Help with Bernina Express tickets

Don't get hung up about booking the seats. You only need to book for the special panoramic coaches.
If you are doing this as a day trip, that will mean you go over the route twice, once in each direction. If you want to save money you can book first class panoramic one way, and second class the other. In (unreserved) second class, you can choose any seat that is free.

The best place to buy tickets is from the railway company itself, the "Rhätische Bahn". Website here: https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express

The reason the cannot guarantee the direction is the train may be one way round one day, and the opposite way around on another day, depending on which routes it has taken in between.

I've ridden both ways in the 2nd class panorama car. In 1st class, it is just a row of single seats on one side of the aisle and a row of double seats on the other. You will have a great view either side. Also, If not fully booked in 1st class, you can move around to the other side if you like. And even with 1st class, if you spot empty seats in the 2nd class you can move to them as well. Remember, its a train not an airplane, so you can get up and move around.

For a change of scenery, you can also return on the post bus over the Maloja Pass to Chiavenna where you can get a train to Colico on the north end of Lake Como and get the back to Varenna from there.

I've never taken the Bernina Express, but the Seat61 website has detailed information about the trip: http://www.seat61.com/BerninaExpress.htm#.Vt-zb8v2apo . If you scroll roughly half-way down the page you'll come to a section with instructions for buying tickets for 29 Euros.

I took the Bernina Express last June. It was absolutely beautiful. I didn't go to St. Moritz....I stopped at Pontresina, which is the stop right before St. Moritz.

In June, it's very quiet and the area is very much dead. The train ride was the highlight of the 1 day trip for me. Remember to take cool weather clothing. It actually snowed at the Alp Grum stop on June 19th when I was there! :)

I booked 1st class ticket for my trip and in our car, there was only 2 other people. The car probably had 25 seats....so you could freely move around to take photos. The one bad thing is the windows don't open, so you'll need to adjust your camera angles.

I personally would be fine on the 2nd class cars. They seemed fine.

The next day, I just took the regional train back to Tirano and spent a little time there for lunch, etc. Then stayed a little more time in Varenna...then back to Milan.

The Bernina Express was a memorable moment in my 14 day trip. You will enjoy it.

Twg759, I am looking to do the same thing in September from Bellagio. When you get back I hope you will share your experience with me! I have heard from several people that we should take the bus to St. Moritz and then take the Bernina Express back because it gives you more time to spend in St. Moritz and so that you have 2 different experiences, tho I must say I am very concerned about being able to find our way. I agree with the post about the Man in Seat 61, he is a wealth of information and he even responds to emails. If/when you figure out how to buy the train tickets for the panoramic car, let me know as I have looked at the website many times and have yet to figure it out :)

Thanks everyone! I have been to the Seat 61 website MANY, MANY times and have yet to understand his directions for buying tickets. I tried buying the low price tickets for several random dates 30, 60 days out and they don't ever show up. VERY confusing website! I didn't know he responds to e-mails, so I will try that.

I had no trouble booking three 1st class ticket round trip just now at the RHB site for May 5, as far out as I can book. 414 chf. Coach 22 seats 44, 45 ,46, 3 seats sitting around a 4-person table, 2 window seats and one aisle.