Buy 1st class ticket on Swiss train-2nd class full
Helene is planning a future trip and had some trouble finding seats on busy trains while using a half-fare pass. She wants to know if she can upgrade to first class while on the train if there are no available second class seats, especially considering someone she’s traveling with has mobility issues.
- You cannot upgrade to first class on the train; you'll be fined if caught without the correct ticket.
- You can buy a class upgrade at ticket machines, via the SBB app, or at a rail office before boarding.
- Upgrade fares for those with a Swiss Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass are half the price difference between classes on that route.
AI-generated summary-
This is a question for a future trip.
I recently travelled using the half-fare pass and buying second class tickets. On a number of very busy trains we found it difficult to find seats, particularly with luggage. Or, we were standing closer to a first class door and were concerned about being able to change cars before the train left. I know you can buy a first class ticket when you have a second class pass before your trip.
Is it possible to upgrade your ticket when you are on the train?
I know trains are run on the honour system and passes aren’t checked on each trip necessarily.
If you could not find a second class seat (or an accessible one-I was travelling with someone with mobility issues) once you are on a train, what would happen if you just took a seat in a first class car? I would gladly pay the difference-but would that be possible? Or would you be fined?
thanks for your help.
Helene
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Hi Helene,
Yes, you would be fined if sitting in 1st class without a 1st class ticket.
You can buy a class upgrade ticket at any train station though before you board the train. Either at a ticket machine, on the SBB app or at a rail office. The SBB timetable will give you an idea of how busy the train is thought to be so you could buy upgrades to 1st on those trains.
Upgrade fares for people with a Swiss Half Fare Card (who already bought a 2nd class ticket) or Swiss Travel Pass are 1/2 the price difference between 1st and 2nd class on that route.
Hi Helene! I don’t think it’s possible to buy a class upgrade on board from a train conductor. As Lucas mentioned, you can be fined if you’re in 1st class without the appropriate ticket. According to the SBB information, class upgrades can be bought at ticketing machines and counters, through the SBB website and through the SBB mobile app. Theoretically you could use the latter for last-minute decisions. If you find out that 2nd class is too busy, you can arrange for an upgrade ticket through the app and move to 1st class once this has been done. Just note that there’s no WiFi on Swiss trains, so you need a reliable internet connection on your phone.
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