I've read so many posts on other sites and this one about purchasing train tickets. It is so-o-o-o confusing. Is it cheaper to purchase our tickets before we leave USA or just purchase them a few days before each journey when we arrive in Switzerland? Also if anyone knows about train travel from Torino into Paris I'd llike to know the best way to handle that as well. Thanks in advance!!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
For Switzerland you don't need to make any kind of advance reservations/purchase. Just show up at the train station, purchase your ticket, and hop on the next train going your way. Also, there is no cost advantage to purchasing ahead of time like other countries.
Posted by
OP
Forney, TX, United States
43 posts
Thank you Michael! So, would it be better to try and purchase tickets for our travel in Italy and for our trip from Torino to Paris before we leave US ?
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
95 posts
As Michael said, no need to prebuy tickets for Switzerland. Do research though the cost of buying certain longer trains ahead of time. Many of the countries rail sites offer cheaper fares if tickets are bought far enough in advance. For instance TGV lines going from Switzerland (Bern, Geneva) to Paris. This is a plus if you know you are definitely going to be heading to a location on a certain day and don't mind locking in the time of the train.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Michael is correct about train tickets in Switzerland. Switzerland has more miles of track per citizen than any country on earth. It's really amazing. Just walk into any Swiss train station and buy your tickets. Note, however, that train travel in Switzerland is not inexpensive so depending on how much train travel you will be doing may suggest that you get some type of Swiss pass (not a Eurail pass). If you plan on going to the top of the Jungfrau and Schilthorn, a Swiss pass could save you money. An easy pass to get is the Swiss 1/2 fare card which is good for 30 days. It costs CHF99.