Swiss train tickets next September - buy in advance?

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Dear all,

Next September we (party of 2) will take a week-long trip through Switzerland. Being city dwellers we decided to frequent Zurich and Bern. Additionally we will stay in Val Sinestra for two days, since we are invited to a wedding there.

Having read about Swiss public transport, we decided to travel by train. I read somewhere that train tickets can usually be bought on the spot, but occasionally needed to be bought beforehand. We are planning to use the following train schedule:
Friday Sept. 16: Zurich -> Landquart -> Scuol-Tarasp

Sunday Sept. 18: Scuol-Tarasp -> Landquart -> Zurich -> Bern

Wednesday Sept. 21: Bern -> Zurich

Any advice is very welcome on the question whether we should buy these tickets in advance. Thanks in advance.

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marcopolko
marcopolko

Being city dwellers, I would think you would want to see and do something different, the Swiss Alps, especially as to me the cities aren't that great, but the Alps are. The Bernese Oberland is one of Switzerland's best mountain areas.

Edited by: marcopolko

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evscha
evscha

Well, you don't need to buy regular train tickets in advance and as far as I can see, none of your itinerary includes any special trains, so you can buy tickets on the spot. Look at www.sbb.ch for advice about train passes.

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VanessaSGE
VanessaSGE

Complety agree with evscha. Absolutely no need to book in advance and even if seat reservation are possible I really don't think this is necessary. Trains are sometimes packed at rush hour when commuters go to/back from work but you will find a seat. I'd only recommend booking if you plan an international trip by train - for example from Switzerland to Italy - those trains can be completely booked up. Otherwise no problem!

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neckervd
neckervd

The Engadin Valley where is situated Val Sinestra is one of Switzerland's best mountain areas. There you will see the real alpine Switzerland and not only the places overran by people from Australia, New Zealand, India, China and Japan. If you like glaciers, go from Scuol to Pontresina - Diavolezza.
http://www.scuol.ch/en/welcome.cfm
http://www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/sommer/en/activities/unspoilt-nature/glaciers-ice/
http://zisler.net/foto/displayimage.php?album=8&pos=5
http://zisler.net/foto/displayimage.php?album=8&pos=9

Take your ticket at Zurich airport train station, resp at Scuol train station.
Fares:
Zurich airport - Val Sinestra: 75 CHF (4 hrs by train up to Scuol, then bus)
Val Sinestra - Bern via Zurich: 103 CHF (4 1/2 hrs, bus to Scuol, then train)
Val Sinestra - Bern via Glacier Express: 183 CHF (10 hrs, bus to Scuol, then train)
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
http://www.rhb.ch/Video-Glacier-eng.784.0.html?&L=4
http://www.rhb.ch/Video-Bernina-eng.782.0.html?&L=4
http://www.rhb.ch/UNESCO-Clip-eng.1061.0.html?&L=4

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Thank you very much for all the input.

I am aware that Switzerland has beautiful mountains and glaciers. However, I have seen many of those in earlier holidays, so they are not the primary target of this trip. Glad to hear that the Engadine valley will provide some great nature anyway.

I will gladly buy my train tickets on the spot. Thanks for the help!

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