Betreff: Super Saver pass

[davidbaldwin707]

My wife and I have First Class Super Saver tickets and want to go from Geneva-Eaux-Vives to Zermatt on February 5, 2023.  The passes do not specify which train or which seats.  Are we guaranteed seats to make our trip?  Can we take any train?  I am confused how this works. 

[RolandP]

Hello @davidbaldwin707 

There is no Super Saver pass. Is it a Super Saver Ticket or a Saver Day Pass. What does your ticket read?

Best regards,
Roland

[davidbaldwin707]

Hello Roland,

Thank you for your reply.  Our tickets read Saver Day Pass.  They do not offer a specific time of travel.  The specify a 24-hour travel window.

David Baldwin

[RolandP · Accepted solution]

Hello @davidbaldwin707 

This is important to know and the reason why I have asked: Saver Day Passes have different rules compared to Super Saver Tickets.

Holding a Saver Day Pass you can use any public transport as indicated on this map: https://www.sbb.ch/content/dam/internet/sbb/de/abos-billette/abonnemente/karte-geltungsbereich-ga-ha... . It is valid on the day of validity from 12 PM until the next day at 05:00 AM.

In Switzerland, train tickets do not include seat assignments; consequently, a seat is not guaranteed - you pay for transportation only; however, our public transport is mass transit - as suburban trains in other countries. You show up at the station, you look at the departure board for the next train service to your required destination, you board the train, you find an empty seat and you enjoy the ride.

With national trains, seat reservations are only possible for IC-InterCity trains yet absolutely not required. If there is no seat left in a train, you might have to stand until the next station when some people get off and give up their seats.

Best regards,
Roland

[davidbaldwin707]

Hello Roland,

This is very helpful.  I can see on the map you provided that my Saver Day Pass should allow us to travel from Geneva to Zermatt on the specified day.  What happens if there are more people on the platform than the train car will comfortably hold? This seems possible given that we are going into ski country at high season. Is entry on the train simply first-come first-served?  We have First Class Saver Day Passes.  Does this affect our ability to get on board any of the trains headed to Zermatt?

Thank you again for your assistance.

David Baldwin

[NicolasK]

Hi @davidbaldwin707 

As mentioned by @RolandP, the reservation is not possible. So it's like you say; first-come first-served 😉

When you arriving from Geneva-Eaux-Vives, you take a train in Geneva main station that leaves from Geneva airport, so one station before Geneva. It should not be too difficult to find free seats in 1st class.

I wish you a happy new year and a wonderful stay in Zermatt in February.

Kind regards
NicolasK

[RolandP]

I totally second @NicolasK advice. The 1st class coaches do have enough seats available to accomodate everyone.

Wishing you enjoyful vacation.

Roland

[GiorgiaB]

Hello @davidbaldwin707 

Thank you for your message.

If you bought super saver tickets, you habe to take the train that you choose in the timetable (you can see the time also on the ticket).

On most trains within Switzerland, seat reservations are not obligatory and are therefore not included in the train ticket.

Seats may be reserved in trains which are marked «R» (reservation possible), «RE» (reservation recommended) or «RR» (reservation mandatory) under «comments» in the online timetable.

Detailed information on the various booking options are available under: sbb.ch/en/reservation

I wish you a nice day.

Kind regards, GiorgiaB

[davidbaldwin707]

Hello Giorgi B,

Thank you for your reply.  My tickets are Saver Day Pass tickets.  They do not specify a particular departure time.  Instead they specify a window of 02.05 at 00:00hr and an end date of 02.06 at 05:00.  Can we take any train we want during this time frame?  What if the train is fully booked?

David Baldwin