England - Zurich

[Watershed]

Leaving Zurich, I'll go towards Milan

Worth mentioning that whilst you need a reservation (€10 through ÖBB IIRC) if you take the direct EC, you can avoid this by changing from the EC to a (non-reservable) RE at Chiasso.

The RE has exactly the same journey time as the EC, it just gets you in 30 mins later due to the way the timetable works.

 

[A S Leib]

Except that during the Summer (when the OP is travelling) the Brussels-Frankfurt ICE service has a EUR5.50 compulsory seat reservation charge , and the miserable punctuality of DB as well

Is that definitely the case for this coming summer? I don't remember that being the case for the three times I did Brussels – Cologne this August (although I'd made seat reservations anyway, so maybe reservations were mandatory and I didn't notice).

 

[YorkshireBear]

Is that definitely the case for this coming summer? I don't remember that being the case for the three times I did Brussels – Cologne this August (although I'd made seat reservations anyway, so maybe reservations were mandatory and I didn't notice).

I believe this is new for peak season.

 

[30907]

Worth mentioning that whilst you need a reservation (€10 through ÖBB IIRC) if you take the direct EC, you can avoid this by changing from the EC to a (non-reservable) RE at Chiasso.

The RE has exactly the same journey time as the EC, it just gets you in 30 mins later due to the way the timetable works.

Even better, time permitting, you can take the historic Gotthard route, change at Cadenazzo (also at Arth-G on alternate hours).

Is that definitely the case for this coming summer? I don't remember that being the case for the three times I did Brussels – Cologne this August (although I'd made seat reservations anyway, so maybe reservations were mandatory and I didn't notice).

Introduced for the football in 2024, dropped last year, back again.

 

[43096]

Worth mentioning that whilst you need a reservation (€10 through ÖBB IIRC) if you take the direct EC, you can avoid this by changing from the EC to a (non-reservable) RE at Chiasso.

The RE has exactly the same journey time as the EC, it just gets you in 30 mins later due to the way the timetable works.

ÖBB reservations were €3 when I last used them. It's the likes of Interrail that will fleece you for €10 (or more!).

 

[class17]

If you are OK with an overnight, last year we went from Preston to London, Eurostar to Amsterdam (late afternoon early evening in Amsterdam) sleeper train (NightJet) to Zurich. We then went over the Alps to Milan and Bologna.

You could join the overnight train in Germany, but direct to Amsterdam and no changing stations suited us.

 

[Watershed]

ÖBB reservations were €3 when I last used them. It's the likes of Interrail that will fleece you for €10 (or more!).

It's €3 for IC services but sadly it looks to have gone up to €13 for EC services. Makes it even more of a ripoff for the ~45 minutes you spend within Italy....

 

[rvdborgt]

It's €3 for IC services but sadly it looks to have gone up to €13 for EC services. Makes it even more of a ripoff for the ~45 minutes you spend within Italy....

€13 for Frecce services, €10 for EC within Italy, €13 for EC CH<->IT, but you can book to/from Domodossola or Chiasso for €10. Reservations are not mandatory north of those stations.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Dec 2025 ==

Except that during the Summer (when the OP is travelling) the Brussels-Frankfurt ICE service has a EUR5.50 compulsory seat reservation charge , and the miserable punctuality of DB as well.

Available for €3 via ÖBB or ČD and the staff don't care whether you have a reservation or not. The BahnBonus seats can't be reserved, so will always be available if you board in Brussels.

 

[Trainbike46]

Pls delete

 

[NCT]

Available for €3 via ÖBB or ČD and the staff don't care whether you have a reservation or not. The BahnBonus seats can't be reserved, so will always be available if you board in Brussels.

Has anyone experienced being asked to vacate their seat by a Bahncard holder?

 

[Gathursty]

Have you considered London-Amsterdam-*sleeper*-Zurich?

Not a direct route, but only one change, and reasonably time-efficient if you're willing to arrive in the morning rather than evening.

I'd prefer a hotel stay than a Sleeper. Out of curiosity though, would I need to pay for a seat reservation for the Amsterdam - Zurich Sleeper?

 

[bspahh]

I'd prefer a hotel stay than a Sleeper. Out of curiosity though, would I need to pay for a seat reservation for the Amsterdam - Zurich Sleeper?

https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/nightjet.htm#interrail-and-eurail-reservations says:

• Reservation fees
  From 2024, passholder reservation fees are dynamic, they vary like air fares according to demand, the minimum and maximum prices are shown below. All types of seat, couchette & sleeper can be booked with either a 1st or 2nd class pass, it makes no difference to the price. Prices are per person per bed.
  Seat €5.50 to €19.90.
  Couchette in 6-berth compartment €19.90-€54.90. Couchette in 4-berth compartment €24.90-€64.90.
  Bed in 3-bed sleeper €64.90-€124.90, bed in 2-bed sleeper €64.90-€154.90, single bed sleeper €149.90-€309.90.
  Bed in 3-bed deluxe sleeper €89.90-€214.90, bed in 2-bed deluxe sleeper €109.90-€264.90, single bed deluxe sleeper €249.90-€469.90.

 

[Trainbike46]

If you are OK with an overnight, last year we went from Preston to London, Eurostar to Amsterdam (late afternoon early evening in Amsterdam) sleeper train (NightJet) to Zurich. We then went over the Alps to Milan and Bologna.

You could join the overnight train in Germany, but direct to Amsterdam and no changing stations suited us.

If you are OK with an overnight, last year we went from Preston to London, Eurostar to Amsterdam (late afternoon early evening in Amsterdam) sleeper train (NightJet) to Zurich. We then went over the Alps to Milan and Bologna.

You could join the overnight train in Germany, but direct to Amsterdam and no changing stations suited us.

This is a good option, tbh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Dec 2025 ==

I'd prefer a hotel stay than a Sleeper. Out of curiosity though, would I need to pay for a seat reservation for the Amsterdam - Zurich Sleeper?

I believe so if you're on the sleeper, but not if you're on the IC part of the same train (if memory serves).

It may be worth considering paying for a couchette or sleeper for a more comfortable journey (though I didn't, when I used it from Basel)

 

[Tester]

Has anyone experienced being asked to vacate their seat by a Bahncard holder?

I haven't, and have used them many times.

 

[rvdborgt]

Has anyone experienced being asked to vacate their seat by a Bahncard holder?

That has happened to me only once, in the beginning of the BahnBonus seats, many years ago. Also keep in mind that this can only happen within Germany.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Jan 2026 ==

I'd prefer a hotel stay than a Sleeper. Out of curiosity though, would I need to pay for a seat reservation for the Amsterdam - Zurich Sleeper?

No, not even next summer (when the ICEs again will have mandatory reservations). You can book a seat reservation for €3 via ÖBB if you want.