[cod_ninja]

12 May 2026 at 9:25:51 #2796811

Hello,

We are planning to land and malpenso airport and travel to luzern via train , few doubts

1: As per our current plan , we are thinking to get half fare card for our trips inside Switzerland

2: But for the trains between milan and luzern , how this HFC will be helpful..?

3: I believe , kids will be free with HFC , but what about the journey from milan ..?

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 7 • 12 May 2026 at 19:20:11 #2796838

Hi codninja,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

The Swiss Half Fare Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/) is only valid in Switzerland. So the half-fare price is only applicable for the journey from the Swiss border to Lucerne. You will pay full price for the section from Milan to the Swiss border. Children 6-15 years old travel along  free if you have a Swiss Family Card (only applicable within Switzerland). They require tickets too for the section from Milan to the Swiss border.

You can find useful information about tickets and travel from Italy to Switzerland here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/

regards,
Anna

[cod_ninja]

Reply 2 of 7 • 13 May 2026 at 6:45:20 #2796844

Thanks for the reply.

So i am thinking to book the tickets from SBB , will the app automatically consider the ticket fare based on my HFC..? or do i need to take separate ticket for my kids from milan to lugano [ i believe thats the border station between milan and luzern]

[Annika]

Reply 3 of 7 • 13 May 2026 at 15:57:08 #2796850

Hi cod_ninja,

In your case, I think it’s easiest to buy separate tickets:

• full-fare tickets for Milan Malpensa Airport – Cantello Gaggiolo (that’s the border station on your most likely route from the airport from which the Swiss Half Fare Card becomes valid) for the adult(s) and children aged 6 – 15. All Swiss Half Fare Card validity details can be found at https://www.myswissalps.com/details/swiss-half-fare-card-validity/.
• 50% discounted tickets for Cantello Gaggiolo – Lucerne for just the adult(s). Children aged 6 – 15 travel for free with the Swiss Family Card on this stretch.

When buying your tickets, you can choose either half fare or full fare per ticket and per journey. There’s no need to tell the app that you have a Swiss Half Fare Card. As long as you have both your discounted tickets, your Swiss Half Fare Card, and your Swiss Family Card when traveling in Switzerland, you’re all set!

[cod_ninja]

Reply 4 of 7 • 13 May 2026 at 18:39:55 #2796855

Thats a great info

1: So you mean , i can say to app that i have HFC , and pay accordingly..? so who will validate whther i have HFC or not..?
2: For us , we need to pre book the tickets from italy to swiss region as its needed for visa process ,

so i am thinking to book the ticket Milan Malpensa Airport – Cantello Gaggiolo and once i have the visa i will cancel and book the tickets once i land milan , so is the ticket can get fully refund…?

if not is the ticket between milan and Cantello Gaggiolo can be applicable for whole day..? i mean i dont want to waste the ticket if we land bit late

[Annika]

Reply 5 of 7 • 14 May 2026 at 14:02:25 #2796879

Hi cod_ninja,

No, you don’t have to inform the app that you’ll have a Swiss Half Fare Card. Just choose the 50% discounted tariff when buying tickets for your Swiss trips. The train staff will check everything during on-board ticket checks. The sections “How does the Swiss Half Fare Card work?” and “When, where and how to get your discounted tickets” at https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/ explain how it works.

You could create an account in the SBB app and enter that you’ll have a discount card for 50% off within Switzerland. This doesn’t make a real difference, though. You’ll still need the same set of tickets as mentioned in my earlier reply.

Normal Swiss train tickets are valid all day long. However, time restrictions may apply to tickets for the Italian stretch from the airport to the border. Check the ticket conditions carefully. And if you’re not sure which train you’ll be able to catch after landing, just buy your tickets once you’re at the airport. That will be easier (and cheaper) than canceling pre-booked tickets.

Does this help you out?

[cod_ninja]

Reply 6 of 7 • 14 May 2026 at 14:31:27 #2796882

Thanks

1: Yes i prefer to buy once we land , unfortunately for my visa process i need to show the travel arrangements between inter schengen countries , in this i need to show the tickets between italy and switzerland.

2: I have registered SBB, and selected the tickets between Milan and Lugano , but not seeing any conditions related to refund option. not sure how i can confirm before booking the same. [ May be once i got the visa , i can cancel and book tickets once i land in milan]

[Arno]

Reply 7 of 7 • 14 May 2026 at 19:14:30 #2796885

Hi Cod_ninja,

On the SBB site, when you proceed as if you were purchasing the ticket, you’ll reach the screen where you can select the class of travel and single vs. return journey. That’s where the ticket conditions are displayed too.

If that doesn’t provide enough information, you can also buy from one of the other ticket platforms listed on this page: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/. They are often a bit easier to navigate, and with clear conditions. I just saw a ticket with the condition “80% refundable before departure of the train. No refund afterwards.”, for example.