How to use HFC for reserved tickets before the one-month validation period

You just have to have the HFC with you when you RIDE the train, not when you purchase the tickets. Purchasing tickets at half fare is on the honor system and you just prove you were allowed to purchase that ticket when someone comes through the train validating tickets. So if you plan to get the HFC, you can get your reservation now as half fare and then get your actual HFC before you ride the train for the 2 weeks you need it.

If someone purchases a half fare ticket on this honor system and then doesn’t have a HFC when tickets are checked on the train, they get a hefty fine + have to purchase a full fare ticket on the spot. That’s what makes the honor system work.

Remember, the HFC only applies to the train fare and not the seat reservation. You can buy the seat reservations separately because many people will be traveling with the Swiss Travel Pass or Saver Day Passes and they cover the train fare.

Those replies are very helpful. Thank you. Each new country's transportation system offers a learning curve! Susan

There are only a handful of trains where you must reserve seats. These are the Panoramic cars on the Bernina Express (but not the normal cars), the once a day Gotthard Panorama Express (but not the Treno Gottardo) and the Glacier Express.

For all other trains you do not need to reserve seats.

You can however buy tickets in advance, and this way you can get extra reductions. You do not have to do that however. You can always buy tickets at the last moment. Normal train tickets do not come with assigned seats, but that is rarely an issue. On most Swiss trains you cannot reserve seats anayway.

Note that if you are combining the Bernina Express with another train that you can do this on one ticket. Eg. if you are travellin Tirano - Luzern you would buy a ticket Tirano - Luzern. It is because tickets are for a route, not a train, that train tickets and reservations are separate. In this case you would first do the reservation on www.rhb.ch (and select reservation only, or ticket already present under the reductions), and buy your ticket separately on www.sbb.ch

When buying tickets you will not be asked to prove that you have the HFC. You just need to indicate it. It is indeed on the train that the HFC will be checked.

Tickets are for a route, not a specific train time, EXCEPT in the case of the “Supersaver Ticket” - that’s a discounted ticket you can buy when available and is route AND time specific. Don’t buy those tickets unless you’re 100% sure you’re going to make that specific train or you’re out the money. Typically it’s best as a first timer to the country to get the regular priced tickets for the route not the time so that if you mess up a connection or something you can just get the next available train and don’t have to purchase another ticket.

Note, this is different than the “Saver Day Pass” which allows you a day of unlimited travel within the GA validity map. These are available in limited quantities when you purchase a specific day of travel in advance where they are on offer.

SBB tends to use some confusing names that all sound quite similar but are different, so you have to make sure you know what you’re buying. In general, a first timer is often best suited buying tickets right before getting on a specific train so that you know you’re using it and getting the correct thing.

The only things to purchase in advance are international tickets where the price jumps drastically last minute and reservations for trains like the Bernina, Glacier & Golden Pass, but even then, just purchase the RESERVATION not the actual ticket. They are two separate things and it’s best to wait to get the actual ticket until you know 100% you’re riding, that way you don’t lose out. There is no advantage to having the actual ticket ahead of time vs the reservation for scenic trains.