Cimbrone

I'm trying to buy tickets from Zurich to Geneva and back for travel later this month, but I'm finding the SBB website to be impossible to use. Any suggestions of a user-friendly site on which I can purchase tickets for the best price possible?

skydog

Rail Europe

mjdh1957

Why are you finding it impossible? It certainly has an English language option and it seems a bit more user-friendly than some European train operators.

Only use RailEurope if you want to pay excessive fees and have inaccurate train information.

Cimbrone

I used to use SBB all the time and found it to be extremely user-friendly. Not this time. The biggest problem I'm finding is that I don't know how to purchase a "return" ticket or how to uncheck the half-fare circle (clicking doesn't work) since I don't think I'm entitled to that without purchasing a half-fare card as well.

Cowboy1968

Once you got the results for Zürich-Genf:

click on the two arrows aiming in different directions for return tickets and the option to enter the date for return travel

click on "Erwachsene" (=adult) for changing from Halbtax (half fare) to full fare

kybourbon

If you click adult, it unchecks the half-fare.

Cimbrone

Thank you. But it only allows me to choose the date of the return ticket, not the actual time/train. Do I not have that option for some reason?

Ingo

Why would you need that option? You don't have to buy tickets for a special time/train. They are valid on any trains running that route, no matter what time.

Cimbrone

It just seems strange to me that I choose a specific train for my outbound train, but that I can't for my inbound train.

Cowboy1968

hmm.. I don't understand the problem.

You enter the start and end, and the date you want to go.
That's all you have to do for regular/flexible tickets.

Only when you opt for restricted "supersaver tickets", you have to pick a certain train.

Cimbrone

Okay, thanks. More importantly, perhaps, can I wait until I'm in Zurich to do the purchasing? (I'm staying with a friend for two days prior to traveling.) Any chance the prices will increase or the seats will be sold? Also, how uncomfortable is second class?

P_Peppington

I have never ever pre-purchased a ticket for any train in Switzerland.

I have always bought my ticket right before I got on the train. Never had a problem.

Second class is fine; if it is good enough for me, it's good enough for you.

P_P, you know me Miss Thing.

Cimbrone

Hi there, Santa Maria blah blah blah. Thanks for the info. I guess you're right about second class. Yours, Cheapskate Mary

P_Peppington

You are welcome, Mary.

P_P, whose cupboards are lined with Farmacia Santa Maria Novella pot-pourri