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Swiss & Italian passholder reservations

  • July 17, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 71 views
Z
Engin-ius
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Later this year I will be going from Switzerland to Italy on a relatively flexible schedule.  Because of handy clock face times I can spend shorter or longer times in the connecting city.

But . . . reservations are mandatory on the Zurich-Milan and Milan-Rome legs . . . and this somewhat takes away from the flexibility.

For example, I arrive into Zurich at (say) 09:05 and should be able to get the next train to Milan at (say) 09:25.  The same goes for the second leg - I get into Milan at (say) 12:30 and should be able to get the 12:50 to Rome.  Those specific times are made up, but the 20-25 minute connections are more or less accurate.

Because I have to buy reservations, I either have to gamble on my 1st train arriving on schedule or book the train an hour later.  The same goes for the 2nd train.  I can gamble on the connection or book the train an hour later.

Short version - if I reserve the short connections and miss one because of a delay is it possible to be rebooked on the next train or do I need to buy an entirely separate reservation?

I can’t help but think there was a shorter way to phrase this one . . .

Best answer by Angelo

In Milano Centrale there are some kiosk style points where the Trenitalia staff will change your reservation on the next available train. This kiosk are called Freccia Desk or Frecciapoint (new name), see the fotos in this article: https://www.fsnews.it/it/focus-on/servizi/2025/4/15/trenitalia-nuovi-frecciapoint-stazione.html

They change the reservations, you only have to say that you had a delay with the Eurocity from Zürich. Never heard that they don’t help (not like the SNCF staff). 

    5 replies

    ralderton
    Railmaster
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    • ralderton
    • Railmaster
    • July 17, 2025

    I don’t know about the Eurocity to Milan, but for the Italian domestic trains, I wouldn’t worry about waiting until 10 minutes before departure before you get a reservation. I’ve never had any problems with availability.

    (Asssuming you’re not travelling on a big holiday weekend.)

    But yes, in general the requirement for reservations doesn't kind of kill the flexibility of the pass, especially coming from somewhere like Switzerland. At least in Italy, they’re easy to buy decent availability, and not too expensive, which is not always the case elsewhere.

    Z
    E
    Railly clever
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    • eurocity101
    • Railly clever
    • July 17, 2025

    Zurich - Milan can also be done without reservations if you change to a regional train in Lugano. It doesn't take that much longer.

    But if you really want to stick on the direct trains, you usually can buy reservations last minute.

    The SBB app shows a message as soon as these trains sell out.

    I'm NOT working for Interrail/Eurail.
    Z
    Angelo
    Railmaster
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    • Angelo
    • Railmaster
    • Answer
    • July 17, 2025

    In Milano Centrale there are some kiosk style points where the Trenitalia staff will change your reservation on the next available train. This kiosk are called Freccia Desk or Frecciapoint (new name), see the fotos in this article: https://www.fsnews.it/it/focus-on/servizi/2025/4/15/trenitalia-nuovi-frecciapoint-stazione.html

    They change the reservations, you only have to say that you had a delay with the Eurocity from Zürich. Never heard that they don’t help (not like the SNCF staff). 

    Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask in the community! Known languages: Deutsch, Italiano, English.
    R
    Z
    Z
    Engin-ius
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    • zagmund
    • Author
    • Engin-ius
    • July 17, 2025

    Thanks for all the info folks.  It sounds like the Freccia desk should solve some of the problems alright.  It’s put my mind at rest.  I’ll fire ahead and book them.

    Z
    Engin-ius
    Forum|alt.badge.img+7
    • zagmund
    • Author
    • Engin-ius
    • July 17, 2025

    Zurich - Milan can also be done without reservations if you change to a regional train in Lugano. It doesn't take that much longer.

    But if you really want to stick on the direct trains, you usually can buy reservations last minute.

    The SBB app shows a message as soon as these trains sell out.

    Great tip about the indirect trains.  I had initially discounted them because I was going for the easy/least hassle route, but I see now that it doesn’t take any longer (a few minutes, maybe) and it also provides a whole new set of connection options which avoids most of the risk if there’s a delay somewhere.

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