Advanced seat reservations for Swiss scenic trains
A traveler named Don Daniel is planning a trip in September, focusing on seat reservations for the Bernina Express and Glacier Express. They are confused about booking timelines and want assistance with selecting the best seats for views during their travels from Lugano to Zermatt.
- Seat reservations for the Glacier Express can only be made three months before your travel date, so plan accordingly.
- For the best views on the Bernina Express bus, sit on the right side and try to get the two front seats.
- You can take a standard train from Tirano to St. Moritz on the same day without needing the Bernina Express, which may save you some money.
- When booking, note that the seating diagram shows that seats at the top on the RHB site are on the right heading south and at the bottom for west to east on the Glacier Express site.
- Ensure you have the correct spellings for your destinations: Bernina, Pontresina, Zermatt.
AI-generated summary-
Seems like I can purchase seat reservations now for our Sept. trip on the Bernina Exp. but not before 3 months in advance for the Glacier Exp. thru their websites. Could this be true?
I will have a 2nd Class Swiss Pass, and also need help in choosing seats for best views in all 3 cases.
Diagrams of seats available do not seem to show which end of the car is the front!
Sept. 19, 2019 Thur. Lugano – Tirano Berlina Bus
Sept. 19, 2019 Fri. Tirano – Postresina Berlina Express Train
Sept. 21, 2029 Sat. St.Moritz to Zermat Glacier Exp.
Thanks,
Don Daniel
-
Hello Don and Welcome to MySwissAlps
Is a Sonic train a new form of Express? 😉
Correct – Glacier Express only opens for bookings from 3 months out fro travel date.
The booking sites say they can’t guarantee direction of travel but the location of the driver’s seat is a bit of a giveaway on the BEX bus. You want to be on the right of the bus. Try to get the 2 very front seats for a thrilling ride through some impossibly narrow streets.
My experience with bookings at shop.rhb.ch/en/catalog /product/view/id/18 is that the seats at the top of the seating plan are on the right heading south. At shop.glacierexpress.ch /gex_en/specials/daytr ips/glacier-express the seats at the bottom of the screen are on the right heading west to east. Not sure if that helps or guarantees anything.
Please be aware that, if you are ending your day on the 19th at St Moritz, you don’t need to take the Bernina Express. You can take the ordinary train at 13.41 from Tirano and save on the extra fees, and you can travel straight to St Moritz on any other train, so you could break your journey at one of the summit stations such as Alp Grüm (scenic restaurant)
Please also note correct spellings:
Bernina, Pontresina, Zermatt
Hello Don Daniel,
Additionally to all the helpful information received by Rockoyster and 1960man please find a set of helpful links below:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress/packages
– http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress/packages– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable
Happy journey!
Best,
Steph
I wish I’d known that before rock oyster.
I was told it couldn’t be predicted. That means the single seats are never on the best side for the views on the BEX.
I am in luck on the GEX as I’m on the side of the best views just by chance! 🙂
Thanks Rockoyster.
Purchased all four needed seat reservations for BEX and will get those for the Glacier Express at the 3 month out time. Lot of details to absorb and appreciate your help.
Cheers,
Eddy
- The thread ‘Advanced seat reservations for Swiss scenic trains’ is closed to new replies.
