Bernina Express reservations late Oct. sold out?
A traveler, Epersons1, is planning a train trip from Tirano to St. Moritz on October 31, 2023, after struggling to book a Bernina Express due to sold-out tickets. They've secured first-class tickets but are concerned about the necessity of seat reservations and can't reach SBB for clarification.
- Reservations are required for panorama carriages on Bernina Express trains, so check your seating type carefully.
- If you're in a normal first-class carriage, no seat reservation is needed despite having a ticket.
- If you need to contact SBB from abroad, use +41 51 225 78 56 for assistance.
AI-generated summary-
Hi, I purchased and paid for first class tickets from Tirano to St Moritz on a regular SBB R4640 train as the Bernina Express is sold out. The train leaves at the same time as the Bernina Express, so assuming it is pulling it. This is for Oct 31 2023. The purchase went through for 2 people in 1st class for the 9:41 am train and I received email confirmation (booked on the SBB site before I created a login, so I only have an email confirmation and no way to pull it up online.) When I booked there did not appear any option to make a seat reservation, just the ticket reservation. I have now seen somewhere that reservations are compulsory on a PR-Panoramic train which this is, but there is NOWHERE to make a reservation. I am afraid that we will turn up at the station in Tirano and have either no seats or have to scrounge for separate seats “somewhere” onboard. HELP PLEASE! I also tried to call SBB, but the phone number they list does not work. Any help will be appreciated for this case, including a proper phone number to be able to call from the US. Thank you so much!
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Hello Epersons1,
Thank you for sharing.
That’s right on the Bernina Express trains, reservations are compulsory. You can read all about it in the attached link:
The 09:41 train you are taking, per the SBB timetable is indeed a regio train, an explanation of the train types can be found below:
In your case, it could be that they have decided to connect a “panorama carriage” to the train and to be seated here, a reservation is required. This is likely to be in addition to the 1st and 2nd class carriages. If the intentions is sit in the normal 1st class carriage, then there is no need for you to do anything extra.
If you are requiring a seat reservation in the “panorama carriage”, purchase details can be found here:
Laslty, the contact number for SBB is +41 848 44 66 88, is this the number you have been calling?
I hope this all helps, do reach out if you have further questions.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda and thank you for your quick reply. That number is indeed the one that I have been trying but I keep getting a message “your number cannot be completed as dialed”. I even called my phone carrier and they cannot understand why I cannot get through.
So if I have a first class ticket on this R train I do not need seat reservations? By the way a half fare was available so I booked it. And I booked the option only for this train and route. Thank you.
Apologies Epersons1,
The number for SBB if calling from abroad is +41 51 225 78 56.
No, no seat reservation necessary if you are sitting in the ‘normal’ carriages of the train.
If you purchased a half fare ticket, you will need to have a Swiss Half Fare Card. All information in the below link:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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