With a halbtax, a single from Zürich to Schaffhausen costs about 8Fr. In Basel you could go to Basel Bad Bhf (the platforms of which are a German exclave in Swiss territory).

At the border there are Deutsche Bahn ticket machines, or it is possible to take advantage of any of the DB internet specials as though you were a German domestic customer. Sometimes for example there is a deal, anywhere in Germany for €39. Or Europa specials to Poland, Denmark, Holland etc. Sometimes even Autozug specials. www.bahn.de

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/DEU/en/index.shtml


There are also various German train passes valid for one day Länder-ticket in the whole Bundesland of Baden-Württemburg for 1 person (€20) or up to five people (€28) (valid on regional trains after 9am or the whole day at weekends). I have used these tickets to reach German budget airports (Stuttgart / Baden). It is a bit slow, but the scenery can be nice.

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/DEU/en/pri...r-ticket.shtml

Was wondering if there are any similar offers in other neighbouring countries.

Same here really, I've figured out the halbtax and the landerpass but cheap(er) travel in France eludes me. Don't the French do excursion fares or deals?