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Purchase Half Fare and Bernese Oberland pass before trip

Posted by (Worthington, Ohio) on

My wife and I will be going to the Bernese Oberland area staying in Wengen for 10 days. I plan to get the Half Fare pass as well as the Bernese Oberland pass. Is it possible to buy these ahead of time? I understand the pass timeframe starts on their first usage, so I was wondering whether using the Half Fare pass to buy the B-O pass will "trigger" the first usage date? In other words, if I buy the passes in mid-July, would the Half Fare pass expire in mid-August or would its timeframe start in September when we arrive and use it there?

Also, is there any advantage to buying the passes early or is waiting until a week before departure ok?

Posted by
4701 posts

Jim, this summer or next summer? I just ask, because sometimes there's special sales on various passes, but the 2023 sale is over.
Ps I used to live in Worhthington, it's a great place to live!

Posted by
2 posts

Good point. We are going this year in early September.

And yes, Worthington is a very nice place to be!

Posted by
108 posts

My husband, daughter and I are going to Switzerland in Mid September for about two weeks. I have already brought the half fare pass for all of us. You designate your start date when you purchase the pass which I designated as September 14th and it is valid to Oct 13th which is well beyond our need. I didn’t know if I would need these in hand to purchase tickets for the panorama trains and expect to use the pass on our arrival date to get to our first destination. We are also basing in Wengen for 7 days and will also buy the Bernese Oberland pass in advance online which you get discounted with the Half Fare Card. I don’t think buying tickets/passes saying you are using a half fare card triggers any usage date. Its not clear you even enter any ticket info from your half fare card when purchasing tickets/passes, but I don’t know yet as I can’t buy tickets yet for the panorama trains - only seat reservations and they are not discounted. From what I have read - you may have to show your half fare card and an ID when you are boarding or on a train. Perhaps others can chime in here.

FYI - We lived in the Columbus area for 15 years and in Worthington our last 9 years in the area. I have to say I don’t miss the winters

Posted by
485 posts

Kim, looks like we wrote at the same time (see above)

I don’t think buying tickets/passes saying you are using a half fare card triggers any usage date

No, it does not.

Its not clear you even enter any ticket info from your half fare card
when purchasing tickets/passes

You don't.

From what I have read - you may have to show your half fare card and an ID when you are boarding or on a train.

Yes, on the train, Half fare card for sure, ID if they ask.

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