How to differentiate 1st & 2nd class on Swiss rail
A traveler is planning to take the Swiss rail for the first time and wants tips on how to find the right carriage for second class. They're looking for straightforward advice to ensure a smooth journey.
- Look for a '1' or '2' on the inside and outside of each carriage to identify the class.
- First class carriages have a yellow stripe along the top of the windows and a different seating layout, with two seats on one side and one on the other.
- Electronic displays at the platform show where first and second class carriages will be located when the train arrives, helping you line up correctly.
AI-generated summary-
Will be taking the Swiss rail for the first time and taking 2nd class.
How do I tell if I am in the right carriage?
Thanks in advance.
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Hello,
No problem, there is a “1” or a “2” on the in- and outsite off every carriage.
greetings from the Netherlands, Brahms
Hi Brahms, thanks so much for ur reply!
>> Will be taking the Swiss rail for the first time and taking second class.
How do I tell if I am in the right carriage?
As well as the numbers on the outside and inside of carriages, there are some other indications:
–First class carriages have a yellow stripe on the outside, along the top of the windows. For example:
–First class carriages have a different seating configuration from second class. In first class, there are two seats on one side of the aisle, and only one seat on the other side. Second class has two seats each side of the aisle. Below is a typical first class seating configuration.
rail.cc/img/tra/1/1386 01499011dd546442c18e18 7c7dbfb275ce45b2.jpg
Some other things to note:
–Some carriages have first class in one end of the carriage and second class in the other end, always clearly marked.
–Often the electronic displays on the platform showing the destination and departure details for the train will show at which sector of the platform (A, B, C, D etc) the first and second class carriages will be when the train has pulled in to the station. This makes it easier to be waiting on the correct part of the platform according to which class you are travelling in. For example:
upload.wikimedia.org/w ikipedia/commons/f/f3/ Zugzielanzeiger_SBB_Br ig_IMG_2294_Brig.jpg
–Bistro and restaurant carriages can be used by both first and second class passengers.
Alpenrose
But not all first class trains into Switserland have 3 sits, there also with 4 sits in first class.
The yellow stripe is sometimes not above the windows, but only near the doors
So you can better look to “1” and “2” on the train.
First class – clean, nice and mostly empty
Second Class – a little dirty and full
🙂
Dirty ? trains in Switserland are very, very clean at in- and outsite.
Yes, the second class is more busy than first class, but there always place ( we traval al 40 years by train in Switserland, and we can always sit !)
I agree with Brahms- I have never been on a dirty train in Switzerland! I only ever remember standing once in 18 visits and that was at a particularly busy commuter time of day and a seat became available after 1st stop.
Maggie
Tongue-in-cheek people – compared to India 2nd is immaculate. Although seat fabric is less worn in 1st, in my experience.
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