I have been purchasing P2P rail tickets for my time in Germany and Italy, but am needing help with what is the best option in Switzerland? I have a ticket from Cinque Terre to Milan en route to Gimmelwald for June 28th. I, along with my three daughters will be staying for three nights. Weather permitting and $$ :) I would like to go to both the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. Then I will stop in Moutier, Switzerland on my way to Paris. I would like to finish the Milan- Gimmelwald route but would it be better to just get to Brig and then buy the rest there? I been reading that I don't need to buy advance tickets to Switzerland but I don't want to be stuck in Milan. I know I need to get the Paris ticket now, so that's why I'm asking.
I'm looking at the half fare ticket but would I also need the Swiss Transfer Ticket?
Sorry for all the questions, But the trip is in June.
Thanks for all your help!
Posted by
Green Bay
20031 posts
The Transfer Ticket would not be a good deal, since the cost of Brig to Gimmelwald and Moutier to Basel is less than the 141 chf. Just the Half Fare Card will do you fine.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
These are 3 different Swiss products you may be looking at. Buy your choice for home delivery, since you need it before you cross the Swiss border, and these are not issued as e-tickets.
One-Month Half-Fare Card - pay $126 up-front, then 50% for all transportation tickets you use inside Switzerland
Transfer Ticket - $148, fully covers border-Gimmelwald-border by the fastest route, but nothing else
Transfer Ticket + Half-Fare Combo - $211 to include both of the above features.
If you want to use the Half-Fare Card to buy a discounted ticket for the first leg, then you'd book a Swiss e-ticket at www.sbb.ch and indicate that you have a Half-Fare Card.