How much time to allow upon arrival in Zurich before booking a Super Saver ticket?

Make sure you are getting the super saver pass (not time specific) and not the super saver ticket (time specific).

The earlier you get the super saver pass, the cheaper the price. I believe they are available 6 months out.

Adding, you do not want a super saver ticket for your arrival to the airport because it is impossible to predict the time needed. For this you want the super saver pass or just buy a regular ticket once you land. Getting a super saver ticket for your ride to the airport is fine, because for that you can commit to a specific time.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/find-saver-offers.html

What is your travel date and landing time?
I am not seeing that big a savings with the HFC for Zurich Airport to Iseltwald, maybe 12.50 CHF per person. Is that worth the worry between now and when you land that the flight might be delayed?

Hmmm…I’m now looking closer at the screenshot I took, and it says Supersaver Class Upgrade for 15.80 CHF. Does that simply mean that’s the additional cost to upgrade from second class to first class, or does that mean that you use this super saver option and commit to the time, and then your ticket is only 15.80?

Sam, we are traveling in September.

Another ticket option has that % symbol, and lists a Supersaver ticker to be 31.80, as opposed to the Point-to-Point ticket above it for 44.10. I agree…that’s not much of a difference, and doesn’t allow for any delays. Won’t do that…

Edited: Carrie, can you help me understand the difference between the pass and the ticket options for Supersaver? I see the option for Supersaver pass, and it is not cheap…in fact it is more pricey than our point to point ticket. Poribsbly best for more expensive journeys. If my HFC would cut that in half, it would be a deal, but I’m not sure which price I’m seeing. I thought usually SBB posted prices assuming using the HFC.

Thanks!!! I feel like I’m understanding the site better…but not as well as I’d like to take advantage of discounts that would work for our trip, beyond the HFC and the BO pass. I appreciate all help offered!

Laurie

If you are going to get a BO pass that includes your arrival day, then you only need to buy a ticket from Zürich to Bern, the pass covers the rest of your journey.

Many years ago the Supersaver tickets were considerably cheaper than regular tickets, sometimes only 1/4 of the price, but I have not seen that for a long time now.

On the SBB website, to purchase a Saver Day Pass (not time specific), go to this page

https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/day-passes/saver-day-pass.html

Then click on purchase online, which will bring up all the dates. Look for your date to see the price. It is cheaper if you have the half fare card.

The Saver Day Pass gives you transport for the entire day.

If you are just doing one train ride on your arrive day, it probably makes the most sense to just buy a regular ticket once you land. That ticket is not time specific. So, you can take any train to Iseltwald. And if you miss the connection in Bern, not a problem as you can take any train you like from Bern.

A SuperSaver Class upgrade is just that. If you already had a 2nd class ticket, you could move up to 1st class for 15.80 CHF.

There is no SuperSaver Pass, there is a Saver Day Pass. These are sold starting 6 months ahead of your day of travel and start low, but go up as you get closer to your travel date. If you are going in a couple of weeks (You have not answered my question), you are probably beyond the date where a Saver Day Pass will save you any money.

Sam, thanks-I did answer your question above. We are leaving in early September.

I appreciate everyone’s help. I think point-to-point is going to be the way to go for this trip! But now I know I’m not missing out on any other screaming deals!:-)

Thanks!
Laurie

Early September is not very exact. 30 days hath September, so I guess early September is one of the first 10 days.

Some people don’t choose to post their exact dates of travel online…I am one of them.

I do appreciate the help I’ve received here. Thanks again! :-)

Laurie

But then people cannot give precise answers to precise questions. Nobody here knows who you are, so no reason to be overly secretive.

I think point-to-point is going to be the way to go for this trip! But now I know I’m not missing out on any other screaming deals!:-)

Yes, you are correct!

Laurie, there's no need to share your exact travel dates. The regular fare for your journey from Zürich Flughafen to Iseltwald with the Half Fare Card is CHF 41.70.

I checked the Saver Day Passes available, and there isn't a single one in September that's cheaper than this fare. I searched through to mid-October and didn't find any cheaper options; the low-priced passes are all sold out, as expected.

Generally, purchasing a Supersaver ticket—which is valid only for a specific route and time—is not the best option when arriving. It might save you a small amount for your departure day, but that's about it, as you have already noted.

Since you plan to purchase your HFC in person in Zürich, you can always ask about additional money-saving options when you're there, if you want to.