Want more flexible Point-to-Point ticket, but only getting Supersaver pricing

melrowgo · 2023-05-13T19:40:37+00:00

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melrowgo

I am interested in purchasing one-way point-to-point tickets for two seniors: Zürich Flughafen – Zürich HB – Chur – Samedan – Punt Muragl (overnight) – Pontresina – Tirano. It is still too early to purchase the tickets for our September journey, but when I used a July date to get an idea of the cost I was only offered a Supersaver pricing. Since we’re not sure exactly which train we will be using, depending on the timing of Immigration at ZRH, we wanted to purchase the more flexible point-to-point ticket for the journey. I even started from the PtP link on the SBB website, yet I still am only seeing the Supersaver rate with no way to choose otherwise. How should I be entering our information so we have the option of choosing a flexible ticket for this 24-hour period? Should I just wait until the September dates open and see what happens?

Many thanks.

RolandP

Hello melrowgo

It is great to read that you plan to travel on Swiss public transport. Even for seniors, traveling by train in Switzerland is so easy, also thanks to modern trains providing low-level entry.

When looking up connections, the SBB Ticketshop offers from-prices, starting by default with the Supersaver tickets, if available. Connections for which a Supersaver ticket is available are marked with the % sign. In order to see the entire list of ticket options, you have to click (open) the connection. The standard point-to-point ticket is always available and will never sell out. You could even buy it at the station right before departure - the price is the same as online.

You are correct, when arriving by air, it is recommended to buy a standard point-to-point ticket rather than a Supersaver ticket which is only valid on the prechosen connection, and if you miss that train at Zürich Flughafen as the flight was late, it is no longer valid for a later connection. However, depending on the cost, I suggest you to look at the Saver Day Pass. it starts from CHF 52 (full fare, 2nd class) and is available 60 days out. The price increases the higher the demand. If your standard point-to-point is more costly than the Saver Day Pass, you are welcome purchase the latter; it is valid on any train for the day of validity yet is not refundable.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/day-pass/saver-day-pass.html

Furthermore, I suggest you to download the SBB Mobile app, it is brilliant for travel on public transport in Switzerland. With it, you can also buy tickets and it always offers you the best ticket for your journey. The Saver Day Pass is available there as well. And you can present the ticket right within the app.

And to finish, another personal travel advice, if you admit: when travelling down to Tirano, I suggest stopping at “Alp Grüm” station (google for it) for either lunch or a coffee. It is a train station that is only accessible by train and offers breathtaking views on the valley and the glacier. There is a restaurant in the station offering a terrace. And, while you watch the train leaving the station, you will feel yourself a bit left behind and abandoned, as the only way to get away is by the next train. Also, Pontresina is worth a stop for a stroll.

Let us know should you have more queries on purchasing tickets or using public transportation.

Have a good travel; kindly yours,
Roland

melrowgo

Many thanks for your detailed and helpful reply, Roland! Your suggestion for a visit to Alp Grüm is lovely. I googled it so I could see a 360-degree view from there, and it is indeed beautiful. Our total journey is actually Zürich Flughafen-Milano Centrale, and since we won’t complete our Tirano-Milano segment until 15:40, we’ll have to forgo this as a stop. We are splurging with an overnight stay at Muottas Muragl, though, which we’re excited about. The views look amazing.

I had read about the Saver Day Pass and thought it might be an option for us until I read that the “day” ended at 5:00. Since our journey actually spans two calendar days, I wasn’t sure if it would be a good investment for us. I’ll have to keep an eye out for the particular prices when we get within the 60-day window.

When you mentioned “click on the connection” and the “standard point-to-point ticket is always available”, I never get to choose anything other than single journey, second class, and full fare when I did a test using a July date. My cart shows two full fare super saver rate tickets with no option anywhere to choose another type. Interestingly, there’s a message at the top of the reservation window stating “Note: The supersaver ticket selected is issued for a specific train (no refund or exchange). Choose the Point-to-Point Ticket for flexible travel”, yet there appears to be no link or dropdown to choose anything else. I even turned off my ad-blocker, thinking that might have an impact, but no luck. What am I missing? (See uploaded image.)

Thank you again!

Screenshot 2023-05-15 011254.jpg

AuroraD

Hello melrowgo

If you travel two days, i would recommend you to buy two single tickets or a saver ticket for the train that you choose.

When you click for example on single journey there should appear Point-to - Point Ticket and a Saver Option if it’s available. Try it on our SBB Mobile App if it doesn’t work, the ticket are available 60 days out like Roland already said.

I wish you a nice time in Switzerland.

Greetings, AuroraD.

melrowgo

I think I figured out the problem: the journey I entered included an overnight (19 hour) stop at Punt Muragl, with continuation the next morning to Tirano. Apparently that was not allowing me to see PtP fares, only the Supersaver. When I broke the journey into two separate days’ worth of travel (Zurich-Punt Muragl, PM to Tirano), I was able to see PtP, Saver Day Pass, and Supersaver fares. I’m guessing the long stop duration messed up the pricing.

An aside: I had tried the same original routing on the SBB app and could not figure out how to add the stop duration for Punt Muragl like I did on the website. Maybe this functionality isn’t built in to the app?

Thanks to all who provided suggestions and advice!