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  3. Rail strikes: Questions and answers about your journey
  • Text: SBB/CFF/FFS
  • Fotos: SBB/CFF/FFS

Rail strikes: Questions and answers about your journey

Rail strikes may affect your journey if you are travelling across international borders. This article includes essential information and tells you what you need to consider.

5 Minuten

  • Text: SBB/CFF/FFS
  • Fotos: SBB/CFF/FFS

Is my train running or not?

Visit the SBB page «Operations and disruptions» for an overview of train connections affected by the strike.

Help

General questions

Where and how will I be informed about rail strikes?

The information page on current operations and disruptions shows all train service restrictions. The online timetable on SBB.ch and the SBB Mobile app is also continuously updated. You can also obtain information by phoning the SBB Contact Center on 0848 446 688 (CHF 0.08/min.). If your train is affected by a strike and you have purchased your international ticket in the SBB online shop or at an SBB Travel Centre, you will automatically receive the latest information about your train connection by e-mail.

What is SBB’s advice to affected passengers?

Obtain the latest rail information shortly before travelling to check whether your train is running or not. The information page on current operations and disruptions shows all train service restrictions. If your connection is affected by a confirmed strike, SBB recommends postponing your journey.

Can I use my ticket to travel on a different day or on a different train?

Generally, yes. Please note, however, that tickets for journeys on international long-distance trains to and from Italy, to and from France and on night trains include a compulsory seat reservation. It is therefore essential to rebook another connection to guarantee your seat. You can rebook at a Travel Centre or by calling the SBB Contact Center on 0848 446 688 (CHF 0.08/min.).

In Germany and Austria (excluding night trains) and on regional services in France and Italy, you can choose another connection operated by the same railway company (e.g. DB, Trenitalia, TGV Lyria, SNCF) with the same origin and destination in the event of a strike. You do not need a new ticket.

Can I cancel my ticket free of charge as soon as a strike is announced?

No. The announcement of a strike does not entitle you to a free ticket refund. The strike affecting a booked connection must be definitively confirmed – the confirmation of a strike is usually only publicised one to two days before the strike begins. You can find the latest information on the information page on current operations and disruptions or on the information pages of the international transport companies linked on that page.

Can I claim back the price of the ticket if I cannot travel due to the strike?

Yes, if the booked connection is affected by a train cancellation due to a strike. If the journey consists of a single contract of carriage (usually a ticket), you can claim back the full price of the ticket. If the journey consists of multiple contracts of carriage (e.g. Zurich–Milan, Milan–Bologna), a free refund is only possible for the ticket affected by the strike. You can obtain a refund at a Travel Centre or by calling the SBB Contact Center on 0848 446 688 (CHF 0.08/min.).

Can I claim back the seat reservation fee?

Seat reservations are non-refundable – even in the event of a rail strike.

However, SBB recommends that passengers obtain confirmation of the strike on the original date of travel. You can obtain confirmation at a Travel Centre or by calling the SBB Contact Center on 0848 446 688 (CHF 0.08/min.).

Who will cover any expenses, such as hotel accommodation or car hire?

The local transport company is responsible for any assistance required. However, this only applies if a strike takes place at short notice and has not been confirmed beforehand.

What do I do if I miss a connection because of a strike?

Before your journey: If you have a ticket that includes a compulsory seat reservation, you can exchange the ticket affected by the strike free of charge. For tickets without a compulsory seat reservation, you can use the next available connection with the original ticket. For your own peace of mind, you can obtain confirmation at a Travel Centre or by calling the SBB Contact Center on 0848 446 688 (CHF 0.08/min.).

During the journey: If you miss your connection abroad due to a strike, you can go to a local ticket office or call the SBB Contact Center on 0848 446 688 from Switzerland (CHF 0.08/min.) or +41 848 446 688 from abroad.

Can SBB run replacement trains to Italy, Germany, Austria or France if a strike affects the country in question?

Whenever possible – i.e. when sufficient trains and staff are available – SBB will arrange replacement trains for cancelled trains within Switzerland and through to the border. Outside Switzerland, SBB operates international passenger transport in cooperation models with various partner railways. These partner railways are responsible for the “emergency concept”.

If infrastructure managers are also affected by a strike, you will not be able to travel.

Rail strike in Italy

What impact do rail strikes have on passengers travelling between Switzerland and Italy?

Train cancellations may occur on cross-border services between Italy and Switzerland and within Italy. Depending on the connection, you can find details of the current status of rail services on the following websites:

Rail strike in France

What impact do rail strikes have on passengers travelling between Switzerland and France?

Train cancellations may occur on cross-border services between France and Switzerland and within France. Find out more via the following channels:

Rail strike in Germany

What impact do rail strikes have on passengers travelling between Switzerland and Germany?

Train cancellations may occur on cross-border services between Germany and Switzerland and within Germany. Find out more via the following channels:

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