72625 posts
For first time tourists travelling across all parts of Switzerland in one week the Swiss Travel Pass is the best option
To start – look at the ‘how to travel resources on this site: http://www.myswissalps.com/travel/inswitzerland
The above link gives advise and the link to find timetables, use the link to the Swiss railway journey planner
Another even better timetables aite is the official timetable where you can get point to point journey planning, specific route tables honed to your requirements, plus station departure boards:
timetable-pt.transportdatamanagement.ch/qv/#/EinfacheFahrplanauskunft/Suche?timetable=current
Also, there are two good map resources showing where all transport stations are located:
Schweizmobil:
select (tick) the ‘Rail Bus Boat’ on the left hand menu and every single station /stop is shown on the map. You can then click the plus sign to filter out the types of transport you don’t want to see. So for example in Luzern start with all stations showing and you will see Luzern main station, the bus station and the boat landing stage all close together. If you then filter out everything except ‘train’ you will be left with just the railway station showing
map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=en&photos=yes&logo=yes&detours=yes&season=summer&bgLayer=pk&resolution=2.5&E=2666140&N=1211335&layers=Station
MAP Search ch
On the left hand side click the star in a black circle called ‘points of interest’ and you will get a list of transport modes. Click on the one you want eg ‘rail’
map.search.ch/?mode=oev&pos=666313,211475&zoom=14&poi=zug
72625 posts
For clarity, I have separated this message from my other message about ‘how to travel’
The normal routes from Zurich to the places you list (number of changes of trains varies depending on route) are as follows – however note that the Swiss system is so comprehensive that there are usually options to go other ways round:
Gruyeres:
Zurich HB – Bern – Bulle – Gruyeres
Interlaken / Grindelwald:
Zurich HB – Bern – Interlaken Ost – Grindelwald OR Zurich HB – Luzern – Interlaken Ost
Zermatt:
Zurich HB – Bern – Visp – Zermatt
Appenzell / Aescher:
Zurich HB – Herisau – Appenzell – Wasserauen – Ebenalp
72625 posts
1960Man
Thank you so much this will help us tremendously!
6382 posts
Hi Thorpe valor,
Zurich HB is the main train station in Zurich. There are various small stations in Zurich of course, but Zurich HB is the hub and main arrival and departure point for most regional and intercity trains.
Before your trip, you might want to inform yourself about how train travel works. You can find practical info and useful tips here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/howtotravel
Based on your plans, getting the Swiss Travel Pass might be the best option since you’ll be doing daily day trips from Zurich. With the Swiss Travel Pass you can travel freely on the trains to all the destinations on your list without the need to buy tickets. The only tickets you need are for the cable car to Berghaus Aescher and the cogwheel train to Gornergrat. You can find more information on how to use the Swiss Travel Pass here: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass
I recommend you install the SBB Mobile App or use the SBB timetable to plan your journeys: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Best regards,
Anna
72625 posts
Thank you Anna I have installed the SBB Mobile App and will use it for my trips.