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Update on purchasing Swiss rail tickets online and new question

Posted by on

Hi! About a month ago, I wrote in about purchasing a ticket from Sion to St. Anton am Arlberg for me and my two kids, 17 and 14. At the time, I could not get the sbb website to accept my credit card, and purchasing was not given as an option on the app. It was more than 30 days out, so I figured that might be why. Anyway, our train travel is now within a 30 day window, so I tried again. I first tried the app, since everyone said that only American Express would work with the actual website. Strangely, the app still said I couldn't purchase this particular ticket yet. So on a whim, I tried the website again. It accepted my visa (which involoved a visa verified step)! I was shocked but very happy that this bug seems to be fixed.

So here is my new question. As I was selecting tickets, I learned that my 14 year old qualified for the Junior Travel card, which I can buy at the train station for CHF 15 (there seems to be a 50% sale right now - it is usually CHF30). When I purchased the actual tickets from Sion to St. Anton am Arlberg (first class), it allowed me to indicate that we would have the Junior card, and thus I received three tickets: a saver fare of CHF 85 for me, a saver fare of CHF 85 for my 17 year old, and a family reduction ticket for free for Isabella. First, does this sound correct? Is it simple to get the Junior Card at the train station and do I just need that and this free ticket for the 14 year old to travel that day? Second, these are pretty good prices, right (especially since it's 1st class)? I assume that since this is by far the longest day of train travel we will have in Switzerland, it is not wise to have a Pass or even a Half-Fare card. Do you all agree? Also, I made seat reservations on the Glacier Express portion and those were CHF 33 per person (CHF 99 total). I'm not sure how to connect my newly purchased tickets with the seat reservations. Do I need to do that or do I just bring evidence of both? Can I just use the tickets right off my phone or should I print everything?

Now here is my biggest question: The only other day when I know we need to take a train is when we arrive in Geneva. We need to take a 2 hour train to Sion. When I try to purchase these tickets, it does not even ask me whether I have a Junior Card for my 14 year old. It does give me her ticket at half price, but shouldn't it be free? Or do I not even need a ticket for her? Can she just accompany me with her Junior Card but without a ticket? Or should I buy her the 50% off ticket? The cost for the 3 tickets if we lock in a time is CHF 119. Given that the all day ticket (which includes a segment on the Glacier Express) was only CHF 170, doesn't CHF 119 for a 2 hour ride seem expensive? Is there a better way to do this? If we don't buy a ticket for the 14 year old, the total would be around CHF 95. What do you all suggest? Also, the tickets are more than twice as much if we buy flexible tickets. The fixed ticket makes me nervous though since we are flying, and with flights, there can always be delays. Would you all lock in, and if so, how big of a window should we leave? If we are ready to travel earlier than our scheduled train, are we allowed to? I am guessing not, but thought it was worth asking. Is there some cheap simple ticket I am missing for this leg of the journey? Sorry for all the questions but I am traveling alone with my two kids and just want to make sure I am totally prepared. Thanks!!

Posted by
20110 posts

According to this from the SBB website re Junior Card:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/junior-travelcard-children-co-travelcard.html

So yes, you can buy the Junior Card at any Swiss railway station, in your case that would be Geneva airport, and there is a current promotion running to Jan 13, 2018 that you buy it for 15 CHF.

Arriving at Geneva, you can buy 2 fully flexible tickets for 54 CHF each plus the 15 CHF Junior Card, and that will get the 3 of you to Sion on a direct train 2nd class for 123 CHF Total. There is no need to buy them in advance and there is a train every 30 minutes.

I just looked at the date Sept 1, and the 3 of you with one traveling on a Junior card is 185 CHF from Sion to St Anton am Arlberg via Chur with nonrefundable Supersaver 1st class tickets, or 113 CHF 2nd class. This is a substantial discount from the standard tickets. As you noted, you need 99 CHF reservation fee for the Glacier Express portion from Brig to Chur for the three of you.

Posted by
148 posts

Thanks, Sam! Based on your advice, I will definitely just wait then to buy the Geneva to Sion tickets. I have purchased the Sion to St. Anton am Arlberg tickets on the SBB site, and have separately purchased the seat reservations for the Glacier Express train, so I think I'm all set. I just bring both on board with me, right? No way to somehow get the seat reservations and the tickets combined?

It also appears that when I purchased the actual tickets referenced above, I somehow managed to purchase seat reservations for the Sargans to St. Anton am Arlberg portion. I am assuming that seat reservations aren't needed for any other legs of that journey - is that correct? And how about when we go from Geneva to Sion? Is there an easy way to tell when you need a seat reservation and when you don't?

My final question is about safety. I have read on some general forums that one should wear a money belt and put locks on the luggage when traveling by train. Is this necessary in Switzerland and Austria? I don't mind taking precautions, but if it's not needed, I'd rather skip.

Posted by
20110 posts

I am assuming that your Glacier Express reservations show a carriage and seat numbers. If so, then bring both. Since using the Glacier Express is part of a continuing journey, you should be fine.

I forget your actual travel date into Geneva, but when I look at all the late morning/early afternoon trains from Geneva airport to Sion, from Thursday through Monday on the last weekend in August show light expected capacity. You can look at it at the www.sbb.ch site when you do a train search for your date and journey, you'll see a column indicating graphically the expected occupancy. Since these trains operate every half hour, it would be very surprising if they get crowded. Also, since the trains originate at Geneva airport, you will be the first people to board and will have your pick of seats.

And I don't worry too much about luggage. Now if your kids are bringing $1,000,000 Stradivarius fiddles, i might be worried.

Posted by
148 posts

Ok, that puts my mind at ease. :) Is first class safer than second class or is it not worth the extra money for the shorter trips (like Geneva to Sion)?

Posted by
20110 posts

It's a 2 hour train ride. Safety is the absolute last thing I'd be worried about. I would be worried that inclement weather will cloud the scenery, These trains don't seem to have snack cars, so pick up bottled water or soda and snacks for the ride if you think you might need it.

Posted by
148 posts

Oh, that's great to know! My kids are always hungry, so thanks for the heads up!

Thanks for all your help with the trains. I might be back with other travel questions, but I feel all prepared regarding the trains, and that's a big relief! :)

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