Brig to Venice - Seat Reservation Question

The 9:40 train is an Interregio train that just shuttles back and forth between Brig and Domodossola. It doesn't take reservations and I think it would be very unlikely that all the seats would be taken. If they are, you just stand and strap-hang. I assume you will be changing to the EC train at Domodossola with a 9 minute connection time. Should be no problem.

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the quick reply. Let me just clarify with you so I make sure I understand - I'm obviously new to European train travel =)

You're saying that the Brig to Domodossola just goes back and forth, so it it's not a straight shot from Brig to Venice on the same train? I used SBB for timetables and according to them there is no train chance from Brig to Venice. They list that the train at Brig leaves at 09:44 and arrives in Venice at 14:40. The other parts of the journey (Interlaken OST to Spiez, and Spiez to Brig) list train changes.

So if I did miss my train at Brig (I hope not), you still think it would be alright to board another train at Domodossola with no problem? I reserved my ticket with a time of 10:17 at Domodossola.

Thanks again,
John

Anyone have any experience with this? SBB replied to my inquiry from last week and they said that it's possible that the Brig to Domodossola could be fully booked. Obviously I'm very unfamiliar with European train travel, so even though it's possible that this train could be fully booked this June, does anyone with experience think that it's likely?

Thanks,
John

What day are you traveling? The EC 37 train is "Reservation compulsory", but you say you already have a reservation boarding at Domodossola. Your reservation should show a carriage number and seat number.

Your intent is to travel from Brig to Domodossola on the 9:40 IR train which arrives at Domodossola at 10:08. This train does not accept reservations, as most Swiss trains do not. So it will not be "fully booked". If, for some strange reason, all the seats are taken, you can stand. It is only 28 minutes and it will be dark much of this time as it will be passing through the Simplon Tunnel. The EC 37 arrives at 10:12 and departs at 10:17. It will be on track 3, which is the same track you are arriving on, so you will not have to move, simply wait 4 minutes where you alight from the previous train and then board at your appropriate carriage when the EC train pulls in.

Are you staying in Brig or are you arriving on a different train and if so, from where?

Edit- I see from your other post that you will be coming from the Berner Oberland, I assume on the IC train from Spiez arriving Brig at 9:11.

If you are boarding the through-train EC 37 at Brig at 9:44, which goes all the way to Venice, but you only bought a reserved ticket for the Italian portion because the rest will be covered by a Swiss Travel Pass, then I would attempt to sit in your reserved seat upon boarding, even if it is not technically reserved before you hit the border. If, on the off chance, you have to take a different seat or stand for the first part of the trip, then it's only 30 minutes until the seat becomes officially yours and you can kick someone out of it.

Sam,

Thanks for getting back with me. I see what you're saying now. On the IR trains people are allowed to stand if all seats are taken. I simply thought it was a sort of train where if there are no seats, then there's no ride. And you're correct I'll be coming from Murren and if I leave at the appropriate time I'll be pulling in Brig at 9:11 AM. The EC 37 train which I need departs Brig at 9:44 AM. However, my reservation only starts at Domodossola at 10:17 AM which is why I'm worried about not being able to board for whatever reason. I think the last IR train to leave Brig that would get me at Domodossola on time is at 9:40 AM. So it does seem I have two options here, but I just may end up calling SBB to see if i can reserve a seat for 8 CHF on the Brig EC 37 for peace of mind. Not sure if they'll take reservations this early though since my travel date is mid June.

Laura,

Thanks for your reply. That was my initial thought as well, but when I contacted SBB they said there was a "possibility for EC 37 to be fully booked," which made me a little worried. Is standing allowed on EC trains as well? Sorry to both you and Sam for my train-travel ignorance =)

Thanks again,
John

John, I am doing the trip from Murren to Venice in May. I have tix from Domodossola to Venice on EC 37 - leaving D. at 10:17. I will have Swiss Pass to get me to Domodossola. Sound familiar? Im hoping to get some guidance on the Swiss part when we arrive in Switzerland. Everything I read talks about the efficiency of the Swiiss rail system, surely it will work. I can let you know!

Amosk,

Sorry for the late reply and thanks for your comment. That sounds exactly like my trip, except a month earlier =) I too have heard about the efficiency of Swiss trains but I still worry - I always expect the worse, so my fear was the train would be completely booked by the time it arrived at Brig and just pass on by. But it seems from the comments above that my worries are unjustified for if all the seats are taken I can just stand until I get to Domodossola.

However, I would still love to hear about your experience so please do come back and let me know. When is your trip? I leave the first week of June so you may still be traveling by the time I leave.

Thanks,
John

Hi John,

We arrived in Venice yesterday. We left Murren on the 7:06 train. When we got to Brig I asked if we could get on the EC 37 when it came thru and I was told yes and that the Swiss pass would cover it. We went straight to the seats we had assigned for the Domodossola to Venice part. It all worked fine. I will warn you it was very crowded and chaotic getting everyone and their luggage onto the train and situated - both in Brig and when we added more in Domodossola. I was extremely happy to be traveling with only backpacks as passengers with large rolling suitcases were really struggling. Pack light!

Switzerland was wonderful- super easy and well-signed for all the transportation. Venice is cool too but I'd go back to Switzerland in a heartbeat! Enjoy your trip!

Amy

Amy,

Thank you very much for following up with your post from a few weeks back - and while you're on vacation no less! It's strange you reply this morning because I was just thinking about this part of my journey last night since it's one of the few parts that's not exactly "guaranteed," so to speak, given that my reservation starts in Domodossola and not in Brig (just like yours). However, your message has put my mind at ease and I'm very glad it worked out for you! =)

Thanks again for replying and I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

John