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Swiss family card.. is it still free or not?

Swiss family card.. is it still free or not?

Old Jun 6th, 2010, 06:25 AM
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Swiss family card.. is it still free or not?

I have seen it on some websites as "free" and on another site for 20chf/year.

Does anyone know the real answer?

Thanks
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Old Jun 6th, 2010, 06:37 AM
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Hi lincasanova,

Both answers are correct and "real."

If you buy a pass or a Half Fare Card, the Family Card is free. You only have to ask for it.

If you are not buying another pass or discount card, then the Family Card costs 20 chf.

Have fun!

s
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Old Jun 6th, 2010, 09:51 AM
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thanks. pretty confusing!
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Old Jun 18th, 2010, 03:00 PM
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Hi sawndav2000,
Your information is helpful to me as well, as I have similar questions. I don't plan to buy a Swiss Pass because I'm only going to be traveling by Swiss Rail for two days total. Is the Swiss Family Card still valid for this type of point-to-point train travel? Would I just buy the one for 20 chf and would my 10 year old son travel for free that way? I have also read that if you get a Swiss Family Card in the Zurich Airport train station you can get it for free, with or without a Pass... do you think that is the case?

Thank you so much for your help!
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Old Jun 18th, 2010, 09:43 PM
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Hi dalilaS,

I'm sorry, but I don't have children so haven't ever used the pass. I have looked at the websites to read about it, but I don't have any first-hand experience with it.

I do know that the SBB staff at the Zürich airport are super helpful and very, very knowledgeable. They will be happy to help you get the very best combination for your journeys in the country!

Depending on exactly where you will be going, you may want to pick up the Half Fare Card. It costs 99 chf and gives you half off everything that moves for one month. It usually pays off after just two trips; it may be worthwhile just checking your trips to see if it would help, even a bit. I know that the Family Card is free with the HFC.

Have fun!

s
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Old Jun 18th, 2010, 11:57 PM
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I don't think the half fare card for 99chf for TWO days is a good idea. Take a few minutes at the station and the attendant will tell you the best system for the trips you want to make.
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Old Jun 19th, 2010, 01:16 AM
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We travelled in Switzerland 18 months ago and were told that the family card would be free if we bought the half fare card for ourselves. Not so. We were charged 20chf for each of the children. When I queried it, I was told that it was free only if purchased outside of the country. I don't know if that is true or not but the officer at Geneva train station seemed to be quite confident about what he was doing.

However, even for the four days we were there, 20chf for travel for the kids was a bargain for the trips that we did.

btw we tried to buy our half fare cards in Paris and were unable to do so, despite being advised by SBB that we could.
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Old Jun 19th, 2010, 04:15 AM
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I think if you do NOT buy a pass.. then the family car is free. but when you buy a pass, you must pay for the kid's family card ..
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Old Jun 19th, 2010, 06:42 AM
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don't know if this helps I'm quoting from the Swiss brochure Switzerland by Train, Bus and Boat 2010 edition."Ask for the free Family Card to go with your Swiss Tavel System ticket. It enables children under the age of 16 to travel for free when accompaqnied by at least one parent."
My own experience of travelling with a family card, was that having been told we had not the Childre's portion of the card, the fault of the travel agent, we went to the ticket window at Interlaken Ost station and I explained the situation and we were given the children's portion for free. We could have been charged 20chf as has been said. I would make sure you have the slip (ticket) before you travel. if in doubt check with your local Swiss Travel Service Centre. In addition the relevant page says "The tickets need to be paid for in the currency of the point of sale. I hope this helps.
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