Train Reservations in Switzerland

Regular inter-city train in Switzerland don't need reservations. You just take any train you like.

Susan, lots of trains each day between Zurich and Interlaken. It's a 2-3hr. journey depending on the train run. If you are beginning at the Zurich airport (Zurich Flughafen), the train station is directly below the main terminal. Just escalator or elevator down. When you buy your ticket, the seat reservation will automatically come with it if one is needed. If you begin your journey at other Zurich train stations, its the same process.

There are two train stations at Interlaken. Only the Interlaken Ost station has the trains into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. From Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen you don't need reservations. Just buy the ticket at the station and get on. 25 minutes later and your there. Trains run frequently. From Lauterbrunnen, you can make all of your connections to Wengen, Grindelwald, Kleine Scheidegg, Jungfraujoch, Gimmelwald, Murren and the Shilthorn. It's all really easy.

BTW, Interlaken is part of the Berner Oberland. The BO is a much larger area.

There are no seat reservations on Swiss trains, when you buy your ticket, you just pick any empty seat you want when you board the train.

Michael, your statement is true for regular Swiss train routes within the country. However, there are reservations required for the Glacier Express, William Tell Express, Golden Pass and Bernina Express trains. We paid a 30CHF reservation fee on the Glacier Express last year.

Thank you everyone for your replies . They are very helpful and I was hoping it would be the case that no reservations were needed !