My friend and I will be traveling together through Italy and Switzerland, she is staying longer than I am and has bought a eurail pass for that works in both countries and I planning to buy each ticket individually. I have read in many places that it is suggested to buy Swiss train tickets ahead of time. Is this true? Also, can I use buy them online using the number from her eurail pass to purchase hers? Help! thanks!
Ashleigh, the first point to mention is that although your friend has a Railpass, she will need to purchase reservations separately on those trains where they are compulsory. If you're only going to be making a small number of rail trips, your method of buying P-P tickets will also work well (that's the method I frequently use). There's usually no need (especially in Switzerland) to buy tickets in advance. If you're concerned about this, you could purchase tickets for your outgoing journey when you arrive in each city (since you're at the station anyway) or at least the day prior to travel. I wouldn't bother trying to buy them online. Could you clarify your comment about "buy them online using the number from her eurail pass to purchase hers"??? If your friend has a Railpass, why do you need to purchase tickets for her? Cheers!