Switzerland train / travel passes -- need help

Welcome to Switzerland.
sbb.ch is where you will find a good explanation of each. The sbb app was just updated and is very good. Most people who live here and use public transport buy the half price card unless they are frequent commuters, then they may buy the GA.

Since you are new here, you may also find this website helpful.

englishforum.ch

The Swiss Travel Pass is designed for short, tourist visits of not more than one month. You are more likely to benefit from a resident-focused product, such as a 1-year Half Fare Card for 185 francs. See the "Benefits tab" for 25% ticket discounts in neighboring countries. For this product as well as the more expensive GA, note the automatic annual renewal process.

Hello Glen, and welcome.
What is your daily journey? I assume it is a commute to and from work within the greater Zürich area. Plus evenings and weekend shopping and leisure, also within greater Zürich.
In that case you need an "Abo" for the ZVV (Zürich transport district). Start with a monthly, and move up to an annual one. Details are on the ZVV website (it is even in English): http://www.zvv.ch/zvv/en/travelcards-and-tickets/travelcards.html
It is at various prices depending on the Zones you want covering.
Just keep the Abo (plus your "Ausländerausweis" ID card) in your back pocket, and jump on and of any tram, bus or S-Bahn you fancy.

For your weekends, buy a ½ price Abo (Halb-tax Abo, available for 1 year renewable)). This will give you 50% discount for the rest of Switzerland. If you want to come to Basel on a Saturday, just go to your local station and buy a "½-price/Child" ticket from the machine. It only takes about 3 trips to pay off the cost of the ½ price Abo. Details here: http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/half-fare-travelcard.html

This is the combination I have, TNW (Basel area) annual Abo + Halb tax Abo for the rest of Switzerland.

As for "Ausland", different rules apply. French TGV's (high speed trains), German ICE's and Italian fast trains all offer discounts for advance purchase. And when you buy a ticket it is only for a specified train.
If you want to got to Paris, there is one train from Zürich every 2 hours, timetable here: http://www.tgv-lyria.com/sites/default/files/pdf/BROCHURES_CO/frequencies-timetable-2017s1-fr_ch-tgv-lyria-en.pdf
Buy a ticket from SBB, at the station or online. Online you get a "print at home" ticket. Be sure to tick the box that says you have a ½ tax Abo, and you will pay 50% to the border at Basel, and from there to Paris a French discounted advance purchase fare.
Germany similar. For Italy there is a catch. SBB doesn't always offers the cheapest fares in Italy. It may be worth splitting the booking.

For lots more good info, see the website: http://seat61.com/

P.S. Consider becoming a member of "Mobility": https://www.mobility.ch/en/private-customers/
They provide on-demand cars by the hour, for when you do need your own wheels (like going to IKEA).

Excellent information - thank you everyone. I'm looking into your comments now.

Follow up question.
I'm all set on purchasing the Half Price card.

My question is...

• When I go somewhere - like let's say Lucern from Zurich. Is there a better price if I order in advance (1 day or 5 day's or ....)
• If I do purchase in advance, and I need to adjust. I stay for sunset and I miss the train I was booked on, do I need to re-purchase a ticket or can I just get an upgrade.

Thanks again

There is something called a Supersaver Ticket is may be available to purchase within 30 days of your planned train journey and it is train specific, meaning you must travel on the exact trains printed on your ticket. If not, you buy a new ticket.
As an example, on Monday Nov 14, the full fare ticket price is 25 CHF for Zurich to Luzern, but with a Half Fare Card, you would pay 12.50 CHF. There a train specific Supersaver tickets available for the 8:35 train for 10.80 CHF. so you would not save a whole lot if you have a Half Fare Card. There are better prices later in the day, as low as 6.20 CHF.
With a Half Fare Card, you already get 50%, so the additional savings are often not worth the restrictions. With the Half Fare Card, you can just ride any train you want.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/supersaver-tickets.html

Glen, supersaver tickets are only available on some trains, basically the less popular ones, and must be bought in advance, usually on the internet.
They are only valid on the specific train you purchased them for. If you miss the train you must buy a new ticket at the normal price (½ price if you have a ½ price Abo). Normal price tickets are valid on any train on the day on the ticket, so with them it is no problem to get a later train.
SBB are also advertising their new phone App, which allows you to buy tickets on the phone, and just show the phone to the ticket inspector. But, you must buy the ticket before you get on the train.

Another "newbe" question.

If I bought a ticket to -- let's say Zurich to Lucern -- and let's say there is a stop in Zug (I don't even know if this is possible but that's not the concern)

And let's say I get off at Zug, later in the same day I want to continue to Lucern
* do I need to purchase a new ticket?
* Does my original ticket work

I'm trying to equate this to flight travel and when you get off the flight you would need a NEW ticket to continue the trip.
I really appreciate all the help .