Does anyone know if you can drink beer on Swiss trains? I know we could (or at least did) on trains in Austria...but that was a while ago. I was younger then and didn't care as much. Sigh.

Why not?

Yes, why not? Sure you can - as long as you don't get too drunk and misbehave.

You can drink alcohol and eat just about anything on Swiss trains. You can walk around while the train is moving. You can use restrooms anytime. You can even open the windows (on most trains) or pull down the shades.

You shouldn't:
- smoke cigarettes or dope
- put your shoes on the seat
- forget to buy your ticket (The chances of a conductor coming by and wanting to see your ticket is 90%)
- throw litter on the floor or leave it on the seats
- let your kids run up and down the aisle
- be too loud yourself

We did a combined a bike/train tour yesterday. We changed trains six times and had to show our tickets every time. The days of "Schwarzfahren" (travelling without paying) are over.

Sometimes, alcohol sales are banned on trains going to football (soccer) matches. I had this experience on an English train. Fortunately my English seat mates shared their supply!

You also need to carry cash in your pocket. One of my friends (an Oxford don) was arrested for falling asleep in a churchyard with no cash in his pocket.

Vagrancy laws. Innit.

Innit. Does that mean "aren't they?"

Yes, you can drink beer on Swiss trains. There is usually a drink cart that will come by or sometimes there is a "Rail Bar" on your train. I can't say for certain that they sell beer on the carts or in the rail bar. Schuler- do you know?

Schuler - it means isn't it and is a london thing.

Hi Freeman,

I know those carts used to sell wine and beer. They probably still do but I'm not certain. We always bring our own stuff.

So, how are you enjoying Lucerne and Switzerland? And why are you on your computer and not enjoying the beautiful sunshine outside your door? My excuse is I'm doing my laundry and housecleaning, which would have been a big cultural mistake (it's Sunday) years ago.

Schuler- I too am doing laundry, but I have been going out to the balcony to enjoy the sun. It is lovely out today.

I am enjoying Luzern. I don't speak a lot of German_ have taken a class; I can't imagine trying to figure out the Swiss German though...

It's not easy unless you've got a partner to help or you're working in the hospitality industry. By taking German, you'll find it easier to understand Swiss German with time.
Tschüss!

Exactly. I just have some crazy Swiss men hitting on me once in a while. *sigh*

Tschuess!

thanks everyone

i'll enjoy a few drinks while on the train. promise i won't get drunk, loud and unruly.

We'll take your word for that. Have fun!!!

Interesting post, as I've wondered about this myself. My husband and I have taken beer and wine on Swiss trains to enjoy with our salami, cheese and bread, but I've always felt sort of guilty, as if I'm doing something I shouldn't. No one has scolded us though, and in my experience the Swiss are quick to point out if you're doing something wrong.

I assume my guilt stems from all those open container laws in the US.

you can drink about anywhere in Switzerland, not sure about church (except for that communion thing), but everywhere else. You can definitely buy beer and wine on a train.

Well, inside museums, for example, they won't like drinking either ;-)

There is no need to feel guilty about consuming alcoholic beverages in public in Europe, as long as - and that's the point - you know how much you can bear without getting drunk. Everybody is expected to know for him-/herself where the line is. If someone gets drunk and misbehaves, patience will be over very soon.

All this with the exception of, of course, driving.

Wait until you're on a Swiss train sometime and you see the young men coming back from their obligatory Swiss Army duty opening bottles of fendant (white wine) and proceeding to party the entire trip! Then you know it's OK for you to do it too!