Half fare card Switzerland
 

Just a couple of quick questions about the Half Fare Card. I have done all of the math and have determined that the card is probably the most cost effective pass for our trip.
1, tickets for individual trains-- do I get those at each station from a machine? If so, will the Swiss machines accept a credit card without a chip? I assume that a machine would ask if I have a 1/2 fare card? Or is it better to go to the ticket desk?
2. If I buy a point to point ticket and I see a place that I want to explore, can I just get off and then catch a later train on the same route to my disembarkation point. Without changing the ticket?
3. Is there an online list of what other specific items the card provides for besides the trains?
4. If I wish to book reservations for seats in a panorama car on the Gold Pass between Montreux and Interlaken, can I purchase card online and book the reservations online prior to arriving in Switzerland?
Thanks for all of the help!

Hi Poconolady,

I'll help with what I can.

1. You can use either a machine or the desk, as you wish; the prices are the same. The machines accept some credit cards, but I forget which. I think they didn't accept my American Express, but I haven't had problems with any US Mastercard or Visa.

No, the machines (nor the desk clerk) will ask if you have a HFC. The only person who cares is the train conductor.

2. Yes, you can get on and off the trains often as you like. The train ticket is good for the entire day.

4. Don't see why not.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Sorry for the typo:

No, the machines (nor the desk clerk) will NOT ask if you have a HFC. The only person who cares is the train conductor.

s

Clarification:

1) During the process of going through the booking you will see fares for "1/1" and "1/2" the latter meaning if you have a valid Half Fare Card.

2) Validity depends on the distance. Tickets for a distance up to 115 km are valid one day. Validity for longer distance is different: One day for single trip tickets, 10 days for round trip tickets.

3). There are none. No free museums or so (as with Swiss Pass.)

anyone poondering buying the Half-Fare Card should investigate also the Swiss Transfer Ticket which gives you two trips from any border station or airport to any place in Switzerland and then back to anhy border station or airport in Switzerland - and you can buy in conjunction with it a Half-Fare Card at 50% off - currently 50% of about $125 if bought in the U.S. (and I believe the Swiss Transfer ticket is only available outside of Switzerland) - it could work out cheaper and give the exact same benefits depending on how far your two train trips are.

For lots of great stuff on Siwss trains and passes check www.swisstrvelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - check the latter two for Swiss Transfer tickets and half-fare Half-Fare Cards.

4. You do not need to always pay for a ticket to book a official scenic train like the Golden Pass - folks do it all the time on the official site if they have or say they will have a Swiss Pass. I believe reservations are not required on the Golden Pass and you can make them locally too without much problem - this is not hard to book like the Glacier Express IME.

Just want to double check- is the Swiss Travel Pass Flex available with the half price, half fare card, or did this go away in 2015? I'm finding conflicting answers on different websites, don't know if some info is outdated.

It is available, but while it was free (came as standard with the Flexi Pass), it costs now additional CHF 60.

Ingo is right but they also lowered the cost of passes to compensate for that and you have the right to buy a Half-Fare card and 50% off now in conjunction with the pass - so it is about a wash - they have done away with the Swiss Saverpasses too - but made the solo passes much cheaper. (which I coverd in my post above - if you have any questions on passes and changes, etc I;d call Byron at Budget Europe (site I gave above) - I've bought passes from him for years (he's a Rail Europe agent) and he will anser any questions expertly even if not buying - if you need a definitive word on something.)

Is there an online list of what other specific items the card provides for besides the trains?>
Try www.swisstravelsystem.com for a list but pretty much it covers everything that moves in Switzerland - just assume that anything a typical tourist will take will be covered. Not sure about things like the Glacier Express or specialty tourist trains.