RegioExpress Lötschberger vs base tunnel route
Bebe is planning a trip from Interlaken to Locarno and is unsure about which train to take from Interlaken-Spiez to Brig. They need help figuring out how to identify the train that goes through the base tunnel, as well as understanding the best options available on the timetable.
- Look for the Inter City route IC8 on the timetable, which typically goes through the base tunnel directly to Visp.
- Take note that trains with white and black coaches are SBB trains, while green trains are BLS trains, so avoid the latter if you want to travel through the tunnel.
- If you wish to take a scenic route, specify Kandersteg as a via station, which will take you on the Regio Express Lotschberger train.
AI-generated summary-
Hello again!
1960 man may have answered this in a previous thread. I have read all the historical data descriptions of the RE Lotschberger train & the faster base tunnel train but am still confused as to which train from Interlaken-Spiez to Brig we should board to make sure we are going through the base tunnel and not the mountainous route. Our final destination is Locarno. I have not yet mastered interpreting the advanced timetable, so am wondering if there are any particular “via towns” I am supposed to enter, for example, Kandersteg or Goppenstein?
Much appreciation for any elaboration as to how to differentiate the trains.
Bebe
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Hi Bebe,
The SBB timetable usually displays the fastest route. In most cases the fastest route from Interlaken to Brig is via the base tunnel. If you prefer to take the longer (and scenic) route, which is over the mountain rather than through the tunnel, you should indicate Kandersteg as your via station. You’ll be travelling on this route on the Regio Express Lotschberger , which is a regional BLS train.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
Yes, I have answered this question before!
But to make it easy, trains through the base tunnel are Inter city route IC8, normally departing every hour at xx.36. From Spiez as long as you get on an SBB train with white and black coaches it will be going through the base tunnel direct to Visp.
Don’t get on a green train (BLS railway livery)
As Anna says, unless you specify a via, the fast route via the best tunnel will always been the one shown if you request a journey Spiez – Brig.
However, if you do go via the base tunnel the train usually terminates at Brig so you have to change trains to get a train to Domodossola.
Thanks for the clarifications,
Anna and 1960man. The term “Lotschberg” used with both train lines had me stumped. Now I know which color train to board at Spiez.
Bebe
Hi Bebe,
Yes, that can be confusing. There’s the longer “Lötschberg base tunnel” between Spiez and Brig. And there’s the mountain route with the shorter “Lötschberg tunnel” between Kandersteg and Goppenstein. The paragraph “RegioExpress Lötschberger trains versus quick connections” at http://www.myswissalps.com/lotschberger may clarify things.
Thanks, Arno & 1960man, for the additional info. I had not seen that map showing the two routes. Will be an interesting journey with either choice.
Best regards,
Bebe
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