Video 1. How to Train in Switzerland: Zurich Airport to Wengen (Jungfrau Region; YouTube link)
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| Figure 1. Train route from Wengen to Bern |
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| Figure 2. Departure Schedule Board at Bern Main Station |
Getting around Switzerland by train is easy. All you really need to know is
- the destination,
- departure time and
- track (or Gleis) from where your train is leaving,
and you are good to go. There are additional timetables above the tracks and on schedule boards along the platform for quick reference. Do double check to make sure your departure track hasn't changed. It happens not very often, but it can due to repair or extra scheduled trains.
If you Google search (Fig, 1) or look at Schedule Board at a train station (Fig. 2), you could find symbols such as IC, IR, etc. What do they mean and how do you know which train to board?
Based on [1], here are what the train service symbols stand for:
Using Swiss Federal Railways (German: Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, SBB; French: Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses, CFF; Italian: Ferrovie federali svizzere, FFS) website, the national railway company of Switzerland, you can find train connection schedule one line. For example, to search for the connection from Kloten to Lucerne using below search criteria, the search result is shown in Figure 3.
Must know about the Swiss timetable:
Train Service Identification
If you Google search (Fig, 1) or look at Schedule Board at a train station (Fig. 2), you could find symbols such as IC, IR, etc. What do they mean and how do you know which train to board?
Based on [1], here are what the train service symbols stand for:
- S-Bahn (S) and S-Bahn Nightline (SN), (RER in the French part of Switzerland)
- is a network of trains in cities and agglomerations (commuter trains). Unstaffed but controllers show up once in a while. Validate your ticket to avoid a penalty. Bicycle transport possible.
- Regio trains (R)
- stop at all stations within a region, sometimes though only on demand (push the red button next to your seat.) Not staffed. Validate your ticket BEFORE you enter the train. No seat reservations possible. Bicycle transport possible.
- RegioExpress (RE)
- are express trains within a region. Same as above, but only stop at certain stations (stop on demand not possible). No seat reservation possible. There's room for bicycles.
- InterRegion (IR)
- run throughout Switzerland from region to region. Similar to Regio but, as the name implies, run between regions. Bicycles have to be loaded onto special market coaches, but not all IR trains offer this service. Watch for bicycle pictograms on timetables.
- InterCity tilting trains (ICN)
- are air-conditioned, have a restaurant coach (no class difference) and minibar. Special wheelchair spaces in both classes, as well as business sections and quite zones (no music or mobile phones) in first class. Self-load coaches for your bicycles for which you need a reservation between March 21 and October 31.
- InterCity trains (IC)
- are air-conditioned express trains between cities with restaurants and minibar. Business and quiet zones in first class. When not otherwise marked, you can load your bike into special marked luggage and bicycle compartments.
- InterCityExpress (ICE)
- high speed, air-conditioned with restaurant (same for both classes) and snack bar. Seat reservation not necessary, but recommended during commuter times. Wheelchair reservations possible in the second class. Bicycle transport not possible.
- EuroCity (EC)
- International air-conditioned trains, usually with the restaurant. Seat reservation for passengers with or without wheelchair possible in second class (but not mandatory). Bicycle can be transported if not marked otherwise.
- CityNithgLine (CNL)
- International trains with sleepers, couchettes, and reclining-seats. Breakfast included according to the sleeper category. Normal ticket prices plus the price for the mode of transport you choose. Compulsory seat reservations. Bicycle transport possible with reservation.
- EuroNight (EN)
- International trains for night travelers only, including breakfast in the chosen category. Reservation is compulsory. No bicycle transport possible.
- RailJets (RJ)
- are air-conditioned high-speed trains that offer an additional class - the so-called Premium Class. With bistro. Onboard service at your seat possible in first and premium class. Quite and family areas (with theater). Wheelchair passengers can reserve a seat in first class with a second class ticket. No bicycle transport.
- TGV
- is a French high-speed train. Seat reservation compulsory when traveling internationally. Wheelchair reservation possible in the first class. You can take your bicycle with you but need a reservation for it. Self-service loading.
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| Figure 3. Train connection from Kloten to Lucerne using SBB/CFF/FFS Timetable |
Swiss timetable
Using Swiss Federal Railways (German: Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, SBB; French: Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses, CFF; Italian: Ferrovie federali svizzere, FFS) website, the national railway company of Switzerland, you can find train connection schedule one line. For example, to search for the connection from Kloten to Lucerne using below search criteria, the search result is shown in Figure 3.
Kloten → Lucerne
Travel route: Wed, 26.06.2019. Arrival 13:00.
- The advanced timetable includes all modes of transportation, not just trains;
- The timetable shows the fastest route unless you specify a via-location;
- It shows ticket prices too.
- A rail pass often saves you money.
- Note that Swiss Travel Pass covers most of train, bus, or boat rides in Switzerland; however, it doesn't cover all of them.
- For example, it covers rides from Lauterbrunnen up to Mt. Schilthorn; however, it doesn't cover rides from Wengen up to Jungfrau Region (refer to jungfrau.ch for more information).[5]
- Apart from rail stations, you can also enter addresses in the "from" and "to" fields;
- It shows schedules until early December.
- It will be updated around mid-October to include schedules until early December of the next year;
- Use the basic timetable for a quick search for trains between major towns.
- Avoid rush hours (check out Occupancy Rate)
- For example, if you choose IR 16 or IR 17 in Figure 4, it would be least crowded for both 1st and 2nd classes.
- Note that if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass with 2nd Class booking, you need board on the car (or carriage) with "2" label on its sides. On the platform, it will probably show which sections are for 1st class (e.g. "A", "B", "C") or 2nd class (e.g., "C", "D", E"). So, wait on the correct sections of platform based on your booking class.
- The % sign in a black triangle in the left corner (see Figure 4) means Supersaver fares are available. You can ignore it. With a Swiss Travel Pass, you don’t need a ticket.
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| Figure 4. Train connection from Bern to Zurich HB |
References
- Switzerland Train Travel Tips
- Swiss Timetable
- SBB CFF FFS Lockers
- Rail Service 0848 44 66 88Link opens in new window.
- CHF 0.08/min. (daily 24 hours)
- myswissalps forum (good)
- Swiss Travel Pass vs. Jungfrau Travel Pass
- VAT: HOW TO GET IT BACK AND SAVE ON SHOPPING IN SWITZERLAND
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