OBB - methods to "Get ticket"

Since the pandemic everyone has just used the phone apps. Download them, put your tickets on the phone. Take paper backups if you want. European train stations are usually (sorry Munich and Berlin) relatively small and are well signposted with departures and arrivals, and train graphics on each platform.

Hi Susanna. From my experience, the conductor wants to see and be able to scan the QR code for your ticket. They don't care if it's in an app, as a saved doc on your device, part of an email, or on a piece of paper. The only difference for cross border journeys is that your QR code may (or may not) be scanned twice; e.g. once by an Italian conductor, then again later by an Austrian conductor. Have a great trip!

If I read my options correctly, I need a printed ticket for
cross-border journeys if my final destination is abroad ...

Interesting. Can you post a link to that.

I can't seem to post a link because it appears in my OBB account on My Tickets page when I click on a specific ticket to "Get Ticket". I don't see it anywhere else. However since I posted my questions, I did find more information from The Man from Seat 61 Buy tickets at the OBB website

Idk, I'll probably just print to be safe, including if something happens to my phone. Thanks for all the feedback!

I think you are choosing wisely. Always do what the instructions on the purchase say. Doesn't hurt. I didnt doubt you I was just really curious.

As stated previously, what the conductor wants is the QR code.

I usually have my tickets in the specific train line's app. I also take a screenshot of it just in case the app doesn't want to cooperate. (Some don't when you need them to.)

Almost every time I buy a ticket, I also get an email with the ticket that can be printed via PDF. You could do that too if it gives you piece of mind.

Regarding the "cross border" reference....

You have to bear in mind that these Apps are generally written on the assumption that you are resident, therefore generally all other countries are "destination". They may then generalise certain possible conditions and create generalised messages. And then possibly translate those messages to a less than optimum standard. In short, do not expect the messages to be specifically relevant to your journey. I don't think the Swiss will be a problem - but I can see some...

Waidbruck to Innsbruck will presumably involve an Italian regional train and they have introduced some really odd conditions on validating on-line tickets - to the point that the Swiss have stopped seling them! South Tirol may be an exception because they have some local arrangements with Tirol - but the generalised messages may not know that. But you talk of not being able to cope with normal european connections and therefore buying tickets broken at Innsbruck and Bregenz (instead of adjusting the transfer times) So what about Brenner?? In almost all cases the Waidbruck-Innnsbruck journey has an 11 minute connection at Brenner. And there are no discounts (and no reservations) for that journey so why bother buying in advance? In fact you may not even need a ticket from Waidbruck to Brenner, if you are staying in registered accomodation in South Tirol you ought to have a Südtirol Guest Pass valid including departure day, which would get you to Brenner for free.

If you've got QR codes that can be shown to scanners you should be OK, but you've probably paid too much.

I was too stressed about the short and many connections/transfers I
was given if I booked as 1 ticket so booked separately for less and
longer transfer times.

That is really unfortunate. This probably increased the cost of your trip substantially, and was not necessary.

Regarding printing out tickets: The reason that for international tickets the SBB still defaults to advising you to print them out. The reason is that the ticket will be checked multiple times, as the crew changes at the border. And with a paper ticket the first crew will stamp your ticket, and this saves time for the second crew. You can't stamp a PDF on a phone.

And there is the added complication of regional tickets in Italy. You may discover that if you follow the link in your email you end up on an Italian site, where you can manage your ticket. I am currently planning a trip to Italy myself, and will soon find out how SBB has solved this.

Anyway: My advise is for next time is to overthink this a bit less. If you are travelling from Waldburck to Zurich you need a Waldbruck to Zurich ticket. Tickets are, contrary to what you may think, not "a place in a train" but a "receipt for travel". And yes, a good railway knows that passengers don't like to have their time wasted, and thus plan their schedules with efficient connections. And these should not stress you, as missing a connection just means you get on the next train.
Splitting the tickets like you do however means that now, if you miss a connection you may no longer be entitled to compensation for delays, and no longer have the benefit of other passenger rights...

(I am also bit puzzled by your change in Bregenz. There are direct trains Innsbruck - Zurich on that day).

I will undoubtedly learn from this trip experience and probably do some things differently next time. But this is my first trip to Europe traveling by train and solo. Having 45-75 minutes to transfer, and not have to transfer up to 5 times 5-10 minutes each, and be comfortable and perhaps wonder around the station/city for a bit, was worth the peace of mind to me of booking early and having tickets in advance. Total cost for the 3 tickets was $77 - not a huge investment, 23 EU for the leg from Waidbruck to Innsbruck. Also I did not want to go south through Milan which would have been more direct. Anyway, I view my travel days as a chance to see the countryside and enjoy the journey so to speak. Anyway, all's done and hopefully it'll all work out. Thanks for all the input. Ciao from Venice, Susanna

Susanna, you might learn that what you did works best for you on holiday. Its pretty much in line with my limitations. That and observing the directions on the booking.

Have a blast.

I am also bit puzzled by your change in Bregenz. There are direct trains Innsbruck - Zurich on that day).

I only see 2 that day, one at 9:16, probably too early for a connection from Waidbruck, and 15:16, which get to Zurich at 19:28 rather late in the day. There is a track closure between Feldkirk and Buchs SG, so these direct trains have to take a more round about way to get to Zurich, via St Gallen and Winterthur. Other trains between Innsbruck and Zurich change at Bregenz, thus the reason for the OP's itinerary. Yes, booking separate tickets was unnecessary, but it is a done deal.

Suzanna, it is your trip, but you will quickly discover that having to spend 45+ minutes hanging around a small railway station with nothing to do is not that great. You will understand why people actually like short transfers...