With any luck we will get our train tickets for the Bernina Express (long story) for travel from Chur to Tirano. I feel like I've asked this before, but perhaps not on the forum, because I can't find it on a search. I need to make seat reservations. Any tips for choice of seats? I know that going south, we'd want to be on the right side of the car, but I also understand that there is no way to know which way the car will go/face. I will pick two facing seats. Is there any reason to be in the middle of the car, vs. the ends? I believe we will be able to store our carry on luggage above our seats. On the seat map, there is a square with a dash. Does the dash denote the seat or the back of the seat? (Since I want to pick seats that face each other). Anything you know about getting good seats/views, etc. that I may not? We plan on bringing a picnic lunch (baguette, cheese, fruit) and wine? I am assuming this is allowed? Thanks!
Posted by
near San Francisco
5364 posts
The Man in Seat 61 has tips for seats and side of train:
https://www.seat61.com/BerninaExpress.htm
Tip: You can't tell which seats face forwards or which seats will be on which side of the train as carriages could enter service either way round.
Which side of the train to sit?
Going South, the best views are on the right-hand side of the train, going north it's the left-hand-side, including the best views of the Brusio Spiral, the Ospizio Bernina area and the Landwasser Viaduct.
However, when booking you can't tell which way round the carriages will be, so unfortunately you can't reserve a seat on a specific side. But feel free to move if seats are free, and if there's four of you, you could reserve the two window seats on both sides.
Edit: Sorry, I misread your original post. I'd like to blame it on reminiscing about the train ride, rather than just plain reading too fast! My apologies for this non-helpful post!
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
Thanks, I had that. Needing to know if people have thoughts on which car or what part of the car, or if it even matters. Also, I need to look at the seat map again, but it wasn’t clear to at least me, which way the seats face.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5364 posts
There isn't luggage space above the seats because of the panoramic windows. I recall there was room at the end of the cars.
Photo of the luggage area:
https://www.seat61.com/images/Bernina-express-luggage-large.jpg
Posted by
near San Francisco
5364 posts
The windows were so huge, with minimal obstruction between windows, that I don't recall there being any bad views.
You could try to sit near the luggage holds to keep an eye.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5364 posts
Also, Tirano is worth a wander back through the old gate and walls and the homes still built into it.
Posted by
OP
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
CWsocial, thanks, since it sounds like there is no bad seat, maybe it makes sense to pick the emptiest car so there would be a chance to move if we are on the “wrong side”. I don’t worry too much about luggage, I’ll keep anything that means anything with me, tho I did just get a cute suitcase, haha.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5364 posts
The view "up and to the other side" was also worthy!
Don't lose the cute new suitcase 🙂