[Removed user]

6 February 2020 at 7:15:17 #825127

We are travelling around Switzerland for 45 days from early May to mid June. We will be catching local trains, staying 3-4 nights in most places. I have used your Excel spreadsheet to compare and calculate which passes are the best for us. I have narrowed it down to either (1) 15 Day Swiss Travel Pass Flex plus 7 day Jungfrau Travel Pass; or (2) Swiss Half Fare Card plus 7 day Jungfrau Travel Pass. Before and after the days covered by the Passes we will very low fares or will buy a super-saver ticket.

1. Could you tell me whether the Half Fare Card can be used on the Bernina Express bus from Lugano to Tirano please?

2. Assuming it can be used, I have calculated that the Half Fare Pass will be about CHF 80 cheaper than the 15 Day Flex so I am wondering if the convenience of the Flex Pass is worth CHF 80. I have read in other posts that it is easy to purchase tickets at the station. Can you advise me please? Of course, if the Half Fare Card doesn’t cover the Bernina Express bus, the price difference is decreased and maybe it is easier to justify the Flex Pass.

3. I found a reference to a simulated ticket machine (http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/am-bahnhof/dhl-service-point/automatic-ticket-machine/online-demo-billettautomat-sbb.html) in an old post but the link is broken. Is it still available? I also recall seeing a photo of a ticket machine in a recent post but can’t find it now! Would you be able to give to me again please.

Thank you!

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[Removed user]

6 February 2020 at 8:06:00 #929600

Hi JJeff,

Bus from Tirano to Lugano is discounted 50% off with the Swiss Half Fare Card. If you visit http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress/tickets, scroll down, you’ll see the discounts for many passes. Also you can use: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/validity.

It is easy to purchase your ticket at the stations. You can buy it from the staff if there is an office or from the machine. I recommend the machine, it is easy to use and have also English option. You can pay by card or cash. Further info: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/wheretobuy, http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerland and http://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/switzerlandhalffare.

I have found this: http://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/buying-options/sales-channels/sbb-ticket-machine.html and it is not an offical video, but it shows how to use the machine. It is an older video, but the machine is similar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DobNXKoh9Gg.

You can buy your half fare tickets also using the SBB app.

Ildiko

[Removed user]

6 February 2020 at 9:21:46 #929601

Thanks Idako for your information and I take from your comments that the Half Fare Card is the better for me. The stations look easy to navigate.

[rockoyster]

7 February 2020 at 6:44:17 #929602

It is also very easy to buy tickets and display them using the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi).

[Removed user]

7 February 2020 at 8:49:34 #929603

Thanks rockoyster, I used the app to find the train etc prices, much friendlier than the website, and it seems there is a lot more to it than just prices!