Half Fare Travelcard v Swiss Half Fare Card

Hi Arno,

Thanks for the updated alternatives on Swiss rail travel! I went to the details tab for the Half Fare Travelcard / Swiss Half Fare Card and just wish to confirm my understanding (or lack thereof) of the following: 'The Half-Fare travelcard offers a 50% discount on train tickets to Swiss citizens and is valid for 1, 2 or 3 years.'

Looking at the application form on the SBB website in conjunction with your description about its validity for Swiss citizens, it does appear that you are not able to purchase the Half Fare Travelcard unless you have a Swiss or other named passport (Australia is not in the list).

My hope is that only these passport holders are able to purchase the Half Fare Travelcard online, but that the rest of us will be able to show our documents at the entry railway station and purchase there, along with the one month travelpass as per Mageo's suggestion.

In short, my question is: Is the Half Fare Travelcard available only to people with a 'Passport or ID card from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy or Liechtenstein' , or can it be purchased by people from other countries?

Thanks! I suspect hope is driving this question...!

Hi Minnie,

That is a good find, thanks! Well, "good" in the sense that I didn't notice that before, and it is very relevant. I'm quite sure that requirement wasn't listed when I looked into Swiss Travel Pass alternatives a few weeks ago in the other thread. But now it is and indeed they require a passport from Switzerland or one of the surrounding countries. It seems like a fairly new requirement. I know that some people from other countries currently have a one year Half-Fare Travelcard, including forum member Slowpoke. I guess this rules out this product combination as a viable alternative for a one month Swiss Travel Pass. I have adjusted our Details tab. It lists some alternatives to consider, including this one (although only applicable to a few travelers).

Thanks Arno. You've provided some excellent alternatives. We just love going first class, so it'll cost us more. But we put our $2 coins in a souvenir cowbell and it's amazing how much we can save between trips to fund this luxury!!!

Happy travels to those lucky enough to be enjoying the Swiss autumn