SBB baggage allowance | Can I travel with all my suitcases?
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is the name of the national railway company of Switzerland. It is a very popular means of transportation among Swiss nationals and foreigners, as it connects the biggest cities in the country. The train company is actually Switzerland’s biggest transport enterprise. It is worth mentioning that SBB is the German acronym for the Swiss Federal Railways. The train company has acronyms also in French and Italian (CFF & FFS respectively). However, SBB is more commonly used. It is worth mentioning that SBB has been named as the “best train operator in Europe” at the 2018 “Great Train Comparison Report”.
If you are travelling with the Swiss Federal Railways, you might be wondering how many suitcases you can bring along your journey. In fact, there is no official SBB baggage allowance policy. However, that does not mean that passengers can bring as many items as they want. As with any other European train company, passengers on Swiss trains should be able to carry and lift their own luggage, without help. Also, the suitcases should not block the aisles and the entrances or occupy other passengers’ seats. You are able to know how much luggage you can bring on board by checking the Swiss Federal Railways timetable and seeing whether your train is listed with the comment “very high occupancy is expected”. If you see this message, we would recommend you not to bring more than a small hand luggage and a medium-sized suitcase.
“I need to bring more suitcases” | Alternative solution: Eurosender
At first, you thought that bringing a backpack, a trolley-bag, a suitcase, a guitar and a laptop case on board was a good idea. Now you struggle to move around the railway station and you might miss your train. You are not sure whether there is going to be enough storage space in your wagon and you are afraid that someone was “investigating” your backpack’s outer pocket. Does this sound like a nightmare? No need to fear; we have a solution for you. Ship your items with a courier company and relax. It is way more affordable than you think and you will be able to travel without any hassle!
Are bikes allowed on Swiss trains? |SBB baggage allowance
If you are exploring Switzerland, you will probably want to take your bike with you. The same goes when moving from one Swiss county to another. According to SBB baggage allowance policy, passengers can register their bike as an item of luggage. Alternatively, they can carry it on board as hand luggage. However, it is important to check whether the specific train they are about to board has a designated bike storage area. This information will be found on the Swiss Federal Railways timetable. Keep in mind that you will be required to make a reservation for the bike, which will cost about 5CHF (4,44€), plus a bike ticket. Ticket prices vary, depending on whether they are annual, daily or just for short distances. For a short distance, they usually cost half the price of a standard fare, while for the entire year, they can be up to 240CHF (213€).
Can I bring my sports equipment or a musical instrument? | SBB baggage allowance
You might be a musician who was invited to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Or maybe you are a winter sports enthusiast who is planning a ski trip at the Swiss Alps. Whatever the case might be, you will have to bring more items other than your suitcase. These, even when stored in their case, can have irregular shapes and might be hard to store in the wagons. SBB baggage allowance policy does not give any specifications regarding sports equipment and musical instruments. However, as long as the passenger can lift these items by himself/herself and can store them properly on the train (without obstructing the movement or the seats of other passengers) there will be no problem. It goes without saying that, if the instrument or the equipment is way too large (e.g. a harp, a piano, a canoe etc.), the passenger should rather use a logistics company to ship it to his/her destination.
Are pets allowed on SBB trains? |SBB baggage allowance
Passengers travelling with SBB can bring their dogs on board. Small dogs, up to 30 cm high, can travel for free, whereas, for bigger dogs, a ticket must be paid. This usually is equivalent of a second-class half fare. At the same time, there are daily tickets as well, which cost 35CHF (31€). If you travel with your dog on a regular base, you can also purchase a GA travel card for dogs, which will cost 805CHF (715€). At this point, it is important to mention that, if you are planning to travel with another animal, it is recommended to contact the train company.
Should ship my suitcases? | Eurosender
Travelling with too much luggage can be difficult and exhausting. Maybe you are moving to Zurich and you need to bring all your belongings to your destination. Or you might be organizing a ski trip to the Swiss Alps and you need to bring your snowboard and set of skis. Maybe certain health problems do not allow you to lift a lot of weight. Whatever the case might be, shipping some, if not all of your items with a reputable logistics company can be the solution you are looking for. Eurosender can offer you high-quality shipping services but in very affordable prices. Check our engine and see our negotiated prices for the route of your choice.
We have developed a platform for booking shipping services. We are not a courier or logistics service provider but we collaborate with such companies. What we do is to help our customers find the best possible option for shipping their belongings to any destination.
And why should I choose Eurosender?
- We offer access to door-to-door services. That means that the courier driver will pick-up your items from your doorstep and deliver it to the address of your choice. Maybe you are planning a ski retreat at the Swiss Alps but you do not want to carry your entire winter sports equipment during the trip. Our logistics partners will knock on your door, pick-up all the items and deliver them at your mountain cabin in the winter resort you are staying at.. There is no need to find a drop-off point. Shipping will be as easy as ordering a pizza.
- We take safety very seriously. We never compromise on the quality of the services. We keep track of the performance of logistics providers and make sure that every shipment is transported safely. If you are planning to travel with valuable items from one country to another, you should think about it twice. Although your belongings will be safe on the train, remaining at train station for a long period of time might not be as safe. Shipping those items with a reliable company can be a safer solution. Eurosender can also offer you the possibility to track your shipment online, so you can always feel relaxed knowing where your shipment is located. Last but not least, all of the shipments will have insurance coverage of up to 200€ and additional insurances are available for purchase.
- You can count on us. Certain items might not be eligible for transportation through a passenger train. Large items that might obstruct the aisles or other passengers’ seats and might not be allowed on board. However, we have your back! We can find the best way to ship your items while offering you valuable tips on how to properly pack them. We have a detailed shipping guide on our website, but you can always contact us by phone or e-mail. Our customer support team will be more than glad to help you out.
Additional considerations | Eurosender
Your items might be too large, too heavy or oddly shaped for standard shipping services. However, do not worry; we can still accommodate your needs! You can simply ask for an individual offer and our shipping experts will contact you. Unsure of whether you should ask for an individual offer or simply go through the standard shipping process? We have developed a shipment size checker calculator that will tell you what is the best service for your needs. Just measure the dimensions and weight of your shipment and you are good to go.
*The information concerning Swiss Federal Railways’ baggage allowance is based on data collected from the company’s website on 17/09/2018.