Travel in Switzerland – tickets before boarding?

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    18 October 2016 at 10:59:51 #810250

    Hi! I noted some signs in Switzerland saying something like we should ensure we have tickets before we board.

    I am just wondering can we buy the ticket from the ticket man (bus, tram, train – noted there are IR and other types, may I know how to differentiate?)

    Thanks!

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    Arno
    Moderator
    15484 posts
    18 October 2016 at 12:43:22 #856641

    Hi HuiTeng,

    Yes, you’d best assume you need a ticket, or more conveniently a pass, before you board any mode of transport. There are some exceptions, like buses in rural areas where you can buy from the driver if you don’t have a ticket yet, or buses with ticketing machines on board.

    All the train types do not matter to you as a traveler. You can board any train on the route you have a ticket or pass for.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    18 October 2016 at 15:45:48 #856642

    Hi Arno! Thanks!

    Assuming travelling by train, any circumstances that passengers are able to buy tickets from ticket man/lady?

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    18 October 2016 at 15:46:28 #856643

    By the way, thanks for recommending us to buy Swiss Pass! They are super convenient!!

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    18 October 2016 at 16:45:22 #856644

    Always before travel in by train you must buy a ticket.

    You can buy it by the ticketmachine or ticketwindow.

    When you on board whithout a ticket you must pay a very very high price…..

    Greetings from the Netherlands, Brahms

    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    18 October 2016 at 21:20:33 #856645

    Hi Huiteng-

    <<“Assuming travelling by train, any circumstances that passengers are able to buy tickets from ticket man/lady?”>>

    For many years that was possible, but, a few years ago they discontinued the practice. So, the signs help you remember.

    Tickets are conveniently available from multilingual ticket machines, as well as at ticket counters. However, the Swiss Travel Pass is super-convenient. (Not the Swiss Pass which is for Swiss residents.)

    If you don’t travel a lot by train, Arno might suggest some other pass.

    What is your itinerary?

    Slowpoke

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