Bernina Express reservation through Rhaetian
 

We have purchased 1st class Swiss Passes for the fall. On Rhaetian Railway website it appears reservations can be made as far out as October for Bernina Express. There are not enough seats available on the weekend we need so I emailed Rhaetian Railway about booking by phone.

This is what they emailed me: “We can not book the reservation in our system right now. We can do the booking 2 months in advance.”

Two months seems like cutting it close to the desired date for there to be anything left.

What experience with booking a reservation has anyone else had with Rhaetian Railway or any other company?
We are planning Chur to Tirano; Bernina Express; October weekend.
Thanks.
besty3

There are not enough seats available on the weekend we need

How do you know that if reservations don't open until two months prior???

Trust me, I would be VERY surprised if the panorama car seats are sold out if you wait until 2 months prior, especially in October.

Dukey,
Their website shows tickets can be purchased now for Sept. and Oct. http://www.rhb.ch/Ticket-Shop.1103.0.html?&L=4

On the website it shows a train car for 1st class and a train car for 2nd class, and the 1st class car is just about full for our weekend date in October.
http://www.rhb.ch/Ticket-Shop.1103.0.html?&L=4

I asked Rhaetian Railway in my email to them if more cars would open up later on their website.
They emailed me what I posted above, not really answering my question.
Maybe they did not understand or maybe they did not go to their own site and look.

If you click Bernina Express reservations on their site you will see that seats are available as far out as Sept. and Oct. but limited.
I do not understand why they have it on their website to reserve and then they say book 2 months out in the email.
Seems confusing.

I called about 2 weeks ahead for my reservation last month. I thought it was full too, per the seat map. They add more cars. I think 2 months out will be fine. I bought a 1st class ticket and it was well worth the extra for me. Not sure why the site says one thing and they say another.

Thanks scatcat.

scatcat,

Where you able to request where your seats were located?

Thanks for your reply and sorry that my own wasn't helpful. I suspect they might add additional panorama cars if there is demand. As to October, unless there is some sort of tour group I still would be surprised if there were not any seats available.

I don't understand, either, why seats would be shown as being occupied when the company says they don't take reservations more than 2 months ahead

Oh, NOW I get it: the site allows you to reserve seats but you cannot buy tickets until closer to the travel date...you saw that, correct, but guess there weren't enough for your entire party.

You also saw the message that said "more seats may be available but not on the internet" I assume.

You know, if all else fails what I would do is call somebody like Byron at Budget European Travel and have him try to book the seats

betsy3

No, they would not allow me to select my seat, but I was traveling solo so I was given a single seat. I had a lot of fun on this train! The conductor would tell me "camera now"! Once he said "quick, this side". And I got a beautiful picture of the last cars of our train coming around a bend. I mostly stood at the end of my car where the window would open for pictures. This was my second time on the Benina Express, bu the first time I was in second class and not much leg room for my long legs.

Dukey,
I never thought about a travel agent.
Good idea.

Thanks scatcat for suggestion. My husband has long legs.

You can order the Bernina Express at www.swisspasses.com and they will automatically reserve the seats as they come on the system. They are Swiss Rail (SBB) ticketing agents so have more seats available :)

scatcat or anyone who might know this answer-----

To Scatcat, I read this quote of yours on another thread "I just did the Bernina Express last Friday. I bought my ticket right next door to the Italian train station at a snack bar called Buffet. The ticket office closes at 1:10 PM."

My Question for help: We are taking the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano. How and where do we purchase tickets to Milan after we arrive in Tirano? Scatcat you mentioned the ticket office closes at 1:10PM. (1:10 is after the Bernina Express arrives in Tirano)

Help from anyone.
Thanks,
betsy3