We are traveling to Switzerland by rail mid May for three nights and two full days. Zurich to Wengen and they from Wengen to Italy via Milan for rail/train to Cinque Terre for three days and then to Florence , we will have a rental car for a few days in Florence, and then will travel by train from Florence to Rome and will be in Rome for a full day, overnight and fly out in AM. Do we purchase tickets for rail and trains in advance, we have some of the connections mapped out for travel or do we wait until we are there? what is the difference in cost of the tickets? I am concerned that if we purchase in advance and miss the train we will be paying for the tickets again? Just wondering what you would suggest?
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
I am concerned that if we purchase in advance and miss the train we will be paying for the tickets again?
With respect to Swiss trains (SBB) and with the exception of scenic trains with seat reservations, standard single journey tickets cover you for the selected journey (route) in the selected class. If you miss a specific train, just stick with the same route for the same day and you should be good (in Switzerland).
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Would you recommend purchasing the tickets via internet before we leave for our trip or purchase tickets as we travel Switzerland? We will only be there two full days and taking the cable cars and trains above Wengen. Not sure how much we save to book in advance?
Posted by
Green Bay
20090 posts
OK, we got you traveling from Wengen to the Cinque Terre, but you also say
We are traveling to Switzerland by rail mid May
but you don't say where you are coming from. Please tell us.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
From Zurich airport to Wengen.
Posted by
Green Bay
20090 posts
You have a couple of options. The full fare 2nd class tickets are 89.40 CHF from Zurich airport to Wengen, and 70.40 CHF from Wengen to Domodossolo, so it is 159.40 CHF. You can buy a Swiss Transfer Ticket in advance before you arrive in Switzerland for 146 CHF (can not be bought once you are in Switzerland). So then you would just need a ticket from Domodossolo to your destination in the Cinque Terre.
Now are you just going to sit around in Wengen while you are there, or are you taking some lifts and other transport while you are? If you have another 80 CHF of tickets, then you should get a Half Fare Card for 120 CHF. Then everything is half price. A single round trip from Wengen to the Jungfraujoch is 176 CHF.
Details at https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests.html
Scroll down all the way down to the bottom of the page for details.
Swiss trains don't need reservations, but the Italian trains offer discounts for advance purchase nonrefundable, nonchangeable tickets. If you are worried about missing a train, the discount might not be worth it to you. In that case, you can just buy the extension when you leave Wengen.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Yes, we plan to do Wengen to Jungfraujoch, we plan to hike in the mountains, take cable cars, rail and other transportation for those two maybe three days. While we have a flexible schedule while we are in the Wengen area and then the same for touring in Italy. I just don't want to spend a lot of time searching train schedules and securing times/dates. So is the half price fare some thing I can purchase online, and then use prior to boarding to secure a seat? or do I still have to make the reservations in advance?
The Swiss Transfer ticket you mention is just for Wengen to Milan? and then can also be used from Milan to Cinque terre and later that week from Florence to Rome?
Posted by
Green Bay
20090 posts
Since you are planning on the Jungfraujoch, then the Half Fare card is the way to go. The Transfer Ticket only gets you a one way ticket from your entry point in Switzerland (ZRH) to your destination and a one way ticket to your exit point from Switzerland (Domodossolo, Italy) and nothing in between. You can buy the Half Fare Card at the train station at Zurich Airport. No trains in Switzerland require reservations except tourist excursion trains like the Glacier Express.Once you buy a ticket, you are good on any train on that route for the day. If you buy a ticket out of a kiosk, just press the half-fare button and you get the ticket at half price. When or if the conductor asks to see your ticket, just show him your Half fare card along with your ticket. Buying a ticket from Wengen to the Cinque terre, show your Half Fare card and you will receive the discount for the portion that is in Switzerland.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
If you buy your ticket(s) at the Zurich Airport staffed ticket counter, show them your train itinerary and they will be helpful in suggesting the best (cheapest) fare options. The SBB ticket agents are very helpful. The downside is that it seems as if everyone ahead of you in the ticket line has a complex routing.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks again for everyone's suggestions, they have been very helpful!
One more question, should we book our travel to Italy in advance or through the train station in Switzerland?
We have the connections from Wengen to Milan, and then from Milan to the Cinque Terre area, and from there to Florence ( rental car for Tuscany area),and then later in the trip from Florence to Rome.