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I think SBB thinks I'm a Swiss resident

I am having a problem with the SBB app. I leave for my trip in a few weeks. I wanted to go ahead and purchase my HFC, but when I try to purchase it on the app it says I must complete an identity check in my SwissPass account before I can purchase a travel card. I then say I don't have a SwissPass and it says it will send me a link which I believe is to upload a picture of my passport, but it then says an error occurred and to please try again later. When I tried last night, it said it would send me a link, but it only sent me a code (four numbers) rather than a link. I don't remember having to do this when I purchased a STP a few years ago. I think maybe SBB thinks I'm a Swiss resident since I have an account, but of course I'm not. When I look at the HFC options, it seems to want to sell me a yearly HFC for 190 CHF but I only need a monthly card. Can anyone offer any help? I'd rather not wait to purchase the card (or the BOP) until I'm in Switzerland, but I'm wondering if that's my only option.

As always, I appreciate any help you can offer. This site has been invaluable to me when I plan travel.

Posted by
995 posts

Kim, that worked! I'm not sure what was different about it, but whew, I'm glad to have one more thing checked off my "to do" list. Thank you!

Now I need to purchase my Berner Oberland Pass. Fingers crossed that goes smoothly.

Posted by
995 posts

Carrie, I just went to SBB, then signed in and used the menu to go down to travel cards when I was trying to make a purchase, but after reading your comment I used the search bar to enter "guests from abroad" and while I still couldn't find where to purchase the card (which is fine since I already have it now), I did find a whole discussion community. I had no idea that was there!

I'm going to try purchasing my BOP next. Wish me luck!

Posted by
4129 posts

You probably indeed took a wrong turn somewhere in the menus. You probably started the process to get a SwissPass, a product that has nothing whatsoever to do with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half Fare Card.

My advice: Buy from www.swissrailways.com
That site is owned by SBB and Swiss Tourism, so it is an official source. It is easier to use though.