Can’t see return ticket

Hoaquierai47

I can see my seat reservation on SBB.ch but I can’t see my ticket. Also I cannot see my return journey planning / selection.

I have a ticket number and details that show I purchased a return ticket but the app only shows the first leg and there’s nowhere to find that return leg and reserve.

RolandP

Hello Hoaquierai47

Firstly, welcome to the SBB Community.

Our crystal ball cannot see it either. All we know for sure that there is no information in your message about the ticket type, the route, etc.

Kind regards,
Roland

Hoaquierai47

RolandP

Thanks for the response. This is what I have:

Point-to-point Ticket
From: Zürich HB via Olten
To: Bern

Class, single and return journey, Full fare
CHF 182.00

I also have a seat reservation for this ticket.

But… I can’t see any reference or way to plan and secure the return itinerary for what I believe to be a return ticket.

Krist

Hoaquierai47 Class, single and return journey, Full fare

You have a return ticket. A ticket allowing you to make one trip from Zürich to Bern, and one trip from Bern to Zürich on the day you bought this ticket for.

By default tickets are for a route, not a train. That is why there is no mention of a train. You just take whatever train suits your plans. You do not need seat reservations. There is no need to secure anything. Just get on the train back when you are done in Bern.

Hoaquierai47

Krist thanks a lot.

So then, why sell “seat reservations”?
Not that it’s my problem - or at least, not yet - but seeing as travel is generally something for which one pays for some degree of certainty of departure and arrival, is this forgone and unimportant? Or is this simply a non-issue culturally and is supported by relatively endless capacity of alternative train times that provide reasonable degrees of time inconvenient, eg. there’s always another train to the same destination with only a small amount of delay, so no one needs certainty. Or is it a matter of saying, if you really want certainty get there early and/or choose times that are off peak? But again, coming back, why are there seat reservations and what happens if the train’s seats are all reserved no matter how early you get on?

Sorry to ask but am intrigued by how this contract to provide travel services aka “ticket” is purchased/sold, understood/displayed/managed by the rider, the collective riding public, and SBB.

RolandP

Hello Hoaquierai47

So then, why sell “seat reservations”?

Our train ticket grant you the transportation from one point to another, but no seat.
The seat reservation is an optional extra service provided for convenience, not as a requirement.

We use our trains like buses: arrive at the train station, look up the departure schedule for the next train to your destination, go to the platform, get on the train, find yourself an empty seat and have a peacful ride.

Kind regards,
Roland

Krist

Hoaquierai47 So then, why sell “seat reservations”?

Because some people want them and the railway is happy for the extra cash.

Trains are mass transit. There are trains every half hour from Zürich to Bern and vv. The only thing you need to do to be certain that you are on a particular train is be on the platform a few minutes before departure. Its as trivial as riding a subway. Just nicer trains and scenery.