SBB mobile app

I can't fully answer this because honestly we just use the SBB app while in Switzerland to quickly check train times/connections/tracks. We just have our passes/half fare cards screen shot on our phone to show the agent and in the rare event we have to buy a ticket that our pass doesn't cover, we just quickly buy it at the station. There are I'm sure fuller ways to use the app, but it's value to us has just been the scheduling.

Here is what I found online:


> As a tourist, you don't need a SwissPass account. Simply ignore it if
you're asked for in the timetable. Just use your rail pass. If you
need additional tickets, either regular or discounted, you can buy
them without this account.

Where to buy tickets in the app: (I have a iPhone)

Look for the icon with little lines and a clock face (along the bottom of your screen)
Tap on it

The screen is white until you add your trip locations

Top line says ‘current location’ - enter your departure location

Bottom line says ‘To’ - enter your destination

Once you do this you will see the list of train options.
You can refine the search by adjusting the day and time of departure.

Things I look for are:

Not just time of departure but how long the journey is, time of arrival, number of changes required (indicated by the open dots along the solid line that extends from the departure time to the arrival time.

How busy they expect the train to be (indicated by the little people icons. There are three of them, if all three are red they expect that train to be very busy).

Click on a specific train to get the details. Here you will see the changes needed, if any.
How long it takes to walk from one platform to the next (indicated by a number such as 4’ and ‘walk’
Click on this to get a map of the platform change. I find this handy when I need to go from train to bus. It works like google maps and will show you the correct way to go as you are walking.

To save the journey so that you can refer to it again, click "+save journey" at the top

To purchase this ticket choose the red “Tickets from CHF (amount)”

Double check all of your information, one way or return, first or second class

Add more passengers if you want

Saved journeys are shown under the train icon, tickets under the QR code icon

Even more information:

Once you choose a train, click on it again and under "journey information" you can see all of the stops along the way

While you are traveling a red dot will appear to show you the train's current location

Under "train information" you will see the layout of the train, where the first and second class cars are, dinning car, direction of travel, sometimes you will also see the people icons here and can see which cars are really full and which are comparatively empty.

You do not need to load the Swiss Half Fare Card in to the app. (If you had created a login before purchase however it would be loaded). Just when buying tickets in the app indicate that you have a Half Fare Card. You can use the app to buy tickets for other persons too, just add them (select the "edit passengers" button) and select any reductions they have.

When the conductor comes he will want to see both your ticket and the HFC, so have that ready.

myswisslife, what very helpful and detailed information! I tried it on my phone and I can't tell you what a relief it was to realize I can do this. I know the trenitalia app is similar. Now I just have to figure out the train app for France and Germany. I know a lot of this probably seems like basic information to many people, but I'm still somewhat anxious about traveling in Europe alone and I'm tech challenged as well; not a great combination, so I love step by step instructions!

And WengenK, thank you as well. My trip is in October, but I'll keep these instructions for when I'm ready to purchase my train pass.

Again, thank you!

@KRS, so glad that it was helpful! I wasn't sure if I was doing a good job of explaining it or not 😅

I think you will do fine traveling alone. I have gone to Germany on my own (female, late 50's, limited ability to speak German, not very tech savvy) without any trouble at all, and I often travel around Switzerland on my own as I have a more flexible schedule than my husband does. So far I have always been able to find my way!

Thanks everyone! I have printed out my Half Fare Card and my tickets and screenshotted them as well. Another question, perhaps for WengenK...do I need the entire Half Fare Card to show in the screen shot, or just the QR code? Also, my Half Fare "Card" is printed on a piece of 8.5 x 11" paper. Can I cut the paper to credit card size showing just the QR code and then laminate it, so it is more portable and durable?