.
First class seats are larger and more comfortable than second class seats. They cost about 70 per cent more.
May be you will have a look at http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html and the numerous links you will find there.

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greencelery
greencelery

2nd class is already quite comfortable. First class is not always that much better- although it might be a bit quieter. The exception is trains with panoramic carriages (you get a wraparound window that goes from low down all the way to the roof) but most routes do not have these.

The supersaver tickets will restrict you to one particular train so you will no longer have flexibility. SBB offer them from time to time, and the conditions change frequently e.g. normally, they are only released a day or two before travel, while at other times they're released quite far ahead.

Most trains do not require a reservation and it's actually impossible to make one- the exception being some scenic routes. And the ticket prices are the same if you buy them at the station just before the train leaves or if you book them in advance (with the exception of the supersaver tickets).

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anirac
anirac

If you go to Luzern go to Alpnachstad by train and then by cablecar to the Pilatus. You will have a wonderful
view on top of 2000 meter.
Take a boat trip on the Vierwaldstätter see.
Go to Zürich on your way back - just one hour from Luzern.

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