I am traveling from Wengen to Milan in August.
Should I buy tickets in advance? Is there a difference?
If I buy online in advance, where should I buy tickets? SBB or a different site?
If I am thinking of buying a half-fare card, do I NEED to book separate tickets from Wengen->Domossodola and Domossodola->Milan? Can I not book straight to Milan all in one booking, and they will take off the necessary price for me when I present the half fare card at booking (either online or in person)?
Trains from Spiez to Milan may be EC trains that offer advance purchase discounts. You can buy this at www.sbb.ch/en and get the discount for the nonrefundable "Smart" fare. During the purchase process, SBB will ask you if you have a Swiss Half Fare card, and give you the discount. You don't need to have the card at the time of purchase, but you must have it in your possession when you board the train. Otherwise you are traveling on an invalid ticket.
Just checking a date in August, I see the fastest way is to leave Wengen at 12:33, then to Lauterbrunnen, then to Interlaken Ost, then to Spiez, then to Milan on the EC train. With a Half Fare Card, it is 60 CHF for a nonrefundable "Smart" fare, or 71 CHF with an everyday fare.
