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I want to buy a Swiss Half Fare Card............

I need to make train reservations from Luzern to Venezia (June 20). What should I do?

Can I buy the pass online and then use it to make the reservations so my tkts are cheaper? How would I do that? Should I book through the Swiss train site or TraenItalia????? Thanks, Stacy :)

Posted by
5697 posts

I have only used HFC on one trip -- bought round-trip Paris-Lausanne tickets from SNCF, got off the train in Lausanne, walked into the SBB ticket office with passports and bought HFC's then bought tickets Lausanne-Interlaken-Mürren at the half-price rate (Swiss trains are generally the same price day-of or advance purchase.) Bought Schilthorn lift tickets day-of in Mürren, also using HFC.
I had done spreadsheets comparing full-price tickets to half-price plus CHF120 each for the HFC -- are you sure you will get enough savings Luzern to the Swiss border to cover the cost of the HFC ? (AFAIK,no reduction on the Italian section.)

Posted by
7730 posts

To maybe better advise you on the Half Fare Card you should tell the forum
How long are you going to be in Switzerland?
Where are you planning to go in Switzerland?

Posted by
7209 posts

You can purchase your entire journey Lucerne->Venezia S, Lucia while in Switzerland although you will only get a 1/2 reduction with your HFC for the Swiss portion of your travel. Italian train tickets are cheap compared to Swiss prices so if you really want to get the lowest fare then you probably should do this:

While you are in Switzerland buy your Swiss Ticket from Lucerne->Swiss Border (Como) and show your HFC. Go to www.trenitalia.com and purchase your Italian Train tickets from Como->Venezia S. Lucia

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you very much everyone, I'll wait till I get to Zurich on Wednesday to purchase the half price card. Then I'll use it to get to the boarder, etc.

I believe it will be financially beneficial...I'll get tkts for my 15 year old free...we're going to appenzell, lucern, murren, Interlaken (for the chocolate club) and then off to Venice.

Thanks again,
Stacy 😀

Posted by
2 posts

Just to for clarification You get free tickets for < 15 years old ? with the Half Fare Card ?

Posted by
19637 posts

When you get the free Family Card when you purchase the Half Fare Card. It covers the child(ren) when the HFC owner is the parent or grandparent and child travels with them.

Posted by
3 posts

Once again, many thanks for your responses / help.

My daughter will be 15 in Oct., so she'll be free!

We're off early tomorrow morning....😀😀😀😀