Can I as a US (non-Swiss) citizen, buy a Swiss Travel Pass Flex and/or Swiss Half Fare Card in Switzerland, say, at a Swiss train station or can I only purchase these cards on-line or via a seller like Rail euope, etc?

Hi JulieVikmanis,

Yes, you can. You are only restricted in buying one of the products (Transfer Card, I believe) outside of the country. I have seen many travelers at the SBB desk at the Zurich airport getting advice and buying their Pass or Card there.

Have fun as you plan!

s

<i> Another Swiss Train Question
Posted by: JulieVikmanis on Jan 10, 17 at 2:00pm</i>

Buying in CH might cost more. I suggest seeing the site http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html for good information.

Yes like swandav says -buy it at any Swiss trains station but DO check prices for U.S. agents thru RailEurope as oft the past several years the same pass has been cheaper here than there - not always and may not not but do check and figure any foreign transaction fees you may occur for buying in Swiss or handling fees here -most have none. I have bought various passes from Bryon mentioned above - an expert if you want questions answered whether buying or not.

Swandav, good to hear from you. And I like the answer. BTW we leave this week for another winter trip with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters. Going to Salzburg and Vienna this time. Hope it's as much fun as our trip to Garmisch-Partenkirschen was.

spaarne, that's something I hadn't thought of. Hope someone else reading this thread may know for certain if that is the case. The site you suggest is a raileurope site which I had always understood to be more expensive than buying direct. They have shipping fees if you want them to print and send you tickets but also offer print at home option which appears to be quite close to what I've seen on-line at other sites. Would like to hear from anyone who has recently purchased Swiss passes in Switzerland.

PalenQ, my request crossed your answer in cyber space. Thanks. I'll check some of the other sites to see what I can find.

Hi JulieVikmanis!

I just saw your comment on the Zermatt thread and realized I hadn't checked your thread here for further comments.

I know your trip will be great -- I love your attitude!

Have fun!

s

when are you going?

Specials pop up on Swiss Passes periodically - an extra day or free mountain tops - check sites for updates.

One advantage of a paper pass issued by an agent and sent to you I understand is that you can leave the activation period blank and activate it within six months of issuance once in Switzerland (flexipasses only I believe for this) -online passes I believe come pre-validated and may have a steeper refund or none - check on that.