Can you get the annual Swiss Half-Fare card when living abroad?

[signed]

SBB seems to be massively pushing the CHF120.- / month Half-Fare card, which is purchasable online for non-Swiss residents.

But it makes absolutely no sense why it costs CHF120/month when the identical annual one costs CHF190.-/year.

I was able to create a SwissPass account with my French address, however, I never received the Swisspass proper (the form asks for the card number), and likely can't get it without a Swiss address.

Could I avail the Annual Half-Fare travelcard just by getting a Swiss mailing address?

 

[blackfive460]

As far as I am aware, the Half Fare Card can only be purchased by those who's permanent residence is in Switzerland.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As far as I am aware, the Half Fare Card can only be purchased by those who's permanent residence is in Switzerland.

Permanent residence is not required, for definite. That would be very strange.

I got one without providing any such proof, it was sent to the station, though I did hold an L (temporary residence) permit at the time. Was 15 years ago so the rules may have changed.

 

[riceuten]

This link would seem to imply you can do so if you are Swiss, German, Italian, Austrian, Liechtensteiner, or French (or have an ID from one of these countries)

https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact/products-services/travelcards/ga-and-half-fare-travelcard/half-fare-travelcard.html

What's depressing is that like many countries, it is only purchasable of a rolling contract.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Unless I'm being thick I can't see anything on there saying you need to be of a particular nationality. Indeed the link to a PDF of acceptable ID documents includes a British passport.

 

[riceuten]

Unless I'm being thick I can't see anything on there saying you need to be of a particular nationality. Indeed the link to a PDF of acceptable ID documents includes a British passport.

It states "When buying online, you can enter details for the following types of ID: passports and ID cards issued in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy or Liechtenstein"

Which implies these are acceptable forms of ID

 

[Bletchleyite]

It states "When buying online, you can enter details for the following types of ID: passports and ID cards issued in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy or Liechtenstein"

Which implies these are acceptable forms of ID

Missed that bit. But that does say "when buying online" - you can buy by other means too.

When I had one I bought it at a station. So it's just a question - has the rule changed from what it was in 2010?

 

[signed]

The main issue is my lack of the Swisspass smartcard which is required to load the annual Halbtax (as opposed to the monthly one which is a QR code).

After reading some resources it looks like you do need a Swiss adress

 

[Bletchleyite]

After reading some resources it looks like you do need a Swiss adress

I don't *think* they still let you send it to the station as I did. However you may be able to get a hotel to agree to receive it for you if you stay there often.

It is intentionally awkward for tourists to get one, but there shouldn't in principle be any reason a frequent business traveller (for instance) shouldn't.

 

[signed]

I can just get a mail forwarding service address for a few quids, that would do fine

I don't *think* they still let you send it to the station as I did

If you get it at a station, it is mentionned on the site that you would get a paper temporary card before getting your plastic smartcard in the mail

 

[U-Bahnfreund]

-deleted-

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you get it at a station, it is mentionned on the site that you would get a paper temporary card before getting your plastic smartcard in the mail

You do, yes, it lasts a month if I recall.

I think for someone who doesn't live in CH this is the best bet.

 

[Re 4/4]

According to
https://www.swisspass.ch/content/dam/swisspass/Documents/swisspass_laenderliste.pdf

a UK passport is fine for buying at a ticket office, such as in Zürich HB and other major stations. The part you want may be called "travel centre" as opposed to the regular desks.

The SBB site in German seems to suggest that it's only the online verification service that has a country restriction.

There's no way round it being a rolling contract that you have to manually cancel, though. You can do this online on swisspass.ch

 

[RailWonderer]

I purchased mine online, and it only specified you cannot be a Swiss or Liechtenstein resident to purchase it. The Swiss half fare card is aimed at tourists who aren't purchasing the full network pass. I don't remember providing my passport number though I might have done.

As far as I am aware, the Half Fare Card can only be purchased by those who's permanent residence is in Switzerland.

It explicitly says on the website

Only persons domiciled outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein are entitled to purchase this ticket.

Swiss Travel Passes | Switzerland Travel Centre

www.swissrailways.com

Purchasing here allows you to pay a one off, no monthly subscription needed.

 

[signed]

The Swiss half fare card is aimed at tourists who aren't purchasing the full network pass

The Half-Fare Card is the monthly one at CHF120, which, if the annual one is purchasable is a ripoff.

I am looking to get the annual Half-Fare Travelcard (Halbtax) at CHF190.

 

[rvdborgt]

It explicitly says on the website

Swiss Travel Passes | Switzerland Travel Centre

www.swissrailways.com

Purchasing here allows you to pay a one off, no monthly subscription needed.

That website only sells the tourist offers, which don't include the half fare card valid for one year.

 

[smallbusiness]

Yes, you can get the annual Swiss Half-Fare card even when living abroad.

 

[Re 4/4]

So, to clarify:

• The Swiss Travel Pass linked a couple of posts up is like Interrail, but more expensive and includes trams/buses in cities and a few other things that are not in Interrail. It can only be purchased by people resident outside Switzerland (and Lichtenstein).
• The Swiss Half Fare card is valid one month and can also only be purchased by people resident outside Switzerland (and Lichtenstein). It is a one-off purchase.
• The Swiss Half Fare pass is valid one year and can be purchased by anyone. It is only available as a subscription. Non-Swiss residents may need to buy it in person rather than online in some cases, but everyone can buy it.

Why they don't allow residents to buy the more expensive monthly card is beyond me - for the travel pass it's clear why, but the half fare card ban just seems like missed extra cash.

 

[signed]

Why they don't allow residents to buy the more expensive monthly card is beyond me

It would make absolutely no sense because it is a rip-off when compared to the annual pass

 

[johncrossley]

When buying the annual Half Fare pass at a station in Switzerland, do they post the card to an address in the UK?

 

[bahnause]

The two products are not comparable. The Swiss Travel System is a product of Swiss Travel System Ltd. and, depending on the type of Travel Pass, has different areas of validity and rules compared to the normal fare system. If I remember correctly, families with STS products, for example, have more discounts.

 

[Re 4/4]

When buying the annual Half Fare pass at a station in Switzerland, do they post the card to an address in the UK?

I don't think so, but you can load the whole thing onto the SBB app without needing the physical care, as I understand.