[Anonymous]

16 July 2018 at 21:43:29 #817308

Hello,

My upcoming trip at the end of this month will be my first in Switzerland. I have this question, which is kind of stupid, but is bothering me quite a bit. So thought of asking folks here who are really helpful 🙂

I have a flight back to Copenhagen from Geneva at 18:55 on 31st of July. I will have to reach Geneva Airport from Murren on that day.

I have worked out a schedule on SBB via the Golden Pass Route, which actually takes more than an hour longer than the normal route.

This schedule has me leave Murren at 11:58 and arrive at Geneva Airport at 17:39.

I am just nervous whether this is too close for my departure flight at 18:55. I will not have any check-in luggage with me, although I might have to spend some time to print the boarding pass from one of the self-service check-in kiosks.

There is one earlier schedule (via Golden Pass again) which has me leave Murren at 9:58 and arrive at Geneva airport at 15:39.

But I would like to spend those extra two hours in Murren for which I have heard a lot of good things. And 15:39 at Geneva is kind of too early.

So my heart is with the 11:58 Murren schedule. But do you think it is very risky to arrive at 17:39 to the airport?

Since I don’t know how big the Geneva airport is and I have no idea how much time it might take to reach the gates, I am asking in this forum.

Looking forward to your answers. 🙂

💡 Save time and get daily forum questions & answers by e-mail

[User]

Reply 1 of 5 • 17 July 2018 at 8:12:33 #891623

Hi anilBLR,

1 hour and 20 minutes before departure is probably fine at Geneva airport especially without checked bags. But it is a little risky if the train is delayed for some reason.

I’m not sure if I would do it personally. What are you wanting to do that morning in Murren? I’m assuming you’ll have stayed there for a few days prior to leaving?

There is also a 10:28 departure arriving at 1639. Search Murren to Geneve aeroport via Zweisimmen: https://www.myswissalp s.com/timetable

[User]

Reply 2 of 5 • 17 July 2018 at 11:15:56 #891624

Thanks Lucas.

In the 10:28 departure schedule, the train running between Zweisimmen and Montreux is not a panoramic train, which is the reason why I was thinking of 11:58 Murren departure schedule which has the panoramic train.

But do you think I should not over-think about the train being panoramic or not? Are the views from the regular train on that route equally good?

To answer your earlier question about my length of stay in Murren, I will be arriving in Murren in the afternoon of 29th July. So if 31st July is not counted, I will have one-and-a-half days in Murren which is why I want to spend those extra two hours in Murren.

[User]

Reply 3 of 5 • 17 July 2018 at 22:59:22 #891625

As I’ve stated on this forum many times (so much so I have some ‘standard responses’ saved and ready now!) , panoramic trains are to an extent overhyped. Don’t risk a late arrival at Genève airport just to fit one in.

By the way I also know Geneva airport (since 57 years…). It’s not too big so you might want to take the risk. (I passed through security in about 5 minutes 3 weeks ago but it was late at night)

So here is a paste of my ‘standard response’ for Golden Pass:

A few facts about the Montreux – Zweisimmen railway – ie the MOB (Montreux-Oberland Bernois):

The Golden Pass is historically only Montreux – Zweisimmen, only more recent marketing branding takes the ‘Goldenpass route’ east of Zweisimmen to Interlaken and beyond to Luzern.

The Golden Pass is the touristic branding for the Montreux – Oberland Bernois (MOB) railway which runs from Montreux to Zweisimmen, but after a few years of favouring ‘Goldenpass services’, the company decided it was losing its tradition and has reverted to putting the Chemin de Fer Montreux – Oberland Bernois name on publicity and train coaches.

MOB pioneered the Panoramic coach concept on Swiss trains, starting in 1976.

There are now several versions of panoramic coaches in service, but MOB keeps changing its mind how to dub each service.

It hardly matters anyway as most modern Swiss trains have large windows, even if not officially panoramic. The key element of a ‘panoramic’ coach is ‘toplight’ windows above your head but in practice very few of the major views from panoramic trains are directly above your head, so the view through the normal side part of windows is normally fine.

I recommend using regional trains on the MOB (the real name for the Montreux – Zweisimmen railway). Again, this gives you the flexibility to get on a train at whichever time suits you.

If you do do the MOB railway you can catch any train, there is no need to book, and in fact you could pick it up anywhere along the line if you fancy.

[User]

Reply 4 of 5 • 17 July 2018 at 23:51:38 #891626

Thanks a ton, 1960man! 🙂

You cured my dilemma. Now I will not risk going late to Geneva Airport just because of that panoramic train. I will catch a regular train on the MOB railway.

And, I must say, you have provided great information on the MOB railway. Even I was under the impression that the Golden Pass route covers the entire stretch between Luzern & Montreux! 🙂

[User]

Reply 5 of 5 • 18 July 2018 at 5:26:43 #891627

You’ll be happy to note that the buses at Zurich airport (transporting customers to their planes who aren’t lucky enough to get an aerial walkway) are advertising the Golden Pass Line as:

Zurich – Lucerne – Interlaken – Montreux – Geneva

Bolding is as shown on the ads.

🙂