Scenic train and itinerary in April

Hi Sugarplumfairy. Some day trips from Basel will be quite long, as it's not located centrally, but if you're fine with train journeys that's no problem of course. I think it's wise to stay overnight in Zermatt, as that's one of the longest trips on your list.

As for the Bernina Express: that's really off your route and it would take a lot of time to fit this into your schedule. You would have to get to St. Moritz or Tirano first, and that alone will take a full day. Then you'd have to spend a day to make the Bernina Express ride. Other scenic rides would make more sense. For example, you could do part of the Glacier Express to Andermatt and then continue your trip back to Basel. Scenic alternatives are the Golden Pass line via Montreux, Gstaad and Zweisimmen (this will result in a long day trip too) or the Lötschberg RegioExpress via Goppenstein, Kandersteg and Spiez. If you fill out 'via-stations' in the timetable will such trips will be displayed.

Scenic trains are covered by the Swiss Pass. You can read all about this, and download a validity map, from the Swiss Pass page. Seat reservations have to be arranged (and paid) for seperately. As for buying your Swiss Pass: since you're traveling in April, you can afford not to order yet: interesting online offers may come along by February or March. If so, they will be mentioned in our rail forum.

I'm not sure if you need a hotel in Basel, but if so, this list may help you out. So may this overview of hotels in Zermatt.

Have fun preparing for your trip!

Hi Sugarplumfairy. That depends on what arrival times in Basel are still acceptable for you. If you want to do the entire Glacier Express from Zermatt (assuming you start there) to St. Moritz and back to Basel, you'll arrive around or after midnight. It makes more sense to either spend one night in St. Moritz, or get out at Chur and then continue to Basel. You'll miss out on a wonderful part of the route in that case, but you'll have to make such choices for a doable itinerary. And don't worry: other sections, especially Andermatt-Chur, are beautiful too. Please enter your trips in the timetable, and include via-stations, to get all details.

Here's a sample travel plan for a very, very long day starting and ending in Basel:
Basel dep. 5:59
Zermatt arr. 9:13
Zermatt dep. 9:52 (Glacier Express)
St. Moritz arr. 17:58
St. Moritz dep. 19:02
Basel arr. 00:01

Hi Grace,

If you order your pass here through your local reseller you can order along the reservations from this page. Most other resellers listed at the Swiss Pass page provide that service as well. You can wait until you're in Switzerland but that increases the chance of the train being fully booked or your preferred seats not being available. Please see the seat reservation link Annika provided for all details.