Apres_Londee

I know there are many generous Swiss train experts here, I'm hoping one of you kind folks can offer some advice.

I think I read on another thread that for this rail trip(Lotschberg-Brig-Simplon line), it's best to sit on the left side of the train when going north from Milan.

Should we therefore try to get seats on the right side of the train, when traveling south from Bern to Milan? Where should we sit on the train for the best views?

Dukey

For the segment Bern to Milan, you can really sit on either side of the train until you get to the Lotschberg Tunnel itself.

After that, definitely sit on the right (facing forward) side of the train. Why? Because the train descends into Brig along the side of the Rhone River pallisade and the most spectacular views will be out to your right.

Apres_Londee

Thanks, Dukey. I'm really looking forward to this train ride, it sounds beautiful (and a little scary, too. I'm afraid of heights!)

One more quick question, though- from your answer it sounds as though one is able to change seats during the ride.

Does the seat reservation not commit one to a particular seat number? Or does the reservation just guarantee "a" seat on a particular train?

Are we able to choose our seats when we buy the tickets & seat reservations? Or is it a "first come, first serve" when boarding?

Thanks again!

Dukey

For some trains which run wholly within Switzerland seat reservations are not available. This may or may not be the case for your particular train.

On some trains you may not need a reservation (unless they are compulsory).

If you DO have a seat reservation it means there is a seat reserved for you (you know that). But that doesn't mean that ALL the seats will necessarily be reserved and you are free to sit in any seat which is not reserved.

At the same time, seat reservations are usually for segments, e.g., from Bern to Brig. You could sit in that seat as long as you don't do so during that particular reserved segment.

Does this make sense?

All in all, yes you can sit in unoccupied seats even though you have another seat reserved.

So, if you get on the train and there are unoccupied seats on that right side feel free to take one.

Dukey

A further note: sometimes seats are reserved but the passenger doesn't show up. If that's the case then you can probably sit in it. But if someone shows up and claims that reserved seat then be prepared to move.

Dukey

Yes, a reserved seat is for a particular seat in a particular car not just any seat in a particular car. If you make reservations you'll be told the car and seat number.

Dukey

FINALLY (LOL) on trains with reserved seats there will be a paper marker either on the seat back or on the overhead rack over the seat (in open coaches) or on the wall outside the particular seating compartment (I'm thinking of those six-seat typically European style seating arrangements) which tells you which seats are reserved.

Apres_Londee

Thanks so much, Dukey, I appreciate your help. It's so wonderful to be able to get these things straight in my mind beforehand!

We haven't bought our tickets yet, but I *think* we'll need seat reservations for our trip. We're planning to take the EC 131 (Cisalpino) from Bern to Milan, then change trains for the Eurostar to Florence.

So it sounds like the luck of the draw, as to our seat assignments and the direction in which they face. If we get any choice in the matter, I'll remember that west is best.

Dukey

www.cisalpino.com

As I recall, on Cisalpino services seat reservations are mandatory.

But remember, any unreserved seat will be fair game.

bob_brown

The times I have ridden a Cisalpino train, I had to have a seat reservation.

When you descend into the Valley of the Rhone after emerging from the tunnel, the angle is very gentle. You get a lovely view.

Once you leave Brig, you take a long ride in the Simplon Tunnel, which is not very scenic to say the least.

As for the leg of the trip between Bern and Spiez, where you head due south to Kandersteg, the Thuner See will be on your left and the mountains on your right.

Once you are in the Kander Valley after leaving Spiez, there is not really all that much to see until you get close to Kandersteg. Then the mountains loom large. After Kandersteg, you enter the tunnel and emerge in a little spot called Goppenstein.

Too bad you are not driving because a trip up the valley from the south side of the tunnel is really a unique trip.

Apres_Londee

Thank you, Bob. Again, it is so wonderful to learn about these details ahead of time. I am really looking forward to my first peek of Swizerland and the Alps. I never thought I'd be so excited about a train ride.

Driving would be lovely, but we wanted to keep things simple for this short leg of the trip, and relaxing as possible. Especially as we are passing through Switzerland in mid-April, when conditions may not always be reliable.
(I am just hoping we are lucky enough to have clear weather that day)

Dukey

Don't despair re the weather.

A couple of years ago I took the same trip from Bern on my way to Zermatt.

The weather in Bern was dreary but the friend I was visiting there said, "The weather wil be a lot better 'up above.'"

I thought, "Yeah, right!"

As we appraoched the Lotschberg Tunnel the train, literally, rose through the clouds (as one does on a plane) very dramatically to basically clear skies (this was in November).

You will have a great trip I am certain. And they very well may BE loading cars onto the train at the tunnel because the pass is closed...watch for it..again from the RIGHT side of the train.

bob_brown

For your future visits to Switzerland, I do suggest late June through early September for the high mountain passes.

When we were there last year in late August and early September, there was such heavy snowfall that the Furka Pass was closed for a few hours while road crews cleaned the highway.

Even though that was a rare event, and the pass was closed long before conditions became dangerous, it just goes to show that in the high Alps, most anything can happen.

That said, Switzerland as a general rule is not bad for driving. We have negotiated the mountain passes more than once and have always marvelled at the beauty.

Some of the train trips are nice, but I don't think anything can rival a view from the heights. The Furka and the Grimsel Passes in particular are full of spectacular views.

Also, in Zermatt and in the Berner Oberland there are numerous opportunities for cable lift and mountain train travel that takes you up for incredible views.

Here is hoping you will have another opportunity in the near future to re-visit one of my favorite areas.

If you rent an apartment in a central location, you can use it as a base, and travel outwards from there.

I usually rent an apartment in Lauterbrunnen because it is central.
I readily admit that views are better from either Wengen or Mürren, but from Lauterbrunnen I can easily get to those views and many others as well.

Because Switzerland is a small country, day trips to various locations are indeed possible.

One day we just decided to go see the Falls of the Rhine River at Schaffhausen. So we got in the car and headed out. We came back through Zürich, Luzern, and descended the Brünig Pass.

It was a nice day of touring. I must admit however, that after riding in a Fiat Punto, I was glad we were not driving all the way to Warsaw or Sofia!

Apres_Londee

I hope I'm able to go for a proper visit someday soon, as well. This time, sadly, we have to make do with our 1 night in Bern and the views from the train.

I have no doubt, though, I'll fall in love with the country from the windows of the train, and will probably end up here on the boards madly planning a future trip to Swizerland upon our return.

I'm saving your posts, Bob & Dukey, you have been so sweet and helpful I could kiss you both!