We are looking into buying the two for 1 swiss pass for September travel. One trip will be on the Bernina Express and we understand it is covered under the pass but will need reservation and pay a reservation fee..how do we find what the reservation fee is and how to make it?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16387 posts
The reservation fee is 12 CHF and you can make them on the Rhätische Bahn website, www.rhb.ch Note that separate reservations are required for the train ( Tirano to St. Moritz or Pontresina) and the bus portion ( Lugano to Tirano) if you are doing both. Also note that there are numerous regional trains that use the same route that do not require reservations; you just get on and find a seat.
Posted by
OP
Carlsbad, California, usa
87 posts
Hi Lola You have been such a huge help to us as we have been planning this dream trip..if we were to just look on sbb.ch at trains from Tirano to Chur would we be on the same route for all options?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16387 posts
Hi Vikki-if your destination is Chur, only the "true" Bernina Express goes directly there on a train with no changes on the way. This is the 14:04 departure from Tirano. The regional trains follow the exact same route (but make more stops on the way) as far as Pontresina, then they head toward St. Moritz. To get to Chur, you could either go to St. Moritz and take a second train from there to Chur (backtracking to Samedan), or change at Pontresina and again at Samedan to get to Chur. The latter option is about an hour faster, and stays on the "true" Bernina Express route. If you Google "Swiss synoptic map" you will get a route map of the train tracks, and you'll see they form a sort of triangle in the area Pontresina-Samedan-St. Moritz, which explains why there are various routes.
Posted by
OP
Carlsbad, California, usa
87 posts
Because we are traveling with the in-laws (86 & 88) I think the non stop express is the best best and we will just pay the reservation fee..think the basic fee is covered under the Swiss Pass correct?
Posted by
OP
Carlsbad, California, usa
87 posts
Just went to check the reservation site that Lola mentions..it is showing a certain number of what they call free seats..would these be for use with the Swiss Pass? If I select the 6 seats I need it reflects a $12 fee per seat which I am assuming is the reservation fee...is there any reason not to book the reservation at this time even if we have not purchased our Swiss pass yet?
Posted by
OP
Carlsbad, California, usa
87 posts
does the Bernina Express only have one class of seats? We are trying to weigh first class pass vs. second class and the Bernina Express is the longest day of our travel..if there is no difference on the Express I can not see doing First Class..reservations just gives you what seats are available
and doesn't ask first or second class...all so confusing
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32905 posts
You are right about the CHF 12 fee - see Lola's first answer to you at the top of the thread. You say $12. Did you actually find $12 or is it actually CHF 12?
Posted by
OP
Carlsbad, California, usa
87 posts
You are correct about the currency..it is Swiss...in looking at the schedule I see for example next Monday they are showing three groups of seats and one with a 1 by it which I assume is First Class but looking forward to September they are only offering one group...it doesn't appear as they fill up so I'm thinking we are good to wait for a bit yet before making reservations..agree?