Switzerland Trains
June 7-14, 2025
Here you’ll find a summary of what you can expect to encounter. Below this, you’ll find links, screenshots, and detailed instructions on what and how to purchase.
Many trains start at Zurich Airport train station and take you to Pontresina (with some expected stops/train changes), but there is a VERY SPECIAL route we recommend that integrates the exceptional Unesco World Heritage Railway. This route Departs the Zurich Airport station (Flughafen) around ~11:45 am and gets everyone to Pontresina at an ideal time of ~3:30 pm. It also only requires 2 train changes - one at Zurich main station (HB) and one in Chur. (we will provide screenshots later AND the weeks leading up to your actual travel as reminders!)
STEP 1 - YOUR MAIN RAILWAY TICKET:
The train ticket system can be very confusing for non-Swiss people, so we recommend the EASIEST CHOICE. (If you are an avid Swiss train traveler and want to purchase an alternate ticket like a point-to-point or other pass, go for it)
There is a train ticket called the SAVER DAY PASS which you will purchase for the arrival date of your retreat AND the departure date of your retreat. This pass lets you on ANY train on any route on that ticketed day (this way if there are any delays or changes, you are covered that day). This is your TICKET from your starting point to your arrival in Pontresina. Instructions to purchase will follow below.
STEP 2 - WILD CARD OPTIONAL ADD-ON!
To make things a little more fun (and complicated!) we also have to mention a very specialized add-on option called the THE BERNINA EXPRESS. On the recommended route, there is a very special portion of that route through the Alps from Chur to our stop in Pontresina where there are specialized train cars as part of what is called The Bernina Express. These cars have panoramic windows, special in-car services, and other treats.
You will need to reserve specific seats on these cars to ride them on the route. It is really cool and some choose to reserve these special seats both ways, on only one leg of the trip, or neither.
We will provide details on how you can reserve a special seat on these cars if you are interested. It is a separate seat reservation from the Saver Day Pass (you will need both) ... it’s like buying the plane ticket then upgrading your seat to a better seat assignment (if that makes sense!) these cars sell out often months in advance, so if you want these seats, you do need to reserve when they go on sale (typically 6 months from the travel dates)
Instructions, links, and examples are below for any way you choose to travel from Zurich to Pontresina.
**We reccomend reading through this page first and then following instructions shared to purchase tickets**
June 7, 2025 ~ Depart Zurich
On June 7, you'll want to be on the exact route below for the Main Swiss Railway. Departing at 11:45 am from the Zurich Flughafen airport or 11:55 from Zurich HB.
LINK TO: June 7th Route (pictured above)
June 14, 2025 ~ Depart Pontresina
Getting to Pontresina - STEP #1
Main Swiss Railway Ticket
Book your SAVER DAY PASS (not optional)
You will be purchasing a Saver Day Pass for the arrival date of your retreat and a Saver Day Pass for the departure date of your retreat. On the front end, this ticket will allow you to board any train with the destination of Pontresina. Most of you will be boarding at either Zurich Flughafen (the airport) or Zurich HB (this stands for Hauptbahnhof; this is the Central Station in the heart of Zurich). The Saver Day Pass provides unlimited access to the Swiss Travel System (any train, any route, at any time for the entire day). This is more affordable the sooner you purchase, and it allows for flexibility and ease.
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PURCHASE:
Follow This Link to Buy Your Saver Day Passes (Sat, June 7, 2025 & Sat, June 14, 2025)
https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/day-pass/saver-day-pass.html
🔁 You will follow these instructions to book a one way ticket on the start date and a one way ticket on the end date of your retreat.
Instructions:
Tap purchase online
Choose your date of travel and tap on the pass that shows your date
If it prompts you, check out as guest
Tap “process passengers | reductions”
Enter your information (email, name, birthdate, and select NO DISCOUNT from discount card drop down), add a passenger as needed, when complete - click Accept
Choose 1st or 2nd class. *Note: If you plan to buy a Bernina Express seat reservation, it needs to match the class of your Saver Day Pass ticket. *First class offers wider and more padded seats, more legroom, and fewer seats per carriage. Second class are also great cars, just a bit less plush, and typically have more people.
Follow “To the Checkout” button and continue to “Buy Now”
NOTE to REPEAT the process for your return date (June 14th) 🔁 start again at step 1 above
Getting to Pontresina - STEP #2
Bernina Express (OPTIONAL) Ticket
Book your BERNINA EXPRESS (optional)
These cars have panoramic windows, special in-car services, and other treats. The seat reservations are available to purchase about 6 months in advance. The only thing you need to decide is whether you will choose 1st or 2nd class. Your Saver Day Pass and Bernina Express seat reservations must be the same class.
*First class offers wider and more padded seats, more legroom, and fewer seats per carriage. Second class are also great cars, just a bit less plush, and typically have more people.
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PURCHASE:
Follow This Link to Buy Your Bernina Express Seat Reservations (Sat, June 7, 2025 & Sat, June 14, 2025)
https://shop.rhb.ch/en/bernina-express
🔁 You will follow these instructions to book a one way ticket on the start date and a one way ticket on the end date of your retreat.
Instructions:
The route you’ll choose is Chur to Poschiavo
Select the start date of your retreat.
Trip Type is One way. Choose your class (must match Saver Day Pass)
When you tap “Next”, you will then see Travel Info: “Chur to Poschiavo via Samedan and Pontresina.” This means the train stops in Pontresina, and you will be able to hop off before the train continues on to its final destination of Poschiavo.
Select the later of the two train options (will be something near 13:28 Chur departure / 17:15 Poschiavo arrival). You will actually be arriving at the Pontresina stop somewhere around 3:30pm.
Choose your seat and select “next” - aim for a window seat and note the chairs face towards one another for group seating, look for the solid seat back to indicate the direction the chair faces.
Enter your information and make sure to choose the reduction drop-down “RESERVATION ONLY.” (You already bought your ticket when you bought the Saver Day Pass.)
Add to cart and continue to purchase (checkout as guest). You can choose to print your reservation if you like. They will also send it to you via email. You will need the barcode handy when traveling.
NOTE to REPEAT the process for your return date 🔁 start again at step 1 above
