Our first time in Switzerland. We are expected to land in Zurich at 9AM. We bought train tickets - through Rick Steve's - to Lucerne for the 10:15AM. Firstly, is that enough time to get through immigration and get to the train station? We are traveling business class and have US passports. Second question - I realized after I bought the tickets, that they are non-redundable and applicable to that train only. What if there are flight delays? Can we take a different train and pay the fare difference? Or are we out of luck?
Posted by
Green Bay
20940 posts
Need more details. How much did you pay per ticket? A normal full fare Swiss rail ticket is good on any train on that route all day..
In general, there is no reason to buy tickets in advance in Switzerland. And buying through Rick Steve's Rail Europe link is not recommended.
But if you land on time, in my experience, 75 minutes is more than enough time. You may be able to get the train 1/2 hour earlier.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
I paid $58 for two (senior) tickets. When I got the tickets by email, I noticed they were non-refundable and non-changeable. Curious why buying through Rick Steve's Rail Europe portal is not recommended (?)
I was hoping to shower and freshen up before taking the train. We have lounge access, and I believe showers are available. But I guess there may not be enough time (?)
Posted by
Green Bay
20940 posts
2 normal tickets cost 62 CHF, or about $75, so it looks like you bought SuperSaver Tickets which are indeed train specific and nonrefundable. So hope for the best.
What else are you doing in Switzerland? Did you prepurchase any other tickets?
Rail Europe is a travel agent and they really provide no added value over buying tickets directly from SBB, the Swiss national railway.
Posted by
Wengen
2376 posts
Would you buy tickets for the London Underground on Rick Steves' site?
Zurich Airport to Luzern is a trivial trip. That is like taking the train from JFK to Manhattan. There is no need to buy tickets in advance. It is just walk up, and go. Trains in Switzerland are mass transit.
Normal tickets are for a route, not a train. Have a look at your ticket, and see what you actually bought. It is however possible that the Eurail website tricked you in to buying a supersaver ticket, and these are only usable on the booked train. So have a closer look.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1034 posts
Rail tickets are sold through a Rick Steves branded portal of Rail Europe - this inquiry is primarily a Rail Europe support issue.
Start here and then click on More Help at the bottom of the page:
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Thanks, everyone!
Sam, you gave me some great suggestions on my post re: Burgenstock-Bellagio. We bought advance tickets on SOB.ch for tickets from Lucerne to Lake Como.