Switzerland seat reservations for trains and other public transport - the insider tips 

How do I know if I need seat reservations?

You don’t need to book seat reservations unless one of the below exceptions applies.

Exception 1: panoramic trains and alpine bus routes

Some of the popular panoramic tourist trains require seat reservations. Examples are the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express. This also applies to a few Postbus routes crossing alpine pass roads.

Check our scenic train pages for details, or use the timetable to see whether your train requires reservations.

Exception 2: international trains

Trains crossing the Swiss border into another country may require seat reservations. If so, a reservation is often included if you buy a point-to-point ticket. But you need to arrange for it separately if you have a train pass like the Eurail Global Pass.

Check our travel guides, or check the timetable to see whether your train requires reservations.

Exception 3: theme cruises on the Swiss lakes

Just like trains and buses, boats do not require reservations. They qualify as regular public transport and you can simply hop on and off.

Exceptions apply to special cruises such as dinner cruises. They require a surcharge for the seat, food, music, and other entertainment that may be included.

Exception 4: special cableway rides

Cableways, funiculars, and cogwheel trains do not require reservations. For some popular mountain routes, advance reservation is optional to prevent waiting time. Our mountain trip pages offer details.

Reservations are usually required for special rides like sunrise or sunset trips, dinner rides, et cetera.

Exception 5: special Postbus rides

For some mountain routes serviced by the Swiss yellow Postbuses, seat reservations are required. Find an overview here.

When to book seat reservations

Seat reservations are typically available from 3 months prior to the travel date, but sometimes even earlier. They can be purchased online, or at staffed rail stations shortly before traveling. However, it makes sense to book as early as possible because seats can sell out.

The difference between tickets, passes, and seat reservations

Essentially you pay for two “services” when you travel by train:

1. the ride
2. the seat

The ride and the seat are completely separate components.

You can pay for the ride in several ways:

• with a rail pass that includes free traveling, such as the Swiss Travel Pass. In that case, you don’t need an additional ticket.
• with a rail pass that offers a discount, such as the Swiss Half Fare Card. In that case, you need a discounted train ticket.
• with regular full-fare train tickets, required if you don’t have a pass.

You can purchase the pass/ticket for the ride and the seat reservation together, or you can do so separately. You don’t need to have a rail pass at hand to purchase a seat reservation. It’s all fine, as long as you possess both your reservation and your pass/ticket when boarding.

How to use seat reservations

Train reservations

Your reservation is usually a digital ticket or pdf file. The coach number, seat number, and departure date and time of the train can be found on your seat reservation ticket. Train stations have displays indicating the train composition. This allows you to wait at the correct section of the platform (for example: platform 5, section C).

Seat numbers can be found in the train coaches: either over the windows or on the seats. Especially mind the coach number, as a train has multiple seats with the same number. It’s the coach number that makes them unique (coach 3 seat 22 is different from coach 5 seat 22, for example).

When the ticket controller comes, you’ll show both the seat reservation and the ticket or pass you’re traveling with.

Bus reservations

If you have booked a seat for a bus, you’ll need to show the seat reservation to the driver when you board. The seat numbers can be found either over the window or on the seats.

Switzerland seat reservations FAQ