Scenic Trains
Glacier
Express
Bernina
Express
Golden
Pass Line
Gotthard Panorama
Mont
Blanc - St Bernard
Palm
Express
Excursion Trains
Jungfraujoch
Chocolate
Train
Gornergrat
Matterhorn
Mt
Pilatus Railway
Mt
Rigi Railway
Roches
De Naye
Aerial Cables
Mt
Titlis Rotair
Klein
Matterhorn
Schilthorn
Swiss Trains - First Class or Second Class
What
is the comparison between traveling First Class or Second Class in Switzerland?
Price – Seating - Convenience ? If you’re
purchasing a train ticket while in the country, you’re most likely to
be purchasing second class. In fact, at a ticket window, if you ask for a ticket
to somewhere from a ticketing agent, you will get a second class, unless you
specifically ask for first. If getting a variety of Swiss Rail Pass, before
traveling to Switzerland, you have a choice of First or Second Class. So, what’s
the difference? First the price difference is about 30% less for 2nd Class.
The seats are a little different, a little more comfort and style in first,
though you probably
won’t really notice it much, except on a long trip. All Swiss trains
whatever class you’re
in are clean and comfortable.
The seats on First and Second can vary with the age of the cars. On newer and
longer distance trains First Class will have wireless and electrical
plugs for computers in what is called Business Zone. On
special
scenic trains, the first class cars will have better service, and some preferential
seating. On the Golden Pass Panoramic train the front cars are first class
and the special forward view seat require a supplement. On cog trains the
forward facing cars are often first class.
On regular Swiss trains, the real difference is the competition for seats.
Since most Swiss local passengers travel in 2nd class, the cars can get quite
crowded at times on certain routes. In first class you may find yourself
nearly alone, with plenty of room for luggage. First Class is usually occupied
by
business travelers and foreigners with rail passes. On some local trains
the first class may only be a segment of one car, separated by a partition
doorway.
On high traffic trains between some cities there may be a number of first
class cars, empty at mid-day, but filling with business types at rush hour.
I have
to admit that when traveling with a first class Swiss Pass, especially with
luggage, it is a pleasurable convenience to board and easily find a spot
with a good view, and rejoice when the train pulls into a station and the
platform
is lined with waiting passengers, all heading for the second class cars.
Some trains on certain high travel
routes have family coach or family zone sections for traveling with kids.
And on many high travel route trains, there are Quiet Zone seats in first
for taking that nap. If traveling with a 2nd Class Pass or Ticket is possible
to upgrade to first for a specific route or a day, purchased either online
or at the station ticket center.
On station platforms the car position for boarding will be designated
by area A,B,C and D. For Regional Express and other main line trains
the first
class
cars are usually the B section. An announcement will usually be made
regarding boarding areas for first and second class. Which class
you choose really
depends on whether you want to stretch out in your own world for
a little better travel
experience or focus on saving money.