How do I reserve a seat on a panoramic train in Switzerland?

You can reserve your seats on Swiss trains at SBB.ch, SBB Mobile, via SBB Contact Center 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/min.) or direct at the ticket counter. It costs CHF 5 per seat to make a reservation.



Reserving a seat on a Swiss panoramic train like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express in 2026 is a separate process from buying your ticket or travel pass. You can book these via the official SBB.ch website, the SBB Mobile app, or the specific website of the scenic line (e.g., rhb.ch for the Bernina). Once you select your route and date, you must look for the "Seat Reservation Only" option if you already hold a Swiss Travel Pass. The cost typically ranges from CHF 10 to CHF 49, depending on the season and class (Prestige Class on the GoldenPass Express being the most expensive). In 2026, it is highly recommended to book at least two to three months in advance for summer or winter peak periods, as these panoramic cars feature floor-to-ceiling windows and very limited seating compared to standard regional trains that run on the same tracks without a reservation requirement.

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Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat and choose a different seat at any time after your booking is complete by viewing your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com.

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The journey itself is covered by the GA or Swiss Travel Pass. Without a pass, the standard price for the complete journey (Zermatt-St. Moritz or the other way) is 152 CHF in 2nd class or 268 CHF in 1st class. With a half-fare card, you get 50% off this price.

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  • GoldenPass Express.
  • Gotthard Panorama Express.
  • Luzern–Interlaken Express.


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Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat at any time after your booking is complete using interactive seat maps on the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.

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The train operator may not have released seat reservations at that time. The train operator will only open seat reservations when the train path has been confirmed by Network Rail. This is usually 12 weeks ahead of your travel date. The train on which you wish to travel is full at the time of booking.

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With most airlines, if you DON'T pay and just check in online as early as you can, you WILL get to sit with the rest of your group – as long as seats are still available. All of the major airlines bar Ryanair told us their seat allocation systems will always try to seat groups on the same booking together.

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Because if there is a front-end collision or a rear-end collision, the damages will be greater at those locations. The middle of the train is by far the safest for persons.

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It's pretty logical that the front car is the most dangerous place in a head-on collision, and the last car worst if the train is rear-ended, so National Association of Railroad Passengers president Ross Capon suggests riding in the middle cars.

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1. The Bernina Express. Connecting Chur to Poschiavo in Switzerland, and to Tirano in Italy by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps, the Bernina Express features breathtaking views from its panoramic, red carriages.

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