Trouble using SBB website for bookings

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    14 March 2019 at 8:31:57 #820385

    Does anyone else from outside Switzerland have trouble using this site to make bookings ? We have booked cruises ,flights and excursions in less time than it takes to book one train trip using this site. Today it inexplicably changed from English to German with no way of getting back to English despite the fact that l chose French as a second language option. If it is just us then l will give up and buy the tickets when we arrive. Hoping there is a simpler system in place for Italy

  • Effortlessly learn from the questions and answers in the forum. Receive a daily e-mail with new discussions.

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    14 March 2019 at 10:08:44 #906456

    I’ve never had any problem using the SBB Timetable (bit.ly/2HH1U7B). What do you mean by “book” a train trip? In Switzerland you just buy a ticket or use a Swiss Travel Pass. Have you tried the SBB app on a smartphone. It is even better than the website.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    14 March 2019 at 10:29:50 #906457

    Hi Lindabrooks,

    The SBB website is geared to Swiss residents and can be quite overwhelming. I know that it does not accept some foreign credit cards, for example. Their website is great to check train schedules (start here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable) and to get in-depth information like train station and luggage service details. When it comes to passes and tickets, there are other websites linked throughout MySwissAlps that are geared to tourists and often simpler to use. The SBB has an excellent tourist webshop for train passes and some of the more popular mountain transport tickets: https://shop.switzerla ndtravelcentre.com/#/e n/home. It does not sell town to town train tickets though, but there are other websites doing so.

    Check http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/switzerland /price for tickets, and http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/switzerland halffare/price if you have a Swiss Half Fare Card, or buy at the stations. For trains to Italy, please see http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/italy.

    Enjoy your trip, I’m sure you’ll like the trains once there!

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    14 March 2019 at 12:20:12 #906458

    Thanks for the quick replies. The reason we are pre booking our train trips is that we have read on my swiss alps that it can be a good way to save money. We have bought the half fare card and want to use it to full advantage by getting the fares when they are cheapest. The more money we save the further we can travel.

    We will look at the alternate sites you mentioned for bookings. Thank you

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    14 March 2019 at 13:04:42 #906459

    You’re welcome! In that case I’d recommend to take a look at https://www.happyrail. com/en as they recently made some improvements and offer more tickets now. You can click the passenger icon and then select the Swiss Half Fare Card under “Discount Cards”. The Supersaver tickets will be offered as well, if available. Indeed those need to be booked in advance.

    rockoyster
    Participant
    8889 posts
    14 March 2019 at 19:12:18 #906460

    Hi Linda,

    Supersaver fares can certainly save you money but be aware that you are tied to a specific train departure time. If your plans change or you want to be flexible then they are not so good. If you miss the train you have a ticket for you need to buy another ticket.

    Regular tickets on the other hand are good for a given route for an entire day. The price of regular tickets does not change so there is no advantage to buying well in advance. The SBB app is a very convenient way of buying tickets as you go.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    14 March 2019 at 23:02:34 #906461

    Thank you very much for the information. I love this site, it has given me so much information. It is great to be able to speak to real people !

  • The thread ‘Trouble using SBB website for bookings’ is closed to new replies.

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 10730 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.