Hi All
Can I buy my train tickets with half fare on sbb.ch for travel within switzerland in may and then Buy the half fare card just as soon as I arrive in switzerland before I board the first train?
Also, Can I buy the tickets only one month before travel dates on sbb.ch
As always thanks for all yor inputs!!
Posted by
Tulsa, OK
355 posts
I am not sure I totally understand your question... When we were in Switzerland last summer, I purchased our half fare cards in the train station connected to the airport in Zurich when we arrived from the states. I then purchased all of our train tickets as we were ready to board trains on a daily basis. There was never any hassle and rarely did we wait in line more than a minute.
There is no reason to purchase any tickets ahead of time. I just used the sbb site to estimate costs of trips we were likely to take.
I hope this answers your question.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The half-fare card can be purchased at any train station in Switzerland. They cost 99CHF and they are good for 30 days. Ours had both the beginning date and end date for the 30-day period printed on the ticket so I'm not sure what happens when you purchase 30-days in advance. Pehaps they send you an undated card that you have to have validated at a Swiss train station before travel. You also have to sign the card. As you travel in Switzerland, you will frequently be asked for your passport. They check your passport signature with the one on the card. The Swiss 1/2-fare card was very useful for us. It's so easy to buy it there.
Posted by
Rochelle, IL
263 posts
I agree with Kathryn and Larry. We bought our 99 Swiss franc half fare card at the station and then bought tickets. The nice thing about the card is there are discounts on the lake boats in addition to trains. There may even be discounts on local buses...but I am a little fuzzy on that one. Ask at the local TI and they will tell you what is discounted. Travel in first or second class, the half fare card is good in both. It can amount to quite a bit of savings.
If you are concerned about reservations, I don't think you will have a problem. We even booked special trains, like the Chocolate Train, Golden Pass, a couple of days ahead and had no problem. Enjoy Switzerland.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Our half-fare card was good on the bus from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg. It was also good on the train to the Jungfrau and the gondola to the Schilthorn. It also worked on the Glacier Express except for a supplemental 15CHF fee for the observation car. The savings on the trip to the Jungfraujoch almost paid for the card.