Kim, I have already forgotten that over -crowded train from Zürich to Bern, where we had to stand. Two days later I did have to ask someone to move from our reserved seats from Bern to Brig. . She resisted, so I pointed to the “reserved” ticket above the seat, which she should have noticed, and I said there were three empty seats in the adjacent cluster. She responded that we should sit there instead of her, and I said no, we reserved two window seats and that is what we should have. At that point she shrugged and gave up and moved. All of this going on in German which fortunately I could manage.
Three days later (last Friday);we traveled from Bettmeralp to Locarno via Brig, Domodossola, and the Centovalli railway. We had a First Class Saverpass for the day, and I made seat reservations for the Centovalli section.
From Brig to Domodossola the train was a Regional Express with no reservations possible. The SBB route planner and schedule said Track 9 for that train, and the signs on the platform showed First Class in the middle of the train, between Sectors B and C. So that is where we stood, waiting. When the train pulled in (coming from Spiez), we saw the First Class car at the very front of the train as it flew by. The whole train kept moving forward as we ran to reach our carriage at the front. We made it, but my husband (fit, but 80) was not happy with the sprint. Once safely on the train and seated, I checked SBB and now it said not just “Track 9”, but 9CD, meaning way down at the end of a long platform. Note to self: check for last-minute updates. Two hours ahead might not give the best information.
We had further adventures on our next train, on the Centovalli Railway, but I won’t go into detail on the confusing aspects of finding our carriage. Suffice it to say it was a delightful journey with 2 Scotsmen and a Dutchman, all in one 4-seat cluster plus the single seat across the aisle. We five occupied the only seats that were reservable in the First Class car. And our 4-seat cluster was the only one that was full. But no one wanted to move to a less-crowded 4-some because we were having such a good time talking.
For today’s train, the empty one that left Locarno had lots of people boarding at Lugano. But our First Class car was still only half full. And some of those had to leave when the conductor came around to check tickets, as they did not have First tickets.
Our second train of the day, from Milano Centrale, was a different story. This was a Frecciarossa train with reserved seats, ut the ultimate destination was Venezia, so it was completely full. And it took forever for people to board, many with huge suitcases they could not move down the aisles, pass one another, or find space for (too big to put in the overhead luggage space). As a result the train was 25 minutes late departing. Fortunately I had allowed plenty of time between arrival in Desenzano and the departure of our ferry up Lago di Garda. So we made the ferry, and now here we are in Salò, relaxing after enjoying a lovely passeggiata and dinner. Buona Notte!
