Which pass to get?

MoLovesSwiss

Hi,

I am trying to figure out what pass to get. I need train for the following:

Zurich airport - Zermatt
Zermatt - Chamonix
Chamonix - Geneva airport

Can I use the SBB pass to get to Chamonix and back to Geneva or do I need Eurail/French rail pass?
We are 1 adult and 1 child (<16 yo) and I saw swiss pass flex for 3 days is 197 CH with child included with family pass option and I also saw half fare option for 120 CH for 1 month. Is the <16 yo child included in the half fare pass or do I get a separate half fare pass for them?

What is the most optimal pass for us? travel between 3 cities (1 in France) and on 3 days. I think local travel in Zermatt and Chamonix can be by foot and may not need public transport.

Also, are we allowed to carry 1 suitcase each per person complimentary on the trains and do we need any pre-booking of luggage?

Thanks for your help.

Danhiel

Hi MoLovesSwiss

Swiss tickets are not valid in France, you will need regular tickets from Vallorcine (border station) to Chamonix and from Chamonix to Geneva Airport (about 60 CHF, less if your child is <12 yo). Eurail passes would be too expensive.

For Switzerland you could first look if Saver Day Passes are available for your days of travel. You will need one full price pass (adult) and one half price pass (child) for each day (Zurich - Zermatt and Zermatt - Vallorcine).

Please note that such passes are not refundable.

https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/day-passes/saver-day-pass.html

No problem with the suitcases, you can carry them free of charge without pre-booking.

Kind regards
Danhiel

MoLovesSwiss

Danhiel Thanks for your response Danhiel.

If I understand correctly, I can get the Saver Flex Pass and the child (<16yo) would travel free and a 3 days flex pass is CHF 279. Are there 2 day saver pass options available or minimum is 3?

The other option is to first get the half price travel card at 120 CHF and then see if the half price cards are available for our actual days of travel and pay the respective amounts ranging from 49 CHF to 59 CHF is what I saw. This would bring the total to example, 120 CHF for half price card + 49 CHF for 1 day of travel for 2 passengers (adult + <16 yo child) with a total of CHF 169. If I travel 2nd day and a half price fare of 59 CHF is available, I only pay the 59 CHF for 2 pax. DO I understand this correctly?

Last question, is it possible for me to purchase the passes at the Zurich airport? Thanks!

Danhiel

MoLovesSwiss

No Swiss Travel Pass is available for 2 days.

You understand correctly with the Swiss Half Fare Card. Your child travel free of charge, but you must also indicate his name and date of birth when you buy your card.

You can buy this card and regular half fare point-to-point tickets at the airport after your arrival.

Discounted ticket are only available online in advance. Never buy a Supersaver Ticket for specific trains from the airport, your flight could be late. A Saver Day Pass may be sometimes cheaper as a point-to-point ticket.

MoLovesSwiss

Danhiel Can you please share the link on how to get the Swiss Travel Pass Flex for 2 days? The minimum I see is 3 days (https://www.sbb.ch/en/buying/pages/offerte/offertenProduktbasiert.xhtml). Perhaps I am missing something? Thanks!

Danhiel

MoLovesSwiss

I wrote:

No Swiss Travel Pass is available for 2 days.

The minimum is 3 days.

MoLovesSwiss

Danhiel Thanks, I understand now. ALso with the half fare card, does the child <16 yo travel free both on second class and first class? thanks!

Danhiel

MoLovesSwiss

Yes, if the parent has a first class ticket, the child travel free in first class.

MoLovesSwiss

Hi Danhiel,

I have downloaded the sbb mobile app. Is there a way to purchase the half date card through the mobile app? Or do I purchase it on website and then manually add it to the mobile app? Thanks

Danhiel

MoLovesSwiss

I don’t think that it is possible to buy this card through the app, I suggest to create an account and buy it on the website. The card will possibly automatically transferred to the app if you log in with the same account, but I’m not sure.

RedBaron

MoLovesSwiss
The Swiss Half Fare Card (1 month version for foreign visitors) can NOT be “added” to the app, it comes ONLY as an electronic ticket (= QR-Code) sent as E-Mail/PDF.
The app integration is only available with “long term” subscriptions/passes referenced on a physical SwissPass card, the latter is typically used by residents only.

Just make sure to select the “half fare” reduction type option in your passenger details in the app, so all personal tickets will be offered with the correct (half fare) price.

Danhiel

Hello RedBaron

Thanks for the precision. It was clear for me that this card is not integrated in the SwissPass, but I thought it might be displayed as “ticket”.

Kind regards
Danhiel

MoLovesSwiss

Thanks for the responses. I am trying to purchase the half price farecard on the website. However, once I click on checkout, the screen is in frozen mode with the red sbb logo flashing but does not take me to the payment page to process the order. I have tried at various times thinking perhaps the sbb payments site is offline at swiss night time hours. Anyways, I think you had mentioned that the half price fare card is available at the airport/train station for purchase for same price? thanks!

Danhiel

MoLovesSwiss

Did you try with another browser? Secure 3D must be enabled on your credit card.

This card is also available at the airport station for the same price.

MoLovesSwiss

I have tried different browsers, incognito mode but nothing works. I do not get to the payment page so I cannot input the credit card details whether its 3D secure or not. I am failing in prior page.