[Galvatron]

21 September 2022 at 4:30:59 #828392

Hi everyone,

I just want to clarify that if I buy the Swiss Travel Pass, I can hop into the train straightaway?

But if I buy the Half Fare Card, I will need to buy the ticket (at half fare) at the train ticket counter. So, is the queue usually long?

Thank you

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[Removed user]

21 September 2022 at 7:04:45 #947141

Hi Galvatron and welcome to MySwissAlps.com!

Exactly. if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you can hop on the trains, buses and boats and travel. Make sure to check the validity area of the Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity. If you use mountain transport, usually you have to buy an additional ticket. But from one city to an other city you just hop on the train. Learn more bout how to use the Swiss Travel Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/howtouse.

If you have a Swiss Half Fare Card, you have to get a 50% discounted ticket before you board the train, bus or boat. You find the validity map here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/validity. At http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/howtouse you can read more about how to use your Swiss Half Fare Card.

You can buy tickets at the ticket counter or ticket machine or online. I would avoid the ticket counters as there might be a long queue. Learn more about where and how to buy your tickets: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/wheretobuy.

I hope this helps,

Ildiko

[Galvatron]

21 September 2022 at 8:16:21 #947142

Hi Ildiko

Thanks for the reply and info!

I’ve read that trains in Switzerland (except for the panoramic trains) do not need any reservations.

I’m planning to buy the Swiss Travel Pass so that I can hop into a trains/busses/boats spontaneously.

So, what are the chances that the seats are full that I have to wait for the next train to come? Or it is not common for the train to be full?

[Removed user]

21 September 2022 at 8:21:55 #947143

Hi Galvatron,

when are you coming to Switzerland? In which month?

No, you do not need a seat reservation for 99% of the Swiss trains, that is true.

Chances are very low that you cannot board a train. Actually, I think it never happened to me. Once I had to stand for like a short train stop, but then I was going to a jazz festival, and all the people went there in the peak time (after work).

So no need t worry about this. 🙂

Ildiko

[Galvatron]

21 September 2022 at 9:06:01 #947144

Hi Ildiko

I will be coming over in the third and fourth week of January 2023. I believe that is not a peak period, correct?

May I also know whether the Half Fare Card can be used to buy discounted fare for the Electric Bus in Zermatt?

[Removed user]

21 September 2022 at 12:05:57 #947145

If you go to the mountain tops, that is the peak period because of the skiers. If you visit cities, that won’t be that crowded.

Yes, you can use your Swiss Half fare Card, see the validity map here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/validity. Towns and cities with a red circled dot are part of the validity area of the Swiss Half Fare Card.

— UPDATE: I contacted Zermatt Tourist Office and the buses are for free, you do not have to buy any tickets.

Ildiko

[Removed user]

21 September 2022 at 17:18:49 #947146

Zero chance that a train will be full.

[Removed user]

21 September 2022 at 17:21:31 #947147

I have been travelling on trains in Switzerland for 60 years, so I know a thing or two about them!

When people ask questions about the way Swiss public transport works, I usually ask what country you are from, as that will allow me to give you comparisons on how travel works. Are you willing to give that information?

[Galvatron]

22 September 2022 at 1:39:55 #947148

Hi Ildiko,

Thanks for the info!

The electric buses now are free for everyone!

Hi 1960man,

I’m from Malaysia and I used to travel extensively in Japan where we have to buy tickets at the ticket machine and preferably to book our seats because the trains are always full.

[Removed user]

22 September 2022 at 3:56:03 #947149

Here in Switzerland, you do not book/buy seats on a train, you pay for the transportation. A ticket does not guarantee a free seat. You simply show up and take the next connection.

During peak hours, it might be that you have to stand as all seats are taken. Coaches in the middle of the train are usually very crowded during peak hours, less so at both ends.

Optional seat reservations are only possible in IC/EC/ICE/TGV/PE and trains.