Glacier Express reservation tips
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I had been eagerly waiting for 5 June to roll around to book my 5 September Glacier Express. Here is what I learned in using the Glacier Express site (and what I’m still fuzzy about):
- It turns out it’s not precisely 3 months out. It’s precisely 90 days out. So 5 September reservations were not available until 7 September. Count out your days!
- “Sales” start at 2 am Swiss time, which is excellent news for Americans! (I was told 2 pm Swiss time, which completely ruined my efforts).
- You can also book reservations by calling them at 0041 81 288 65 65
- There are at least three other websites offering reservation services. HappyRail.com had a $10 surcharge but didn’t offer an option to pick my date before I had to check out. RailEurope.com offers a date and about $22-$26 surcharge. Swisspasses apparently contacts you AFTER you buy online to confirm dates. These are all listed on this great website (along with packaged tours). I didn’t quite understand how they work vs the GE site and whether they guarantee seat choices or reservations–perhaps others can answer that?
- From my research, there are 36 first class seats, 48 second class seats, 30 seats for disabled folks, and 20 seats for the Excellence Class (a new added car I guess?).
- The GE site asks you if you have a discounted pass, even though it doesn’t make a difference for the reservation price.
- When you book your seats, they randomly assign you, often not together (??). You just click on the green assignment and click the seat you want.
- I’m still a little fuzzy about best side of the train to sit on. Some say right and some say left; all agree both sides have highlights. Someone had noted that on the seating chart, “the seats at the bottom of the screen are on the right heading west to east.” However, I have also read you don’t know for sure which direction the train will be going. Plus I believe it will switch directions at Chur.
- When you book your reservations, it asks you if you want to order a meal.
- GE knows their website is glitchy and are allegedly working on it. It showed all kinds of different seating availability for example, and let me pick seats but did not let me put them in the cart prior to 7 June.
- We opted for first class, partly to have the two seats facing each other. GE was explicit in saying we should upgrade our second class Swiss Travel Passes at the station rather than do it online. I’m not sure why.
- If you were wondering about the new Excellence class, it’s $420 for reservations plus $268 for the ticket (less any pass discounts). For that, 20 of you get cushy window seats, food and drinks, lots of coddling, your luggage handled and safely locked away, a bar/host, use of an IPad and free wifi (which is not available on the rest of the train it appears). Good summary: http://www.townandcountrymag. com/leisure/travel-guide/a27613054/glacie r-express-switzerland-launches-excellence-class/
- On the flip side, the Bernina Express was a breeze. I booked 4 June seats for 4 September easily.
I spent the past three mornings fretting around 4 am trying to get booked. So I hope this helps others avoid that angst in their planning!
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