Working as a conductor, with this post, I would like to address a topic that leads to daily discussions on Swiss trains, requires the additional payment of hefty surcharges, and is often accompanied by harsh words, leaving nothing but disappointment on both ends, at the travellers and at the ticket inspectors side:
- Tourists travelling with a 2nd class ticket in a 1st class cabin – and this knowingly or unknowingly.
Dear tourists and guests of our country: when you board a train, please check BEFORE boarding where to get on board. Our trains are organised into 1st and 2nd class, so if you are boarding 1st class, you must have a 1st class ticket or a 2nd class ticket plus an upgrade ticket for 1st class.
As a conductor, when I find travellers with a 2nd class ticket in 1st class, and I make them aware about their mistake, the most common response from them is: “oh, I didn’t know I was in 1st class; nobody told me”.
Remember: nobody has to tell you that you are seated in the wrong class / cabin; this is your own responsibility. When you take a flight with an Economy ticket, you also cannot take a seat in First, eh? It may need some preparation work in which we gladly assist you on this platform.
→ In Switzerland, all passenger carriages display number 1 or number 2 by the entrance door. No, this is not the carriage number, but the travel class (cabin). In addition, all 1st class carriages are marked with a yellow stripe above the entrance doors.
It is also not permitted to stand on the platform of a 1st class carriage with a 2nd class ticket, not even for just one stop, for example to travel from Zürich HB to Zürich Flughafen. First class passengers pay significantly more for their tickets, also to be able to quickly leave the train, and no, they are not amused if the platform is obstructed by 2nd class passengers and their baggage.
Furthermore, there is a rumour circulating among train staff saying that major travel forums advise passengers to simply board 1st class with a 2nd class ticket and wait until an employee asks to see their tickets. If so, do apologise and change classes. If nobody says anything, you travel for in 1st class for free.
I must say, I haven’t found any tips like this on travel forums, although I am contributing in several; but if such posts exist, it would be a very dishonest way of travel.
Yes, it is true, it is the railway companies responsibility to ensure that ticket checks are performed. If there is none, you travel for free in 1st class, legally.
However, if there is a ticket control, it is not worth the hassle to start a discussion with the conductor. You are simply subject to pay the upgrade ticket, and this, no matter for how long you are seated in 1st class, whether this is right after departure, after an hour, or at almost the end of the trip.
→ The conductor has to treat everyone equally, whether you are a tourist or a local. Thus, the rules apply for everyone equally; if you were a local, were you OK with the fact that you pay a great sum for your 1st class travel card while tourists use the same service free of charge just because they are tourists?
For the ticket inspector, it is often not obvious whether passengers travel in the wrong class mistakenly or by intention. Thus, there is only one solution: sell an upgrade.
Anyone travelling in 1st class with a 2nd class ticket will pay the surcharge, no matter if they are a local or an unknowing or ignorant tourist. This is the fairest solution for all travellers and also what the tariff enforces.
Ticket inspections do not often take place immediately after departure, but 1 hour later or just before the end of the journey. It is therefore not OK that tourists use the 1st class free of charge, while everyone else has to buy a ticket for 1st class. And this is also a reason for other customers to complain, stating: “why do I have to purchase a ticket for first class and others can travel without paying the upgrade, stating they are tourists and do not know?”. A valid point.
Again, how to know that you are seated in a 1st class coach:
- all passenger carriages display a 1 or 2 by the entrance door
- all 1st class coaches are marked with a yellow stripe above the entrance doors
- on SBB trains, seats of 1st class coaches are coloured in red, the seats in 2nd class either in green or blue; in addition, the head rest cover in 1st class shows a big “1”.
What happens, if I travel in 1st class with a second class ticket?
- On IC, IR, ICE, EC, RJX, TGV trains, you are subject to pay the upgrade of at least CHF 10 per person.
- On RE, R, S trains, you are subject to pay a penalty of at least CHF 70 per person. To simply pay for the upgrade is not possible on these regional services.
Share your comments on what you think about tourists using the 1st class and then do not want to pay for it.
Are you a tourist and have some recommendations from a tourist perspective, indicating why you were unable to identify your travel class and what could be improved?
It is important to say that the message above reflects my own opinion based on my professional experience, the opinion of my employer might be different.
My intention is definitely not to accuse someone or not showing appreciation to the visitors of our country. The aim of this post is solely to raise awareness and to explain, how to find the correct travel class (cabin) on trains, to avoid surcharges and disappointments - nothing else.
Happy travels.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments related to the above post.
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