On the SBB site I'm running into quite a few train segments that list a code of "Z", which means Supplementary Charge. What does this mean? If I have a Eurail pass do I need anything more? Thanks
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32321 posts
David, Whether you "need anything more" depends on which trains you're planning to take? I've never seen the "Z" code on the SBB site (you're referring to Switzerland?), but it could refer to the reservation fees which are compulsory on some trains. These fees are NOT covered by a Eurail Pass.
Hopefully one of our rail experts here can confirm that.
Cheers!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The only "Z"s that I see are BZ and RZ. I believe that they stand for Business Zone and Quiet Zone. Switzerland does have Z-passes but I don't think that this is what you may be descrbing. Could you describe further what you are looking at? To where are you trying to travel in Switzerland? There are many train runs, access to mountain tops, certain boats and bus runs where your Eurail pass will not cover the full fare. Technically, its not a supplement on top of your Eurail pass. Your pass simply does not cover the full fare. Its different. www.Eurail.com has a page on their website that tells you which Swiss trains are fully covered. I've not seen anywhere on www.sbb.ch website that tells you this information.
Posted by
OP
Rocklin, Ca, USA
4 posts
Here is a specific example of the Supplemental Charge "Z" code I'm confused by. Go to the SBB site and type in Bacharach to Rothenburg Ob der Tauber on June 16th at 11:30. In the first connection listed, the second and third trains have a "Z" code at the end. Again, the description of the code in the lower left says it is a "Supplementary Charge"....
By the way, no such code or explanation exists for the same route on the DB Bahn site, so I am hoping it is an anomaly. Thanks again for the help.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
David, I see the issue. Your original question mentioned the SBB website. Thus, I assumed that your travel was in Switzerland. Actually, you are traveling into Germany. There is a supplemental charge on the ICE train on the segment between Mannheim and Basel SBB.
CLICK HERE to see the page from the Eurail website that shows which trains have a supplemental charge.
As a side note, many of the countries have supplemental fees on top of the cost of your Eurail pass to ride their premium trains.