Visual guide
Scenic trains are part of the trip
Plan valleys and rail together
Check this before buying train tickets
- Is the route cross-border and does it require seat reservations?
- Is a normal ticket cheaper than a rail pass?
- Are luggage and transfer times realistic?
- Could strikes, works or mountain weather affect the route?
First understand the difference
- China's high speed rail system feels comparatively unified. Europe is different: Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and other countries all have their own railway companies and ticket rules.
- The same trip may be a direct train or may require a transfer. Some trains require seat reservations, others do not.
Single ticket, Eurail or national pass?
- For a few fixed routes, normal point to point tickets are often the simplest option.
- For a flexible trip across several countries, compare a Eurail Pass. Travellers living in China usually need Eurail, not Interrail.
- If most of your travel is inside one country, check that country's own rail passes. Switzerland is the classic example with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Before booking, check this
- Make sure the departure and arrival stations are correct. Large European cities often have several major stations.
- Check whether seat reservation is required. Some high speed trains, night trains and international trains need an extra reservation.
- Leave enough time for transfers. On a first European trip, do not plan very tight connections.
- Check whether the ticket is valid only on one specific train. Cheap tickets are often less flexible.
Boarding and ticket checks
- Many European stations do not have one central security and ticket gate like Chinese high speed stations. Often you simply check the platform and board the train.
- Keep your QR ticket, passport and payment confirmation ready. On some trains, identity or discount eligibility may be checked.
- If the route is complicated, save the ticket offline before departure.
From Munich into the Bavarian mountains by train
If you are in Munich and want to do an easy or moderate mountain walk without renting a car, the BOB is one of the most useful railway options. The official brand today is usually BRB, but many locals still say BOB. The trains leave from München Hbf, run via Holzkirchen and continue towards Bayrischzell, Lenggries and Tegernsee.
Important: the train can split
- This is the detail that surprises many first time visitors: some trains leave Munich as one train and later split into different directions.
- You must therefore sit in the correct part of the train. If you sit in the wrong section, you may arrive in the wrong valley.
- Before boarding, check the destination display on the outside of your carriage. Also listen to announcements. If unsure, ask: Does this part go to Tegernsee?
Why the Bayern Ticket can be useful
- The Bayern Ticket is designed for regional day trips in Bavaria. It usually covers local and regional trains, local transport and most buses in Bavaria.
- It is not valid on long distance trains such as ICE or IC, but trips to places like Schliersee and Tegernsee normally use regional trains.
- If you accidentally take the wrong branch, at least you still have a ticket that covers regional transport across Bavaria. That makes the mistake easier to fix.
My route idea: Schliersee to Tegernsee
- Take the BOB / BRB from München Hbf to Schliersee. Schliersee is the name of the village, the lake and the station.
- Walk from Schliersee over to Tegernsee. Tegernsee is also the name of the lake, the town and the terminal station.
- From Tegernsee, take the train back to München Hbf. This makes a clean day route without having to walk back the same way.
What you get on the way
- This route gives you a very typical Bavarian landscape: lakes, meadows, forest, hills and the northern edge of the Alps.
- There are several places to stop for food or a drink, both down in the villages and higher up on parts of the walking route. Check opening times before relying on them.
- The walk can be planned as fairly easy or made more mountain like, depending on the exact variant. For a first visit, leave enough time for photos, food and trains.
Switzerland: train travel is part of the trip
In Switzerland, the train is not only transport from A to B. It is part of the journey. First time visitors do not have to start with the Glacier Express. Many regular trains already offer beautiful views and are more flexible for a simple day trip.
A good idea is to start in Zurich, include Rapperswil-Jona by the lake, and then continue towards Central Switzerland, the Gotthard route or Bellinzona / Ticino. In summer you get lakes and mountains; in winter you often get snow, quiet towns and wide alpine views.
Swiss Travel Pass
- If you stay in Switzerland for several days and want to use trains, buses, boats and city transport, the Swiss Travel Pass is worth checking.
- It is made for visitors whose permanent residence is outside Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Common versions are valid for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 travel days.
- It does not mean that everything is automatically free. Some panorama trains, mountain railways or seat reservations may need an extra fee, so always check the official SBB information before buying.
It does not always have to be Glacier Express
- The Glacier Express is famous, but it is not the only scenic option. Regular trains, lake routes, the Gotthard direction, Lucerne to Interlaken, GoldenPass or Bernina area routes can also be excellent.
- If time is short, treat Swiss train travel as a day experience: leave Zurich in the morning, see lakes and mountains during the day, return to the city in the evening.
- Do not check only distance. Also check changes, seat reservation, the last return train and the weather.
PostAuto: the yellow Swiss mountain bus
- PostAuto is not a parcel delivery van. It is part of Swiss public transport. The yellow buses connect small towns, valleys, villages and mountain passes where trains do not always go.
- In Switzerland, train plus PostAuto can be easier than renting a car, especially for a first visit.
- Many PostAuto buses offer WiFi, but do not rely on it in the mountains. Keep offline maps and ticket screenshots ready.
Practical advice
- Use SBB to check the real Swiss timetable, especially transfers, platforms, last trains and reservation notes.
- If you only take one or two short train rides in Switzerland, normal tickets may be enough. If you use trains, boats and buses frequently over several days, compare the Swiss Travel Pass seriously.
- Swiss public transport is reliable, but not cheap. Plan the route first, then choose the ticket.
Useful links
For a quick European train search, you can start with Trip.com. For the Bayern Ticket rules, also check the official DB page. For the Oberland lines, BRB gives the official route and live information. For routes, transfers and Swiss Travel Pass information in Switzerland, use SBB. For mountain bus routes, check PostAuto.
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