SBB Dusseldorf to Zurich

[route101]

Looking at booking the direct EC9 on this route.

DB and SBB both offer to book tickets but on SBB its cheaper but there is a change in Basel.

Is the route scenic? Is it worth booking a seat reservation?

 

[DanielB]

The route along the Rhine is very scenic, worth booking a seat at the left side in travel direction. (But check if it stops at Bonn Hbf in the journey planner, that means it's taking the left bank, on case of diversion via the right bank book a seat on the right in your direction of travel)

I saw a recent announcement that the ECs would be broken in Basel due to the many delays, so the SBB advice would be correct.

 

[zero]

I've never found a seat reservation to be necessary unless it was a special day of some sort (public holiday). Once I had to stand for 20 minutes as it was morning rush hour but I wouldn't have been able to get to any reserved seat anyway

 

[DanielB]

Well, especially in the summer holidays southbound it can be quite busy. Northbound the train was much quieter, may have to do with timing

 

[route101]

This is a Thursday Southbound on EC9. Does anyone have a seating plan for the SBB coaches?

I would prefer a forward facing window seat if its scenic.

 

[signed]

Does anyone have a seating plan for the SBB coaches?

That will do : https://www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/vlak.php?zeme=SBB&kategorie=EC&cislo=9&nazev=&rok=2025

 

[route101]

The route along the Rhine is very scenic, worth booking a seat at the left side in travel direction. (But check if it stops at Bonn Hbf in the journey planner, that means it's taking the left bank, on case of diversion via the right bank book a seat on the right in your direction of travel)

I saw a recent announcement that the ECs would be broken in Basel due to the many delays, so the SBB advice would be correct.

Its stopping at Bonn Beuel then Koblenz.

 

[DanielB]

Its stopping at Bonn Beuel then Koblenz.

In that case there is a partial diversion: Rechte Rheinstrecke on the first part, then crossing the Rhine via the bridge at Urmitz and from Koblenz along the Linke Rheinstrecke.
Views at the Bonn - Koblenz part are a little less special from the Rechte Rheinstrecke, but the part south of Koblenz is by far the most scenic, so make sure to sit on the left hand side in travel direction.

 

[route101]

In that case there is a partial diversion: Rechte Rheinstrecke on the first part, then crossing the Rhine via the bridge at Urmitz and from Koblenz along the Linke Rheinstrecke.
Views at the Bonn - Koblenz part are a little less special from the Rechte Rheinstrecke, but the part south of Koblenz is by far the most scenic, so make sure to sit on the left hand side in travel direction.

According to the map the service reverses at Koln.

 

[DanielB]

According to the map the service reverses at Koln.

To get on the Rechte Rheinstrecke coming from Düsseldorf a train either needs to reverse at Köln Hbf or needs to use the low level platforms at Köln Messe/Deutz, so the map will be correct.

Don't forget the right and left bank of the Rhine are named as seen downstream, so in your case the Rhine is at your right hand side whilst on the Rechte Rheinstrecke and at your left hand side whilst on the Linke Rheinstrecke.

 

[30907]

To get on the Rechte Rheinstrecke coming from Düsseldorf a train either needs to reverse at Köln Hbf or needs to use the low level platforms at Köln Messe/Deutz, so the map will be correct.

Or it can use the South Bridge to save reversal - though as both SBB sets now have driving trailers that's not a huge problem.

 

[route101]

Or it can use the South Bridge to save reversal - though as both SBB sets now have driving trailers that's not a huge problem.

Checked timetable and goes via platform 11 -12 Messe station.

 

[duesselmartin]

Or it can use the South Bridge to save reversal - though as both SBB sets now have driving trailers that's not a huge problem.

not driving trailers in Germany as far as I know, unless it changed in the past three months.

 

[route101]

Booked ticket for EC 9 on DB website. You were able to select a seat on a plan at booking but for some reason it couldn't complete the reservation. I bought a ticket without a seat reservation.

From looking at the seat map , they seem to fill the seats up from the coaches nearest first class. The coaches nearest the loco or could be back of the set are much quieter. Looks like these coaches are behind the loco with first class at the rear of service.

 

[30907]

not driving trailers in Germany as far as I know, unless it changed in the past three months.

Apologies, didn't realise the DT from Interlaken was detached at Basel.

 

[nwales58]

vagonweb shows driving trailers used in Switzerland on EC 6/7 but not EC 8/9 currently

 

[DanielB]

vagonweb shows driving trailers used in Switzerland on EC 6/7 but not EC 8/9 currently

Which makes sense as EC 6/7 have to reverse in Bern on the way to Basel, whilst EC8/9 only reverse in Basel (which is combined with the loco change).
Doubt the Swiss driving trailers are compatible with a BR101 anyway.

 

[route101]

Which makes sense as EC 6/7 have to reverse in Bern on the way to Basel, whilst EC8/9 only reverse in Basel (which is combined with the loco change).
Doubt the Swiss driving trailers are compatible with a BR101 anyway.

I have booked through from Dusseldorf to Zurich and I think my connection is the same set from Basel to Zurich. How flexible are tickets to allow you to take an earlier connection to Zurich from Basel?

 

[rvdborgt]

I have booked through from Dusseldorf to Zurich and I think my connection is the same set from Basel to Zurich. How flexible are tickets to allow you to take an earlier connection to Zurich from Basel?

What kind of ticket do you have, and if it's a (Super)Sparpreis, what does it say under "Zugbindung"?

 

[route101]

What kind of ticket do you have, and if it's a (Super)Sparpreis, what does it say under "Zugbindung"?

Yes Super Sparpreis. Says EC9 and the date.