Bob Brown Help!!
 

We are traveling from Milan to Zug, Switzerland and I am attempting to purchase train tickets from SBB per your advice. I would like 1st class. What is the difference between "center aisle coach" or "corridor coach"? Also, do we want "Panorama Coach", "Table", "Reclining Seat". Your help will be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you,
Lulu

He must be out on a hike -:)

I'll try to answer this since Bob doesn't seem to be around. "Center aisle coach" has the seats in one big open space with an aisle down the center (like an airplane). "Corridor coach" has compartments (seating probably four in 1st class). Inside each compartment are two seats facing two other seats. "Panorama Coach" has large windows for a better view of the scenery. "Table" and "Reclining Seat" should be self-explanatory.

Thanks so much for filling-in for Bob. Will go the Panorama route.

Bob was too busy getting ready to leave for Switzerland.

I could not have helped you anyhow.
On center aisle, the aisle goes down the middle of the train car with seats on either side. The corridor coach is one that has a corridor down the side next to the windows and seating is usually in compartments. That style of coach is not used anymore.

I last rode in a corridor coach from Wien to München (Vienna - Munich) about 4 years ago. Everything since then has been center aisle, even on the TGVs in France in 1st class.


One problem has developed with the SBB. This year there are new "business conditions" in effect. For example, when I tried to order my Swiss Card and train ticket from Munich to Lauterbrunnen, the reply said I could not do it. The SBB refused to sell me what I wanted.

Last year, and much of my advice was based on that experience, the SBB sent me the tickets and the Card in one envelope.

This year, I bought my ticket to the Swiss border from the on-line ticket shop at Die Bahn, the German national rail system. I downloaded a PDF file and printed my own ticket.

Painless procedure for me. Established the account with personal facts like email and credit card number. Selected my dates and train connection. And placed my order. Die Bahn sent me an email with the PDF file containing my ticket.

Thank you for your response. I am glad to hear you had problems with SBB as I think of myself as fairly intelligent and I can't seem to buy the tickets from them. I can buy from Europeonrail.com for $189.00 for 2 people but don't know if that is a reasonable price or not. Might wait until we get to Milan.
Thanks and have a good time in Switzerland.
Lulu