8889 posts
Hello Corina and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
You can buy tickets on-line a month prior to travel.
You can typically make reservations up to 90-days before travel on the major panoramic trains where reservations are mandatory. You don’t need reservations on regular Swiss trains.
You don’t need to buy the Swiss Half Fare Card before doing any of the above.
Just so long as you have a ticket, a reservation (if necessary) and your Swiss Half Fare Card when you board the train.
Buying tickets much in advance of your actual trips only make sense if you are absolutely sure you won’t make changes to your itinerary on the fly.
7567 posts
Hi Corina-
To amplify Rockoyster’s comments, –
For travel within Switzerland, you do not need train reservations. There are plenty of seats available.
Exceptions – special scenic trains such as the Glacier Express and some special mountain transport ( for example, Jungraujoch on some days in tourist season).
Slowpokes