I am travelling from Salzburg to Zermatt with my wife and 2 year old son on Saturday, September 1. We arrive on OBB Railjet at 1:59 PM into Zurich, and I am looking to book a ticket ahead of time on SBB's website from Zurich to Zermatt, hopefully a supersaver fare. Also, I'm looking at trying to go 1st class since I assume 2nd will be very busy on a Saturday. Both my wife and I have Swiss Half Fare Cards. Looking at the 15:02 departure from Zurich to Zermatt via Visp (giving us an hour for transfer in Zurich), when I have the three of us entered in (with half fare cards included and supersaver option selected) 2nd class, it has my son listed as "child 0-6 years accompanied" and thus free, with the total cost for the three of us as CHF 50. If I enter 1st class with supersaver selected (our preference), it now lists my son as "child 0-6 years unaccompanied" with a ticket price for him of CHF 43.80, and a total cost of CHF 131.40 for the three of us. Is this just because in 1st class I would need to pay for a ticket for a younger child? Does the purchase automatically come with a seat reservation? We'd prefer to have a seat for him anyway so if that's the case it's fine. Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
20085 posts
- Super Saver tickets do not go on sale until 30 days before the scheduled train date, so it will be August before you can buy one.
- You have to pay extra for seat reservations in Switzerland, since everything is normally unreserved.
I get 62.50 CHF per adult 2nd class with a Half Fare Card. For 1st class, it is 109.50 CHF with a Half fare card. a 2 yo should travel free with you.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Actually you'll find the busiest train times will be during working days...not typically Saturdays.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
jmcateer, children under 6 do not need a ticket on Swiss railways when accompanied by an adult. The rules are here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/children.html
"Accompanied children under six years travel free of charge. The accompanying person must be at least 12 years old and hold a valid ticket." No mention of different rules in 1st and 2nd class. What you are seeing as "child 0-6 years unaccompanied" is the fare you would pay if you sent him on his own.
For your other points:
1) I don't think 1st class is necessary. It cost about 50% more, but 2nd class is perfectly adequate. The train starts from Zürich. It will get into the platform 5-10 minutes before departure. You should have no problem finding seats together.
There is also a 14:32 train you could take, half an hour earlier. This train requires 2 changes (Bern and Visp), the 15:02 only requires 1 (Visp)
2) "Does the purchase automatically come with a seat reservation?" - no, Swiss trains don't have reservations, it is not the Swiss way.. Super Saver tickets are only sold for less-busy trains, in order to tempt travellers from busier trains.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
So don't even mention the child on your ticket search. He can just show up with you and sit in any seat that's not in use - otherwise on your lap or take him on a stroll through the train.