Germany/Switzerland train ticket dilemma
 

What would happen if you bought a ticket from A to C (a route that passes through B), but just got on at B, since the fare from B to C was more expensive?

Here is my situation. I bought a ticket from Friedrichshafen, Germany to Neuchatel, Switzerland for €29 on a sale fare from bahn.de. This itinerary includes 3 trains, the third of which is Zurich to Neuchatel. My plans have changed, and I now only need this third part of the ticket (I will be in Zurich). However, by canceling the ticket I bought I would only get €14 back, and to buy the Zurich to Neuchatel segment alone costs CHF 51 from sbb.ch. Obviously it would be much less expensive if I could just use my original ticket.

Would the conductor on one of the first segments (in Germany) mark my ticket in some way that would be important to show the Swiss train from Zurich to Neuchatel? Can I just show them the printed ticket (from the pdf file bahn.de sent me) without a problem?

Nobody will care because it is not unusual that no conductor shows up during the whole train ride. Use your original ticket. No one came to check it on the first two trains, basta. I guess the conductor on the third train won't even ask why it hasn't been stamped before.

>What would happen if you bought a ticket from A to C (a route that passes through B), but just got on at B, since the fare from B to C was more expensive?

Nothing. Like quokka said - it can very well be that you don´t see a conductor on the first two trains. Especially if your itinerary contains regional trains, which often don´t have a conductor at all, only occasional spot checks.

Everything said. Have a good journey.

Hi C,

Nolo problemo.

Enjoy your visit.