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EUROCITY EC-8 | Zürich to Cologne in SBB’s Panoramic Car

Posted by Timothy on

SBB_EC8_Panorama_outside

After my attempt to ride SBB-CFF-FFS‘s Panoramawagen (Panoramic Car) from Cologne to Zürich, I was very happy to see the glass-roofed coach was present on the return trip: EuroCity EC-8.

What’s so attractive? The route, from Zürich via Basel SBB, Baden-Baden, Mainz, Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne (Köln Hbf) and then further to Hamburg-Altona winds next to the Rhine. A beautiful valley with vineyards, castles and the smell of Wagner.

Experiencing this route in panoramic coach, in a first class seat, is so relaxing.

Corona did spoil the journey a bit. It’s not inviting to go eat in the restaurant car. And wearing a face mask is a bit tiresome. Not so much the wearing itself, but the fuzz around it.

SBB_EC8_Restaurant_people

But I did it. I had it. This will be my preferred route to central Switzerland next time I go.

Top tips

Let me give you top tips. First, check the Czech Vagonweb to know which car number is the Panoramawagen when you book your seat.

Second. The train changes direction in Basel SBB. Maybe it’s worth changing seat if the car isn’t full.

SBB_EC8_Panorama_seat_stretch

68 Comments Add yours

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  14. Jen's avatar Jen says:
    16 November 2024 at 12:15 pm

    Thanks for sharing about this train! I’m trying to book a ticket in the Panoramawagen, can I ask what website/service you used to buy your ticket? On the SBB website, I can select first class and reserve a seat, but I don’t see anywhere to put the car number (according to vagonweb, the Panoramawagen is the 2nd car). On czech-transport, EC8 doesn’t come up at all (searching for Zurich to Hamburg-Altona comes up with “Did not find any connection.” Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

    Reply
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  18. Unknown's avatar Timothy says:
    12 March 2026 at 2:02 am

    Switzerland’s national railway operator SBB CFF FFS carried a record number of passengers in 2025, achieving both unprecedented demand and the highest punctuality levels ever…

    Reply

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