Switzerland, when to buy tickets?

Posted by Elizabeth (L'Occitanie, France) on 07/30/23 02:13 PM

We're going to Switzerland for a few days. I've bought my SNCF ticket as far as Geneva. So far, we've purchased only the seat reservation for a specific day and time on the Golden Pass Express but no train tickets or half-fare card.

So, do I buy the half-fare card and the train tickets for the Golden Pass Express at home and print them, or can I wait until we get to the train station in Geneva? Is there any urgency to getting these now?

I'm having a hard time understanding when to buy the tickets when I already have a fixed seat reservation. Thanks.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

07/30/23 02:55 PM

21141 posts

You just need to have a valid ticket when you board the train. The only reason I can see to buy them now is you think the Swiss Franc will continue its appreciation against the Euro.

Edit. Since you already have a seat reservation, you could buy a SuperSaver Ticket now, or even a Saver Day Pass. If you are going in a few days, it is probably too late to save anything with the Saver Day Pass, I don't see any SuperSaver Tickets for the GPEX in the next week either.

Posted by Elizabeth OP

L'Occitanie, France

07/30/23 04:11 PM

10621 posts

We’re going pretty soon; I’m just getting around to taking care of our Swiss trip now. I did the math a few weeks ago and decided on the ½ price card.

What I don’t understand is if each carriage has a limited number of seats, what happens to the people who show up with a ticket for the Golden Pass Express but the seats have all been reserved and filled. Do they stand or are they denied boarding? Though I know from Sam’s answer that it doesn’t concern us, it is a new system I’m trying to understand. Again thanks.

Posted by WengenK

Wengen

07/30/23 06:24 PM

2493 posts

What you have to understand is that tickets are for transportation, they are not for trains. In fact, in Switzerland there is no such thing as a train ticket.
If you want to travel Geneva - Somewhere via the Golden Pass express you just buy a ticket Geneva - Somewhere, and it allows you to use any service on the route you bought, on the day your ticket is valid.
So a ticket does not guarantee you a seat. If more people board a train then there are seats then yes, some people will have to stand. This is however rather rare on Swiss trains. Usually there is enough place for anyone, and you do not need a seat reservation.

Trains are mass transit, used by people to go about their everyday business. Having to buy tickets in advance is not compatible with that. Imagine you would have to buy tickets in advance to use the NY Subway.... Would New Yorkers accept that? Well Swiss would not accept not being able to buy tickets whenever they want, and use trains whenever they want.

So you can safely buy tickets at the last moment. Just wait till you are in Geneva, and buy the 1/2 card there. Then just buy whatever tickets you need as you go...