Hello again everyone!
Follow up question - Eurail Global Pass
I was trying to book seat reservation from Milan to Lucerne. I followed the steps that "themaninseat61" provided using the Rail Europe site but I'm still being charged the Full seat price and I'm not getting an option to purchase. I also tried the Trenitalia and ÖBB sites and the same thing, I'm being charged for the Full ticket seat price. What am I doing wrong?
🙏Please help!
Thank you so much!
Did you add Eurail using the "add rail pass" option?
Regarding the specific itinerary in your screenshot you should look up Milan - Arth-Goldau only. The second train doesn't have reservations. In general you don't need reservations within Switzerland (never made one).
Last tip: select € as currency, otherwise Rail Europe adds a small fee.
Did you add Eurail using the "add rail pass" option?
Regarding the specific itinerary in your screenshot you should look up Milan - Arth-Goldau only. The second train doesn't have reservations. In general you don't need reservations within Switzerland (never made one).
Last tip: select € as currency, otherwise Rail Europe adds a small fee.
Yes, I did. Our Global Pass is 1st Class, that's why the total amount is 425. Also, it's not giving me any options on what to do next, or to purchase.
Thank you for the tip about using €.
You should indicate Milan - Arth.Goldau, you don’t need a reservation from this station to Lucerne, but problems are currently known with these trains.
3 options:
-- Try later
-- Reserve seats only from Milano to Chiasso (border station). Reservations are not mandatory in Switzerland. You will pay less (€ 10 and € 2 reservation fee), but reservations are only exchangeable, not refundable.
-- Take a regional train RE80 until Lugano (without reservation) and a direct train IC21 from Lugano to Lucerne. Be aware that the connection time is short, but you could make a stopover in this city.
Alright looks like there are some issues with Trenitalia and/or Rail Europe...
I'm able to get a reservation for Milan - Chiasso (the mandatory part) but not further into Switzerland.
I'd advise to wait, unless you're travelling like tomorrow. This train rarely gets full.
Alright looks like there are some issues with Trenitalia and/or Rail Europe...
I'm able to get a reservation for Milan - Chiasso (the mandatory part) but not further into Switzerland.
I'd advise to wait, unless you're travelling like tomorrow. This train rarely gets full.
Thank you so much! I will try Chiasso. I see that the trip is less than 1hr. Haha...my son wants a longer train ride because he wants to see the scenery.
"Seat reservation is not required" - does that mean that we can go to the station, activate our Global Pass and just sit anywhere?
You should indicate Milan - Arth.Goldau, you don’t need a reservation from this station to Lucerne, but problems are currently known with these trains.
3 options:
-- Try later
-- Reserve seats only from Milano to Chiasso (border station). Reservations are not mandatory in Switzerland. You will pay less (€ 10 and € 2 reservation fee), but reservations are only exchangeable, not refundable.
-- Take a regional train RE80 until Lugano (without reservation) and a direct train IC21 from Lugano to Lucerne. Be aware that the connection time is short, but you could make a stopover in this city.
Thank you so much Danhiel!
I will look into all your suggestions. I really appreciate all the help!
There have been problems with the Italy-Switzerland pass reservations for weeks now and not only on Rail Europe but also elsewhere (ÖBB, Interrail/Eurail; Happyrail seems to work though). You can indeed book the slightly cheaper mandatory section (to Chiasso or to Domodossola, depending on the route) but not further into Switzerland.
In this case, I'd just use the reservation-free regional express trains from Milan at xx:43, with a change in Lugano.
If you want to see the old Gotthard route, with great views, then stay on the regional express until Cadenazzo (or Giubiasco, depending on the date, check sbb.ch) and then take the IR via Göschenen. That takes longer but the views are worth it if you have the time:
"Seat reservation is not required" - does that mean that we can go to the station, activate our Global Pass and just sit anywhere?
Yes, it’s exact, but note that you must also activate your pass, add and activate a journey even if you have a reservation. Both are checked in the train (pass and mandatory reservation). In Milano Centrale, you must scan your pass or reservation to access the platforms or ask the staff to open the gate if it doesn’t work.
There have been problems with the Italy-Switzerland pass reservations for weeks now and not only on Rail Europe but also elsewhere (ÖBB, Interrail/Eurail; Happyrail seems to work though). You can indeed book the slightly cheaper mandatory section (to Chiasso or to Domodossola, depending on the route) but not further into Switzerland.
In this case, I'd just use the reservation-free regional express trains from Milan at xx:43, with a change in Lugano.
If you want to see the old Gotthard route, with great views, then stay on the regional express until Cadenazzo (or Giubiasco, depending on the date, check sbb.ch) and then take the IR via Göschenen. That takes longer but the views are worth it if you have the time:
Thank you so much for this suggestion. I will look into this.
There have been problems with the Italy-Switzerland pass reservations for weeks now and not only on Rail Europe but also elsewhere (ÖBB, Interrail/Eurail; Happyrail seems to work though). You can indeed book the slightly cheaper mandatory section (to Chiasso or to Domodossola, depending on the route) but not further into Switzerland.
In this case, I'd just use the reservation-free regional express trains from Milan at xx:43, with a change in Lugano.
If you want to see the old Gotthard route, with great views, then stay on the regional express until Cadenazzo (or Giubiasco, depending on the date, check sbb.ch) and then take the IR via Göschenen. That takes longer but the views are worth it if you have the time:
Thank you so much for this suggestion. I will look into this.
Quick question: what website/train company you used in your screenshot?
Thank you.
Yes, it is from sbb.ch.
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