What rail cards / passes / discounts should visitors to Switzerland be aware of

score:6

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The credit card format ticket was either a Halbtax Abo, a Generalabonement or a Gleis 7. The Halbtax Abo is basically a subscription that is valid for 1, 2 or 3 years and that will reduce all train tickets by 50%. The subscription itself costs around 150 CHF per year. The Generalabonement is is a ticket for one year that allows you to use any train, and almost any local bus, ship, boat, tram, etc. But be aware, there are some exceptions, especially in cities or partly-private owned cable cars. The Generalabonement costs around 3550 CHF for a second class ticket. The Gleis 7 is an subscription that you can purchase either seperately (around 300 CHF) or in combination with a Halbtax Abo (around 120 CHF). It allows you to use any train, bus, etc. that leaves after 19:00. Be aware that the scheduled departure time according is important. For example, when a train is scheduled to leave at 18:59, but due to a delay leaves at 19:01, you're still not allowed to use this train with a Gleis 7.

The A4 printout tickets are just print-at-home tickets that you can purchase over the Internet, pay with credit card and then print them out. A card with a long ticket is probably a multiple journey ticket. With this ticket, you pay once for six journeys and then you can use it whenever you want. This ticket is also non-personal and therefore transferable.

Upvote:2

Swiss Pass could be a very good option. When I went to Switzerland for 4 days, I paid in pounds (£153 if my memory serves me correct), and traveled the whole Swiss network for 4 days. They have some limitations, but the cost is worth it.

Upvote:5

For tourists there exist passes and reduction cards. See www.swisstravelsystem.com

The best offer, in my opinion, is the "Swiss Half Fare Card", which gives half price travel on the whole network (including also 50% of on mountain railways), for 120,- CHF, for a whole month.

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