Do we need seat reservations when traveling from Chiasso to Interlaken Ost?

BillfromCalifornia

On 27 June, my family will travel from Varenna-Esino to Chiasso on R2817 and RE80. Then, we will board EC178 and PE2928 to get to Interlaken Ost (connection in Luzern). We have purchased Swiss Travel Passes. Do we need to make seat reservations or do we simply board the train and assume we can find 4 seats together? Thanks in advance for your help.

RolandP

Hello BillfromCalifornia

No, you do not need seat reservations but it can well be that the EC178 is sold out or even running late. The IC2 is a viable alternative.

This is going to be a very long rail trip, in particular with kids; you could have made a night stop at Lucerne (one of the most beautiful Swiss cities), or even travel through Centovalli and Domodossola-Brig-Spiez, with another night stop.

Kind regards,
Roland

Krist

RolandP it can well be that the EC178 is sold out

Note that when a train is “booked out” this means in Switzerland that all seats are reserved. You can still board that train if you have a valid ticket or pass. You just will not have a guaranteed seat. There are often free seats anyway, as not everyone with a reservation turns up, or ends up travelling on the originally booked train…