[Anonymous]

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17 January 2022 at 3:53:48 #826416

Hi there, I am just researching a trip to the Bernese Oberland area and have a few questions.

Does the Half Fare Card with Family Pass (for kids 6-15, which costs 30 CHF) allow free rides for the kids on the mountain cable cars and funiculars, or are they still half price (just like the adults), or does it depend on the train? For instance, I am looking at website for prices from Wengen to Mannlichen, and it indicates the Child’s Travel Card is valid- I assume this means kids travel free, correct?

the http://www.maennlichen.ch/en/summer/information/fare-prices-from-wengen.html

My other question may sound stupid, but again I could not find an answer. Do most people buy tickets for trains, cable cars online and then just scan the ticket code from their phone, or can we buy tickets at the actual station (and get a printed ticket). Is it a terrible idea to buy tickets in person (i.e. long lines)? What if some people in our group don’t have smart phones, can I buy multiple tickets online for everyone?

Thanks so much!!

[Anna]

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Reply 1 of 9 • 17 January 2022 at 6:49:58 #938095

Hi seru,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

The Swiss Family Card offers free travelling for children if they are travelling with their parents who hold any of the Swiss Travel System rail passes such as the Swiss Half Fare Card. So you are correct, this includes the cable car ride to Männlichen. You can find more details here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swissfamilycard

You can buy train tickets at the train stations from manned counters or ticket machines. You can also buy train tickets online from the SBB website or mobile app. However Supersaver tickets and discounted Saver Day Passes are only available online (through the app or the website): http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerland

As for cable car tickets, most require you to buy from the station but increasingly there are options to buy tickets online. You should check out the websites of each of the destination in your itinerary to see if this option is available.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Anna

[User]

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Reply 2 of 9 • 17 January 2022 at 14:09:07 #938096

Thanks so much, Anna!

[Mschwalbe]

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Reply 3 of 9 • 17 January 2022 at 16:16:09 #938097

Hi Anna,

I am just reading your exchanges with ‘Seru’; I have also consulted the SBB website.

I am not entirely sure if the HALF FARE Card can be purchased physically. I will be arriving at the Zurich airport (only in June, so I still have a lot of time to plan and prepare), and was planning on buying a HALF FARE card in person, at the same moment that I will be purchasing a train ticket to Lauterbrunnen. Will this be OK, or can I only buy the HALF FARE card on-line?

Many thanks for clarifying!

Monica

[Anna]

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Reply 4 of 9 • 17 January 2022 at 18:48:56 #938098

Hi Monica,

If you prefer to buy the Swiss Half Fare Card in person, you can do so at the SBB travel office at Zurich Airport. Personally I think it’s more convenient to buy it online. You can buy it online from a list resellers here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/price

Regards,

Anna

[Mschwalbe]

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Reply 5 of 9 • 18 January 2022 at 0:07:32 #938099

Hello Anna,

Many thanks for your quick and helpful response! Really appreciate it!

Monica

[hockeyfan]

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Reply 6 of 9 • 18 January 2022 at 1:21:28 #938100

When you buy your Half Fare Card you should request the complimentary Swiss Family Card. No need to buy one. Have a great trip.

[User]

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Reply 7 of 9 • 18 January 2022 at 19:35:26 #938101

First of all, terrific web site!

But I had one further question:

We will be traveling to Switzerland in June. Although for convenience sake we will purchase most tickets online, when we decide to do a last minute trip, can using a US credit card that is chip-and-signature instead of chip-and-pin create problems? Do they tend to approve those transactions due to the amounts, or will be forced to go to a staffed location? I have read about the Wise card on the site, but not sure I want to add a debit card just for a little over a week.

(I am guessing that we can buy them online on the SBB app, but I worry if there is no service on the cell phone).

Thanks in advance.

[Anna]

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Reply 8 of 9 • 18 January 2022 at 20:39:49 #938102

Hi MtlConn,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

From my observation, most retailers here accept contactless payment by credit card or debit card with a chip because it’s much secure (https://www.myswissalps.com/swissfranc). If this is not possible for you, you can always pay at a manned counter.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Anna

[hockeyfan]

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Reply 9 of 9 • 18 January 2022 at 22:53:51 #938103

I had no trouble at all with a chip and signature card three years ago. We used it at ticket machines for a little over three weeks with no problems. The first few days I made sure there was an open ticket counter, just in case, but did not have any transaction rejected.