suec1

So I went ahead and purchased a ticket for a trip from ZHR to Como, only one change at the main Zurich train station. The first leg, from ZHR to the train station, the pre-printed ticket has it noted as "OPEN", no seat reservation. Can I use this on ANY train or only the IR trains? Would a train noted as "S" be the same as IR - depart from the airport and go to main train station? (maybe that was dumb!) but what does the S denote - more stops?

Christina

IR is interregional, and S is S-bahn or a local commuter train.

NOt sure what kind of trains are on your route, but generally if you a rail ticket without a seat reservation, it is only good on the same kind of train you bought it for, as prices differ.

suec1

Well the second leg is an IC train - when I printed out the ticket(s), times and seats were noted on that train. The receipt / printed ticket for the first leg just had a date.

Dukey1

Just get ON the train from the airport; the trip is short. You do not need nor can you MAKE a seat reservation for that segment.

WeisserTee

You don't need a seat reservation except for certain trains, like international TGV trains, but even then, you can ride the TGV between Zurich and Basel with no reservation, or the famous scenic lines like the Bernina Express or Golden Pass (reservations aren't required but recommended, esp during peak periods).

Is your travel in the near future? If so, go to www.sbb.ch and check the estimated train occupancy for the trains you might take -- at the right hand side of the specific train info, you will see one to three little stick men next to 1 (first class) and 2 (second class). One stick man means low occupancy -- no need to bother with a reservation. Two stick men means medium occupancy -- perhaps consider getting a reservation if you want a window seat. Three stick men means high occupancy and a reservation, IMO, is warranted, esp in second class.

No reservations are available for S-bahns. They're commuter trains, basically. What I like about the smaller S-bahns is that on most, the doors open level with the platform so they're much easier to get on and off with luggage.

WeisserTee

To give an example, yesterday I rode in one of the panorama cars on the train to Locarno (I was only going from Basel to Luzern, then changing for trains to Rotkreuz and Zug). I didn't have a reservation, but sat in the panorama car anyway, making sure I picked a seat that wasn't reserved.

michelhuebeli

The reason you have a seat reservation for the second leg is that Italy demands seat reservations on fast trains (not locals or some regionals), but Switzerland doesn't. So if a train originates in Switzerland that will cross the border, you get a reserved seat right from the starting station in Switzerland.

You might as well sit in that seat all the way, although it really only matters as of the border when the Italian train personnel will check your ticket and your seat number. Up until then, as long as you don't sit in anyone else's reserved seat, you can please yourself, again as long as it is in 2nd class if that's what you bought.

The local trains for the few minutes from the airport into town are "open" in the sense that you can take any train that day and can sit anywhere you like, as long as it is in 2nd class if that's what you bought. If you bought 1st class you can sit in either first or second.

suec1

OK I think I've got it - I wasn't wanting to make a reservation - but I did not want to get on a train that I NEEDED a reservation and get in trouble for buying ticket on a cheap train, like an R, and then being on an expensive train. But it looks like I can hop on any train that comes by and takes me to the main railstation where I will board the IC train, in my assigned seat!

PalenQ

n, or the famous scenic lines like the Bernina Express or Golden Pass (reservations aren't required but recommended, esp during peak periods).>

I believe this is true for Golden Pass trains but I think reservations are compulsory the Berninaa Express trains, at least for seats in Panoramic Cars, and cost several bucks on top of a ticket or pass.

WeisserTee

in the panorama car yes, but not in the regular cars. I've taken it without a reservation.

michelhuebeli

suec1 - "OK I think I've got it" - yes indeed.

neckervd

You can take ANY train between ZRH and Zuerich main station (Christina is wrong).
Swiss people who want to go to Como usually take a domestic train up to Chiasso (every hr, NO seat reservation) and go on from there by Como citybus (bus stop railway station (ferrovia) or bus stop Ponte Chiasso (100 m away)).
http://www.sptlinea.it/Portals/5/Doc.../linea%201.pdf

neckervd

For Menaggio etc. it's of course faster to change at Lugano instead of Chiasso or Como

PalenQ

in the panorama car yes, but not in the regular cars. I've taken it without a reservation>

You talking about the official Bernina Express or the regional trains over the same route? Just for my info to be sure we are talking about the same train - I understand that with the Glacier Express and Bernina Express they attach cars for local traffic sans commentary en route - did you get commentary in the hop on car - were there fancy doilies on the seats?

Again I am in awe of your expertise and wish to clarify for my own info.

Cheers.

PalenQ

ttt

WeisserTee

"You talking about the official Bernina Express or the regional trains over the same route?"

Yes, it was the BEX. I can't remember about the doilies etc., I actually spent most of my time while it was moving in the exit space at the back of the first class car because I could lower the windows there and get much better photos.

I'll be riding it again in a few weeks, thanks to the Swiss holiday passport (299 francs for two weeks of unlimited first class travel, local transport, many boat cruises, etc for Swiss residents). I'll let you know about the reservations after that.

FWIW, I usually prefer not to go in the panorama car on a bright day because I don't like the sun beating down on me through those big windows. The windows in the regular cars give me plenty of viewing space and I can pull down the blinds if the sun gets in my eyes.

neckervd

"I'll be riding it again in a few weeks, I'll let you know about the reservations after that."

Be careful. The real Bernina Express trains all stop running on Oct 20th. After that time, the so called "Bernina Express" offer is reduced to some panoramic wagons added to standard trains

WeisserTee

I will be on the train before then, but thanks anyway.

PalenQ

In nice weather some Bernina Express trains have open-air flatbed cars that to me are the ultimate Observation or Panoramic car - these need no reservations as far as I could see - I just hopped in one and never saw a conductor pass by (though I did have a reservation for the Observation Car and ended up fleeing there when the weather turned chilly.

PalenQ

I have taken regular regional trains over the same route as the official BE and now I vastly prefer the local trains than the official one - simply because the times I've seen the official BE or was on it it was chock full with tour groups - all seats were full - on a scenic train ride I love to jump from one side to the other as the scenery dictates it - impossible on the official BE. Same scenery, obviously, on both trains.