How to reserve ahead on Swiss trains?
Apr 21st, 2012, 08:42 PM
#1
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How to reserve ahead on Swiss trains?
Hoping someone can advise me please?
I will be in Switzerland in June. I wish to make some first class reservations on trains before leaving home or if necessary whilst I'm in Italy. Before everyone gets excited and doing their best to be of assistance, and therefore start giving me advice re no need to travel first class, not need to make reservations etc I need to make it clear that I have physical limitations which mean it is absolutely in my interest to have reservations.
My questions are:
Is it true that I cannot make reservations more than a month in advance? So would need to make these whilst in Italy?
If I have a prepurchased a Swiss Pass would I then able to make Swiss train reservations on line without purchasing a ticket on-line? ie the on-line booking has a facility for me for example to enter a Swiss Pass number or something?
Thanks
I will be in Switzerland in June. I wish to make some first class reservations on trains before leaving home or if necessary whilst I'm in Italy. Before everyone gets excited and doing their best to be of assistance, and therefore start giving me advice re no need to travel first class, not need to make reservations etc I need to make it clear that I have physical limitations which mean it is absolutely in my interest to have reservations.
My questions are:
Is it true that I cannot make reservations more than a month in advance? So would need to make these whilst in Italy?
If I have a prepurchased a Swiss Pass would I then able to make Swiss train reservations on line without purchasing a ticket on-line? ie the on-line booking has a facility for me for example to enter a Swiss Pass number or something?
Thanks
Apr 22nd, 2012, 12:50 AM
#2
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As far as I am aware you cannot reserve seats on Swiss Trains. In fact if you are travelling first class you do not need to reserve a seat. Having a Swiss Pass makes no difference all that means is that you have prepaid your fare and you do not have to queue for a ticket. Just go along to the station look for the yellow line and the large 1 on the carriage side and choose your seat. First class is a lot less crowded than 2nd class in fact it is usually nearly empty so I cannot see a problem for you.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 01:11 AM
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For your specific questiosn, I would go to www.sbb.ch and send ask through : contact > "customer service" or if appropriate "travelling with handicap", maybe not your case at all.
Swiss trains have been traditionally non seat reservable (except special sigtseeing trains such as Glacier Express where that's complulsory and you pay a fee.) You get on a train and take whichever seat that's not occupied. It is changing however a little bit and there are more trains that can be seat reserved but with restrictions. Again you need to check with above site. Go to "timetable" and find out the train you want to take and read signs. If you see "R", then resevation is possible (not compulsory). That's often the case with IC (inter city - fastest) train. You see "BZ" but no "R", then you can resereve only in the 1st class Bisiness Zone. There is explanation of the signs at the bottom of the page. IR (Inter-regional) train usually give no possibility to reserve. There is't not the case of "you don't need to reserve" but you cannot reserve even if you want to.
Swiss trains have been traditionally non seat reservable (except special sigtseeing trains such as Glacier Express where that's complulsory and you pay a fee.) You get on a train and take whichever seat that's not occupied. It is changing however a little bit and there are more trains that can be seat reserved but with restrictions. Again you need to check with above site. Go to "timetable" and find out the train you want to take and read signs. If you see "R", then resevation is possible (not compulsory). That's often the case with IC (inter city - fastest) train. You see "BZ" but no "R", then you can resereve only in the 1st class Bisiness Zone. There is explanation of the signs at the bottom of the page. IR (Inter-regional) train usually give no possibility to reserve. There is't not the case of "you don't need to reserve" but you cannot reserve even if you want to.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 01:14 AM
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Tipsygus, as I wrote above, Swiss trains (not all but with restrictions) can be reserved. Check each train on www.sbb.ch site.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 03:06 AM
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Hi 2012moving,
Did you know that the SBB has a dedicated service for travellers who need help? You just have to email or telephone the service, and they will meet you in the station and escort/help you onto the train. They will do this also for all transfers, meeting your incoming train and escorting you to your departure train.
Here is the website so you can see who to call/write:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...-handicap.html
Hope you have a smoooooth and great trip!
s
Did you know that the SBB has a dedicated service for travellers who need help? You just have to email or telephone the service, and they will meet you in the station and escort/help you onto the train. They will do this also for all transfers, meeting your incoming train and escorting you to your departure train.
Here is the website so you can see who to call/write:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-service...-handicap.html
Hope you have a smoooooth and great trip!
s
Apr 22nd, 2012, 03:39 AM
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> Did you know that the SBB has a dedicated service for travellers who need help?
Tha same thing as my post,
www.sbb.ch ... : contact > "customer service" or if appropriate "travelling with handicap",
Tha same thing as my post,
www.sbb.ch ... : contact > "customer service" or if appropriate "travelling with handicap",
Apr 23rd, 2012, 07:38 AM
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Thanks all for your responses.
I emailed SBB and they have just replied today. It is not possible to make reservations online.
I think the answer is for me to phone them whilst I am in Italy for a month prior to going to Switzerland. Or find Swiss Tourist Bureau in Italy and get them to sort it for me.
I would not be so interested in this if it weren't for the fact that I have an appointment for an art exhibition in Zurich the day after I arrive at Brig. This exhibition is only open one Sunday each month so I am rather keen to get there!
Thanks again for your input.
PS Yes I was already aware of the assistance available at train stations (some) and baggage forwarding between stations (some). It has had a bearing on my itinerary and accommodation choices.
I emailed SBB and they have just replied today. It is not possible to make reservations online.
I think the answer is for me to phone them whilst I am in Italy for a month prior to going to Switzerland. Or find Swiss Tourist Bureau in Italy and get them to sort it for me.
I would not be so interested in this if it weren't for the fact that I have an appointment for an art exhibition in Zurich the day after I arrive at Brig. This exhibition is only open one Sunday each month so I am rather keen to get there!
Thanks again for your input.
PS Yes I was already aware of the assistance available at train stations (some) and baggage forwarding between stations (some). It has had a bearing on my itinerary and accommodation choices.
