[Removed user]

16 May 2018 at 19:17:51 #816029

Hello, I am planning for Europe travel in July month and it is the busiest period. I’m really confused about rails and seat reservations.

1) How do we know for which trains seat reservation require and for which doesnt?

2) Is it beneficial and must to have seat reservation for July month travel?

3) Are there separate coaches in train for reserved and nonreserved seats?

4) If there are common coaches and even tourist can enter to coach without reservation then how would it be beneficial for people who have reserved seats? It might happen that due to heavy rush, person could not get into trail itself who has done seat reservation …can this be happen?

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[Removed user]

17 May 2018 at 0:30:18 #885483

Hi Sandeepmody and welcome to MySwissAlps!

As far a Swiss trains go the following applies. It is different for international train trips in which reservations are either mandatory or highly advised.

1. No trains in Switzerland require reservations except the panoramic trains.
2. Some routes offer reservable seats and it could be nice to have them in July – especially if you are traveling in a group and want to sit together – many routes won’t allow reservations though.
3. Coaches are not split between reserved and non-reserved. If you made a seat reservation there will be a paper or electronic sign above the seat showing the seat is reserved (and you have a reservation that shows the seat and coach #)
4. No, I’ve never heard of someone not being able to get on a train when they wanted to. It is possible to have standing room only inside the train (from time to time during rush hour) but you’ll be able to get on and find your reserved seat (if you reserve a seat).

[Removed user]

17 May 2018 at 3:48:57 #885484

OK Sir thanks.

so in order to travel from paris to interlaken, i have already purchased point to point ticket from paris to basel. Now for the journey from basel to interlaken, i will use my swiss pass. So as per above post, there is no need to have seat reservation , even for july month. Right?

[Removed user]

17 May 2018 at 5:20:20 #885485

Correct.

You might want to travel to Interlaken via Lucerne (part of the scenic Golden Pass route) and if there are a larger group of you that want to sit together you may want to reserve. But it is not strictly needed. Reservations, when available, are mainly for peace of mind a you never know when a train is busy.