Reservations for Zurich HB to Chur necessary?
A traveler is planning to take the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano on December 20 and is waiting to purchase a Saver Day Pass. They are unsure if they need to reserve seats on the IC train from Zurich to Chur, as they experienced issues reserving seats for dates beyond October.
- You do not need to reserve seats on main line trains in Switzerland as they generally have plenty of capacity.
- The 07:07 train from Zurich HB to Chur is the official connection to the Bernina Express, ensuring you’ll have enough time to transfer.
- If you prefer a more relaxed transfer, consider taking an earlier train from Zurich to allow time for a coffee at Chur station.
AI-generated summary-
Hello, we have Bernina Express seats reserved for Dec. 20, 2022, going from Chur to Tirano 8:32 to 12:49.
We are waiting for the 2 month window to open to get the Saver Day Pass to cover the ticket purchase for this AND for the IC train that goes from Zurich HB to Chur beforehand (either 6:38 to 7:52 or, if we are okay with the tight transfer time at Chur, 7:07 to 8:23.)
My question, is are we all set after this? Or should we ALSO reserve seats on the IC Zurich HB to Chur leg? I understand it is possible to reserve seats for this via the SBB reservations page:
http://www.sbb.ch/ticketshop/b2c/adw.do?1993
However I notice, when trying to reserve, it only goes up to the end of October for the 6:38 to 7:52 leg. If I choose any later date, it gives me a message “it is not possible to make the reservation for the route from Zurich HB to Chur. Train temporarily stopped.”
I know what the first thought that comes to mind is on that: It means I am trying to reserve too far out in advance. But I notice that when I choose the 7:07 to 8:23 leg, I can reserve all the way up to Dec. 8 before it starts giving me the above message.
What gives? I hope it doesn’t actually mean they won’t be running either of these trains after Dec. 8.
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There is no need to reserve seats on main line trains in Switzerland. A train going out of a major city at peak hour is highly unlikely to be full. In 60 years of travelling on Swiss trains I have never once reserved a seat. Swiss main line trains operate on a frequent, high capacity, regular interval system, more like a giant city metro or subway system. This is nothing like – for example USA or Canada where inter city trains are few and far between.
The 07.07 train from Zurich HB to Chur is the official connection to the Bernina Express. The trains will be opposite each other on the same platform at Chur, so you will have plenty of time to change trains – the short time is quite normal on the efficient Swiss Travel System. However if you get an earlier train from Zurich you would have time to grab a coffee at Chur station.
Note that in the new 2023 timetable the times have changed very slightly:
Zurich 07.07
Chur platform 9 arrive 08.22
Chur platform 10 depart 08.28
Thank you! So platform 10 is the Bernina Express? Is the 10 minutes enough time to get off the incoming train, find the Bernina Express, and find the right cabin?
Yes, it definitely is.
Hi Leon,
as 1960man already wrote, you do not have to reserve your seats on the Zurich – Chur trip. You can read more about the seat reservation in Switzerland here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/reservations/howtouse.
You can already get your Saver Day Pass here: http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass/price. (Look for the link of HappyRail).
Ildiko
Learn more about the Bernina Express: http://www.myswissalps.com/berninaexpress
Yes, the two trains will be less than 10 metres apart across the same platform.
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