Dec 4, 2016 - 1:20 AM
in reply to VanessaL
<<"Can such ticket be bought at any tram or bus stop (cash or card?) or where do we buy such tickets? We are planning to walk a lot to really experience these cities. But we would probably want to travel from our accommodation to the touristy areas eg. the Old Town.">>
Hi Vanessa... a short time ticket good for a couple of hours costs 3 or so CHF, and somewhat less with a half fare card. You can buy them at most every tram stop. All take coins and paper money. Credit cards are usable at almost all of the stops. The ticket machines in Zürich main station offer approximately 153,332 choices ;-)
Just joking...but I still don't get it right on every try. There is definitely some benefit to getting a day ticket, in which case the zone issue arises, as Alpenrose mentioned.
The machines sometimes show a Kurzstrecke "(short course"] ticket good for 30 minutes or so... cheaper. Not much use unless you have only one journey in mind.
If I am going to spend time in a town, I look for some kind of day-card or 24 hour card. To choose, you can work the ticket machines, or, better, go the office mentioned below. The aim is flexibility to use the really excellent and frequent trams and buses at will in Zürich ( at least) by getting on and off a lot. Saves your energy and legs.
In Luzern, I have not worked out the system, but the LVV ( Luzern Verkehrsvererein used to be on the lower level of the station , in the direction toward the toilets. Not sure if it moved upstairs with the SBB..
For Zürich, I'd go to the ZVV ( Zürich Verkehrs Verein) office in the new section of Shopville under Zürich main station.
Explain your needs, and they will sell you the correct ticket(s). If the question arises, you will NOT need first class.
Slowpoke