Book your travel online through Rail Europe (see below). You can purchase rail passes when planning to visit several bordering countries.
Try to get a discount when purchasing your tickets online or through your travel agent. You may be able to get a Youth or Senior discount if you are under 26 or over 65 years old.
Buy a ticket in any train station marked with 'KVC.' It should be easy to find an English speaking attendant in Bratislava, but it is useful to learn the names of each type of train in Slovak in your guidebook.
Reserve a ticket on an express train. These will be labeled 'R' or 'Mist,' and are far more comfortable.
Book your train travel to connect in Vienna, Austria. You can take a scenic route through the eastern area of Mariazellerbahn to relax along the way.
Make reservations for your couchette far in advance. These basic sleeper compartments are found in 6 and 4 bunk arrangements and are essential when traveling long distances.
Enjoy a trip through Austria on your way to Switzerland. Go through Arlberg, Austria for fantastic views of snow-capped mountains.
Sit back and relax in a sleeper car on your way to Berne, which is about 542 miles from Bratislava. You'll pay a supplement for this type of travel, but it is highly recommended.
Travel through the Golden Pass Line in Switzerland. You will pass through vineyards and outstanding mountain ranges.
Ride through Switzerland to get to the Mont Blanc glacier, which is the tallest in Europe. You'll pass tiny villages along the way.
Get a bus from Berne. You can check out Bernmobil, the public transport website for buses and trams in Berne (see below).
Arrive in Zurich at the central Zurich Haptbahnhof. You can walk to downtown locations from there.
