Sarvowinner

Hi

I'm trying to book a train trip (Geneva - Zurich) for January 3rd, 2009 on www.sbb.ch but it keeps telling me the timetable only goes to 13 12 08 which doesn't seem right - am I doing something wrong?

GeoffHamer

14 December is the date when the railways introduce timetable changes - several European countries' railways have agreed to change timetables on the same date.
In this case, the new timetables aren't on the website yet. The trains in Switzerland run at regular intervals and there is never a need to book months in advance.

altamiro

Why would anyone need to buy a ticket for a swiss train more than 15 min in advance???
Especially as you cannot "book" a ticket there anyway.

altamiro

Itīs pretty much the same as booking a ticket for NY subway.

Dukey

Just so you understand, Sarvowinner, for trips which take place whooly within Switzerland, you are generally not able to reserve seats except on some "specialty" trains such as the Golden Pass, Glacier Express, etc.

Assuming you are arriving at the Geneva airport and traveling from there, it is a simple matter of walking over from the baggage claim area to the ticket window at the head of the platform (staff there speak English) and buying a ticket.

I would be VERY surprised if you weren't able to get on the next train for Zurich.

kappa

> Especially as you cannot "book" a ticket there anyway.

I understand your concern but basically I agree with Altamiro. That's what I used to say to the foreign visitors here (I live in Geneva) but since some time (5 years or more?), you are able to book some IC trains IF YOU WISH. But even then, booking a seat is not compulsory unlike TGV trains. It never occurrs to people here to book seats when travelling on domestic trains. You are supposed to be able to find free seat always without reservation.

> only goes to 13 12 08 which doesn't seem right ...

Following the post by GeoHammer, you do know that it means Dec. 13th 2008, that's the European way of put dates (maybe you know that butn just in case). And yes, there should be at least 1 train every 1 hour (some times 30 minutes) on this main GVA-ZRH route so Dukey is right about taking the following train if you miss the first one you have in mind.

kappa

As I checked with sbb/cff Swiss Railways site, on most of the IC trains GVA - ZRH today, "Reservation is possible" ( reads not compulsory), it seems. However, as I said, Swiss people never think about reserve a seat on the domestic trains except certain tourist trains - that are private or half private.

Dukey

OK, Kappa...I'm sorry I made a MISTAKE and it won't be the last time...

kappa

What mistake Dukey ?

Sarvowinner

Thanks for the info. I didn't realise that it was that easy; I looked at ticket prices for next week and a Geneva-Zurich ticket costs CHF 83.

Is there any opportunity to buy it at a lower price?

altamiro

>Is there any opportunity to buy it at a lower price?

Yes.
You can buy a half-fare card (99 Fr for 1 month or 150 Fr for one year) and then the same ticket costs you 41,50 Fr.

Of course it only makes sense if it is not your only train trip in Switzerland.

Sarvowinner

Ok - I agree not much help.

altamiro

The whole swiss train system is set up pretty much like a big city subway network. You buy a ticket and jump into the next train for your destination. Buying early makes about as much sense as buying a city bus ticket in advance - you may save a minute or two when you actually start a journey, but this is the only advantage. There is practically no monkeying around with advance discounts and stuff like this, the way airlines pricing is organized.

Sarvowinner

Thanks Altamiro et al

Well that's one less thing to worry about right now. We'll buy it when we arrive in Geneva the day before.

swandav2000

Hi Sarvowinner,

When you buy it, make sure you tell the agent that you'll be travelling the next day -- tickets are generally good for only 24 hours, so it'll need to have the correct travel day stamped on it.

Have fun!

s