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Can I upgrade to 1st class with 2nd class Eurail pass for specific journeys only?

  • January 23, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 139 views
A

Hi,

 

I’m going to Europe for the first time, and bought a 2nd class Eurail global pass for 22 days. However, for any specific journey, for example the Bernina express from Tirano to Chur, can I book a 1st class seat? 

I don’t need 1st class for the whole time, so I’m not thinking of a pass upgrade, just looking for options to upgrade or exchange to 1st class for only specific routes. I know in swiss pass, it is possible to do that in sbb website, but couldn’t find anything similar in eurail. 

Also, in berina website, while booking seat reservation, I found that I can actually choose 1st class seat, and when selecting Eurail pass for discounted fare, it does discount the fare an only charge for seat reservation, but doesn’t ask if I have 1st class or 2nd class ticket. So, can I actually reserve 1st class seat with my 2nd class pass? 

 

Thank you so much.  

Best answer by thibcabe

In Switzerland you can upgrade. The full fare fee for Tirano - Chur is 47 CHF.

Travelling with only a 2nd class pass and a 1st class reservation would be considered as travelling without a valid ticket. Hefty fee.

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Full steam ahead
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  • thibcabe
  • Full steam ahead
  • 4878 replies
  • Answer
  • January 23, 2025

In Switzerland you can upgrade. The full fare fee for Tirano - Chur is 47 CHF.

Travelling with only a 2nd class pass and a 1st class reservation would be considered as travelling without a valid ticket. Hefty fee.

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    A K M Shafiuzzaman
A

Thanks for the info. I’ll be travelling from Tirano to Chur. So how do I upgrade before boarding in Tirano? Is there any way to do the upgrade beforehand online? 
 

And apart from Switzerland, what about Italy or Spain? What are the options of upgrading?

D
Keeps calm and carries on
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  • Danhiel
  • Keeps calm and carries on
  • 235 replies
  • January 23, 2025

​@A K M Shafiuzzaman ​@thibcabe 

In this case, it is not considered as travel without a valid ticket, but with a partly valid ticket. The fee is “only” 70 CHF instead of 90 CHF. 

According to the RhB site, it is not possible to buy an upgrade in the train. It is possible in some other long distance trains in Switzerland. You can buy the upgrade in SBB app, but before boarding the train. You have also a staffed ticket office in Tirano.

The informations I provide may contain errors and are not official responses from Eurail/Interrail.
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Railly clever
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  • AnnaB
  • Railly clever
  • 5941 replies
  • January 23, 2025

You make the upgrade of your 2nd class ticket to 1st class between Tirano and Chur in the SBB app or on the SBB website. 

 

Please note that I don't work for Interrail/Eurail and that I don't reply to personal messages.
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    rvdborgt

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