SBB How Tos?

I used it extensively last fall and I did already have an account I created in SBB some years ago. Very handy for buying tickets on the go. I found it self-explanatory. Is there something specific you are finding a challenge? You do not need to have an HFC or STP to register but the HFC will show up in the app once you buy it.

Hi. Thanks.
I registered and logged in, but now when I try to purchase a ticket from Salzburg to Lauterbrunnen it says ticket purchase not available

Are you looking more than 60 days out? Switzerland only sells tickets within 60 days of travel. So, you might be too early.

You do not have to register an account if you prefer to just purchase tickets at the train station or on the spot. I used the app last summer for planning travel but purchased passes for the bulk of my travel and bought tickets as I went otherwise.

For the benefit of those interested but not familiar with the acronyms, could you spell out/explain HFC and STP? Thank you.

Yes, that’s it! We aren’t there until after May 16. I’ll check back as we get closer.

How do I figure out which stop is best for each place? For example, Lauterbrunnen has HbF and several other codes. Can someone tell me what those stand for and how to choose the right station when on the app?

HBF is HauptBahnhof, German for train station. The other stops are bus stops or lift stations. I like to use Google maps in conjunction with the app to figure out which is which beyond the HBF in any town in Switzerland.

For example, you will see Lauterbrunnen Dorf. That is a bus stop in the center of the village.

HFC is Half Fare Card
STP is Swiss Travel Pass

when you look up a station it is usually the same name as the town. So if you put in "Lauterbrunnen" you will see a list of choices as you say. The one which is the first one of just the town name - Lauterbrunnen - is the station. The rest are all locations and stops in the town. Notice the comma after the town name. The first of those extra choices is "Lauterbrunnen, Bahnhof". (not Hauptbahnhof, there is only one station in Lauterbrunnen, Haupt means main). "Lauterbrunnen, Bahnhof" is the name of the bus stop just outside the station on the road. Just route to Lauterbrunnen.

You can't buy international tickets with the SBB app. Do that on the website. Bute www.oebb.at is probably cheaper even. You can add the Swiss HFC there as well.

So helpful everyone. Thanks!!!

I registered and logged in, but now when I try to purchase a ticket from Salzburg to Lauterbrunnen it says ticket purchase not available

The error message is very misleading and even worse it has been adapted by other train apps as well! Almost always, it means that you are trying to by a ticket that has not gone on sale yet - most often more than 60 days out.

I thought everyone loved DB for train tix?

Schedules yes.

Tickets?

only if the train starts, finishes, or runs through Germany - in most instances