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Question

EC Reservations Italy-Switzerland July 2026

  • April 5, 2026
  • 12 replies
  • 73 views
M

I am struggling to find pass holder reservations for any EC train Italy-Switzerland via this site, or RailEurope, or OBB.  All will sell me a full fare, but no pass holder reservation.

Specifically I am trying to book EC16 13:10 Milano Centrale - Zurich. on 20/07/26.  I have tried many other dates, even different months and all say (on interrail.eu) pass holder reservations may be sold out.  Is this likely, 3.5 months in advance?  (I have tried dates in May as a test, in case reservations have not opened yet, but get the same message).

I know there is a local train option with a change in Lugano and may have to rely on that, but curious to know if others see the same, and insights on what is going on?

Many thanks for your help

12 replies

M
Railly clever
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  • Marvin Heer
  • Railly clever
  • April 5, 2026

Something seems to be not working correctly (That train does not have a limited passholder reservation as far as i am aware, so reservations should be avalaible as longs as tickets are also available. 

 

Raileurope shows the train double (in 1 case it says its not included and in the other it shows nonreservation requires (which is only true for the swiss section until Lugano)

I speak german 🇩🇪, english 🇬🇧, and i understand a bit of french
R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • April 5, 2026

There's currently a problem booking pass reservations Switzerland-Italy. Booking the mandatory section only does work, e.g. Milan to Chiasso or to Domodossola. That's also cheaper.

However, for Milan to Zurich, I'd just use the hourly regional express at xx:43 with a change in Lugano. No reservations needed and travel time is the same.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
    D
    Full steam ahead
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    • Danhiel
    • Full steam ahead
    • April 5, 2026

    ​@MartenHopper 

    You can reserve seats from Milano to Chiasso and stay in the train until Zurich, seat reservations are not mandatory in Switzerland. It is unlikely that your seats will be reserved from Chiasso to Zurich, in this case choose other ones.

    The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
    M
    • MartenHopper
    • Author
    • Rail rookie
    • April 6, 2026

    Thank you for the replies, and I’m glad to hear others are seeing a problem, too.  Thanks for the suggestions.

      S
      • Sakshi12
      • Right on track
      • April 7, 2026

      I want to book a similar train which goes Lucerne to Florence. The EC train leg inbetween is not bookable. 
       

      The regional train would mean waking up a hour earlier :( 

      Should I just wait for the issue to resolve? Anyone had a past experience with such a problem? 

      R
      Railmaster
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      • rvdborgt
      • Railmaster
      • April 7, 2026

      I want to book a similar train which goes Lucerne to Florence. The EC train leg inbetween is not bookable. 
       

      The regional train would mean waking up a hour earlier :( 

      Should I just wait for the issue to resolve? Anyone had a past experience with such a problem? 

      You can book from Chiasso to Milan on that EC. No need for reservations before that, especially not on the train from Luzern.

      Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
      S
      • Sakshi12
      • Right on track
      • April 7, 2026

      To confirm you mean I can sit on the train from Lugano, even though my reservation is going to be from Chiasso to Milan only? 
      I won’t be scrutinised by any ticket checking? 
      I apologise if these are stupid questions, it’s going to be my first time in Europe. Thanks 

      S
      • Sakshi12
      • Right on track
      • April 7, 2026

      Oh actually trying to book from Chiasso to Milano centrale gives me the same error on eurail.com 

      :( 

      R
      Railmaster
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      • rvdborgt
      • Railmaster
      • April 7, 2026

      To confirm you mean I can sit on the train from Lugano, even though my reservation is going to be from Chiasso to Milan only? 
      I won’t be scrutinised by any ticket checking?

      No that is totally fine. The EC can be used without reservations until Chiasso.

      Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
      D
      Full steam ahead
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      • Danhiel
      • Full steam ahead
      • April 7, 2026

      To confirm you mean I can sit on the train from Lugano, even though my reservation is going to be from Chiasso to Milan only? 

      ​@Sakshi12 

      Note that you reserved seats from Chiasso may be occupied by other people, but you can choose any other free seats.

      Oh actually trying to book from Chiasso to Milano centrale gives me the same error on eurail.com 

      Please let us know the date and time of departure if you require any further assistance.

      The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
      S
      • Sakshi12
      • Right on track
      • April 7, 2026

      The date I’m looking at is May 25th. The train that would leave Chiasso station at 11:02 am, the EC 31. 
       

      I can see that it’s bookable on Rail Europe tho. Not on Eurail. 

      D
      Full steam ahead
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      • Danhiel
      • Full steam ahead
      • April 7, 2026

      I can see that it’s bookable on Rail Europe tho. Not on Eurail. 

      ​@Sakshi12 

      No problem, you can reserve seats on Rail Europe. They also add now a €2 reservation fee.

      The information I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
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