Hi all, I am up to the stage of buying tickets to and from Zürich Flughafen (airport) to Konstanz. I have never bought a ticket on SBB before. I was hoping to buy tickets in advance so that I don't have to mess around with a ticket machine at the stations. My question is, when you buy a ticket is it good for any train that day? Or are your tickets tied to a particular train? My plane gets in around 7am and I am not sure what train I will be catching, because I don't know how long it will take to clear immigration. I have never landed at ZRH before. I see from looking at the SBB website that it is a short trip and only costs CHF 11 - 12 on 2nd class.

In addition, if you have any tips (good side of the train to sit on, where to stash bags, etc) they would be most welcome.

Lavandula

The SBB AP is easy to use but otherwise it’s also easy to go to the ticket counter and get your tickets. They can also explain all of your options.
Regular tickets are usable on any train that day. Supersaver tickets are on a specific date and time. I assume you are not using any of the Swiss travel passes.
Have flown through Zurich many times but only landed and departed once. Arrival easy. Immigration for departure was a long crowded line so do get to the airport early.
Have only been on first class cars recently in Switzerland so can’t tell you about second class. Some first class cars have places for luggage at the ends and others room between seats with smaller items above seats.
Never been on your train so no idea as to where to sit.

Thanks for your help, I will go ahead and book my tickets. I see that there is the choice of full fare and Supersaver and no, I don't have a travel pass of any kind. I am only in Konstanz for a single event of a week (workshop) and it doesn't make sense to get a pass as I won't be travelling around outside of my time In Konstanz. Maybe another trip if this one is good . I will brave second class I think. It's quite an expensive ticket considering it's a trip only of an hour. Again many thanks, you have answered my question.

Lavandula

You are most welcome. I do have to amend my statement that I have only taken first class cabins in Switzerland recently, We did take second class seats in trains around lake Geneva last summer as we had no baggage. Do not recall seeing any places for baggage at the end in the second class compartment but then again I was not looking and the trains we took might be of the commuter variety.

Your best bet is to get an IR 75 train which is direct to Konstanz (no changes). The IC trains to Konstanz require a change. The IR 75 runs hourly (at 46 minutes after the hour) from the airport and usually is not crowded, even in second class, at least on none of the IR 75s we've taken. (we also go only in first class, but that's because we have annual half-fare cards, which make the price a lot more reasonable)

I will brave second class I think

We've been traveling in Switzerland second class for over 25 years - nothing to brave about it - buying first class just means you'll spend more money. Luggage storage is generally not an issue regardless of class, but it really comes down to how busy the train is. We choose our trains based on fewest number of people which can be seen on each route on the SBB app. We also never book in advance, unless it's a Saver Day pass or Super Saver ticket.

I don't understand this, the ticket prices are only about 12 euro for the one hour IR trip second class and 19 euro first class, and that's last minute..That isn't expensive.

@ Christina

I think Lavandula, like me, is Australian.

A 12 euro trip translates to over $AUD20. That seems expensive, to me, for a 1 hour trip. Switzerland, however, is quite expensive..

Actually it turned out to be even more - CHF11 was the discounted price once you have some sort of discount pass. I paid CHF31 for a full fare point to point ticket, which turns out to be AUD$57, or if I elected to pay in AUD, they converted it to AUD$62. For a one-hour trip - well, Sydney to Wollongong is AUD$7 - 10. So yes, I do think it's a lot. But I don't do this every day, and I am really keen to see Konstanz, so I am happy to swallow the cost. My work is only paying my salary and insurance, but if there is any money left in the kitty at the end of the year I might get something towards my expenses (fat chance, I work for a university and most universities in NSW are in debt up to their eyeballs. I could expand on that but won't).

The bank kept on rejecting the transaction every time I tried to pay the converted rate, which is how I found out about the difference in cost. After a long phone call to my bank, I bought it in CHF, the only thing that would work and they told me that I had paid $57, which turned out to be a lot cheaper. I still had to buy the return trip, same procedure worked like a charm.

Thanks all for the support. I hear Konstanz (Germany) is considerably cheaper than surrounding Switzerland. And yes, I am Australian. I will report back and let you all know how I fared. It will be time for the Christmas market in Konstanz and there is actually an excursion during the workshop to the market, and also another to Mainau island. All very good for the soul, I think!

Lavandula

Thanks for the tip - the IR75 is the train I've booked, both ways. I opted for the 9:46 train, because I get in around 7am and I thought I'd leave myself plenty of time to do immigration and bags. My next flight is from Zürich to Amsterdam on KLM a week later, at 14:00, so I have booked the 10:09 train from Konstanz - ZRH. I will let you all know what second class was like. If it's anything like Deutsche Bahn, which I know well, there will be no issue with second class. Glad to hear it's not crowded.

Only a month to go! I'm getting excited!

Lavandula

EDIT: I should just point out - the full fare ticket is not tied to a particular train, but I saved my trips in the SBB website and so it shows the trains I selected. If I arrive late I can catch a later train.

The Flixbus Zurich airport - Constance costs 5.50 EUR/OW.
But it doesn't run at your times.
The Lucerne bound IR 75 will most probably be half empty.at the departure at Constance at 10.09
It offers a family coach with play area in second class and a quiet zone as well as a business zone in first class.
A supersaver ticket for this train costs CHF 16.40 in 2nd class

Hi neckervd, happy to stay with the train, even if Flixbus is a bit cheaper. I hope it's not too quiet and comfy on the train or I will probably go to sleep!! Thanks for the advice!

Lavandula