Glacier Express sold out, what to do?
Pamela is planning a trip on December 27 and wants to take the Glacier Express, but it's sold out. She is unsure if booking a Day Pass and a ticket from Happy Rail will work. She seeks advice about navigating regular trains as an alternative route.
- Consider using the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on the regular trains.
- Download the SBB Mobile app to easily check train schedules and routes.
- When booking with Happy Rail, ensure you confirm that your tickets are valid for the Glacier Express, as seat reservations are crucial.
AI-generated summary-
I’d like to take the Glacier Express on Dec 27, but it appears to be sold out.
However, the Happy Rail website will sell me a Day Pass and a Seat on the Glacier Express. Will this get me on the train?
Thanks for any suggestions,
Pamela
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Hi Pamela,
Happyrail seem to have a habit of taking your money and then trying to get you on the train. If they can’t they will give you a refund.
If the GEX website says it is sold out then I would take their word for it. I would be amazed if it wasn’t sold out by this stage.
You can always follow the same route on regular trains without seat reservations. See how to at http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/gettingthere.
Thank you for the clarification.
On SBB, how can I search multiple stops, to recreate the Glacier Express route?
Am I right in thinking this will be 4 trains, corresponding to the 4 sections of the Glacier Express route?
Thank you!
Pamela
Now that it won’t be on the Glacier Express, I’m questioning if spending all day traveling from Zermatt to St. Moritz is a good choice? What about a shorter journey, from Zermatt to Lugano (Gandria?). Is the scenery this time of year, on the “regular” trains, worth an all-day trip? This train route was the main reason I picked Switzerland, so perhaps I should stick to my plan, GE or not.
By the way, I plan to stay in Lecco after this.
Hi Pamela,
I recommend using the SBB Mobile app (bit.ly/2ICIUHi) for checking train, bus, boat and cable way timetables. In the unlikely event you don’t have a device capable of running the app then you can use the timetable on the SBB website (bit.ly/2HH1U7B). If you are not familiar with using the SBB timetable it is worth first reading the instructions at http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.
For the GEX route you want Zermatt to St Moritz via Andermatt. For Lugano you want Zermatt to Lugano via Andermatt or Zermatt to Lugano via Domodossola and Locarno.
The scenery on the regular trains is exactly the same as on the GEX. You just need to change trains a bit. Do you have accommodation booked in St Moritz? I imagine it would be packed out.
Anyway if your main aim is to follow the GEX route then do it on regular trains. By all means try Happyrail but don’t hold your breath.
Hi Pamela and welcome to MySwissAlps,
To be sure to see the Glacier Express route in the timetable, enter the via-station Andermatt. Trains labeled PE (Panorama Express) are Glacier Express trains. (You can read more about the Glacier Express route at http://www.myswissalps.com/glacierexpress/gettingthere)
I also believe that it will be difficult to find accommodation in St Moritz at this point. You’ll find a list of recommended accommodations at http://www.myswissalps.com/stmoritz/hotels and http://www.myswissalps.com/stmoritz/rentals.
You can read about the Saver Day Pass at http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass.
I hope this helps.
Via HappyRail, I booked a Day Pass (half price) and a Glacier Express Excellence class ticket. This is reflected on their website, as attached.
I wasn’t able to select a seat, but maybe I have a seat??
Attachments:
Hi Pamela,
When did you make this booking? Not just today surely?
The Excellence Class is the equivalent of flying First Class. Happy Rail doesn’t offer the opportunity to pick seats but don’t worry. Everyone gets a window seat in Excellence Class.
Do you already have accommodation in St Moritz?
I booked it since we’ve been chatting!
Did I go about this correctly, in booking both a “Swiss Saver Day Pass” and the “Passholder Fares – Glacier Express – Excellence Class” for Dec 27?
Amazing. But even if my original theory (about Happyrail) holds true at least you now know how to get from Zermatt to St Moritz on regular trains. I’ll be very interested to hear how it works out. Hope you have a wonderful trip. 😎
“Did I go about this correctly, in booking both a “Swiss Saver Day Pass” and the “Passholder Fares – Glacier Express – Excellence Class” for Dec 27?”
Sure. More power to you if you can afford the top level.
Do you have accommodation in St Moritz?
Yes, I have accommodations in St. Moritz at Parkhotel Margna. Not a cheap place for just a single bed. But I did snag the last single room there weeks ago.
Go figure, I booked the room awhile ago and dragged my feet on the rail ticket. 😉
Thank you for your “give it a shot” attitude … I’m giving it a try!
Hi Pamela,
looks good for me. You do not need to buy any other seat reservation.
I wish you a wonderful trip. Please let us know how it was 🙂
Happy holidays!
Hi Pamela,
The Park Hotel Margna is not actually at St Moritz. Not far but still another train ride further on at Sils.
Hi Pamela,
I don’t want to be the Grinch that Stole Christmas but the thing you have from HappyRail is an order confirmation it is not a seat reservation or a Saver Day Pass. I hope you get those by email directly.
Ah, thank you for that bit of information, didn’t realize.
And I now have the app, much easier!
Yes, true. I received the Day Pass via email, and they say they will send the GEX bit within a day. We shall see…
Worst comes to the worst you can use the Saver Day Pass to travel 1st Class on the regular trains.
Good point!
Thank you for your help, it’s really nice to run things by someone in the know.
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