Skip to main content
Answer

Weird reservations demand in Glacier Express

  • July 14, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 95 views

Mateusz

Hi! I hope to travel by Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz on 12 SEP (2nd class pass).

I realized that there are no left seats for this day, whereas for next days of July there is plenty, sometimes 2-3, sometimes even 15 or more. That’s kind of weird. Do you know any real answers why is that? Is the Glacier Express team releasing seats week by week or what? 
July should be more demanding month than the middle of September. Is there any real chance of catching a reservation for my travel day in September? What do you think? 

I know that I can travel whole route using regional trains without reservations (that’s my only altrenative), but I need to get to Tirano and the last train departs St. Mortiz by 16:48, so I'm more inclined to take the Glacier Express and avoid stressful transfers on regional trains.
 

Many thanks for any help.
Mateusz, 
 

17/07/2025

 

24/07/2025
12/09/2025 - my travel day


 

Best answer by rvdborgt

The transfers in Switzerland are absolutely fine. No need to stress about them.

No idea why there are not many seats left in September for the Glacier Express. Maybe a lot of group bookings?

2 replies

Forum|alt.badge.img+10
  • Railmaster
  • Answer
  • July 14, 2025

The transfers in Switzerland are absolutely fine. No need to stress about them.

No idea why there are not many seats left in September for the Glacier Express. Maybe a lot of group bookings?


Mateusz
  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • July 14, 2025

The transfers in Switzerland are absolutely fine. No need to stress about them.

No idea why there are not many seats left in September for the Glacier Express. Maybe a lot of group bookings?

Thanks for the transfer info. I honestly don’t know why is that. Many many dates in September are completely out of seats. I claim from my observation that they release more seats +/- 30 days prior to departure but how? I really don't know. Maybe someone knows real explanation.


Forum|alt.badge.img+10
  • Railly clever
  • July 15, 2025

I would think that the seats are preliminary reserved by travel agencies that arrange group travels. About a month before departure the travel agencies then make the final reservations and any unsold seats are then released to be sold through the official website.