Half-Fare Cards... they get you half priced fare.

Today I went to the train station to buy a half-fare card. I read somewhere that these cards are the best deal in Zürich, if not the best deal in public transportation - like EVER. And coming from a girl that likes a good deal, I have to agree.

Basically, the card does what it says it does... (birds chirping, breeze blowing... silence..)

Ok. That's fine. I'll explain - the half-fare card gives you half priced fare anywhere within Switzerland and to some destinations in Germany and Austria on pretty much any kind of transportation. (Check the ever so clever "synoptic map" for exact destinations...)

You wanna travel with the bus? BAM - half price. You wanna go somewhere on the train? BAM - half price, baby. How about from Zürich to Munich and back? KABLAM - half priced fare. Oh how I wish you all could have heard the noises I made for those in my head.

The cards cost 150 francs for one year, 250 for two or 350 for three years for adults. I especially love this calculator on the SBB site. It plays to what Jace calls my 'Cheap Charlie' personality and shows you exactly how quickly you'll make back the 150 francs you spent on the card.

Being a tight wad, I took it upon myself to find the fastest way to get my card's worth... basically I have to take two trips back and forth to Berlin within the year... or two to Cologne, or three to Vienna.. you get the picture. Or I could just use it to go to work everyday (borrrinnnng...) and spread the cost out across the year. Then again, Berlin would be awfully nice...

Before you start traveling, emphasis on before, run to the train station and get yourself one of these half-fare cards. You can also order it online but because you need to hand over a passport photo and a wad of cash you might as well do it in person. In about 10 days, you will receive your card in the mail - then let them try to hold you back, you adventure lover you.

Full details regarding the half-fare card available on the SBB website. Happy trails!