How to book a seat reservation

Vitzappuk46

Through the Deutsche Bahn app, I booked a trip for two from Munich to Locarno. The first leg is Munich to Zürich for which I booked seats. For the second leg, a non-stop IR train from Zürich to Locarno, there was no option to book seats through DB. I went to SBB.ch and could see no way to book seat reservations. I feel like I must be missing something obvious but I can’t see where to do it. Any help or advice will be appreciated.

RolandP

Hello Vitzappuk46

As a rule of thumb, you cannot book a seat on IR trains in Switzerland; read here, how seat reservations work in Switzerland:

https://community.sbb.ch/blog/23887-demystifying-seat-reservations-on-swiss-trains-a-comprehensive-guide

However, the IR26 and IR46 trains mark the only IR trains on which a seat reservation is possible; the so-called Treno Gottardo is operated by SOB, not SBB. You must book your seat from their website.
Unfortunately, their website is in German or Italian only, you must use Google translator to view it in English:

https://unterwegs.sob.ch/de/routing

Kind regards,
Roland

Vitzappuk46

RolandP Thanks so much for your helpful reply. I can read German but it’s easier for me to write in English. I went to the sob.ch link you supplied, but I still don’t see how I can reserve seats. (We are traveling 1st class on the IR46). I am offered the option to buy tickets but not the option to simply reserve seats. Or have I missed that?

RolandP

Hello Vitzappuk46

On the first screen, select ‘Nur Reservierung’ from the dropdown menu ‘Ermässigung’.

I created a few screenshots for you.

Please let me know when you need additional guidance.

Kind regards,
Roland

Krist

Reservations are not compulsory on those trains, and honestly, I would not bother. This is mostly a way by the railways to extract some extra money out of tourists.