We like to avoid extreme temperature differences and try to use energy sensibly. For this reason, the temperature on our trains is regulated in accordance with the temperature outside. This avoids temperature shocks when boarding and alighting and reduces energy use.
Outside temperature
Inside temperature
Outside temperature under 19°C
The temperature on the train is kept at around 22°C.
Outside temperature in summer
In summer, the temperature on the train is set at around 5 to 7°C below the outside temperature. This is the European standard.
Example:
If it is 32°C outside, the temperature on the train will be around 25–27°C.
Dirty trains and stations.
We remove major spills daily and clean all vehicles regularly.
At our service facilities, we carry out additional deep cleaning and cleaning as required.
Our expertly trained cleaning professionals work with continuous quality checks to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness.
Mobile cleaning teams are also used on selected trains as they travel.
We carry out additional interim cleaning to handle specific spills.
We campaign actively for cleaner vehicles by participating in anti-littering campaigns and implementing our own measures to raise awareness.
Unfortunately, some passengers leave litter, leftover food or other mess that increases the need for cleaning.
Also, intentional damage such as vandalism and graffiti cause further mess and significant additional costs.
Our cleaning teams clean the trains regularly, but major or very recently made mess cannot always be removed immediately. We are sorry about these exceptions. With additional cleaning teams, we ensure that these messes have as little impact as possible.
Delayed/damaged luggage.
We have answered all questions relating to your luggage on one of our help pages.
We explain when you can claim compensation for delays in Switzerland and Europe and what rights you have in the event of delays and cancellations in Switzerland and Europe on one of our help pages. The legal foundations for this are based on passenger rights.
It’s wonderful that so many people travel with us. However, this can lead to capacity bottlenecks, especially during peak times – on commuter trains, for major events or when excursion traffic is unexpectedly high. This happens primarily during peak hours and predominantly in the major urban areas.
However, the average occupancy rate of our trains in Switzerland is significantly lower.
Factors causing a lack of seating.
Demand fluctuates a great deal and cannot always be predicted precisely.
Due to platform lengths, trains cannot be lengthened as required.
Our fleet is distributed across the entire network so longer trains cannot be deployed everywhere at short notice.
Short-term disruptions (e.g. vehicle failures) can also mean that a shorter composition must be used. We carry almost 1.4 million passengers each day and we aim to provide a comfortable journey for all of them, to the extent that this is possible. However, we cannot keep unlimited rolling stock on hand as we have to consider economic factors and the financial stipulations of our owners, the Swiss Confederation.
In principle, a bike reservation enables you to claim a bike space. Unfortunately, however, SBB cannot always guarantee that the reserved space is actually available – for example if another passenger has loaded their bicycle incorrectly or the train has a different composition.
If your reserved bike space is occupied, please contact a member of the train crew immediately. They will attempt to accommodate you and your bicycle in another coach or – if possible – arrange an alternative connection with bike transport for you. If you cannot travel due to lack of space, the train crew will help you search for another connection.
SBB works continually to improve things for those travelling with bicycles – including by providing more and better designated bike spaces, trained staff and additional capacity on new and upgraded trains.
SBB operates one of the most-travelled railway networks in the world. Being so heavily used, the network needs regular maintenance to ensure that trains continue to arrive at their destinations safely and on time. SBB therefore carries out continual engineering work on the track network and on the tracks themselves.
To maintain rail traffic through the day and to ensure the safety of employees, SBB has to carry out some works in the track area during the night by closing tracks and switching off the contact line. The only work carried out during the night is that which cannot be carried out during the day because it would be too close to moving trains or to the contact line.
SBB is aware that engineering works can be inconvenient for residents. We do everything we can to keep noise and restrictions to a minimum.
During some engineering works, we have to close tracks completely. As trains temporarily cannot run there and a diversion is not always possible, we provide replacement buses on some sections of the route to maintain the connection for you, to the extent that this is possible.
Works directly on the track.
A great deal of engineering work – for example replacing tracks and points, working on overhead contact lines or on bridges and tunnels – is only possible if the track is closed completely. For reasons of safety, during this time, trains cannot run – never mind how slowly.
Often, diversions are not possible.
Not every route has a suitable alternative. Frequently, there is no parallel line, too little free capacity on neighbouring routes or there are technical restrictions (e.g. a different electricity system, missing signals). Trains then have to be cancelled or have to stop running earlier.
Replacement bus instead of no connection at all.
Buses may be slower and offer less space than a train but they can travel flexibly where tracks are closed. This means we can offer a travel option, despite engineering works – even for closures at short notice.
Fewer affected passengers:
During the day the railway network is very busy. If we did engineering works during the day, significantly more trains would have to be cancelled or diverted. Fewer trains run at night so fewer passengers are affected.
Safer for staff and operations:
For a great deal of engineering work, tracks must be closed and the electricity in the overhead contact line must be switched off. This is simpler and safer at night because fewer trains are running.
Efficient engineering period:
Complex works – for example changing tracks or points – take several hours to complete. These windows of opportunity can be better planned at night than between train runs during the day.
We are aware that engineering works, especially at night, can be disruptive.
For this reason, we plan our works so that the noise is as limited as possible, for example by bundling jobs and shortening the duration of works.
If technically possible, the loudest work is carried out during the day.
We use noise-dampening working methods and machinery and we install temporary soundproofing equipment as required.
The companies we use receive clear instructions to avoid unnecessary noise (switch off engines, no excessive works during the most sensitive night-time hours).
We adhere to legal regulations for noise protection and inform residents in advance about planned works, their duration and expected noise levels. If we receive feedback from residents, we always check whether additional adjustments might be possible.
Further questions and answers about engineering works can be found at SBB News.
Trains sometimes run with changes to their composition because vehicles fail at short notice or are not available as planned – for example due to disruptions, maintenance, repairs or delays in inflow. To ensure that we can offer the connection anyway and that no additional cancellations are made, we use other rolling stock as a replacement or run a shorter train. In these situations, it can be that a dining car or family coach is missing or that S-Bahn rolling stock is used instead of the usual long-distance train. These solutions are always intended as a transitional measure which will still allow you to reach your destination, even if the level of comfort is temporarily reduced.
Non-implementation of rules.
Our safety and service teams have to focus their resources on situations in which people are in direct danger (e.g. crossing tracks, trespassing, medical emergencies). For this reason, action cannot always be taken at all times and in all places against offences such as riding e‑scooters or smoking in the wrong place.
Offences against railway station regulations can result in the offender being asked to leave, the confiscation of items, claims for damages, criminal prosecution and nuisance claims. We also rely heavily on prevention, information and the responsible behaviour of our customers.
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