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Using Eurail Mobile Pass in Switzerland - lots of confusion

Posted by on

We are 3 seniors one wheelchair user, but he can get out of the chair and sit in a seat on the trains. We bought a 1st class Eurail Mobil Pass to be used mostly in Switzerland with the 10% discount promo. This pass was MUCH cheaper than the Swiss Pass. This is our first time with the Mobile pass and it is confusing. We will load all 3 passes onto one device, the newest one. I had no problem making Bernia and Glacier express reservations from Filisur, but am having problems making seat reservations from Davos Platz where we will spend the night to Filisur.

Where/how is the best place to try to make our 1st class seat reservations? We need to stay together as we travel so I think we need to book 1st class seat reservations in advance. We are 61, 76 and 84. This trip will probably be our last trip to Europe and mostly train travel for sightseeing.

Also, must the seat reservations be made on the same mobile device that holds the train passes or can I make seat reservations on my phone even though the passes will be stored on my daughters new phone? I have used paper rail passes many times, but the Mobile pass is a first and very confusing. I do not find an email address to ask Eurail questions.

I would like to send my suitcase ahead from the Zurich airport to Montreux and only take one Cary on with us to Davos Platz. Where can I find the luggage deposit station at the Zurich airport? This is important as I will be pushing a wheelchair., and using my Rick Steves Backpack with Meds and Cary on for our clothes.

Posted by
32764 posts

I was using the lockers page for my answer in Zürich HB so I was well off.

I'll look at the station plan for Zurich Flughafen station and see what I see...

Maybe somebody who regularly flies in and out of there may know first hand. I drive (from England) so I don't know first hand - I'll use the maps.

The information page for that station is at https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/at-the-station/railway-stations/station.3016.zuerich-flughafen.html

To be honest it isn't much help other than to say that the station is fully disabled friendly with low counters and hearing loops and mobile wheelchair lift for trains, etc., and to say that they are open except for holidays from 06.30 to 21.00 daily.

I'd head for the Reisezentrum (travel centre) which should be clearly marked. When you registered your luggage did they not say where you were to take it? Surprised‽

Posted by
1654 posts

The only train that requires a reservation is the Glacier Express. For the Bernina Express you only need it for the panoramic cars.
You have these now, so you are set. For the other trains you do not need reservations, and as you find out, in most cases you cannot even reserve seats. Trains in Switzerland are mass transit, used by people to go about their every day business. Taking a train here is as mundane as taking the Subway in New York.

So forget about it. You have the two reservations you need. For the rest you only need to make sure your Eurail Pass is active, and you can just travel.

Regarding sending your luggage ahead: There is a luggage office at the Airport Railway Station. They can help you.

Posted by
8 posts

Thank you both for all your help. My biggest concern for the reservations was to keep us all 3 together with the wheelchair. A little more difficult as we get older. Hence checking the suitcase to be sent ahead and truly using one carry on and back back between the two of us. I am truly trying to keep this trip as simple and easy as possible. Thank you again.

Posted by
1654 posts

Well, in most trains in Switzerland you cannot even reserve seats at all. So "staying together" is up to you. There are special places for wheelchair users, and if these are occupied by people that could sit elsewhere you can just politely ask them to vacate.

In general you are not likely to have issues. Average occupancy on Swiss trains is 25%. Most of the time there are plenty of free seats.

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