I am travelling to Switzerland next month for three weeks, and I would like some advice on Swiss rail passes.
I intend to get the half price rail pass and also the Berner Oberland pass.
My questions are about obtaining these passes.
If I purchase them on-line, before my arrival in Switzerland, will I get tickets I can print, or will they be QR codes for my phone. In that case will my wife have to use a separate phone?
If I get paper tickets how do I use them on the trains?
Another option is to buy the passes when I get to Zurich. What form will these tickets have?
Thank you for your advice
RG
Posted by
31 posts
I assume you are talking about the Half Fare Card for 120 CHF?
If you buy them in the SBB office at Zurich airport, be prepared to wait. I was there 18 months ago, and waited nearly 2 hours!
It was paper. When/if the train conductor comes around, you simply show your tickets and HFC.
If you buy online, it looks like you can be mailed a paper ticket (if purchased 10-14 days in advance) OR electronic.
Of course, each person needs one.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16363 posts
We bought our Half Fare cards online from SBB:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/guests-abroad/swiss-halffare-card.html
I was able both print them out at home to have paper copies, AND put the card on our phones.
You choose the starting date when you purchase—-it can be well into the future (like now for travel in May, June, etc.)
The Berner Oberland Pass must be purchased on their own website:
https://www.berneseoberlandpass.ch/
As with the HFC, you can buy; now for a date in the future—-just make sure you get the starting date correct, as it cannot be changed. You can print this one out at home and put it on your phone as a digital copy.
When the conductor comes around to check tickets or passes, they may or may not ask to see the HFC as well, so have it ready.