Can anyone confirm that the train from Buchs to Lucerne is running on 12/24? Its says this route does not run every day and on the OBB site the Buchs to Zurich ticket was not available. It does seem to be available on the SBB.
If I use a Swiss Travel Pass to ride these trains can I reserve a seat without having to pay on line for a ticket?
Posted by
Green Bay
21090 posts
"The train"? Lots of trains, most with 1 or 2 connections. All the "crowding" icons on SBB are showing very light expected occupancy, so why pay for a seat reservation? They cost 5 CHF. If you have a travel pass, just get on the train you want and go.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
The SBB timetable shows trains running from Buchs Dorf to Luzern 24.12 hourly at 35 minutes after.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/buying/pages/fahrplan/fahrplan.xhtml
I would think that you would need to pay for the ticket but usually don't need a seat reservation. The website will show the level of demand for the train you are interested in taking.
Posted by
OP
107 posts
I'm on a purchased ticket on Railjet 160 from Salzburg to Buchs. From here I want to use the Travel pass to ride the rest of the way to Lucerne. Is Buchs Dorf the same station as Buchs SG? The Travel Pass works on Railjet too, correct?
It appears my train will continue on from Buchs to Zurich. so I am going to assume I can stay on this train and then transfer in Zurich to Lucerne. I can use my travel pass for both of these legs of the trip.
Posted by
Green Bay
21090 posts
That is the way it works. The Railjet train passes through Buchs, SG (Sankt Gallen) on the way to Zurich. The crew will change there, or at Sargans. Have the conductor validate the pass if it is not predated. In Zurich, just hop on the next train to Luzern.
Posted by
OP
107 posts
Thanks, that clarifies a lot.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Sorry. Buchs not the same place as Buch SH Dorf. Or even close.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Trains in Switzerland run at least once per hour, 365 days per year. There is no "the train", there are many.
You are correct, as you are already on the Railjet you just stay seated until it reaches Zürich, then get the next train to Luzern, no seat reservation needed,
"Buchs" is a common placename in Switzerland. "Buchs SG" is the one on the rail route from Austria to Zürich, SG = Kanton Sankt Gallen. There is also "Buchs ZH" (Kanton Zürich), and "Buchs AG" (Kanton Aargau). Do not get confused.
The SBB (and ÖBB) websites will also list many bus stops in Buchs, these will be "Buchs SG xxxx"