We're thinking about getting a Swiss Regional Pass for the Geneva area, which gets you a couple days of free travel and the rest at 50% off.
When boarding trains, do we need to still get tickets (whether free or half off) from a machine or agent, or, on the free days, do we just hop on the train and show the inspector when they check?
Also, can this pass be purchased at the airport? I'd order online ahead of time but shippings pretty expensive.
For any service that's fully covered, you just hop onboard and show the pass to the inspector when they check. For any service that's 50% off, you have to stop and buy the discounted ticket. If you're not buying the ticket from a live agent, the ticket machines will have a button for half price, on the honor system; then the conductor checks both documents on the train.
Thank you, Laura!
I forgot to put this in my original post, but do you know if the Regional Passes are available for sale at the airport (Geneva, in this case).
Yes, I would expect them to be sold at any train station in the covered region, including the airport station. (The Swiss ticketing system is so well coordinated that agents in other parts of the country might also be able to handle it, but I've never asked.)
Here's a link to the services of sbb.ch Geneva airport. It indicates they do sell travel passes and lists the hours they are open. They will also be able to help with any questions you may have regarding the pass you decide to purchase.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/am-bahnhof/railway-stations/bahnhof-finden.posid.1026.html
