Buchs SG-Salzburg: connection & Swiss Travel Pass
Letty, a traveler, is planning a 15-day trip to Switzerland in September with two friends. They will stay one night in Chur before heading to Salzburg and have questions about their train connections and customs when crossing the border. Specifically, they're interested in the connection timeframe and coverage of the train ride by the Swiss Travel Pass.
- For the best train transfer, consider changing trains in Sargans instead of Buchs SG to make your connection easier.
- You won't encounter customs procedures like at airports, but be aware of potential passport checks on international trains.
- The Swiss Travel Pass covers travel only up to Buchs SG, so you'll need to buy an additional ticket for the Buchs SG to Salzburg segment.
AI-generated summary-
Hi All,
We are a group of 3 adults and are planning to visit Switzerland in September. Our plan is to spend 15 days in Swiss and thereafter we will go to Salzburg. We plan to stay in Chur for 1 night and will take an early train to Buchs SG the next morning. Because of crossing the border we have the following questions:
1) The current schedule shows that when arriving at the Buchs SG station (7:45), we have only 9 minutes to connect a 7:54 train to Salzburg, will it be enough time to make the connection?
2) Do we have to go through customs before boarding an international train?
3) Does the train ride from Buchs SG to Innsbruck section cover by Swiss Travel Pass? If not, what is the best price train ticket for this portion?
Please advise and thank you in advance!
Letty
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Hi Letty,
1) That should be no problem. Short transfer times are part of the efficient Swiss railway system. But note that it makes more sense to change trains in Sargans rather than in Buchs. This is also what the timetable suggests as the easiest and quickest connection. The Railjet XPress leaving Buchs at 07.54 departs from Sargans at 07.36. And you can be in Sargans at 07.26 when catching the 07.08 train from Chur. Anyway: whether you board the Railjet Xpress from Buchs SG or from Sargans, there’s nothing wrong with taking an earlier train from Chur, if that makes you feel more comfortable. There are several early morning-options from Chur. You’ll find all options in the timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/timetable.
2) No, there are no customs procedures as when boarding a flight. But there can be passport checks in international trains. At the moment, you’ll also need additional corona-related documents when entering Austria (see http://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations and http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/destinations/destinations-europe/corona-international-rail-travel.html). But this might not be necessary anymore in September.
3) The Swiss Travel Pass is valid up to Buchs SG: https://www.myswissalps.com/swisstravelpass/validity So you’ll need an additional ticket Buchs SG-Salzburg. This page explains how to get the best fares: https://www.myswissalps.com/traintickets/austria.
Does this answer your questions?
Annika,
You addressed all my concerns. Thank you very much!
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