Fare and Reservation Are Two Different Things
Switzerland's named panoramic trains run on ordinary railway lines, and the price of a seat is split in two. First you need a valid ticket for the journey, which can be a point-to-point ticket, a Swiss Travel Pass or a ticket bought at half price with the Swiss Half Fare Card. Second, on the most popular panoramic trains you need a seat reservation, which is sold separately and is not included in any pass.
The official Swiss Travel Pass terms state this plainly: the pass covers the fare on panoramic trains, but the compulsory reservations on the Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express cost extra. Reservation fees are seasonal, higher in summer than in winter, and on the Glacier Express they run to several tens of francs per person on top of the fare. Check the current amount on the operator's site before you budget.
The Main Panoramic Routes
- Glacier Express: Zermatt to St. Moritz (or Davos) via Andermatt and the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 m. The full trip covers 291 km, 291 bridges and 91 tunnels and takes about eight hours. It is run jointly by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and the Rhaetian Railway. Seats are compulsory-reservation only, and there is a premium Excellence Class with its own supplement.
- Bernina Express: Chur, Davos or St. Moritz over the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy. The Albula and Bernina lines it uses have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. In the warmer months a connecting Bernina Express bus continues from Tirano to Lugano.
- GoldenPass Express: Montreux to Interlaken via Gstaad and Zweisimmen, running through since December 2022 thanks to bogies that change track gauge on the move. Reservations are needed for the through service.
- Gotthard Panorama Express: a boat across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen, then a train over the old Gotthard line to Lugano or Bellinzona. It runs in the warmer season only and requires a reservation.
Where and When to Book
You can book reservations in the SBB Mobile app, on sbb.ch, on each train's own website, or at staffed stations in Switzerland. If you already hold a Swiss Travel Pass, buy the reservation only, not a second ticket. The booking systems ask whether you have a pass and price the seat accordingly.
Summer and early autumn departures of the Glacier Express and Bernina Express fill first, especially the panorama cars on the scenic side of the train. Book as soon as your dates are fixed. In winter there is usually more availability, and the reservation fee is lower.
Riding the Same Lines Without a Reservation
The panoramic trains are a comfortable way to see these routes, but not the only one. Regular regional trains of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and the Rhaetian Railway cover the same tracks, and they do not require seat reservations. They stop more often and have smaller windows, but some older carriages still have windows that open, which suits photographers better than the sealed panorama glass.
On the Bernina line, regional trains run between St. Moritz and Tirano throughout the day, so you can break the journey at Alp Grüm or Ospizio Bernina for a walk and continue on a later train. Splitting the Glacier Express route the same way, with nights in Andermatt or Disentis, turns an eight-hour sitting into two easy days.
Choosing Seats and Planning the Day
- On long panoramic runs, decide in advance which side of the train you want. The operators' seat maps show the layout, and the booking tools sometimes let you choose.
- Factor in connections. The Glacier Express ends in Zermatt and St. Moritz, both at the end of branch lines, so arriving the evening before avoids a tight early transfer.
- Luggage goes with you on board. Swiss railways also offer a separate luggage forwarding service between stations if you prefer to travel light.
- Meals are served at your seat on the Glacier Express and must be ordered in advance for some menus.
Is It Worth Paying for the Named Trains?
For a first trip, the Glacier Express or Bernina Express gives a full day of mountain scenery with guaranteed seats and commentary. If you are on a budget, already hold a Swiss Travel Pass, or prefer to stop along the way, the regional trains deliver most of the same views at no extra cost. Many travellers combine both: the panoramic train on the most scenic section and regional trains for the rest.
