February 13, 2020
When you travel, whether it’s for business or pleasure, carrying around heavy or bulky luggage can be a pain. However, if you travel by rail in Switzerland, SBB, the country’s national railway company, can take care of it for you. Even better, at the moment, a special deal means they will do it free of charge – so read on for more details about SBB’s free luggage collection promotion.
So what’s the deal?
SBB is currently waiving the fee normally charged for luggage transport, meaning they will pick your luggage up from your home and take it to your destination for free. At the end of the trip, they will then pick it up from your hotel and send it back to your home again. This means you will be able to enjoy your vacation without the worry of having to carry your own luggage.
Where is the offer valid?
You can take advantage of this offer when traveling to a range of destinations throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
You can’t just send your luggage anywhere you like, but there is a comprehensive list of popular holiday destinations where the offer is valid. In some of these places, only certain addresses can be used – but in others, delivery can be arranged for any address.
Here is the full list of possible destinations. ‘Selected accommodation’ means that only certain selected hotels there can be chosen while ‘all addresses’ means you can have your luggage sent to anywhere in that town.
How long is the offer open?
SBB is offering this service on all bookings made up until 30 April 2020. The offer applies to departures up to one year after the date of the booking.
How much does it normally cost?
Without this offer, SBB provides the same service, but you need to pay. The standard prices are:
- 1-4 pieces of luggage: CHF44
- 5-8 pieces of luggage: CHF66
- 9-16 pieces of luggage: CHF 99
How does the luggage pick-up work?
To benefit from this service, you must book before 8 pm a minimum of two days before you want the luggage to be collected.
You can request for it to be picked up between 8 am and 8 pm on a specified day. One day before free luggage collection, you will be notified of a three-hour window during which collection will take place.
It will then be delivered to the chosen address two days later.
However, luggage cannot be picked up on Sundays, and luggage is also not transported on Sundays. This means if your luggage is collected on a Friday, it will be delivered on the following Monday. If it’s collected on a Saturday, it will be delivered on the following Tuesday.
The same also applies to public holidays.
The specified collection point must have a postal address in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and it must be accessible to vehicles. If this is not possible, you can specify a suitable pick-up point when you confirm the pick-up time the day before. The same applies to the drop-off point at your destination.
What about the timings for the return journey?
Your luggage’s return journey works in much the same way as the outbound journey.
You can book a pick-up up to 8pm two days before free luggage collection. On the day of free luggage collection, you can then hand over your luggage to your hotel until 6pm at the latest.
Luggage will then be delivered to your specified location two days later. You can request a drop-off time between 8am and 8pm – and one day before, you will be given a three-hour window during which your luggage will be delivered.
The same rules apply concerning Sundays and public holidays as for the outbound journey.
Again, free luggage collection and drop-off points must have a postal address in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and they must be accessible to vehicles. If not, an alternative can be arranged the day before pick-up when confirming the times.
Is there anything else you need to know?
Regular luggage such as bags and suitcases can be carried, as can ski equipment. It is not possible to have bicycles delivered.
The maximum weight permitted per item of luggage is 25kg.
The offer only applies if you have a valid ticket for the whole route.
You can take advantage of this offer by booking online or calling the SBB Contact Center on 0848 44 66 88.
Another option for luggage when traveling in Switzerland is to make use of the luggage lockers conveniently located in many of the country’s major railway stations. Click here for more details.
Stay connected wherever you travel
However, you travel in Switzerland, whether by train or by any other means, you’ll want to stay connected at all times. If you want access to a fast, reliable and safe internet connection wherever you go, click here to find out more about our pocket Wi-Fi solution that will keep you online wherever you go.