Train questions for Switzerland
 

Hi! Myself, my husband, and our 2 year old are travelling to Switzerland in about a week and I have a few questions about trains:

1.) My husband and I have Half Fare cards. Since we still need to purchase tickets for everything, do we just show the Half Fare card at the ticket window?

2.) I believe the 2-year-old travels free everywhere. Does she still need a ticket? I know they have the Swiss Family Card, but my understanding is that you don't even need that with a child that young.

3.) We are doing the Golden Pass train route. I reserved our seats and paid the fee for that several weeks ago, when we get to Switzerland we need to actually purchase the tickets that match those seat reservations, correct? We have seats reserved on the 13:08 train out of Interlaken and the 14;25 train out of Zweisimmen so we just buy tickets on those trains a few days in advance?

Thanks!

Hi bjamie,

1. No, the ticket sellers don't really care if you have the Half Fare Card or not, lol. Just buy the half-fare ticket and get on the train. It's the conductor who cares; you show the conductor your ticket and the HFC at the same time.

2. Right. Children under 6 years old travel free with parents who have a valid ticket. Information here:

http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and.../children.html

3. Yes, just buy tickets for the correct route and the day of travel any time before you depart.

You can also buy tickets using the ticket machines at all the stations -- they have English pages, and it's pretty straight-forward. It can be quicker than waiting in line for a clerk.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Thank you! So the machines will just have a half fare option?

One more clarification: Children under 6 travel free means they don't need a ticket at all? What about the Golden Pass trains where we have a seat reservation for her? Thanks!

Free means free - they do not need a ticket just the reservation proof you have.

Great sources of info on Swiss trains in general - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

swandav - machines take chipless American c cards? Assume they take cash?

Yes, they take cash (CHF) and return the change

Hi again bjamie,

Right -- no ticket at all, even on the GP.

Yes, as neckervd says, the SBB ticket machines take cash. I've used my American cc in them since the 90s without problem. Oh wait -- they did not take American Express. But I never had a problem with regular Visa, MC, etc.

s

Right -- no ticket at all, even on the GP.>

But to guarantee a seat they would need to buy a reservation which I assume is not free?

Op says they already have seat reservations for the child

s

Yes I know but speaking of generalities - if reservations are required that applies to free childs' tickets as well - and those are not free?

Well, yes, if reservations are required, then one has to make reservations. They cost around 7 chf, I think -- not sure, as I've never made reservations on the GP.

s

Many European train systems give free passage to those under 4 or 5 but on the caveat that the youngun cannot occupy their own seat - Switzerland seems not to have that policy. I wonder if other countries still do?

Thank you! So the machines will just have a half fare option?>

No one answered but I do not see why not - you will be checked to see if you have a Half-Fare Card on the train along with the ticket.

Yes. The machine will have the half-fare option.

So at one machine in any Italian station you can buy all the Half-Fare tickets you will need? Beats doing it several times.

Do machines in SBB Swiss Federal Railway stations sell half-fare tickets for say the Jungfraujoch trains or to the Schilthorn, etc.?

Curious - thanks in advance for any insight.

"Do machines in SBB Swiss Federal Railway stations sell half-fare tickets for say the Jungfraujoch trains or to the Schilthorn, etc.?"
Not for every peak, just for the places for which you get prices under www.sbb.ch

In any case do not buy Half-Fare tickets for any mountain top in advance - the weather could always be funky - if it's a clear day hop on it!