Question on SBB Train ticket types from Zurich airport

Things to consider-
You are assuming your flights arrive on time with no disruptions- this has not been my experience in my last two post-COVID international flights.
Are you traveling by train on other days within Switzerland, which would make consideration of one of the Swiss Travel Passes an option?
Most fares on SBB assume you already have a Half- price pass- were you aware of this?
Have a wonderful trip in this beautiful country!

Yes the super savers are only valid for the scheduled train and time one booked it for. Mostly regular local commuters buy them up as most have Half Fare cards which gives them additional 50% off a super saver.

You don't really need to buy tickets for trains traveling within Switzerland in advance since the prices don't change and they don't sell out. However some groups pay extra to reserve a seat.

Pat and AI - thanks for your responses! I’m only planning to take the train/bus from Zrh airport to Flims, and then back a week later. So, I don’t think the Swiss Travel Pass makes sense.

Given this, is my best approach to just buy the one way ticket after I arrive? Then buy return ticket a week later? Thanks for your insight!

Dan

Yes that works and if you want to save money buy the super saver just for Flims to Zurich. You will find Switzerland beautiful but expensive.

A full fare 2nd class ticket from Zurich airport to Flims costs 59.20 CHF. That is a connecting train to Zurich Hbf, then a train to Chur, then a bus to Flims. You could save a few Francs by buying a Saver Day Pass 60 days in advance for as low as 52 CHF. These are good for unlimited travel in Switzerland for a given day. These prices go up as you get closer to your travel day, so you would need to buy them as soon as they go on sale 60 days ahead. They would be good on any train/bus combination for your day of travel.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/day-pass/saver-day-pass.html

Just to add to all of the good advice you have been given so far, what we do is buy a full fare ticket (or if it is enough of a savings a supersaver day pass) for our arrival day and then a supersaver train/time specific ticket for the return journey when the traveller has more control over their departure time.

Any Supersaver ticket is non-transferrable and non-refundable, so you have to decide if the savings is worth it. All forms of supersaver tickets go up in price and can even sell out as you get closer to your travel date.

Thanks for the great advice all. I’ll get the Saver day pass (when 60 days out) for arrival day, then the supersaver for return when I’m not reliant on the airlines. Thanks again! 🇨🇭

What you're asking about is ticket types and prices, not classes. The classes, First and Second, are an indication, like on a plane, of amenities and sometimes seat size. Often in Second Class the seats are configured 2+2, whereas in First Class they might (or not) be a bit bigger than Second, and they might be configured 2+1 or sometimes 2+2.

There will often be fewer passengers in First.

I understand Nigel. Thanks.

And, national point-to-point tickets are not valid 24 hours. They are valid on the day of travel from 00:00 until 05:00 AM the next day. Just as the Saver Day Pass, too.