Bernina Express reservation problems

Frank II,

I wonder of this has anything to do with it.....

"Seat reservations on the Bernina Express and on the Bernina Express Bus are obligatory and can be made at the earliest three months before your journey."

Depending on which day you're travelling in "early May", it could be longer than three months. Wait a few days and try again.

Then why is it letting me make second class reservations but not first class reservations?

I just looked at first class tickets on May 4 and May 5. In each case it offered me seats in Coach 2, which is first class. Plenty of seats left.

Here is the link but the seat chart may time out and disappear.

https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express#cart

Are you sure you are on the official website? Rhb.ch

They are offering booking up to May 7 but not beyond.

Maybe you saw Coach 2 and thought it was 2d Class?

I heard from Bernina Express.

They only offer first class tickets on the Chur to Tirano portion in early May. If I want to take a train from St. Moritz--which is where I wanted to board--to Tirano I can only get 2nd class on that route.

I've changed to Chur instead of St Moritz.

Frank II,

It's good to hear you've got this all sorted. It's a spectacular trip!

Frank, you do realise that the branded "Bernina Express" is not the only train on that route? There are regular trains every hour that follow the same route with 1st and 2nd class. The only difference is you don't get the panoramic windows (or the food), and you have to change trains en route (no through trains).
All rail routes in Switzerland have at least one train per hour.

Look up times on the Swiss Railways site: https://www.sbb.ch/en

Thanks Chris but sometimes in life it's okay to go against the Rick Steves way of travel and not look for the cheapest. The Bernina Express trains gives me panoramic windows so I can enjoy the view which is the reason for taking the trip, a seat by myself, not having to change trains and even an audioguide.

And, I know that second class goes to the same places as first class. But first class is more comfortable and I like to be comfortable.

I totally agree with you Frank! I'm about to book the Bernina Express 1st class too! It's so much less than 1st class airfare. lol