Interrail on the Bernina route

[Teapot42]

I'm planning a Swiss rail adventure, but I'm hitting something odd with Rail Europe. If I search for journeys on the Tirano to Chur route (normal trains, not the tourist train) then I get some results (but not all) if I apply a 2nd class Interrail pass, but if I apply a 1st class one I get a message that no journeys can be found.

Has anyone come across this before? Is the 1st class pass valid on these trains, or only the 2nd class one? (That doesn't sound likely, but why else would I only get results with a 2nd class pass?)

Oh, and also, on the tourist train, is the fee only payable if you use the panoramic carriages, or does it also apply even if you sit in the EMU hauling them?

 

[Mike395]

Rail Europe is a bad tool to use for this - it only shows up in Second Class because the First Class area isn't reserveable outside of peak seasons. No reservations necessary or possible unless you want the tourist panoramic carriages, just board the train and enjoy the absolutely stunning views

 

[AlterEgo]

When are you looking for? The first class on this route is very popular and reservations can be often sold out.

 

[Mike395]

When are you looking for? The first class on this route is very popular and can be often sold out.

As far as I know, the 'standard' coaches (not the Bernina itself!) - specifically, the ones that act as motive power for the train - don't have reservations at all outside of peak summer in First?

 

[Teapot42]

When are you looking for? The first class on this route is very popular and reservations can be often sold out.

I've done the route before in the panoramic coach, so I'm happy to do it this time in the normal EMU.

The plan is to overnight in Tirano and travel to Chur (possibly just to Reichenau-Tamins) then on the Zermatt. RailEurope is a pain to plan this as I need to break it in to sections otherwise it takes me via Zurich...

 

[MrJeeves]

As far as I know, the 'standard' coaches (not the Bernina itself!) - specifically, the ones that act as motive power for the train - don't have reservations at all outside of peak summer in First?

I must say, I greatly enjoyed travelling in these and not paying for a reservation.

Nice big windows (though not panoramic), and very few other people! You also got a view out the drivers cab (at least when the Italian driver takes over...).

 

[bkhtele]

"As far as I know, the 'standard' coaches (not the Bernina itself!) - specifically, the ones that act as motive power for the train - don't have reservations at all outside of peak summer in First?"
Agreed no reservation necessary in 1st class did this in October 2025, brilliant with first class interrail ticket.

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[Teapot42]

Looking on the RhB website, while it does appear to confirm a reservation isn't necessary, it's also telling me there are only a handful of unreserved seats left for my planned train. It's also much more useful than the Rail Europe website in finding times etc! Oddly it seems only the Tirano to St Moritz section can be reserved, hopefully the section on to Chur isn't busy.

 

[bkhtele]

It's Switzerland internally you don't reserve seats. If you want the "luxury" Berina express pararoma area you do need to reserve. Ist class & standard in the unit pulling the Berina express are very good & don't require a reservation. Just turn up early & you will get your choice of seats. We got the seats behind the driver & luckily he did not pull down the blind.

 

[Alfonso]

No need for reservations, just go. On the Bernina bahn my completely subjective view is that you're marginally better off in the normal carriages (if there are any off season) than in the EMUs. On the St Moritz (or Samedan if you're cutting the corner from Pontresina) to Chur or wherever Albula bahn leg, the Inter Regios are often a loco with a fixed formation set that includes a panoramic observation bit with opening windows (use the electric switch to raise or lower) and a padded rail to lean on (no supplement payable). Id also go wherever you want, which may be second class even with a first class ticket depending on how many passengers are where

 

[bspahh]

I started from Chur at 10am and changed at Samedan and Pontresina, stopped for lunch at Alp Grüm, changed at Tirano and spent the night in Monza. It was a 2 minute connection in Samedan, but everything was on time and the connection was from one side to the other of the same platform.

It was a sunny Saturday in the middle of May. I had a first class Interrail ticket. All the panoramic coaches that I saw looked to be full. The most people I saw was 5 in a coach with 30 seats so it was no problem to move around to get the best views. On the panoramic coaches, you get a commentary, more food and some chocolate. Even if they were the same price, I would go for the unreserved coaches.

 

[StarCrossing]

The plan is to overnight in Tirano

If possible, I highly recommend staying in Alp Grüm. It's easily the most amazing place I've ever stayed. Was 90CHF for one night with breakfast included when I went earlier this year.

 

[rvdborgt]

I'm planning a Swiss rail adventure, but I'm hitting something odd with Rail Europe. If I search for journeys on the Tirano to Chur route (normal trains, not the tourist train) then I get some results (but not all) if I apply a 2nd class Interrail pass, but if I apply a 1st class one I get a message that no journeys can be found.

Rail Europe is not a good planner. Only use it for the reservations it can do. This does not include Switzerland; in addition, domestic reservations in Switzerland are generally a waste of money. Use sbb.ch for Swiss timetables.

 

[MaidaVale]

If you're planning on taking the regular RE services operated by RhB, Out of peak-season these are usually operated by an Allegra EMU trailing some classic "loco-hauled" style carriages with fully pull-down windows. In the peak season, on select St Moritz - Tirano trains these are accompanied by one or two open-waggons at the back. Both First and Second class passes are perfectly valid.

The open-waggons are completely reservation free but are obviously very popular in peak season so a lot of the seats will be taken from the terminus. I managed to get around this last time by standing at the very back of the open-waggon until someone got off a few stops later and I could get a seat. Not sure if most staff are keen on you doing this but I had no issues in my experience.

I believe you can book reservations in the carriages the RE trains but even in peak season (August this year) there were plenty of unreserved seats if you got on early enough, including in First Class, and *some* left for passengers boarding at Pontresina/Samedan, but if you want a guaranteed good seat and you're not in too much of a hurry, consider going via St Moritz rather than cutting it off with the "direct" connection between Pontresina and Samedan. That way you can get onboard early at the train's terminus and have your pick of the seats. The aforementioned first class is often split between the EMU at the front and maybe half to 2 cars of First Class in the classic carriages, depending on the exact service. I'd personally always choose the hauled carriages given the chance as the windows are bigger and open fully giving you a great view.

I've also done this journey at the end of October and there was ample seating available even when connecting at Samedan and Pontresina.

 

[Teapot42]

Is there any way to tell which trains will carry extra carriages? The RhB site is encouraging me to reserve, saying there are only a few seats left, but if that just applies to the Allegra and there will be more coaches unreserved then it seems unnecessary.

I'm planning on getting the 07:41 from Tirano with the changes via Pontresina and Samedan. Going to St Moritz would add an hour overall as the two trains don't quite connect there. It doesn't look like the short section of track in to St Moritz will be anything special scenically, so unless there is a major benefit in doing it I can't see the point if it means saving an hour.

Overall plan for the day is to get to Zermatt before dark then back to Brig where I'll overnight before heading for Locarno then on to Airolo and Interlaken.

 

[rvdborgt]

Is there any way to tell which trains will carry extra carriages? The RhB site is encouraging me to reserve, saying there are only a few seats left, but if that just applies to the Allegra and there will be more coaches unreserved then it seems unnecessary.

I wouldn't bother, especially in 1st class.

 

[Tester]

Is there any way to tell which trains will carry extra carriages? The RhB site is encouraging me to reserve, saying there are only a few seats left, but if that just applies to the Allegra and there will be more coaches unreserved then it seems unnecessary.

It's Switzerland - just go!