I am taking a train from Milan to Spiez. I got two tickets 1. Milano Centrale to Domodossola, it is BASE incl. seat reservation. Seems everything is fine the second part confused me 2. Domodossola to Spiez. It is "Connection Ticket International". In the footnote it said "Only valid with international ticket. CIV 85 without VAT.". Seems there is no seat reservation... Did I miss anything and I need to buy something else in order to take the ride?

Only valid with international ticket. CIV 85 without VAT.

Whattuvoo20

I am taking a train from Milan to Spiez. I got two tickets

Milano Centrale to Domodossola, it is BASE incl. seat reservation. Seems everything is fine
the second part confused me
Domodossola to Spiez. It is “Connection Ticket International”. In the footnote it said “Only valid with international ticket. CIV 85 without VAT.”. Seems there is no seat reservation… Did I miss anything and I need to buy something else in order to take the ride?

Danhiel

What are the date and time of departure? You have probably tickets for a replacement bus between Milano Centrale and Domodossola and perhaps another replacement bus between Domodossola and Iselle. For the rest of the trip, you don’t need any seat reservation.

Kind Regards
Danhiel

Whattuvoo20

Danhiel
Thanks for the reply!

First part:
Valid: ValidTh, 15.08.2024
Dep: Dep07:00, Arr: Arr09:20, looks like a replacement bus

Second part (where it said only valid with international ticket)
0948-1014 Domodossola to Brig, 1048-1123 Brig to Spiez, looks like a train

Hope this could give more context, thank you!

Whattuvoo20

Danhiel
I am most confused with “only valid eith international ticket” that makes me feel like I need buy sth else

Danhiel

Whattuvoo20 The international ticket is the ticket between Milano Centrale and Domodossola. Domodossola is in Italy, but it is the border station between the two countries. It means that you can use the ticket from Domodossola to Spiez only if you have the ticket from Milano to Domodossola. This is for fiscal reasons, the VAT (sale tax) is not due for international journeys, but it has no importance for you.

I think that the timetable has changed and you have now also a replacement bus from Domodossola to Iselle. Please check again the actual timetable on sbb.ch. You can take the next available replacement bus from Domodossola if the train indicated on your ticket is cancelled.

Seat reservations are never included in Switzerland, you can find more informations here:

https://community.sbb-tickets.cc/blog/23887-demystifying-seat-reservations-on-swiss-trains-a-comprehensive-guide

Whattuvoo20

Danhiel
Thanks, it is clear now.
And I think i am very lucky that my arrival time remains unchanged although timetable changed…

Just to check one more thing, do I need to book the new replacement bus given the timetable change or purchase additional ticket?

Danhiel

Whattuvoo20 No, if a train is cancelled or if you miss a connection due to a delay, you can always take the next available service with the same ticket. You should exchange the seat reservations only if they are mandatory, but it is very rare in Switzerland.

Please note that you can obtain a compensation if you arrive at your destination with a delay of 60 minutes or more, except for external reasons, severe weather for example.

Whattuvoo20

Hi Danhiel

Sorry I have one more question. I understand that I do not any additional booking for the replacement bus. One thing I cant understand is, if I do not book anything, will the replacement bus be full and I cannot get on/ need to stand? (as booking is not needed, they could not count me theoretically)

Danhiel

Hi Whattuvoo20

They know how many people take normally the train and, if necessary, more than one bus are running. But it is not possible to exclude that you must stand. If it were difficult for you, I hope that someone would give you his seat. It would be polite, but, nowadays…