kakijalan

I'm heading to Switzerland this September. Thanks to all the advice on this forum, I've decided to purchase the Half-fare pass for the train trips.

Have a few questions that I hope fellow Fodorites can help with...
1. Can I, should I and how do I purchase Half-fare pass from in advance and from abroad (I'm based in Malaysia)?

2. If I can buy the half-fare pass in advance, how do I use it to purchase the Glacier Express and Bernina Express tickets?

3. Can I reserve specific seats for Glacier Express and Bernina Express?

4. If the answer to 3 is yes: I will be travelling from Zermatt to St Moritz, and from St Morits to Ticino. Should I get seat on the right-side or left-side (with the destination ahead of me)? How do I know which seats are right-side or left-side ie which seat numbers?

5. For the rest of the train travels Switzerland, I deduced that I don't have to make advanced booking. Is that so? Even for Interlaken - Lucerne?

Really appreciate your opinion. Thanks.

neckervd

1. There is no need to buy the Half Fare Card in advance (you can buy it at any important Swiss railway station, those of Zurich airport or Geneva airport included). Otherwise have a look at http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/...tml?country=MY

2. Buy just half fare tickets (at any Swiss railway station)

3. Have a look at http://www.glacierexpress.ch/EN/spez...s/default.aspx

4. there is no good or bad side for the whole itinerary, it changes at least 10times between Zermatt and Tirano

5. You are right

kakijalan

Thanks neckervd.

I've checked, I can reserve Glacier express seat via the website.

More questions:
1. If I have seat reservations, does it mean that I'm guaranteed a seat? i.e. even if I buy the ticket on the day of departutre, I shouldn't have problems getting a seat?

2. Just to double confirm... the Half fare pass can be used both for first class and second class tickets right? Am thinking that since it is a long ride, I would want to get first class seat for Glacier Express.

Thanks!