Changing preassigned seats

Joziegirl249

I just booked tickets today for our trip on February 4, 2026 from Milan Central to Zurich HB. The system automatically assigned seats for my cousin and I. We would rather sit on the right side of the train as I have read those are the better scenic views. Can I change to a different seat under the current reservation?

Sincerely,
JoAnn

Danhiel

Hello Joziegirl249

Furthermore, you have no guarantee that these reserved seats are on the right or left side. Changes of direction of the train compositions are always possible, sometimes the car #1 may be at the front, sometimes at the rear due to operational reasons.

Kind regards
Danhiel

RedBaron

Joziegirl249 We would rather sit on the right side of the train as I have read those are the better scenic views.

Where did you read THAT?
You’d have only better views for a couple of minutes between Melide and Lugano and another few minutes between Horgen and Thalwil. You’d miss the better views along the entire stretch between Flüelen and Zug on the Uri(Lucerne), Lauerz and Zug Lakes…
Simply check the online maps, e.g. the map of your journey on sbb.ch, switching to satellite view.

Tafunge25

Hello

I would argue that the views are, over the whole strech, about equally as good on both sides. The lakes you will be passing (Lake Lugano, Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Zürich) are even mostly on the left side when facing forwards and the mountains are on both sides.
I do not think that it is easily possible to change the allocated seats, but there is no obligation to reserve seats as soon as you enter Switzerland (this means after the stop in Chiasso). From then on, you can will probably find a free seat nobody has reserved (check reservation displays!) and you can just sit there.

Krist

You can even spontaneously change to a free seat already in Milano. You are not glued to your seat, and it is common for not all seats in a train to be reserved.

Joziegirl249

Hello and thank you everyone for your responses and insight.

I’ve been doing train research from both Milan and Lagano to Zurich and multiple searches said the right side of the train was better. All the other technical info provided in your responses was not mentioned in the research and it all makes much better sense to me now. Once we get to the train station, we will reassess. The information provided here is so greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
JoAnn

Joziegirl249

Switzerland was everything I could have hoped for and more. The information I received on this forum was spot on and I appreciate those who took the time to respond. Thank you!