[Removed user]

23 March 2019 at 6:24:59 #820548

We are traveling to Switzerland in early June as 2 adults and 2 small children (1 year old and almost 4 year old). As I continue to plan, I am having the hardest time figuring out the answers to the below train planning questions. Any help would be amazing, I really appreciate the help.

Train Journeys:

Como San Giovanni – Luzern (one way)

Luzern – Zurich (same day return)

Luzern – Basel (one way)

Basel – Colmar (same day return)

1. For the international journeys a) Como (Italy) – Luzern, b) Basel – Colmar (France) – is it possible to use the half fare card if don’t want any connections at the Swiss border stations? With small children I would prefer not to have to get on and off the train to save the fare if possible.

2. Does the SBB site assume you are using a half fare card when searching for tickets? Is there a way to uncheck this selection so I can see the option for tickets with and without the fare card?

3. What if we would like our 4 year old to have a seat? Everywhere I read says 6 and under are free but what if I don’t want my 4 year old on my lap for a 3 hour train ride? Or is it assumed if there is an empty seat he can sit there? Please clarify the rules or process including how to purchase a seat if that is the best way to ensure he won’t be on our laps.

4. Everywhere I read it says no point in purchasing tickets in advance – does this mean that the price for a June ticket that I see in March will be the same on the day I travel? With the exception of the Super saver tickets I assume?

5. If I purchase a ticket with my half fare card and then miss that train, can I use it for another train that day? What is my flexibility as I understand there is no flexibility with the super saver tickets?

6. I am still figuring out what excursions we would be doing as I calculate if the half fare card is the right choice for us. At the moment, some sure bets are the use of public transportation in each city, Lake Luzern, Mount Pilatus and Basel Museums – do you know if the half fare card would offer 50% off fare benefits here? I have read that some hotels offer public transportation cards, is this true?

7. Re: the Lake Luzern and Mount Pilatus – with two young kids, what is the best way to do these two sights? Should we be booking with a private company on a tour?

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[Removed user]

23 March 2019 at 9:34:56 #907285

Hi AK84 and welcome to MySwissAlps!

What a nice trip you are planning and congratulations on already being at the stage where you are finetuning your plans.

To answer your questions:

1. You can use the half fare card to the border stations. This doesn’t mean you have to get off the train, you can stay on the same train but just have 2 valid tickets, one bought with the half fare card and one for the rest of the journey for instance.
   In order to know what ticket you have to buy, you should check the validity map for the Swiss Half Fare Card: http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isshalffarecard/validi ty to check where the discount will apply. For example in the case of Como to Lucerne, the full fare will apply Como to Chiasso and the rest will be discounted with the Swiss Half Fare Card. You can normally buy a ticket for the whole journey though through the timetable http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable or http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/switzerland halffare/price.
2. Yes the SBB normally takes into account tickets with a half fare card, to get the full fare you can click on ‘no discount’ when you proceed to check-out, or just double it to get the full price. This is explained here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable.
3. Your 4 year old automatically gets a seat! travelling for free doesn’t mean travelling seat less! There is plenty of space so I don’t think you’ll find this a problem at all.
4. You are correct. Supersaver tickets are not flexible (you have to take that particular train and connection or the ticket is not valid). You can still buy tickets in advance though if you want to save time at the station, as you will read about here http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/switzerland
5. That is correct, unless you buy a Supersaver ticket.
6. To check what discounts you get with the Swiss Half Fare card (including Pilatus and the boat trip on Lake Lucerne) you can have a look at http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isshalffarecard/validi ty
7. You can either do this on your own or with a tour, there are families travelling there all the time, do you have any specific concerns about travelling with kids? To read more about them you can visit: http://www.myswissalps.com/pi latus and http://www.myswissalps.com/bo atlakelucerne

Hope this clears your concerns, and do let us know if you need more clarification!

Maria.

[Removed user]

24 March 2019 at 18:43:22 #907286

Hi Maria,

Thank-you so much for you reply. I have one follow-up question regarding the child seat. Can you please clarify if a 4 year old would be allowed a seat if as parents we had EITHER a super saver or half fare card (with family card)? As I complete my calculations I would just like to make sure I have accounted for all costs.

Thanks so much,

[rockoyster]

24 March 2019 at 19:56:28 #907287

Your 4-year old will get a seat in either of the situations you describe. Children under 6 travel free as long as the parents has a valid ticket. You only need a Swiss Family Card for children 6 < 16.

[Removed user]

25 March 2019 at 9:38:20 #907288

Hello AK84,

Regarding the seat for your children; as long as a seat is not reserved, and this is normally the case, it is a “first-come, first-serve” system here in Switzerland, also for children not paying.
Reserved seats are clearly marked as such and this is to be respected of course.

It works well here with common sense and mutual respect with other travellers. Say, if there is an old woman standing you might want to offer her the seat of your child (but are not obliged to). Does that make sense for you?

Kind regards,
Steph

[Removed user]

25 March 2019 at 19:06:30 #907289

Thanks all – this helps a ton!

Are there certain train cars that are for reserved seats that we should avoid? Or are they just scattered in the train as such? Thanks again, all this information has helped me so much.

[Removed user]

25 March 2019 at 21:11:10 #907290

Hi AK84,

The reserved seats are normally scattered, and this sparsely, so don’t worry.
Sometimes a whole carriage will be reserved for a group, but this is clearly visible from the outside with signs in the windows.

Best,
Steph