Are you travelling to Switzerland and are a bit lost when it comes to seat reservation? Is it mandatory, is it recommended or not even possible? Don’t worry! After having read this article, you’ll know all about it!
1. General information on seat reservations
Swiss trains typically feature open seating arrangements which is why a normal point-to-point ticket doesn’t come with assigned seats. Consequently, if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass or a (Supersaver) Day Pass, seat reservations are typically unnecessary, allowing you the flexibility to select any available seat within your designated travel class. If you want to sit next to someone you don’t know, it’s courteous to ask if the seat is available before sitting down.
As for seat reservations, they are generally optional and not widely practiced on Swiss trains, with some exceptions for specific panoramic trains (PE). Swiss people usually make seat reservations when they would like to eat in the dining car, when they travel as a group of 10 or more or during peak travel times like Easter. You can see the expected occupancy rates of a specific connection in the timetable with the three human icons.
If you opt to reserve a seat, please note that this is applicable only for IC, ICE, EC, IR 26, IR 46, RJX, and TGV connections. Seat reservations act as an add-on to your ticket not as the ticket itself. When buying the seat reservation, the system does not verify if there’s a valid ticket. Therefore, you can also book seat reservations yourself even if your tickets were purchased by a travel agency.
Reserved seats inside the train are easily identifiable, marked by either a yellow strip or a digital display above the seat.
You can reserve your seats on Swiss trains at SBB.ch (from April 2024), SBB Mobile, via SBB Contact Center (0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/min.) or +41 51 225 78 56 (for customers abroad, free of charge)) or directly at the ticket counter. It costs CHF 5 per seat to make a reservation (touristic trains can be more expensive).
Link: Seat reservations in trains and dining cars
2. Seat reservations for touristic trains
For certain touristic trains such as the Gotthard Panorama Express, Bernina Express or Glacier Express seat reservations are mandatory. To make the reservation, please contact a public transport point of sale or book it online with the links below.
- Glacier Express (seat reservation mandatory, CHF 44-49):
During the booking process, you will have the option to declare your Swiss Travel Pass as existing tickets. Consequently, the booking engine will only charge you for the seats.
- Bernina Express (seat reservation mandatory, CHF 20-36):
Please note that discounts such as “Reservation only”, “Swiss Travel Pass” or “Children” can only be specified when the travelers are entered. Up to this booking step, the full price without discount is displayed.
- Gotthard Panorama Express (seat reservation mandatory, CHF 16):
Between Arth-Goldau/Flüelen and Lugano a seat reservation is mandatory and includes the “Gotthard Panorama Express” surcharge (CHF 16). Passengers without a seat reservation can travel if there are still seats available. In this case, the surcharge must be paid to the train crew.
- Golden Pass Express (seat reservation not mandatory, CHF 20):
While seat reservations are not mandatory, it’s advisable, particularly during peak seasons when the train experiences high demand.
- Lucerne – Interlaken Express (seat reservation not mandatory, CHF 12-16):
Typically, there is no need for a seat reservation as there are plenty of free seats available. The best views are from the right hand side facing the direction of travel… After the stop at Meiringen the train reverses out of the station. But sit tight! Best views between there and Interlaken Ost are from the left which is where you will be sitting.
3. Seat reservations for groups of 10 or more
For groups of ten or more, it’s advisable to make a group reservation. This ensures that your group can travel together with ease and convenience.
Link: Group tickets | SBB.
Do you still have questions concerning seat reservations in Switzerland? Don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments down below!
