If I Book a 1st class seat and there are no seats can I get a refund ?

Cheshukut92

Hello - I’m from USA and very confused, but the seat reservation system or lack thereof.
I’m looking to purchase day return tickets or half half-fare travel card for my family from Zurich to St Moritz on 23/12/25, but am concerned that I cannot reserve a seat.

If I purchase 1st class tickets what happens if the carriage is full and has no seats? - Are seats guaranteed in 1st class or might you have to stand ? If so can you get a refund if you don’t get a seat ?

Thanks

Danhiel

Hello Cheshukut92

In the very rare cases where no 1st class seats are available, you can obtain a refund (difference between 1st and 2nd class prices), but you have to ask the train crew for a confirmation of this problem.

Kind regards
Danhiel

Krist

Most trains in the US do not have seat reservations either. A ticket is for a route, and permits you to travel on a train. You do not “book a seat”, you pay for transportation. A 1st class ticket permits you to be present in the parts of the train marked 1st class.

However, the Swiss Railways run enough trains, and run long enough trains, so it is very rare for there not to be enough seats. Average occupancy is around 25%. I travel 1st class a lot, and have never not had a seat.

Cheshukut92

Danhiel Thanks for t he reply Danhiel