Jan 12, 2016 - 6:22 AM
Hi Amanda, and welcome!
The Wilhelm Tell Express is a regular boat/train combination which can be used without reservations. If you want the special package with lunch and seat reservations in the panoramic coach you will indeed need to book in advance. Please see www.myswissalps.com/ wilhelmtellexpress for all the details. Click to the Tickets section for instructions on how to book.
My guess is that booking this a few days in advance should work in February, but I can't guarantee that. Booking online is not necessarily more expensive. The standard price in Switzerland is CHF 187, assuming you don't have a rail pass. That's the full route from Lucerne to Locarno, so it should be a bit cheaper if you get off the train in Bellinzona. Rail Europe offers the trip for $165, so that's actually cheaper. They also offer an Economy ticket for $102, but I'm not sure what that is as the special package is for first class only. Please www.raileurope.com/eur opean-trains/william-tell-express/how-to-book.html. They may charge for shipping if you're not ordering anything else (e.g. a rail pass). You can also check www.raileurope-world.com/train/wilhem -tell-express, they seem to be slightly cheaper.
Enjoy the ride!
Last modified on Sep 18, 2022 - 1:54 PM by Annika
