8889 posts
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.
15471 posts
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!
72625 posts
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
15471 posts
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.
8889 posts
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.
72625 posts
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 !