My friend lives in Switzerland and told me that when I visit, to let him know and he will a ticket from Zurich to Milan (through the new Gotthard Tunnel). I have not told her that I am visiting yet as I wanted it to be a surprise. Does anyone know if she has to ride with me in order for me to use the discounted ticket? She commutes daily and has one of those passes that cost about almost $4000 a year. I already been to Switzerland and do not plan on spending any time there. I will spend a day with her and head south to Italy. thanks in advance.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Jennifer, By "one of those passes that cost about almost $4000 a year" I assume you mean a "GA" (Generalabonnement) which costs CHF 3655 second class and gives one years unlimited travel on all Swiss public transport. It is what regular long-distance travellers buy. Details here: http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/ga/adults.html
There is no special discounted fare for people travelling with a GA holder. Any discounted ticket or normal ticket will be the same price whether your friend travels with you or not. He will not have to buy a ticket, (s)he already has a GA, but only as far as the border (Chiasso). If he wants to visit Milan, (s)he will need to buy an Italian Railways ticket from Chiasso to Milan.
So far only a few trains use the new Gotthard Tunnel, some still use the old one. All long distance trains will be diverted to the new tunnel from December.
P.S. You say "him" and "he" in the first sentence and "she" after that - confusing.
Posted by
OP
US
157 posts
Chris,
Thank you for your response and helpful info on the new tunnel. My friend told me her friend & husband recently visited her in Zurich. She purchased three tickets to Jungfrau and all three tickets were $68. I was there a few years ago and with the half fare card the cost was around $70 for one person from Klein Scheidegg station. Maybe I misunderstood her. I can buy a one way ticket on Trentalia from Zurich to Milan for $19. I will go this route instead if the new tunnel is not fully functional.