Cheaper train tickets in advance than on the day?

Hi,

We are returning to Interlaken for a few days this summer, flying in to Basel. I have tried to find out prices of point to point rail tickets for summer but they don't seem to be available online yet. I plan to buy a half fare card in advance and a family rail card so that the children go free. Is it much cheaper generally to book tickets in advance than to buy tickets when we arrive in Basel? I would rather not limit myself to a train time in case the flight is delayed but if it saves me a lot of money then I probably will.

Also, if I buy a first class ticket, I presume this means that the children will also get to sit in first class even though they are free?

Many thanks!

Hi JoeyA,

Ticket prices are fixed all year round, so you can already find prices as explained here. You may find slightly different prices through foreign retailers (either lower or higher) because of exchange rates. Tickets are valid for the day unless you include a seat reservation for a specific train, but that's quite uncommon in Switzerland (see here).

Yes, the children can sit in first class if you buy first class tickets for the adults.

You can print the Swiss Half Fare Card at home. Please see myswissalps.com/ swisshalffarecard/ price.

Enjoy your traveling!

Great thank you - looking the prices I think I'll go for the Swiss Travel Pass instead as I think I want to do a couple of other trips whilst we are there. It's great that kids go free!

You're welcome Joey. The Swiss Travel Pass would also be more convenient (less tickets to buy) and includes many museums as well. It can be printed at home too: myswissalps.com/ swisstravelpass/ price.

Hi Arno, on the above website there are different links to buy Swiss travel pass and the cheapest is fro m ACP Rail (£145 for UK residents).I am clicking through it and then selecting 2 travellers and it is showing £302 instead of £290 (2 * £145) . Any idea? Can I get the free family pass online as well?

If I buy now and my travelling plans change (I am travelling end of May) can I cancel it and get full refund? Also do we need to carry our passports for pass verification or a driving licence will suffice?

Hi nomsat,

They must have changed their prices recently; perhaps even today. The quotes on our website have been adjusted too now.

I would now recommend to get your pass through www.swisstravelsystem. co.uk /en/products/ swisspass. They're the cheapest, and they can get you the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Family Card through e-mail within 3 working days. Be sure to select "Online Ticket" when they ask for the delivery option you prefer.

I think there's an 85% refund if you cancel, but you'd better check that on their site. I assume your travel insurance will fully cover this if you cancel because of illness.

Your passport number will be printed on the pass. You need to carry both the pass and the passport while traveling.

Thx for quick reply Arno. So it will be £300 for a 4 day pass. Can you please tell me how much would it be if we buy when we are in Switzerland? Also if we are travelling on 27/05 Fri and are in Switzerland till Tue evening (31st May) then would it class 5 days or I can use 4 day pass from Fri night.

Would passport copy be sufficient as a proof? Carrying original passports is a bit of nuisance and risky as well (though I understand Switzerland is one of the safest country in the world)

Hi nomsat,

All prices, online and local, are listed on myswissalps.com/ swisstravelpass/ price. Online is a bit cheaper. Also it allows you to pay in GBP, so you may save on bank fees & exchange rates, and you save time by printing it at home.

The pass is valid for full calendar days only. It's explained here.

A passport copy is not sufficient, officially. I don't know whether it's a problem in reality. Personally I prefer to travel with the actual passport and have a copy somewhere else just in case. I think the risk of loosing it is a lot bigger than getting robbed, although you do need to pay attention in crowded places.