I purchased 2 tickets on the SBB.ch train app for travel from Basel to Grindelwald, for June 23, 2025, departing at 13:56. When I printed out the tickets, it shows the date but not the time I selected. I called the SBB office and they said that ticket is good all day. I told the gentleman I wanted a specific time 13:56. He said I can do that on the SBB.ch app, but I was not able to see where I can do that. He also said I’d have to go to the specific train.
The same thing happened when I purchased a ticket from Grindelwald to Zermatt. I got the day I wanted but not the specific time. I didn’t want to add up my phone bill so I thanked him and ended my call.
Can someone please help me and guide me on how I can reserve a seat on the train I have tickets for?
I have never done this before and am confused. I just want to make sure I get seats at specific times on the trains I’m taking,
Thank you so much.
Marie
Posted by
Nashville, TN
904 posts
Tickets are good for any train that day, so you don't need to specify the train you want, just get on whatever one you decide. You don't need seat reservations, you'll be able to find a seat. People come and go on those train routes constantly, so seat reservations are not necessary. Just get on and pick whatever seat you want.
Posted by
Wengen
2996 posts
The only thing you need to do to be on a particular train is be at the station on time. So if you want to be on the 13:56 then be at the platform at say 13:50. Then just get on the train and find yourself a seat. It is rare for Swiss trains to be so crowded that people have trouble finding seats. It id unheard of for people to be left behind. I was on an Interlaken - Basel train this morning where there were only 2 passengers in my car when we left Interlaken.
Trains are mass transit. You were under the assumption that you were buying a "train ticket" whereas you actually bought a transport contract. This contract allows you to be on any train on the Basel to Grindelwald route, on the day you bought it for. And the price you paid is the same as you would have paid had you bought it on the day of travel itself. Buying it months in advance is not needed. And the fact that you started the purchase by selecting a train from a schedule does not mean that you are bound to that schedule.
This is mass transit. Used by people to go about their daily business. It is as trivial as taking the NY Subway or the London Underground. So just go to the station whenever you feel you are ready to travel, buy a ticket if you do not already have one, and travel.
Posted by
3 posts
No reservations swiss trains .it's nice cause you can sit where you want.
Posted by
270 posts
So basically you are saying that you could wait to buy a ticket on the day of travel as the price does not change? Thinking of doing this next April but would like to decide depending on the weather.
Posted by
Switzerland
213 posts
@sdw - Yes, for a regular ticket you purchase it anytime up to just before getting on the train. No benefit from buying it early.
Posted by
Wengen
2996 posts
So basically you are saying that you could wait to buy a ticket on the
day of travel as the price does not change?
Normal tickets are priced based on distance, and the price is the same a year or a minute before departure. And as you found out such tickets are also good for any train on the route you bought them for. Those tickets are also refundable. (And if you bought them using a registered account on the website this refund is even free).
SBB also sells Supersaver tickets. These are cheaper, but not flexible (you must take the train selected during booking) and not refundable. Another product they sell are Saver Day Passes, which are good for all public transit for a whole day, and are a good option for a big travel day, or when arriving by air.